If you’re a fan of the classic Christmas movie, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” you may be wondering where the actual house from the movie is located. This beloved holiday film has become a staple in many households, and it’s no surprise that fans want to visit the iconic Griswold family home.
The Movie Set vs. The Actual House
First, it’s important to note that the exterior shots of the Griswold family home were not filmed on location.
Instead, a set was built on Warner Bros. Ranch in Burbank, California specifically for the movie. The interior scenes were also shot on soundstages in Burbank.
However, there is an actual house that was used as inspiration for the Griswold family home. It’s located in a neighborhood called “Royal Oaks” in Pasadena, California.
The Royal Oaks House
The real-life house that served as inspiration for the Griswold family home is a stunning Colonial-style mansion with six bedrooms and five bathrooms. Built in 1921, it spans over 7,000 square feet and sits on over half an acre of land.
While this house isn’t an exact replica of the movie set, it does have some similarities that are recognizable to fans of “Christmas Vacation.” For example, both houses feature columns and a portico at their entrances.
Visiting The Royal Oaks House
If you’re interested in visiting this iconic home, keep in mind that it is privately owned and not open to the public. However, you can still drive by and snap some photos from the street.
Other Filming Locations
While you’re in Pasadena checking out the Royal Oaks house, there are several other filming locations from “Christmas Vacation” that you can visit as well! These include:
- The Warner Bros Ranch in Burbank where the movie set was built
- The fictional department store, “Gimbels,” was actually filmed at the exterior of the former Bullocks Wilshire department store in Los Angeles
- The interior of “Gimbels” was filmed at the former May Company department store in North Hollywood
In Conclusion
While the actual house from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” is not open to the public, fans can still visit several filming locations from the movie. The Royal Oaks house in Pasadena served as inspiration for the Griswold family home and is a must-see for any die-hard fan of the movie. From there, you can also visit other iconic locations and relive some of your favorite scenes from this beloved holiday classic!