The Reel Deal

Any group tour to Hawaii would be a bucket list event for many tourgoers. But what if, in addition to Hawaii, your guests could be transported to Skull Island, the mysterious island from “Lost,” or even Jurassic Park? Thanks to the power of movie magic, they can be.

While these locations are fictional—and thankfully so, in the case of Jurassic Park—the places where they were filmed are very real. And although you might assume they were shot at locations all across the Hawaiian Islands, they were all filmed on the grounds of Kualoa Ranch in Kaneohe, Hawaii, on Oahu. Known as the “Hawaii Backlot,” more than 200 films and TV shows have been filmed at the ranch since the 1950s.

With 4,000 acres, Kualoa Ranch offers a wide variety of tours and ways to explore the property, whether it’s aboard an off-road vehicle, an e-bike, or even on horseback. The “Jurassic Adventure Tour” is dedicated specifically to films from the “Jurassic Park” franchise, including the original 1993 film and the “Jurassic World” sequels. Fans of the movies will get to see the paddocks and the valleys where dinosaurs roamed on screen.

“All tours are guided, and most tour stops are iconic film locations,” says Dean Kida, corporate sales manager for Kualoa Ranch. “We will make stops along the way, giving guests the opportunity to step out, take amazing pictures, and learn about Kualoa Ranch’s history, as well as the latest movies filmed on the property. We can make any tour exclusive, and you can even buy out the ranch for a day.”

Visitors can embark on the “Movie Sites & Ranch Tour” to see a variety of the ranch’s filming locations. This 90-minute journey includes stops at famous places from beloved franchises like “King Kong,” “Jumanji,” and more. This tour also delves into the unique history of the ranch. Although maybe best known for its “acting roles,” Kualoa Ranch is an important part of Hawaiian history since it was established in 1850 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“We offer a variety of tours and activities that can accommodate large groups,” adds Kida. “We facilitate educational and cultural tours and provide in-house catering. Full-size motorcoaches can access the property, and we have designated staging areas for them.”

Kualoa Ranch has attracted Hollywood filmmakers for decades. But Hollywood—and the Golden State that surrounds it—is still undefeated as the movie capital of the world. You could easily plan a group tour lasting days on end visiting famous filming locations and studios in and around Los Angeles. Other parts of the state hold plenty of appeal for film buffs as well, as there are some locations that Hollywood just can’t replicate.

To visit some iconic scenes of the Wild West, head to Lone Pine, California, located between Death Valley and Sequoia National Park. Lone Pine would make an excellent stop alongside an itinerary featuring ghost towns, caves, or the iconic Mount Whitney, which overlooks the town. Lone Pine has such a strong connection with films that, to find most of its filming locations, you simply need to take a drive up “Movie Road.”

Branching off the road running between Lone Pine and Mount Whitney, Movie Road will take tourgoers into the Alabama Hills and to 10 famous filming locations of movies like “Gunga Din” and “How the West Was Won.” These tours are self-guided, and the Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce publishes a guide to ensure your group stays on track. Guided tours are also available each year during the Lone Pine Film Festival in October. These tours sell out quickly and group sizes are limited, but they’re led by guides with expert knowledge of the area’s Hollywood history.

In addition to the aforementioned film festival, there are other movie connections to enjoy in Lone Pine. The Museum of Western Film History contains exhibits on the long history of filming in Lone Pine, as well as artifacts from the films “Tremors” and “Iron Man.” The museum is also where you can find printed brochures of all the filming locations to see in the area.

Back toward the California coast is the Santa Ynez Valley community of Buellton, well known to fans of the film “Sideways.” The Oscar winner was filmed almost entirely on location in Buellton and the surrounding area, which is known for its wine production and thus made the perfect location for the movie. Groups can spend the night at the Sideways Inn, sip wine at the Firestone Vineyard in Los Olivos, and grab a bite to eat at Hitching Post II, just as the characters did in the film.

Heading north up the coast, the San Francisco Bay Area is loaded with memorable locations from film and television. From the iconic Golden Gate Bridge to Lombard Street—“the crookedest street in the world”—the City by the Bay has been the backdrop for many beloved scenes. You can easily find lists of these locations online if your group wishes to explore at its own pace. Or, to get the real inside scoop on these famous places, opt for a tour.

Alcatraz Island is one of San Francisco’s most iconic attractions, so it’s OK if not everyone in your group is a film aficionado. But for those who are, they’ll recognize this island and the former prison that occupies it from films like “The Rock” and “Escape from Alcatraz.” In fact, the latter film is partially why the old prison looks as good as it does today. The facility closed in 1963, but when the film was made in the late 1970s, producers renovated some portions of it, making those areas appear today much like they did in the prison’s active life.

Alcatraz City Cruises operates tours out to the island, which is part of the National Park Service (NPS) system. A ticket to the island also includes exploration of all the public areas of the prison, and tourgoers can take advantage of audio tours and scheduled educational programs through the NPS. Group tours of all kinds are welcome with reservations, although tour size restrictions might apply. Groups can also arrange box lunches and mobility assistance.

Your group could spend a full day on Alcatraz with all there is to explore. But, while in the Bay Area, set aside additional time to spend taking in many other filming locations on a tour with San Francisco Movie Tours. Its most popular excursion, the “San Francisco Movie Sets & Locations Tour,” visits more than 50 famous locations in a three-hour tour. Just a couple of the well-known attractions are the Tanner family home from “Full House”—part of the historic “Painted Ladies” row of townhouses—and the spot near the Golden Gate Bridge where Kim Novak was rescued from San Francisco Bay by Jimmy Stewart in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo.” Groups can also customize their own tour geared toward their own interests and budget.

One more West Coast destination to consider is Astoria, Oregon, which might not sound familiar but definitely looks familiar to anyone who grew up with movies like “The Goonies” and “Free Willy.” Astoria, with its wide variety of landscapes, has become a popular filming location ever since the release of “The Goonies” in 1985. The film that put the town on the map is celebrated with Goonies Day each June 7.

To get the lay of the land, start off with the Oregon Film Museum. The building housing the museum is also a film set itself, as it was a working county jail from 1914 through 1976. The museum is not only a repository of film history but also a great resource to find maps and lists of area filming locations. And there are plenty more locations if you branch out from the Astoria area. Travel Oregon maintains The Oregon Film Trail, with markers scattered throughout the state denoting their place in film history. One location that should be on every group’s list is the Astoria Column, a city landmark that has appeared in numerous films. It also offers a spectacular panoramic view from 600 feet up, should visitors choose to climb the 164 steps to the observation deck.

It’s locations like this that offer something for everyone. It would be nearly impossible to ensure everyone in your group has seen the films in the locations of the itinerary you’ve designed. But you can ensure a memorable visit, no matter what.

By Todd Kortemeier

Main Image: Kualoa Ranch, Oahu, Hawaii; Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)/Ben Ono