filmTop Gun
Explore Top Gun through the San Diego locations documented by the linked sources.
6 places in San DiegoChristian David · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Display-cropped · City context photograph
Explore San Diego through the places behind its cultural stories. Start with Top Gun, Almost Famous, Veronica Mars, then follow the connections between the works, people and locations in this collection. Use the map to see how the documented locations fit together, and browse the place cards for the story behind each stop. A production location and the place it represents on screen can be different; each connection keeps those details separate. For something happening now, follow the official events programme and confirm dates and access with the organiser before travelling. Build your own route by choosing the stories that interest you most. Return to explore new stories as the collection grows.
Start with a story.
film
filmAlmost Famous
Fact-check: pencil the film’s own story in red, stet or strike, and find Cleveland was Hollywood and Tempe a hotel lobby; slide a 1973 floor plan until the Riot House staircase appears behind the drywall, then pull the messages from four hotel pigeonholes.
4 places in San DiegoKatie Kiehn · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Display-cropped
televisionVeronica Mars
Explore Veronica Mars through the San Diego locations documented by the linked sources.
9 places in San DiegoChristian David · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Display-cropped · City context photograph
Places with a story.
36 places · 36 mapped locations
San Diego Zoo
George Jerman photographed the Pet Sounds cover in the zoo’s petting paddock on 15 February 1966.
A ticketed zoo in Balboa Park.
Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach
The film opens on Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach, by the Strand Theatre.
A public shopping street that runs down to the beach. The old Strand at number 4950 is a shop now; walk on to the sand and the pier.
Balboa Park
Balboa Park is seen behind the opening credits.
A public park, free to walk. The visitor centre is at 1549 El Prado; museums and theatres charge separately.
Pechanga Arena (the San Diego Sports Arena)
The Sports Arena is the opening venue, where William first meets Stillwater.
A working arena: buy a ticket for a show or a San Diego Gulls game and you are inside.
The Old Globe
Almost Famous the musical had its world premiere on the Old Globe’s Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in September 2019, with opening night on 27 September.
A working theatre in Balboa Park: see a play.
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
Former Top Gun school and film connection; military access restricted.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Miramar Way, San Diego · Source-recorded area position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
Lafayette Hotel
Top Gun: officer’s club serenade, former Mississippi Room.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
2223 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego · Source-recorded address-level position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
Kansas City Barbeque
Top Gun: Maverick and Goose’s Great Balls of Fire scene.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
600 West Harbor Drive, San Diego · Source-recorded site-centre position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
The Plunge San Diego
Top Gun: locker-room confrontation.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
3115 Ocean Front Walk, San Diego · Source-recorded address-level position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
New Point Loma Lighthouse
Top Gun: Viper’s home; view from permitted public vantage points.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, San Diego · Source-recorded area position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
Liberty Station
Top Gun: former Naval Training Center filming location.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
2640 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego · Source-recorded area position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
USS Midway Museum
Top Gun: Maverick premiere venue, not a claimed film location.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
910 Harbor Drive, San Diego · Source-recorded site-centre position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
San Diego Civic Theatre
Top Gun: Maverick premiere events venue, not a claimed film location.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Downtown San Diego · Source-recorded area position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
Mission Bay
Freaky Friday: mother-and-daughter waterskiing finale.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Mission Bay, San Diego · Source-recorded area position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
Westgate Hotel
One Battle After Another: documented filming area.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Downtown, San Diego · Source-recorded site-centre position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
East Village
One Battle After Another: documented filming area.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
East Village, San Diego · Source-recorded area position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
Otay Mesa
One Battle After Another: documented filming area.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Otay Mesa, San Diego · Source-recorded suburb representative position; not a surveyed filming viewpoint or visitor route. Existing visitor restrictions apply. OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0.
Cho’s Pizza filming site
Veronica Mars, Kanes and Abel’s: Cho’s Pizza.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
3647 30th Street, San Diego · Source-recorded address level position; not an exact filming viewpoint or visitor route. OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. Existing visitor restrictions still apply.
Vincent Vanlowe office filming site
Veronica Mars, Kanes and Abel’s: Vanlowe’s office.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
3865 Granada Avenue, San Diego · Source-recorded address level position; not an exact filming viewpoint or visitor route. OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. Existing visitor restrictions still apply.
Ocean Beach Hotel
Veronica Mars, Kanes and Abel’s: Amelia’s hiding place.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
5080 Newport Avenue, San Diego · Source-recorded address-level position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
Stu Segall Studios
Veronica Mars, Kanes and Abel’s: studio filming.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Kearny Mesa, San Diego · Source-recorded registered address structure reference position; not a surveyed filming viewpoint or visitor route. Existing visitor restrictions apply.
Miramar Road lumber-yard filming site
Veronica Mars, Hot Dogs: dog-napper’s lumber yard.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
7292 Miramar Road, San Diego · Source-recorded registered address structure reference position; not a surveyed filming viewpoint or visitor route. Existing visitor restrictions apply.
Kellogg Park
Veronica Mars, Hot Dogs: former lifeguard-station sequence.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
8277 Camino del Oro, La Jolla, San Diego · Source-recorded area position; not a surveyed filming viewpoint or visitor route. Existing visitor restrictions apply. GeoNames, CC BY 4.0. Source record modified 2006-01-15.
El Paseo Grande filming site
Veronica Mars, Hot Dogs: Chester collection scene; private address.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
8389 El Paseo Grande, La Jolla, San Diego · Source-recorded address level position; not a surveyed filming viewpoint or visitor route. Existing visitor restrictions apply. OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0.
San Diego State University
Veronica Mars season three: Hearst College campus.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
San Diego · Source-recorded area position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
University of San Diego
Veronica Mars season three: Hearst College campus.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
San Diego · Source-recorded area position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
Former Heritage Club
Tom Waits worked as the club’s doorman in 1972.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
San Diego · Official address/structure reference at 3842 Mission Boulevard for the former venue; no surviving historic interior or current operation asserted. Existing visitor restrictions apply.
Former Innerchange Coffeehouse
Jewel performed here before signing with Atlantic Records.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
San Diego · Official address/structure reference at 828 Turquoise Street for the former venue; no current operation or interior asserted. Existing visitor restrictions apply.
San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts
Andra Day graduated from this school before her recording debut.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
San Diego · Source-recorded area position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
Petco Park
MovieMaps lists Petco Park in its filming-location catalogue for Pitch. The production-site association and current access await review.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Petco Park, San Diego · MovieMaps location 6kf llat/llng; source-recorded site centre, geography review pending; not a surveyed viewpoint.
Omni San Diego Hotel
MovieMaps lists Omni San Diego Hotel in its filming-location catalogue for Pitch. The production-site association and current access await review.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Omni San Diego Hotel, San Diego · MovieMaps location 6kg llat/llng; source-recorded site centre, geography review pending; not a surveyed viewpoint.
California Bell Tower at San Diego Museum of Man
MovieMaps lists California Bell Tower at San Diego Museum of Man in its filming-location catalogue for Citizen Kane. The production-site association and current access await review.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
California Bell Tower at San Diego Museum of Man, San Diego · MovieMaps location sq llat/llng; source-recorded site centre, geography review pending; not a surveyed viewpoint.
Mission San Luis Rey
MovieMaps lists Mission San Luis Rey in its filming-location catalogue for Zorro. The production-site association and current access await review.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Mission San Luis Rey, San Diego · MovieMaps location 5zz llat/llng; source-recorded site centre, geography review pending; not a surveyed viewpoint.
Former SDCCU Stadium site
The tourism authority identifies the former stadium as a filming location.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Mission Valley, San Diego · Historic demolished San Diego Stadium property reference; not replacement Snapdragon Stadium, surviving film-era interiors, an entrance or present visitor-access assurance. Existing visitor restrictions apply. Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; community geographic record, retained source snapshot (revision ID not provided).
University of California San Diego
The tourism authority documents filming and the use of lab coats from campus offices.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
UC San Diego, San Diego · Source-recorded area position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
Star of India
The tourism authority identifies the historic ship’s role in the film.
Confirm current access with the venue. Source documentation does not establish present visitor access.
Sources and geography
Maritime Museum of San Diego · Source-recorded site-centre position, pending geography review. Not a surveyed filming viewpoint or confirmation of current access.
People behind the stories.
Explore every World.
Top Gun ↗
Explore Top Gun through the San Diego locations documented by the linked sources.
Almost Famous ↗
Fact-check: pencil the film’s own story in red, stet or strike, and find Cleveland was Hollywood and Tempe a hotel lobby; slide a 1973 floor plan until the Riot House staircase appears behind the drywall, then pull the messages from four hotel pigeonholes.
Balboa Park ↗Pechanga Arena (the San Diego Sports Arena) ↗Newport Avenue, Ocean Beach ↗The Old Globe ↗
Enter the existing World ↗Veronica Mars ↗
Explore Veronica Mars through the San Diego locations documented by the linked sources.
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! ↗
Explore Attack of the Killer Tomatoes! through the San Diego locations documented by the linked sources.
One Battle After Another ↗
Explore One Battle After Another through the San Diego locations documented by the linked sources.
Pitch ↗
Explore Pitch through the San Diego locations documented by the linked sources.
Top Gun: Maverick ↗
Explore Top Gun: Maverick through the San Diego locations documented by the linked sources.
Andra Day ↗
Explore Andra Day through the San Diego locations documented by the linked sources.
Citizen Kane ↗
Explore Citizen Kane through the San Diego locations documented by the linked sources.
Freaky Friday (1976) ↗
Explore Freaky Friday (1976) through the San Diego locations documented by the linked sources.
Jewel ↗
Explore Jewel through the San Diego locations documented by the linked sources.
The Beach Boys ↗
Harmony: stack five voices over the Hawthorne lot where Surfin’ was taped, ride the coast south, feed the Pet Sounds goats and stand London up for Smile.
Enter the existing World ↗Tom Waits ↗
Explore Tom Waits through the San Diego locations documented by the linked sources.
Zorro ↗
Explore Zorro through the San Diego locations documented by the linked sources.
City photograph: Christian David · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Display-cropped for this layout.
Music location collection
Music, in place.
Music videos, cover images and recording history. Each connection links to its source. 4 named locations have supported map pins; locations awaiting coordinates remain below.
Explore the Music location map ↗
Explore San Diego on the map.
Open full map ↗4 locations · 6 connections · showing 4
San Diego Zoo
Supported named-site pin. Confirm present access before visiting.
1 music connection and sources
Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys · Album / sleeve photography · Independently corroborated
Signature Sound
Supported named-site pin. Confirm present access before visiting.
2 music connections and sources
Studio West
Supported named-site pin. Confirm present access before visiting.
2 music connections and sources
Singing Serpent — San Diego
Supported named-site pin. Confirm present access before visiting.