If you’re a fan of Christmas movies, you’ve probably seen National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. The Griswold family’s holiday antics are a classic, but have you ever wondered where the house they filmed in actually is? In this article, we’ll take a look at the real location of the Griswold house and some interesting facts about its history.
Location
The exterior shots of the Griswold house were filmed at 2324 South DuPont Street in Burbank, California. The neighborhood is known as Rancho Adjacent and is just a few miles away from Warner Bros. Studios where much of the movie was filmed.
The House Today
If you’re hoping to visit the Griswold house and see it for yourself, unfortunately, it’s not quite as simple as driving up to Burbank and snapping some photos. The current owners of the home have made several changes to the exterior since filming ended, including removing the iconic Santa sleigh and reindeer from the roof.
The History of the House
The Griswold house wasn’t built specifically for Christmas Vacation. In fact, it was already an established home in Burbank when filmmakers chose it as their location. The house was built in 1957 by a man named John McNally who lived there with his family until 1977.
After McNally sold the home, it changed hands several times before being purchased by its current owners in 2004 for $1.8 million. The house has four bedrooms, five bathrooms, and over 3,500 square feet of living space.
Fun Facts
- The interior shots of the Griswold house were not filmed in Burbank but on a soundstage at Warner Bros. Studios.
- The neighborhood where the Griswold house is located has been used as a filming location for many other movies and TV shows, including Lethal Weapon and Desperate Housewives.
- The iconic Santa sleigh and reindeer that were on the roof during filming were actually made of fiberglass and weighed over 250 pounds.
- The Griswold house has become a popular destination for fans of the movie, with many making the pilgrimage to Burbank each year to see it in person.
Conclusion
The Griswold house from National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation may not be located at the North Pole, but it’s still a beloved part of holiday movie history. While you may not be able to see it exactly as it appeared on screen, visiting Burbank and seeing the location in person can be a fun way to get into the holiday spirit.