Where was The Lost World: Jurassic Park filmed?
1997
City Locations
Kauai, Hawaii; Los Angeles, CA (USA)
Location Types
House, Storefront, Riverside, Film Studio, School
Location Styles
Beachfront, Camper, Retreat, Rustic, Mid-century Modern, Mountain Huts
About The Lost World: Jurassic Park
Unleashing a world beyond your wildest nightmares, Steven Spielberg brought The Lost World: Jurassic Park to cinema screens, the captivating sequel to the groundbreaking 1993 film Jurassic Park. Released in 1997, the film boasts an ensemble cast starring Jeff Goldblum as the charismatic Dr. Ian Malcolm, Pete Postlethwaite as Roland Tembo, Julianne Moore as Dr. Sarah Harding, Arliss Howard as Peter Ludlow, and Richard Attenborough reprising his role as Dr. John Hammond.
The story follows Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) as he leads us on a perilous voyage to Isla Sorna, the breeding place for the returning dinosaurs. Malcolm and his team are on a mission to record the magnificent dinosaurs before the company responsible for their creation, InGen, exploits them. However, they quickly discover that the island isn't as desolate as they thought. Like the unforgettable thrills of the original Jurassic Park, this terrifying tale keeps viewers on the edge of their seats as it unfolds.
Critics had mixed feelings about the picture overall, although they did give it a high rating for its breathtaking visual effects and thrilling action scenes, despite their worries about the story and the characters. By any measure, The Lost World: Jurassic Park was a financial success, winning over $618 million globally and firmly establishing its position in the hearts of science fiction lovers worldwide.
The picture won an Oscar for Best Visual Effects, a testament to its impressive visual effects. A total of three Saturn Awards were nominated for it, with Best Science Fiction Film being one of them. A beloved Jurassic Park film and a timeless example of the impact of science fiction filmmaking, The Lost World: Jurassic Park has endured critical acclaim despite varied reviews.
The Lost World: Jurassic Park Locations
Legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg brought Jurassic Park: The Lost World to life in an unparalleled cinematic masterpiece. The magnificent settings used for filming are one of the most striking aspects of the picture. Both Hawaii and Los Angeles, California, are beautiful locations where most of the shots were shot. Amidst these locations' verdant landscapes and gorgeous coastlines, the scenes beautifully conveyed the spirit of the prehistoric era.
The city of Los Angeles, with its varied topography, gives the story its metropolitan flavor. Parts of the city, including the San Fernando Valley and San Pedro Harbor, were used to film the scenes where the T-Rex ran rampant. The house with the swimming pool where the T-Rex gets a short drink and the gas station with the famed rolling '76' ball are two examples of the detailed set pieces within the city.
On the other hand, the island of Kauai in Hawaii offers a verdant, tropical setting for the movie. The shooting occurred at the remote paradise of Kipu Kai Beach, which can only be reached by boat. Beautifully set in Hawaii's forests, the film's exciting basecamp and chase scenes occurred at Northern California's Patrick's Point State Park.
Film buffs and nature admirers alike may find visiting the sets of Jurassic Park: The Lost World to be an exciting adventure. Immerse yourself in Jurassic World and discover many activities and sites in each region, each with its character and attractions that make the journey worthwhile.
The girl discovers fun little creatures scene in The Lost World: Jurassic Park
Kipu Kai Beach, Hawaii 96766, USA
A British family is vacationing along the coast, enjoying a peaceful picnic. Their young daughter (Camilla Belle) wanders off to explore independently, and it isn't long before she stumbles upon a group of Compsognathus, or "Compies". The small dinosaurs initially appear harmless but soon turn aggressive and attack the girl. Her screams echo through the air, alerting her horrified parents.
This unforgettable scene was filmed on Kipu Kai Beach, located on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. This beach served as the primary location for Jurassic Park and The Lost World, providing a stunning and exotic backdrop for the unfolding prehistoric mayhem. Kipu Kai Beach is a large cove on the southeast coast of Kauai, stretching over 2 miles of shoreline. It's almost cut off from land access by two ridges that extend down to the ocean from Mount Haupu, making it a secluded paradise.
Despite the thrilling and terrifying events depicted in the film, Kipu Kai Beach remains a beautiful and serene spot worth visiting for fans of the franchise and nature lovers alike.
To reach this iconic filming location, one must travel by air to Hawaii; the nearest airport is Lihue Airport. From there, it's possible to get by car in 30 minutes via HI-50 W. However, the beach is isolated, so you should get here only by boat. It's nestled between Lihue and Poipu, offering breathtaking views and a sense of tranquility—when there aren't any dinosaurs around, of course!
Hammond's residence scene in The Lost World: Jurassic Park
Mayfield Senior School, 500 Bellefontaine St, Pasadena, CA 91105, USA
Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) is permitted to visit the now bed-ridden Hammond (Richard Attenborough). Malcolm is taken aback when Hammond reveals the existence of Site B. While Isla Nublar was the location for Jurassic Park, Site B served as the original breeding and creation ground for the dinosaurs.
However, following the devastation of Hurricane Clarissa, Site B was evacuated, and the dinosaurs were left to inhabit an environment devoid of human intervention, roaming freely across the island.
In the final week of filming in California, the scene set inside Hammond’s residence was captured at Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena. An independent Catholic college preparatory school, Mayfield Senior School was established in 1931 and serves young women in grades 9-12. Another memorable scene was shot here featuring documentarian and photojournalist Nick Van Owen (Vince Vaughn) emerging from a lake. While the original backdrops from the movie no longer exist, fans can still stroll around the site's exterior.
If you're in the heart of Los Angeles, reaching Mayfield Senior School is convenient. Simply rent a car and take the CA-110 N route, which should take roughly 15 minutes. The drive is quite direct if you're already in the Los Angeles vicinity. The best option for those from a distance is to fly to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). You can hire a car, hail a taxi, or use a rideshare service to reach the school.
The basecamp scene in The Lost World: Jurassic Park
Sue-meg State Park (formerly Patrick’s Point State Park), 4150 Patricks Point Dr, Trinidad, CA 95570, USA
Eddie (Richard Schiff), Malcolm, and Nick finally locate Sarah (Julianne Moore) on the island. They find her using a homing beacon attached to her backpack, engrossed in photographing a herd of Stegosaurus in their natural habitat. Sarah seems perfectly at ease amidst these prehistoric giants.
Their reunion, however, is quickly disrupted. Smoke is spotted billowing from the direction of their RV, hinting at trouble. Upon investigating, they discover that Kelly (Vanessa Lee Chester) has stowed away, adding another layer of complexity to their already challenging situation. Before they can fully process this development, a fleet of InGen helicopters arrives, flying in vehicles and equipment, signaling the start of a new and more dangerous phase of their adventure.
This pivotal scene was filmed at Sue-meg State Park in California. This 640-acre park, located at 4150 Patrick's Point Drive on Highway 101, about six miles north of Trinidad, offers a stunning backdrop for the film's events. The park is a gem of California’s coastal Redwood country, featuring semi-precious stones polished by the surf on Agate Beach, a Native American village recreated by members of the indigenous Yurok tribe, and a network of trails connecting to the dramatic shoreline dotted with massive rock formations.
To reach Sue-meg State Park, take Highway 101 and head towards Trinidad. The park is just six miles north of the town. Its 120 campsites and robust, family-friendly interpretive program make it a fantastic destination for nature lovers and Jurassic Park fans alike.
T-Rex's nest scene in The Lost World: Jurassic Park
Universal Studios, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608, USA
After successfully rounding up various dinosaurs for InGen, Roland (Pete Postlethwaite) sets his sights on a new prize—a Tyrannosaurus rex. He considers this dangerous capture as his payment for leading the expedition. However, instead of finding a full-grown T-Rex, Roland stumbles upon an infant Tyrannosaur. Seeing an opportunity, he chains the young dinosaur, hoping its distress calls will lure its parents back, setting the stage for an intense encounter.
These intense scenes of T-Rex's nest and ravine were shot at Stage 28 of Universal Studios, a historic and renowned Hollywood film studio still operational. Universal Studios is primarily situated in the unincorporated area known as Universal City, with a part of it extending into Los Angeles city limits. It has served as the setting for numerous iconic films and TV shows over the years. The studio proudly proclaims itself as "The Entertainment Capital of LA," underscoring its pivotal role in entertainment.
Originally established to provide tours of actual Universal Studios sets, the studio has since expanded to become a global chain of comprehensive Universal Studios Theme Parks. The majority of the studio, approximately 70%, is located in Universal City, while the remaining portion falls within the boundaries of Los Angeles City.
You can easily drive to Universal Studios in the Los Angeles area. It's located in Universal City. If you're coming from further away, the closest airport is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). You can rent a car or take a taxi or rideshare to the studio from there. Once you're there, you can visit the location of this iconic scene and explore the numerous other sets and attractions.
T-Rex takes a drink from the swimming pool scene in The Lost World: Jurassic Park
17917 Mayerling St, Granada Hills, CA 91344, USA
There's a memorable scene that fans of the franchise would vividly remember. In this scene, a dehydrated T-Rex quenches its thirst by drinking from a swimming pool and casually snacks on a dog, all while being watched by a child from his room in the house.
This scene was filmed at a house located at 17917 Mayerling Street, which is part of the Greyhawk Ranch development, situated to the northwest of Granada Hills, a suburb in the Valley region of Los Angeles.
However, it's important to note that this house now appears to be privately owned. As such, fans might not be able to see the pool or enter the house. The exterior observation of the property is the only option available for fans wanting to visit this iconic filming location.
If you're traveling from Los Angeles, you can reach the destination by either car or public transport. If you're driving, it will take roughly 40 minutes via the US-101 N route. However, using public transportation will require more time, approximately three hours.
The 'Unlucky Bastard' scene in The Lost World: Jurassic Park
Crown Books, 301 S San Fernando Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502, USA
Tyrannosaurus rex unleashes mayhem on the metropolis, sending residents into a frenzy. In the middle of all this chaos, one poor citizen discovers his only way out is blocked. It seems like a video store is his one safe place.
In his cameo appearance, the character (David Koepp) runs frantically toward the store. However, as he separates himself from the mob, the ravaging T-Rex notices him. Amid the dinosaur's fast approach, the man unlocks the door. Unfortunately, he doesn't have much success as the T-Rex lifts him off the ground by snatching him up in its enormous jaws. As the victim is engulfed in the monster's jaws, he lets forth cries of anguish until he can only make weak noises.
Crown Books, 301 San Fernando Boulevard, was the site of the scene's filming. The bookstore was a popular moviegoer stop, though it has since closed. Regardless, you can still take a leisurely walk along San Fernando Boulevard, taking in the sights and sounds while fantasizing about the exciting moment from the movie.
You can reach the center of Los Angeles in around 15 minutes by car or taxi via I-5 N. Using public transportation, the journey should take approximately 40 minutes.
Conclusion
The Lost World: Jurassic Park is a visually stunning film. Impressive technical skill is on full display here; the dinosaurs look lifelike and fit right in with the plot. Incredibly fascinating visuals include a guy riding a motorbike between a sprinting dinosaur's legs and these prehistoric beasts swooping around in a circle.
The breathtaking settings of the film are primarily in Hawaii and Los Angeles. Filming took place in various locations around Los Angeles, including San Pedro Harbor and the San Fernando Valley, for the scenes depicting a T-Rex wreaking devastation on a city. The remote Hawaiian beauty of Kipu Kai Beach, which is only reachable by boat, also served as the setting for several crucial moments. Despite the film's outlandish premise, these places bring beauty and realism.
The Lost World: Jurassic Park unquestionably broke new ground and demonstrated the limits of then-available technology. It proved that filmmakers could make dinosaurs look lifelike and work them into live-action sequences without sacrificing realism.
The captivating scenery of Los Angeles and Hawaii are well worth seeing, despite their connection to the film. Remember that no dinosaurs are present, unlike in the movie!