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The Fast and the Furious movie cover Movie Locations Guide

Where was The Fast and the Furious Filmed?

2001

City Locations

Southern California: Downtown Los Angeles; Echo Park, Los Angeles; El Segundo; Elysian Park, Los Angeles; Dodger Stadium; Long Beach Harbor; Neptune’s Net Seafood Restaurant, Malibu; Pasadena; Norton Air Force Base, San Bernardino; San Pedro

Location Types

American, House, Restaurant, Automotive, NatureScapes

Location Styles

Americana/Anywhere America, Hotels/Motels, Rustic

About The Fast and the Furious

The Fast and the Furious is an action movie filmed in 2001 by director Rob Cohen. The popularity of this film spawned a series that now includes a total of 12 films to date. Among the stars featured in this initial film are Paul Walker, Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, and Jordana Brewster. Besides launching the careers of Walker and Diesel, the film was a smashing success, earning $207 million and garnering the position of 2001’s 19th highest-grossing movie.

The first The Fast and the Furious film scene (spoiler alert!) opens on an abandoned highway where a group of thieves accost a commercial vehicle and steal its merchandise. The next day, police officer Brian O’Conner (Walker) begins an undercover search that first takes him to Toretto’s Market where he meets the well-known street racer Dominic Toretto (Diesel) and his sister Mia.

Later that evening, Brian arrives at an illegal race on a hunt for the thieves. Dominic challenges him to a street race. Brian cannot afford the stakes and uses his car as collateral. Brian’s car runs into mechanical issues, and Dominic is declared the winner. The police swarm the scene, leaving Dominic unable to claim Brian’s car. Brian assists Dominic’s escape, but their route leads them into enemy territory, the lair of Dominic’s rival Johnny Tran who obliterates their vehicle. Dominic and Brian escape and Dominic informs Brian that he still expects a “10-second car” as payment for his win.

Brian begins a romance with Mia and becomes suspicious of Tran and his associates. While searching Tran’s garage, Dominic and Vince find Brian. Dominic and Vince assist him and unearth a huge supply of electronics. Tran and Lance are taken into police custody, and it is discovered that the electronics in their possession are stolen goods.

The next day at the Race Wars, Jesse puts his dad’s car on the line in a race against Tran, loses, then flees with his vehicle. Tran insists Dominic was responsible for telling the police about him. An enraged Dominic starts a fight with him which security guards interrupt.

Brian sees Dominic and his team leaving Tran’s and confirms they are the thieves. He enlists Mia’s help in finding Dominic and his crew. Dominic and his team attempt another heist which they claim will be their last. The driver shoots Vince. Brian and Mia find and rescue him.

Brian comes to Dominic’s house to arrest him just as Dominic is leaving in his father’s car. Jesse comes to the house and begs for protection just as Tran and Lance drive by and shoot and kill him. Brian and Dominic chase Tran and Lance and kill Tran and cause injury to Lance. Brian chases after Dominic and the two engage in a short drag race, barely crossing a railway before the train passes through. Dominic’s car smashes into a truck, destroying the car. Brian hands Dominic the keys to his own vehicle, completing their agreement of a “10-second car.”

The Fast and the Furious Locations

There are many filming locations in The Fast and the Furious, providing a diverse and interesting backdrop for this action-packed film. Most of the footage for this film was shot in various locations throughout Southern California. A couple of well-known attractions are also featured in this film including the beloved Neptune’s Net Seafood Restaurant in Malibu and San Bernardino’s Norton Airforce Base.

Another The Fast and the Furious filming location is Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Many of The Fast and the Furious action scenes take place on the city streets of such SoCal cities as Los Angeles, Malibu, Pasadena, El Segundo, and San Bernardino.

Thinking you’d like to visit The Fast and The Furious locations? Take a look at our list of the sites where some of your favorite scenes were filmed to help you plan your itinerary.

Brian meets Mia for the first time scene in The Fast and the Furious

Bob’s Market, 580 E Kensington Rd, Los Angeles

In one of several funny scenes in The Fast and the Furious, Brian saunters into Toretto’s Market and Cafe and takes a seat at the bar. Mia is working the counter, sizes Brian up, and asks him, “Tuna on white, no crusts, right?” Brian retorts, “I don’t know. How is he?” The two engage in a funny and flirtatious dialogue.

Mia: Every day for the last three weeks, you’ve been coming in here and asking me how the tuna is. Now, it was crappy yesterday, it was crappy the day before, and guess what? It hasn’t changed.

Brian: I’ll have the tuna.

Filmed in the eclectic convenience store known as Bob’s Market, you can stop by to take a peek at the exact location where Mia and Brian first met. Located in Echo Park, this ramshackle market was built in 1913 and has been named a Los Angeles Historical Cultural Monument. Bob’s Market currently does not offer in-house dining, and the counter seating seen in the movie is no longer found here. To get to Bob’s Market, travel along Sunset Boulevard, taking the exit for Bellevue Avenue. Bob’s Market can be found just off this well-traveled street.

Brian and Dominic drag race scene in The Fast and the Furious

ROW DTLA, Clock Street, Los Angeles

In one of the best scenes in The Fast and the Furious, Brian meets Dominic at an after-hours drag race and bets his car against Dominic. When Brian’s car malfunctions, he loses the race and is beholden to hand over his vehicle to Dominic, but the police swarm the scene causing the men to flee. The two manage to escape in Brian’s car which is destroyed by Tran when Brian accidentally drives into his territory. During this scene, Dominic shares these memorable lines, “It don’t matter if you win by an inch or a mile,” says Dom. “Winning’s winning.” He leaves Brian with the parting remark that he expects to receive his just recompense for winning: “a 10-second car.”

This iconic scene was filmed outside the large warehouse buildings found on Clock Street in Los Angeles. Located just south of LA’s downtown core, this former film set is easily found just off South Alameda Street and beneath 7th Street. The race took place outside a set of buildings now known as the ROW DTLA multi-use complex.

Brian goes to Dominic’s home scene in The Fast and the Furious

722 East Kensington Road, Los Angeles

After saving Dominic from the police after they swarmed the drag race, Brian is invited to visit Dominic at his home in Echo Park. Brian is warmly welcomed to a house party by Dominic and is reunited with Mia much to the chagrin of Vince who has a crush on her. Dominic offers Brian a beer, telling him, “You can have any brew you want…as long as it’s a Corona.”

The house used for these scenes was originally built in 1906. The director requested that the house be painted white to allow the cars’ colors and styles to pop against the light background. Today, this house is a small apartment unit. Just an 8-minute drive from downtown LA, follow S. Figueroa Street to Sunset Boulevard, turning left at Marion Avenue then right onto E. Kensington Road to reach Dom’s house in The Fast and the Furious.

Brian attends a Toretto family barbecue in The Fast and the Furious

722 East Kensington Road, Los Angeles

At the Toretto family barbecue, it becomes apparent that love is blossoming between Brian and Mia. Vince arrives and is angry to note that Brian has been invited to join the barbecue. Dominic asks for his help, and Dominic bitterly retorts, “Looks like you’ve got all the help you need, Brother!” Vince peels off the street with such force his tires begin to smoke. He later returns, embarrassed by his actions, and rejoins the family for the meal.

Filmed in the backyard of 722 East Kensington Road home in Echo Cove, Los Angeles, you can catch a glimpse of where this well-known scene took place as this particular filming location is easily visible from the road.

Brian tries to ensnare Dominic scene in The Fast and the Furious

Neptune Net Seafood Restaurant, 42505 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu

Following a highly successful street race, Brian and Dominic head to Neptune’s Net Fast and Furious Restaurant for a meal. While seated outside on the patio, Brian attempts to ensnare Dominic by telling him that he wants to be involved in future heists.

Brian: I’m not stupid. I know there’s no way in h*ll you paid for all that sh*t that’s under the hood of the cars by doing tune-ups and selling groceries. Now whatever it is you’re in on, I want in on it too.

Easily accessed from its seaside location on the Pacific Coast Highway, follow Yerba Buena Road and take the exit for PCH, traveling along this well-known route until you reach #42505. Officially known as Neptune Net Seafood Restaurant, this popular eatery has been in business since 1958 and is often frequented by celebrities.

Dominic’s monologue scene in The Fast and the Furious

1046 North Orange Drive near Santa Monica Boulevard, Hollywood

One of the most poignant moments in The Fast and the Furious production is this scene where Dominic shares some of his personal histories with Brian. Dominic reveals, “I live my life a quarter mile at a time. … For those ten seconds or less, I’m free.” He shares that his commitment to cars can be traced to his father who was killed in a tragic accident when unveiling Chekhov’s Charger.

This scene was shot at a fictional garage named “The Racer’s Edge.” Though in the film, this automotive facility features a vehicle on its roof; in real life, it is just a non-descript building found on North Orange Drive just off Santa Monica Boulevard.

Conclusion

With its incredible car chases, fight scenes, and interesting cast of characters, The Fast and the Furious takes you on a wild ride you’ll not soon forget. With most of its locations found in Los Angeles and the surrounding area, you can visit nearly every spot where your favorite scenes were filmed without having to do much traveling at all. Filmed in city streets, restaurants, and along the waterfront, visiting your fave The Fast and the Furious filming locations provides you with beautiful scenery, unique cultural opportunities, and lots of variety.

If you’re a big fan of The Fast and the Furious and you’re thinking a SoCal vacation is in order, our list of the top F&F locations just might help you plan the perfect itinerary for your trip.