Where Was Vacation Filmed?

By Alice Nichols

Are you a fan of the classic comedy movie, Vacation? This film follows the Griswold family on their cross-country road trip to Walley World. But have you ever wondered where this hilarious adventure was filmed? In this article, we’ll explore the locations used in Vacation and how they were transformed for the big screen.

California

The majority of Vacation was filmed in California, starting with the opening scenes on a cul-de-sac in Los Angeles. The house used as the Griswold family home can be found at 18543 Devonshire St in Northridge.

Fun fact: The same house was also used in the popular TV show, Bewitched.

Flagstaff, Arizona

The fictional town of Coolidge, Kansas, is actually Flagstaff, Arizona.

The crew used a variety of locations around Flagstaff to create this small town feel. One location that will look familiar to viewers is the Super 8 motel where Clark (Chevy Chase) has his infamous swimming pool daydream. This motel can be found at 3725 Kasper Avenue.

Six Flags Magic Mountain

The final destination of the Griswold family’s road trip is Walley World, a fictional amusement park that they soon discover is closed for maintenance. However, the park scenes were actually filmed at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California.

Fun fact: During filming, Six Flags Magic Mountain was still under construction and not yet open to the public.

  • The entrance gate seen in Vacation was later renamed “Wally World” and can still be found at Six Flags.
  • The wooden roller coaster seen in many scenes is called Colossus and is still standing today.

In Conclusion

Vacation is a beloved classic that has stood the test of time. Now that you know where it was filmed, you can go on your own Griswold-style road trip and visit these locations for yourself. From the Griswold family home in Northridge to Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, you’ll be able to see firsthand how these locations were transformed for the big screen.