Where Was Christmas Vacation Filmed?

By Anna Duncan

Christmas Vacation is a holiday classic that many families enjoy watching every year. It’s known for its humor, heartwarming moments, and Clark Griswold’s unwavering commitment to providing the perfect Christmas for his family.

But have you ever wondered where the movie was filmed? Let’s take a closer look.

The Setting

The movie is set in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) lives with his wife Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo), their two children Rusty (Johnny Galecki) and Audrey (Juliette Lewis), and Ellen’s parents.

The Filming Locations

Although the movie is set in Illinois, most of it was actually filmed in California. The exterior shots of the Griswold family home were filmed in Burbank, California. The house is located on 2319 N. Cheviot Drive, which has become a popular tourist destination for fans of the movie.

The Neighborhood

The street where the Griswold family lived was actually a set built on the Warner Bros. Ranch in Burbank. The set was designed to look like a typical suburban neighborhood with houses decorated for Christmas.

The Department Store

One of the most memorable scenes from the movie takes place at a department store where Clark gets trapped in an attic while trying to buy presents for his family. This scene was filmed at the former Bullock’s Pasadena department store in Pasadena, California.

The Tree Lot

In another iconic scene from the movie, Clark takes his family to pick out a Christmas tree at a lot filled with trees that are all too big for their home. This scene was filmed at Beaver Lumber Company in Duarte, California.

  • Fun Fact: The tree that Clark chooses in the movie is over 30 feet tall!

The Pool Scene

The scene where Clark daydreams about building a pool in his backyard was filmed at a private residence in Chatsworth, California. The pool was actually constructed specifically for the movie and was later filled in after filming was completed.

In Conclusion

Although Christmas Vacation is set in Illinois, most of the movie was filmed in California. The Griswold family home, neighborhood, department store, tree lot, and pool scene were all filmed in various locations throughout Southern California. Now you can impress your friends and family with your knowledge of where this holiday classic was filmed!