Where was The Waltons filmed?
1972
City Locations
Burbank (USA), Beverly Hills (USA), Los Angeles (USA)
Location Types
Film Studio
Location Styles
Americana, Retro, Classic Car, Old Hollywood
About The Waltons
The Waltons, a celebrated family drama series, portrays the lives of the Waltons as they navigate the trials of rural life in Virginia during the turbulent era of the Great Depression and World War. Earl Hamner Jr., the creator of the series, drew inspiration from his novel Spencer's Mountain and its 1963 film adaptation.
The Homecoming: A Christmas Story, a TV film, aired on December 19, 1971, to success, much so that CBS ordered a season of episodes for the show. Residing on their ancestral homestead in the rural landscapes of Virginia during the ‘30s and ‘40s, the Waltons include seven children, their parents, two elderly grandparents, John-Boy (the oldest child), and various other neighbors and relatives that visit them often due to their proximity to one another.
As they face trying times of poverty due to circumstances beyond their control, they rely on each other through the difficult times. Former President George H. W. Bush, in a speech on January 27, 1992, declared his dedication to supporting American families. He desired American families to be more like the tight-knit Waltons than the fictional Simpsons.
In response, The Simpsons aired a short animated segment. During a rerun of the "Stark Raving Dad" episode, the Simpson family watched the speech, and Bart humorously remarked, "We are just like the Waltons. We're also praying for an end to the Depression."
The Waltons Locations
The San Fernando Valley of Southern California served as the backdrop for The Waltons production, with filming taking place at the Warner Bros. Studios lot and the surrounding Hollywood Hills area. Mount Lee and the iconic Hollywood Sign sit atop this range, providing a stunning backdrop to many outdoor scenes.
The Warner Bros. Studios lot offered ample space for some interior shots and a fictional version of the mountain seen in numerous episodes. Anyone who wishes to embark on a filming locations tour inspired by The Waltons will find it worthwhile. From stunning mountain vistas in one direction to sprawling cityscapes in another, there is much to see and appreciate within a short distance from each other.
Furthermore, numerous related sites, like A Walton's Reunion Museum, have come up around the area. Dedicated fans may pay homage by visiting the room at John Wayne Airport. Even those unfamiliar with The Waltons will find much to see and do in the area; it is an adventure worth taking.
Fun Facts:
The actors stayed on for all nine seasons; Richard Thomas (John-Boy) only missed one episode out of 207! Most cast members also appeared in all the made-for-TV movies, which took place after the end of the original TV series. Other shows, such as MASH and Family Guy, referenced the show and featured cameos from actors who starred in The Waltons!
The pilot scene in The Waltons
Warner Bros. Ranch Facilities, 411 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505, United States
A lady with a hefty bundle approaches the Walton's residence, heading towards the back door. Startled by Reckless' barking, she gently places the load on the cellar door before slipping away cautiously, casting occasional glances to ensure her actions remain unseen.
The Warner Bros. Ranch, formerly the Columbia Ranch, is renowned for its versatility. It has served as the backdrop for numerous film and television productions. The ranch offers a range of exciting facilities and settings seen in popular movies like the Lethal Weapon series and the iconic Griswald family home.
The studio provides filmmakers with diverse options for creating unique and captivating scenes. Exterior sets and sound stages are available at the Warner Bros. Ranch.
Use a transit app or website to find the best route to reach 411 N Hollywood Way, Burbank.
The Walton's house scene in The Waltons
Warner Brothers Burbank Studios, Stage 26, Ave E, Los Angeles, CA 90068, United States
In the Walton household, Olivia Walton (Michael Learned) descends to prepare breakfast while Esther (Ellen Corby) and Zebulon ((Will Geer) engage in conversation at the table. John Boy (Richard Thomas) descends the stairs to attend to milking the cow.
As he steps outside onto the back porch, his gaze falls upon a bundle, partially revealing the face of a young girl. Filled with astonishment, John Boy urgently calls out for his mother's attention.
Warner Brothers Burbank Studios, Stage 26, is a renowned filming location in Burbank, California. Part of the Warner Bros. Studio Facilities, it has served as a versatile space for various creative endeavors. The stage offers office and production services, studio services, post-production services, costume design, and the property department.
Take the Metro Red Line to the Olive & Hollywood Way station, a 5-minute walk from the studio. You can also check bus routes that stop at Olive Ave or Riverside/Hollywood Way.
Seth cutting the branch scene in The Waltons
Franklin Canyon Park, Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority, 2600 Franklin Canyon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, United States
Seth Turner (Ron Howard), Jason's (Jon Walmsley) closest companion, yearns for the opportunity to join his father's (Ken Swofford) band. While waiting for his father's return, Seth proposes that he and Jason search for timber to craft a recorder. However, as Seth cuts a branch from a tree, he suddenly collapses from fatigue.
Franklin Canyon Park, managed by the Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority, is a stunning public municipal park nestled in the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains, between Beverly Hills and the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, California.
Spanning over 605 acres of land, Franklin Canyon Park offers a breathtaking natural environment that attracts visitors from near and far. The park features scenic trails, including the Franklin Canyon Lake Loop and Chaparral Trail, where hikers immerse themselves in the beauty of nature.
Use a transit app or website to find the best route to reach 2600 Franklin Canyon Dr, Beverly Hills.
Conclusion
The TV series The Waltons tells the story of a family from the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia during the 1930s and 1940s. Warner Bros. Studios' rear lot served as The Waltons' primary film set, but additional scenes came to life around other locations in California and Virginia.
From parks and forests to country roads and mountain villages, The Waltons showcased a range of scenic locations that truly brought the series to life. Even so, no locale is more iconic than Mount Lee's Hollywood Sign, which sits opposite Warner Bros. Studios on the reverse side of the Hollywood Hills range.
Despite being set during times of great financial depression and war, The Waltons envisions a world full of warmth, hope, and joy thanks to its timeless themes and stunning landscapes – a reminder that there can be beauty in hardship.