Where was Pete's Dragon filmed?

Nora (Helen Reddy), the headstrong daughter of Lampie (Mickey Rooney), comes looking for her father in a tavern. She gets caught up in the lampooning atmosphere of the tavern before she takes Lampie back to their home, the Passamaquoddy lighthouse. After settling him down, Nora spots a young boy, Pete (Sean Marshall), walking along the beach, piquing her curiosity.

The lighthouse scenes, pivotal to the film's storyline, were captured on a rugged outcrop at Morro Bay, California. This coastal city, known for its striking natural beauty, is a fitting backdrop for these scenes. Though the exact filming locations aren't specified, fans of the film can explore Morro Bay and find landscapes that mirror those seen in the movie.

Morro Bay offers stunning beaches, breathtaking nature, engaging activities, and fresh seafood, making it a worthy destination for any traveler. A must-visit is Morro Rock Beach, renowned for its wavy ocean, sandy dunes, and the iconic Morro Rock, which has earned the city the nickname "the Gibraltar of California."

You can take a scenic drive along California's Central Coast to get to Morro Bay. If you're coming from Los Angeles, it's approximately a four-hour drive north on US-101 N. From San Francisco, it's about a three-and-a-half-hour drive south on US-101 S.

Doc Terminus, a sly snake oil salesman (Jim Dale), and his accomplice Hoagie (Red Buttons) arrive in the small seaside town of Passamaquoddy. Initially, the townsfolk expressed anger at Terminus's return, having been duped by him. However, through his cunning salesmanship and charm, Terminus placates the mob and sets up shop again to peddle his wares.

This scenario takes place in a picturesque town brought to life on the Walt Disney Studios backlot. The standing sets were extensively redressed to recreate the quaint and charming atmosphere of Passamaquoddy, contributing significantly to the authenticity and visual appeal of the scene.

The Walt Disney Studios lot has numerous sound stages, a backlot, and an array of production facilities dedicated to movie-making. These facilities support Walt Disney Studios' motion picture production processes. In addition to these, the complex also accommodates offices for various company divisions. However, Pixar Animation Studios operates from its base in Emeryville, Lucasfilm has its headquarters in San Francisco, and 20th Century Studios continues to operate from its original lot in the neighboring Century City.

Members of D23, the official Disney fan club, are offered the unique chance to partake in a two-and-a-half-hour guided tour of The Walt Disney Studios. This exclusive journey includes visiting Walt Disney's office suite and the esteemed Disney Archives.

Reaching the Walt Disney Studios Park is relatively straightforward. If you're in the Los Angeles area, it's a short drive north on I-5 N. From there, take the Alameda Avenue exit and turn right onto Alameda Avenue. Continue straight, turn left onto Buena Vista Street, and the park will be on your right.

Pete (Sean Marshall) assists Nora (Helen Reddy) in preparing the lighthouse for an impending storm. The lighthouse stands as a beacon for a sailing ship that is finding its way to Passamaquoddy. Onboard, the ship's captain relies on Paul (Cal Bartlett), who is well-versed in local waters and lighthouse keepers, for guidance. Concurrently, the cunning Doc Terminus (Jim Dale) takes advantage of the situation by luring Pete to the town's boathouse, and his accomplice Hoagy (Red Buttons) does the same with the dragon, Elliott (Charlie Callas).

This memorable sequence was filmed at Point Buchon, a cape in San Luis Obispo County, CA. This area, renowned for its Point Buchon State Marine Reserve and Marine Conservation Area, was named by the Coast Survey during the Civil War. The lighthouse scenes, in particular, were shot against the backdrop of the picturesque Point Buchon Trail. This trail, open to the public since 2007, offers some of the most scenic views of the Central Coast coastline, with its beautiful headlands and offshore sea stacks.

Fans wishing to visit this iconic filming location can reach Point Buchon by heading to Montana De Oro State Park. From Los Angeles, take US-101 N to Los Osos Valley Rd in San Luis Obispo County. Follow Los Osos Valley Rd and Pecho Valley Rd to the parking lot. From there, the Point Buchon Trail begins at the southern end of the Bluff Trail.

Elliott (Charlie Callas) shares some heartbreaking news with Pete (Sean Marshall). Since Pete is now safe and surrounded by a loving family, Elliott must leave him to assist other needy children. As they bid their farewells, Pete implores Elliott to stay invisible, echoing the line "There really is a dragon," as uttered by Paul.

The filming for this touching sequence and other significant scenes featuring Pete and Elliott took place at Disney's Golden Oak Ranch in Santa Clarita, California. This location boasts an array of beautiful landscapes and a unique covered bridge, which adds to the film's charm.

During the latter half of the 1950s, Walt Disney took on a lease for The Golden Oak Ranch. This was mainly to film the Spin and Marty segments of the beloved program, The Mickey Mouse Club. This decision enhanced the viewing experience and underscored Disney's reputation for groundbreaking storytelling. Recognizing the range of natural landscapes the ranch offered, the Studio purchased the property in 1959. Over time, it has grown to encompass nearly 900 acres.

Despite the ranch being closed to the public, industry professionals can gain access for scouting and filming purposes. You can get there by car via US-101 N and I-5 N or using a public bus from Los Angeles.