{"id":99,"date":"2021-01-12T17:03:21","date_gmt":"2021-01-12T17:03:21","guid":{"rendered":"https://blog.ambrosehotel.dev.nextguest.com/?p=99"},"modified":"2025-04-11T11:32:08","modified_gmt":"2025-04-11T11:32:08","slug":"a-movie-lovers-guide-to-santa-monica","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://ambroseblog.wpenginepowered.com/2021/01/12/a-movie-lovers-guide-to-santa-monica/","title":{"rendered":"A Movie-Lover’s Guide to Santa Monica"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Santa Monica’s iconic ocean views, coupled with its proximity to Hollywood, means the city shows up frequently on the silver screen. Maybe you’ve recognized Pacific Park’s solar-powered Ferris Wheel or  the restaurant, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, on the pier? Both have ties to successful Hollywood films. Here’s our guide to films set in Santa Monica.

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The Sting (1974)

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The Looff Hippodrome, located at 276 Santa Monica Pier, is where Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman) lived and worked, operating a carousel, with his girlfriend, Billie (Eileen Brennan)  in the film.

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Father of the Bride (1991)

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This 1991 comedy starring Steve Martin and Diane Keaton is set in ‘San Marino’, a white collar southern California town that looks just like a suburb of Los Angeles. The church used for the interior of Annie’s (Kimberley Williams-Paisley) wedding is the Trinity Church of Santa Monica, located at 1015 California Avenue in Santa Monica.

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Forrest Gump (1994)

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In this 1994 Academy Award-winning movie, Forrest take a pit stop at the Santa Monica pier, and soaks in a beautiful ocean view. Two years after the movie’s release, a themed restaurant, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, opened on the pier to celebrate all things Forrest.

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Bean (1997)

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This 1997 film starring quirky Rowan Atkinson has a scene that prominently features Santa Monica’s Pacific Park—its ferris wheel, food courts, and prominent ocean view.

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Knocked Up (2007)

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The film’s main characters, Alison and Ben (Katherine Heigl and Seth Rogen) meet for breakfast at Santa Monica’s trendy diner, Swingers, on 802 Broadway.

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Discovering the Best of Santa Monica

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Planning a visit to Southern California? Learn more about our hotel here, so that you can experience Santa Monica for yourself, and get more insider tips on our Santa Monica blog!

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Santa Monica’s iconic ocean views, coupled with its proximity to Hollywood, means the city shows up frequently on the silver screen. Maybe you’ve recognized Pacific Park’s solar-powered Ferris Wheel or  the restaurant, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, on the pier? Both have ties to successful Hollywood films. Here’s our guide to films set in Santa Monica. […]

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