Where was CSI Miami filmed?

In the pilot episode of CSI: Miami, the scene opens with a nighttime shot of a stunning Tudor mansion. Inside this grand home, a lively swinger's party is in full swing, while upstairs, a little girl struggles to fall asleep amid the raucous noise from below. The plot takes a dramatic turn as the young girl and her mother are abducted. At the same time, the father, a dedicated police officer, is discovered lifeless and shockingly with an apple crammed into his mouth, a grim sight that speaks volumes.

Although the narrative situates this mansion in Las Vegas and the little girl reappears safely in Miami, the true location of this house is Pasadena, California. Famously home to many lavish mansions, Pasadena frequently serves as a stand-in for various locations in television shows and films.

The mansion featured in the pilot episode's party scene is a mere mile and a half south of the globally recognized Rose Bowl. This house is located at 141 N. Grand Avenue, Pasadena, on the southwest intersection of Grand and Arroyo Terrace/Live Oaks Ave. The initial scene offers a westward camera perspective, highlighting the mansion's majestic elegance under the night sky's celestial backdrop.

If you're a fan planning a visit, please remember that this mansion is privately owned, meaning it's not open to the public. Therefore, only exterior observations from a respectful distance are permitted. Fans can easily reach it from Los Angeles by car, taxi, or bus. The journey by car takes just 20 minutes, while the bus ride takes nearly an hour.

In the season 1 episode titled "Wet Foot Dry Foot," a man's torso is found inside a shark, setting off a thrilling investigation. This episode also offers viewers their first glimpse of the exterior of the crime lab, a location that would become iconic as the series progressed.

The building portrayed as the crime lab is, in fact, the administrative headquarters of the Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A.) Federal Credit Union. Nestled between two Marriott hotels in the Aviation Center, this remarkable structure can be found at 14600 Aviation Blvd in Hawthorne, CA. This remarkable 35,000-square-foot building, made of limestone and glass, opened its doors in 2000 under the design of Nadel Architects Inc. Its unique 15-degree tilt to the west symbolizes the notion of flight – an apt touch for an aviation office building.

Please note that while this location played an essential role in CSI: Miami, it is a functioning office building. Therefore, public access may be restricted. Respecting private property and viewing such locations from a distance is always recommended.

To reach this destination, you should proceed south from Rosecrans Avenue and north from Marine Avenue along the eastern side of Aviation Blvd. Make an eastward turn onto a private road known as Aviation Center Drive. The building is situated at the eastern extremity of this brief street/parking area.

In Season 3's episode "Under The Influence," a gripping incident takes place where a woman, in a sudden turn of events, falls from the sidewalk and is fatally struck by a fast-moving bus. Her death is immediate. A distinct hand-shaped bruise on her back leads both Alexx (Khandi Alexander) and Horatio (David Caruso) to the chilling conclusion that she did not die by accident but was indeed murdered.

This scene captures the sculptured walkway, a beautiful homage to the historic Pike Roller Coaster set against the backdrop. The Pike, an iconic amusement zone established in 1902, thrived in Long Beach, California. Nestled along the southern shoreline of Ocean Boulevard, it boasted a vibrant array of independent arcades, delectable food stands, charming gift shops, thrilling rides, and even a grand bathhouse.

The Pike gained fame primarily from the Cyclone Racer (1930–1968), an impressive dual-track roller coaster constructed on pilings above the water. Regrettably, in 1979, the Pike amusement zone ceased operation and was subsequently demolished, with the City of Long Beach ensuring the removal of any remaining structures.

To visit the location where this scene was filmed, you can head to Long Beach, California. The city is 25 miles southeast of Los Angeles and easily accessible by car or public transportation. Once there, you can find the sculptured walkway that pays homage to the old Pike Roller Coaster.

In the thrilling CSI: Miami episode "Recoil" from Season 3, viewers are gripped by a complex scene involving a shooting at the courthouse. As the investigation unfolds, new suspects come to light, adding intrigue and suspense.

This scene was filmed not at a courthouse but at the Water Garden Park in Santa Monica, California. This location, prominently visible in the episode "Recoil," among others, is nestled in the bustling area of Silicon Beach, known for its high-tech businesses and innovative startup culture. Water Garden is not just a place for work but also a creative and connected environment where people can immerse themselves in their tasks.

If you're interested in visiting the location where this scene was filmed, you can head to Water Garden Park in Santa Monica. The park is easily accessible by car or public transportation from downtown Los Angeles – take the I-10 W from downtown. Once there, you can explore the grand office spaces and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of this dynamic destination.

In the 15th episode of Season 4, a seemingly relaxing day at the beach for Eric Delko (Adam Rodriguez) takes a dark turn when a body is discovered hidden beneath the sand. The victim was murdered elsewhere, and his body was discarded at this location.

Like many other outdoor scenes in the series, this particular scene was captured amidst the picturesque beach areas of Marina Green Park and Rainbow Lagoon Park in downtown Long Beach, California. The recently built high-rise condominiums in these areas offer a compelling setting, evoking the illusion of being in Miami. With its palm-lined streets, waterfront homes, and marinas, Long Beach resembles Miami, making it a famous filming location for CSI: Miami. The show's production team is careful not to include any recognizable Long Beach landmarks in the shots. Still, if you're familiar with the city, you can identify some local spots while watching the show.

Marina Green Park isn't far from Rainbow Lagoon Park so fans can visit these two locations. This park, spanning 9.4 acres, offers stunning vistas of Shoreline Aquatic Park, Alamitos Beach, and Shoreline Marina. It's divided into two distinct sections by Linden Ave. With its generous space and beautiful surroundings, the park is favored for hosting large-scale special events.

The journey from Los Angeles to this destination is conveniently short, taking only 30 minutes via I-710 S. Moreover, public transportation options are also readily accessible. Convenient parking options are available nearby.

In the Season 10 Halloween-themed episode of CSI: Miami "By The Book," viewers were treated to a chilling and intriguing crime scene. The team was called to investigate the gruesome death of a housekeeper, whose body was found hanging upside down, entirely drained of blood, in an island mansion. The mansion belonged to a famed vampire novelist, adding an eerie layer to an already macabre scenario. The scene was filled with gothic undertones, harking back to classic vampire lore. The mansion's interior was also used in the episode, its labyrinthine layout and dark corners contributing to the suspenseful atmosphere.

This memorable scene was filmed at The Milbank Mansion, 3340 Country Club Dr, Los Angeles. A historic and stately home, The Milbank Mansion was initially built in 1913 for Isaac Milbank, a prominent local businessman, and his wife, Virginia. The 12-bedroom, 5-bath, 10,059 square-foot home sits on 1.79 acres of land.

The mansion is in the picturesque Country Club Park, a historic neighborhood spanning 250 acres. This charming area holds significance as it stands on the original site of the Los Angeles Country Club, which ceased operations in 1905. Isaac Milbank and his business partner, George Chase, embarked on a development project in 1906, diligently subdividing the land and shaping it into the remarkable community it is today.

Head west on CA-110 from Downtown Los Angeles to reach The Milbank Mansion. Alternatively, you can also take bus 33 from Downtown LA. Please note that this is a private residence and not open to the public.