The story involves Maverick confronting his past while training a group of younger Top Gun graduates, including the son of his deceased best friend, for a dangerous mission.
El Dorado County, California, United States of America
Scene: (Forested mountain aircraft staging area)
JO Pass Trail, Tulare County, California, United States of America
Scene: (Snow-covered mountain meadows)
Beach Retreat & Lodge at Tahoe, 3411, Lake Tahoe Boulevard, Ski Run Center, Bijou, South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County, California, 96150, United States of America
Scene: (Snow-covered mountain meadows)
Franklin Avenue, Kings County, California, United States of America
Scene: (witnesses)
Naval Air Station Fallon (Van Voorhis Field), Perimeter Road, Fallon, Churchill County, Nevada, 89406, United States of America
Beach Retreat & Lodge at Tahoe, 3411, Lake Tahoe Boulevard, Ski Run Center, Bijou, South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County, California, 96150, United States of America
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Oak Street, Island County, Washington, 97277, United States of America
Beach Retreat & Lodge at Tahoe, 3411, Lake Tahoe Boulevard, Ski Run Center, Bijou, South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County, California, 96150, United States of America
Scene: (Remote mountain military airstrip)
F Road West, Coronado, San Diego County, California, 92135, United States of America
JO Pass Trail, Tulare County, California, United States of America
Decatur County, Kansas, United States of America
Naval Air Station Fallon
Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
Naval Air Station Lemoore
Eldorado National Forest
The long-awaited sequel put its cast in real fighter jets – flying with the US Navy over the mountains of California and Nevada, capturing genuine G-forces and aerial footage that no green screen could fake.
Where was Top Gun: Maverick filmed?
Top Gun: Maverick was filmed with the US Navy across California and Nevada – Naval Air Station Fallon, China Lake and the Sierra Nevada.
Every Top Gun: Maverick location, explained
1
The Navy air stations
The film worked with the real US Navy at Naval Air Station Fallon in Nevada – home of the real TOPGUN school – and China Lake in California.
2
The mountain flying
The thrilling low-level flying used the mountains of the Sierra Nevada and around Lake Tahoe.
3
The California valleys
The ‘canyon run’ training used real California mountain terrain.
4
The carrier scenes
Aircraft-carrier scenes were filmed aboard real US Navy vessels.
Planning a visit
The film’s mountains – the Sierra Nevada and the Lake Tahoe region – are spectacular, accessible California landscapes, though the Navy air stations are restricted.
Top Gun: Maverick Fun Facts
1
They flew in real jets The cast trained and flew in real F/A-18 Super Hornets to capture genuine G-forces on camera.
2
Real Navy cooperation The film worked with the US Navy at Fallon and China Lake.
3
Minimal CGI The aerial footage relied on real flying rather than computer effects.
4
Cruise's insistence Tom Cruise reportedly insisted the actors experience real flight.
5
A record-breaking sequel The film became one of the highest-grossing of its year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did they really fly the jets?
The cast flew in real F/A-18s to capture genuine G-forces, though Navy pilots operated the aircraft.
Where was the mountain flying filmed?
Over the Sierra Nevada and around Lake Tahoe in California.
Can you visit the locations?
The Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe are accessible, though the Navy air stations are restricted.
