Back To The Future Travel Guide: Los Angeles

Bushnell Avenue

Bushnell Avenue is a quiet, tree-lined street in South Pasadena that may look like an ordinary suburban neighborhood, but is actually a key Back to the Future filming location. Walking down Bushnell, you’ll recognize the 1955 Hill Valley homes of George McFly, Lorraine Baines and Biff Tannen.

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

The closest you’ll get to being inside Doc Brown’s laboratory in real life, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is located along the border of Pasadena and La Cañada Flintridge. While it doesn’t focus on time travel in the film sense, JPL’s time travel tie-in is through its communications to and from spacecraft and satellites throughout the solar system. Because their great distances, any time JPL receives or sends a message there is a delay – meaning the scientists there-in are communicating either in the future or the past, depending on your perspective.

JPL is also the birthplace of many well-known spacecraft . From the Mars Curiosity Rover to the Europa Clipper, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory has the real-life science and innovation that make it perfect for fans of Doc and his DeLorean.

Petersen Automotive Museum

Not only is the Petersen Automotive Museum one of the most fun museums in LA – which is saying a lot coming from me – but its Cars of Film and Television exhibit holds none other the DeLorean itself! Come see Doc Brown’s time-traveling invention up close and personal and don’t forget to view some of the museum’s other themed exhibits like “Fast/Forward: Strother MacMinn’s Sports Cars of the Future“!

The Petersen Automotive Museum is located inside a red futuristic-looking building (what else?!) across from LACMA.

Type: Prop Location

Address: 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

General Admission: $21* but does not include Vault Access (additional $28)

Museum of Jurassic Technology

Is there anywhere else in Los Angeles that will make you feel as nostalgic and time-travel-y as the Museum of Jurassic Technology? Step back in time with a walk through the disorienting Museum’s collection and view obscure pieces that time long since forgot including scientific letters, photographs and, of course, the technological pieces and instruments themselves.

Type: Aesthetic Location

Address: 9341 Venice Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232

Ticket Cost: $12/adult*

Hollywood Methodist Church

An easy place to hit during your Back to the Future-themed tour of Los Angeles is the Hollywood Methodist Church. Located about a block away from the famous Hollywood and Highland intersection, the Church was used as the location of the Hill Valley High’s 1955 School Dance.

Type: Filming Location

Address: 6817 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Cost To Visit: Free*

The Greater LA area is home to some amazing places to stay that truly stand the test of time. In looking for Back To The Future-inspired digs, I focused on finding accommodations with a little retro charm, futuristic qualities or a craftsman-like style that Doc Brown himself would approve of.

Spectacular 1909 Craftsman – $$$$$

The Bissell House – $$$

Arroyo Vista Inn – $$

Studio Cottage – $$

Astro Pasadena Hotel – $

Where To Eat

No Back to the Future-aesthetic guide would be complete without a few classic 1950’s diners. Here are all the ones I recommend:

Cindy’s – Retro Breakfast Cafe in Eagle Rock

Clark Street Diner – Classic Diner in Hollywood

Shakers – Retro Breakfast Cafe in South Pasadena

TwoHeys – Classic Diner in South Pasadena

Norm’s Restaurant – Retro Restaurant Chain located in Hollywood, LA, Whittier and more!

Pie N’Burger – Classic Diner in Pasadena

Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Bar – Old-School Pharmacy, Soda Fountain and Candy Shop in South Pasadena