The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, 1151, Oxford Road, San Marino, Los Angeles County, California, 91108, United States of America
CBS Studio Center, Woodbridge Street, Studio City Neighborhood Council District, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, 91604, United States of America
Santa Clarita City Hall, 23920, Valencia Boulevard, The Bungalows, Valencia, Santa Clarita, Los Angeles County, California, 91355, United States of America
65th Avenue, Mecca, Riverside County, California, 92254, United States of America
The Orpheum Lofts, 842-846, South Broadway, Jewelry District, Financial District, Downtown, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, 90013, United States of America
The beloved political drama walks and talks through the corridors of the White House – a White House that never existed off-screen. Its West Wing was a meticulous set on a Warner Bros soundstage in Los Angeles, with Washington, D.C. appearing mostly in establishing shots.
Where was The West Wing filmed?
The West Wing was filmed mainly on a Los Angeles soundstage, with location work in and around Washington, D.C.
Every West Wing location, explained
1
The White House – a Warner Bros set
The show’s West Wing was a detailed set built at Warner Bros Studios in Burbank, Los Angeles.
2
Washington, D.C. – establishing shots
Real Washington, D.C. and nearby Virginia towns like Alexandria feature in exteriors and establishing footage.
3
Civic buildings
Venues such as DAR Constitution Hall in D.C. stood in for grand civic settings.
4
The walk-and-talk corridors
The show’s famous walk-and-talk scenes were staged along the winding studio corridors of the West Wing set.
Planning a visit
The show’s White House was a set, but real Washington, D.C. – the Mall, Constitution Hall and historic Alexandria across the river – captures the world the series so lovingly evoked.
The West Wing Fun Facts
1
The White House was a set The West Wing was a soundstage set at Warner Bros in Los Angeles, not the real building.
2
The walk-and-talk The show popularised the ‘walk-and-talk,’ with characters striding through corridors mid-conversation.
3
D.C. in the background Real Washington appears mostly in establishing shots between studio scenes.
4
Sorkin's rapid dialogue Creator Aaron Sorkin’s fast, layered dialogue became the show’s signature.
5
An award juggernaut The series won a string of Emmys across its run.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was The West Wing filmed in the real White House?
No – the West Wing was a detailed set on a Warner Bros soundstage in Los Angeles.
Does the show use real Washington, D.C.?
Yes – mostly in establishing shots and some location work around the capital.
What is a 'walk-and-talk'?
The show’s signature technique of filming characters talking while walking through the corridors.
