Where was Alias filmed?

In one of the first scenes of the pilot episode of Alias, Danny asks for Jack Bistrow’s blessing to ask Sydney to marry him. The conversation does not seem to go exactly as Danny planned, and Jack does not seem all that concerned with giving his blessing. He knows his daughter really doesn’t care about his blessing.

Jack says, “First of all, Danny, the truth is this is just a courtesy call. Like when you say to your neighbor, "We're having a loud party on Saturday night if that's all right with you." What you really mean is, "We're having a loud party on Saturday night.” Sydney doesn't give a d*mn what my opinion is. What interests me is that you do.”

After Danny says it is just a customary thing to do Jack tells him, “Well, then, I'll tell you what. I may become your father-in-law, that's just fine. But I will not be used as part of a charming little anecdote you tell your friends at cocktail parties so they can see what a quaint, old-fashioned guy Danny really is. Are we clear?”

Shortly after Danny and Sydney get engaged, still in the early scenes of the pilot episode, she tells him the truth about what her job is. She wants him to know the truth about her before they get married. When Sydney says that she works for the CIA Danny does not believe her at first, assuming she must be joking. However, she goes on to explain how it all started.

Sydney tells him, “During the fall of my freshman year, a man approached me. He told me that the U.S. government might be interested in talking to me about a job. When I asked why me, all he told me is that I fit a profile. I didn't feel like I belonged anywhere. Even in college. And I needed the money anyway, so I met with him, and they offered me a job.”

Sydney explains she works for a covert part of the CIA and was quick to advance to the agent level. She then tells him, “Danny... since my mother died, I always hoped I would find someone to give my life meaning. That person is you. I just met the agency first. I can't quit.” Overwhelmed with the revelation, Danny disappeared to process everything and think about what to do next.

These shots were filmed at Sydney’s apartment on Sycamore Avenue in Hollywood, California. You can reach this film shoot location by bus or car as it is just off Hollywood Boulevard. While you are in the area, stop and see the Walk of Fame and the Dolby Theatre.

After Danny learns about Sydney’s secret, he leaves to clear his head. Sydney has to take a trip to San Diego, causing the two to spend time apart. Danny spends that time thinking of their relationship. He goes to a bar and gets drunk and calls Sydney. When she doesn’t answer he leaves a voicemail for her.

In the voicemail he says, “You're not there... I know you're not there. Or in San Diego. You could be anywhere, doing anything… Which is the crux of the issue...Can I live like this, not knowing where or why, when? Can I live in the dark? And the answer is... the only answer I came up with, Sydney, was... was yes. Sid, I don't care. The whole world's a nightmare anywhere. It's all dangerous. No matter what we do. I couldn't live with myself, saying goodbye to you because of the risk. All the risk. The kids... that's something we have to talk about because I want kids. I love kids. But maybe there is a way out because people aren't spies forever.”

This is the last small interaction between them because Danny is killed for knowing about the secret branch.

You can find this Alias production location on Grand Avenue in Los Angeles, California. It is in the historic district across from Pershing Square. You have a variety of choices when it comes to reaching the location. Buses 16 or 20 and the Metro B Line RED or the Metro D Line Purple.

After Danny is killed, Sydney goes through an interrogation to prove she is not a risk to the branch. When she proves that she isn’t a threat she takes time off and puts all her focus on grad school. After several months Sydney is called back, and told she is needed to return to the field. Dixon is who shows up to ask her to come back.

When she sees him Sydney says, “I know they sent you here to bring me back. I'm sorry. I just can't yet.”

Dixon tries to convince her by saying, “Quintero is dead. They got confirmation Thursday. They need you active, and if they don't have confidence in someone who is in as deep as you are... they will fix that problem.” Sydney still refuses and sends him away.

This scene was filmed in downtown Los Angeles, California, like many of the scenes featured in the pilot episode and the rest of season one. This one is at the Industrious 5th and Flower building, which was used as the SD-6 Headquarters. Getting here is easy by taking buses 2, 14, 20, 210, or 212. You can also take the Metro D Line PURPLE.

After getting called back to SD-6, Sydney ends up getting chased by someone with a gun. She doesn't know what is going on, but her father shows up in a car to save her. They speed away from the attacker and Jack reveals to Sydney that there is more to his job than she knows about. He reveals to have been working with the secret branch, just like her.

Jack tells his daughter, “You're going to have to accept that there are many things you won't understand tonight. The one thing you must understand is that the agency doesn't trust you anymore. And they're going to k*ll you unless you do as I say. I work for SD-6, just like you. Undercover at Genis Aerospace. You leave tonight. I've arranged a flight to France with a connection to Switzerland. You'll be red-flagged at customs. I've given you new papers.”

When the two of them get to a parking lot where Sydney is to be taken to the airport, he reveals that SD-6 is not actually a CIA branch. It is a group of rogue agents called the alliance of twelve. Jack says, “SD-6 is not a black ops division of the C.I.A. SD-6 is a branch of the alliance. You work for the very enemy you thought you were fighting.”

Only a few agents are told the truth about this. Instead of taking a car to the airport, Sydney runs down the street away from her father.

In this scene, the shooting moves around a lot but you can see the general area around the SD-6 Headquarters at 4th Street and Flower Street. You can take the Metro D Line PURPLE to get to this busy downtown area or buses 2, 14, 20, 210, or 212.

In the last scene of the Alias pilot episode, Sydney goes to the graveyard to visit Danny’s grave. While there her father shows up and reveals himself as the other double agent working with the CIA. Jack tells his daughter, “I asked Devlin if I could come tell you myself. They verified your statement. You're in. I read what you wrote. I appreciate you not naming me. That was... kind.” He goes in to say, “You don't know how dangerous this is, Sydney. Doing what I do. I wish you would have taken me up on Switzerland.”

Sydney is not sure if she should believe her father or not, but he hands over a phone for her before saying, “I guess we'll just have to learn to trust each other.”

The graveyard used was Angeles Abbey Memorial Park on Compton Boulevard in Compton, California. This is a stunning park with a unique recreation of the Taj Mahal on the grounds, which also doubled as an airport in Morocco in season one. You will have no trouble reaching this film scene taking buses 33, 51, 60, 78, or 251. Or you can take the Metro A Line BLUE.