Where was the 1982 Comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High Filmed?

The 1982 comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High, directed by Amy Heckerling and written by Cameron Crowe, is widely recognized as a standout film in the often overlooked category of teen sex comedies. Heckerling’s adaptation of Crowe’s script received a lot of praise and helped launch the careers of many actors.

The movie follows Stacy Hamilton (played by Jennifer Jason Leigh), a teenager who faces a variety of situations during her high school years in southern California in the 1980s. Stacy develops feelings for Mark Ratner (played by Brian Backer), a shy boy who struggles to start a relationship with her.

Stacy tries to catch Mark’s attention, but he ignores her. She then becomes involved with Mike Damone (played by Robert Romanus), a more confident guy. The story also focuses on Jeff Spicoli (played by Sean Penn), a surfer who is always in trouble with his history teacher, Mr. Hand (played by Ray Walston).

Since its release in 1982, Fast Times at Ridgemont High has become one of the most important films in the teen comedy genre and is praised for its realism and attention to detail. The film received a nomination for Best Comedy Adapted from Another Medium at the Writers Guild of America Awards (Cameron Crowe). In 2005, the Library of Congress added it to the National Film Registry for its cultural importance.

Roger Ebert, while critical of the film as a whole, recognized the strong performances by Leigh, Penn, Cates, and Reinhold, calling the movie “a cuz-pit.”

Fast Times at Ridgemont High Locations

A visit to the filming locations for Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) can be a fun and nostalgic experience for fans of the movie. Los Angeles, including Canoga Park High School, Van Nuys High School, Santa Monica Place Mall, and Sherman Oaks Galleria, served as backdrops for many of the scenes.

Visiting these locations feels like stepping back in time to 1982, when the movie was filmed. You can explore beautiful beaches along the Pacific Ocean and tall hills that overlook downtown LA. These locations give visitors not only a look at where the movie was made but also a chance to enjoy the culture, art, shopping, and dining experiences that LA is known for.

Tourists can explore quiet neighborhoods like Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Canoga Park, where local spots like Perry’s Pizza are nestled between hills, or visit Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks, where they can stop by All American Burger (now Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf) to see the place where Brad Hamilton was famously fired.

Whether you’re reliving moments from a classic teen movie or diving into LA’s culture, visiting the filming locations of Fast Times at Ridgemont High will be an experience you won’t forget.

Sherman Oaks Galleria, 15301 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403, USA

Sherman Oaks Galleria is where the opening scene of Fast Times at Ridgemont High was filmed, showing a typical teenage life in the 1980s. Stacy Hamilton (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and Linda Barrett (Phoebe Cates), two teenage friends, work together at a pizza place, talking about boys and sex. Mark Ratner (Brian Backer) works at the movie theater across from them, and Mike Damone (Robert Romanus) is often seen selling tickets outside.

Sherman Oaks Galleria is a mall with three levels, located at the corner of Ventura and Sepulveda boulevards. It was built on land that Moses Sherman bought in 1911. In addition to Fast Times at Ridgemont High, other famous movies filmed there include Valley Girl (1983), Back to the Future Part II (1989), and Terminator 2 (1991).

The Galleria is located at Ventura Blvd & Sepulveda Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423. The easiest way to get there is by car. Take US-101 N, exit onto Sepulveda Blvd, and the mall will be on your left. If you don’t drive, you can take the Metro B line (red) from Universal City and transfer to the 155 bus to the Sepulveda/Ventura bus stop.

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, 11698 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049, USA

Stacy’s older brother, Brad (Judge Reinhold), is a bit nerdy but very popular with his friends because of his car and his job as a junior manager at All-American Burger. Brad is in his last year of high school and is looking forward to fully owning his blue 1960 Buick LeSabre once he finishes making six more payments. He is also thinking about breaking up with his long-time girlfriend, Lisa (Amanda Wyss), who works with him at the burger joint.

All-American Burger is a favorite hangout spot after school, and it’s where Brad gets fired in a well-known scene. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in West Los Angeles stood in for All-American Burger in the movie. Tourists can still visit, but the place is now a coffeehouse chain offering a variety of drinks.

To get there by car, drive via I-10 W from downtown Los Angeles. Or, you can take the Metro J line (Silver) and then transfer to a bus at the 5th/Grand bus stop, which will take you to Wilshire/Barrington.

Van Nuys High School, 6535 Cedros Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91411, USA

One of the most unforgettable scenes in this movie happens between Spicoli (Sean Penn), the easygoing surfer, and Mr. Hand (Ray Walston), his strict teacher who he keeps butting heads with. Later, Spicoli continues to annoy Mr. Hand.

In one scene, Spicoli orders pizza during class, and the delivery guy (Taylor Negron), who is clearly upset about it, brings the pizza into the class. However, Mr. Hand takes the pizza from him and gives it to his favorite students.

The interior school scenes in the movie were filmed at Van Nuys High School, located at 6535 Cedros Avenue in Los Angeles, California. The school still looks almost exactly the same today and has been visited by famous people like Robert Redford, Jane Russell, and Marilyn Monroe.

To get there, take US-101 N to the Van Nuys neighborhood. Alternatively, you can take a train from Union Station to the Amtrak/Metrolink Station. From there, find a bus that will take you to the Van Nuys / Kittridge bus stop.

Barone’s, 13726 Oxnard St, Valley Glen, CA 91401, USA

In the movie, Mark (Brian Backer) and Stacy (Jennifer Jason Leigh) go on a date to a local German restaurant, but their night ends early when Mark forgets his wallet and their car’s tape deck is stolen. They return to Stacy’s house, where she makes a move on him, but he backs out and leaves her only with a robe.

The scene was filmed at Barone’s Famous Italian Restaurant, located at 13726 Oxnard St, Van Nuys, California. This restaurant, established in the 1940s, is known for its thin-crust Neapolitan-style pizza and retro vinyl booths, offering an old-school dining experience. The restaurant is still open today, so you can visit and enjoy the same atmosphere that was seen in the movie.

To get there, take the Metro B Line from Union Station and get off at North Hollywood Station. From there, either walk or take a taxi to the Woodman/Valley Glen stop. The restaurant is just two blocks away.

24124 Welby Way, West Hills, CA 91307, USA

The scenes at Hamilton’s house in Fast Times are memorable because they mark an important moment in the movie when Stacy and Damone’s relationship starts to grow. The house used in the scene is a comfortable, middle-class family home.

Damone (Robert Romanus) encourages Mark (Brian Backer) to try again with Stacy (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and takes him to her house. They join Linda (Phoebe Cates) and Stacy in a conversation, and later, Brad (Judge Reinhold) comes home feeling down after losing his job at All America Burger. The teens talk about his sadness. Eventually, Stacy and Damone meet at Hamilton’s house after school, where Damone drives her home, and her feelings for him grow.

The house used for these scenes is located at 24124 Welby Way, West Hills, CA 91307. It is a private residence, so visitors cannot enter the house or see its interior, but they can still admire the outside.

To get there, the easiest way is by car, using US-101 N.

Morningside Primary Care, 617 W Manchester Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90044, USA

Stacy (Jennifer Jason Leigh) gets a ride from Brad (Judge Reinhold) to a nearby bowling alley, telling him she is meeting some friends there. However, after leaving the bowling alley, Brad sees Stacy enter a clinic.

Brad waits outside and talks to Stacy about the abortion, but Stacy won’t say who the father is. Brad shows kindness, acting like a caring brother by not pressing her for more details, which strengthens their relationship as siblings.

Morningside Primary Care, located at 617 W Manchester Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90044, was used for the scene. The place is still open today and looks almost the same as it did in 1982 when the film was made.

Morningside Primary Care is near the 110 Freeway and Exposition Park in South Los Angeles. If you take public transportation, there are several bus routes in the area, and you can also use the Silver Metro J line.