The generation-defining 1967 comedy-drama sends a drifting young graduate from Los Angeles to Berkeley – and, in one of cinema’s famous geographical liberties, used a Los Angeles campus to play UC Berkeley, before a wedding-day dash to a real church in La Verne.
Where was The Graduate filmed?
The Graduate was filmed across Los Angeles – Beverly Hills, USC (as Berkeley) and a La Verne church – plus the real Berkeley and San Francisco.
Every Graduate location, explained
1
Mrs Robinson’s world – Beverly Hills
The affair scenes used Beverly Hills and the Ambassador Hotel (as the Taft Hotel) in Los Angeles.
2
‘Berkeley’ – USC
Many college scenes were actually shot at USC in Los Angeles, standing in for UC Berkeley.
3
The real Berkeley and San Francisco
Some scenes used the genuine Berkeley and San Francisco, including the Bay Bridge.
4
The wedding – La Verne
The climactic wedding used the United Methodist Church of La Verne, east of Los Angeles.
Planning a visit
Beverly Hills, the campuses of Los Angeles, and the La Verne church of the famous finale are all real, accessible pieces of this landmark film.
The Graduate Fun Facts
1
USC plays Berkeley Much of the ‘UC Berkeley’ campus was actually filmed at USC in Los Angeles.
2
'Mrs. Robinson' The Simon & Garfunkel song became inseparable from the film.
3
The church still stands The wedding was shot at the United Methodist Church of La Verne, which remains a landmark.
4
Hoffman's breakthrough The film made a star of Dustin Hoffman as Benjamin Braddock.
5
'Plastics.' The one-word career advice became one of cinema’s most quoted lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was The Graduate filmed?
Across Los Angeles – Beverly Hills, USC (as Berkeley) and a La Verne church – plus real Berkeley and San Francisco.
Was it filmed at UC Berkeley?
Only partly – many ‘Berkeley’ scenes were shot at USC in Los Angeles.
Can you visit the wedding church?
Yes – the United Methodist Church of La Verne still stands.
