Behold Burbank’s Iconic Safari Inn!
Living in Los Angeles, it’s easy to take for granted some of the iconic locations in Southern California – but, as we have lost a number of them in recent years, I wanted to eyeball one of the coolest locations in “beautiful downtown Burbank”, the legendary Safari Inn!
This photo is from “San Fernando Valley Blog” – a classic shot of the Inn from years ago:
I love this shot – and I love the look of The Safari Inn, and am so glad to see it alive and well!
According to their website:
“The Safari Inn is one of Burbank’s best kept historical landmarks! This famous little Inn was built in 1955 and has managed to maintain the same style essence since its original construction. It is one of the only properties left in the city with a 1950’s retro décor and a neon sign that lights up Olive Avenue.”
You may not have ever stayed here, but you’ve no doubt seen it in lots of movies and TV shows, like “True Romance”:
As their website points out:
“The Safari Inn is well known throughout the entertainment industry as a preferred location for several scenes in films that have included Blockbuster movie titles such as “True Romance,” “Coach Carter,” “Apollo 13,” along with numerous appearances in breakthrough series such as “Six Feet Under,” “CSI: Vegas,” “Prison Break,” “Desperate Housewives” and “Monk.” The exterior of the Safari Inn has also been used in album covers for famous rock bands such as “The Wallflowers.”
Here is that album cover:
My Film Encounter!
The other day I was in the area so I drove by, always drawn by the classic neon sign:
This time, however, I notice some unusual activity going on – and a glimpse of yellow police tape:
A look up at their raised pool deck confirmed that I had wandered into a movie scene! It’s one of the best things about living in SoCal – movie cameras and palm trees!
Who knows what they were filming – at some point in the future I will see this scene and say “hey! I was there!”
If you are interested in knowing more about the Safari Inn, here is a link to more pics, history and info:
http://coastanabelle.com/safari/history/
If you like Hollywood history, and cool movie locations, then you will love this one:
The Hollywood Hightower!
This unique tower has been used in a number of movies as well, such as Robert Altman’s 70’s classic “The Long Goodbye”.
You can see a lot more about this location – and the film – by clicking here:
Let me know some of your favorite Hollywood movie locations as well!
Categories: 70's Cinema, Action Films, Art, Awards, Books / Media, Cult Movies, Exotic Travel, Film Fight Club, Great Films, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Memoirs, Movies, Obscure Movies, Talent/Celebrities, Travel, Travel Adventures, Travel Memoir, Uncategorized
johnrieber 
Dropping by from Susie’s blog party! Love this kind of place! I am all about the retro-style.They don’t make places like this anymore and it’s sad they are all disappearing nowadays. Great pics. Retro-cool indeed.
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Thanks! I love shiny new buildings, but we don’t have to destroy ALL of the retro charm in LA in order to build them…thanks for your comment!
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Thanks for sharing John, a great looking hotel and of course I loved the hightower in The Long Goodbye. The kind of place I would love to live in.
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Yes indeed, live in a bit of Hollywood AND movie history!
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Susie sent me, and glad she did! Adding the Safari Hotel to my travel list, when in the area. So cool!
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Thanks for your comment! I you click on the travel section of my blog you will see many more stories about cool places in LA and elsewhere – thanks for visiting!
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I’ll note that for future travel! 🙂
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I came over via Susie. I’m a norcal girl myself now (originally east coast), so it was fun to see some of those iconic pictures and read some of the history behind the visual stereotypes we have of L.A.
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I’ve got a few more coming as well…I like to mix up my blog with travel, food, movies, music and general “this interest me” – so there will be things you may not be interested in, but I hope you stop by again! Thanks for your note!
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Hi John,
I wonder what happened to Elliot Gould. You still hear about Barbara Streisand frequently but not her ex husband. I also live in California not too far from Burbank. Thank you for letting people who live far from us learn about these movie locations.
Susie sent me! Maybe you can check out my blog if you need any blogging tips. I write about how bloggers can be more successful. I also have blog parties like Susie.
Janice
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Thanks for your comment, and I will definitely check out your blog…Elliot Gould was on Ray Donovan a few seasons back so he is acting!
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Hi John,
1. Thanks for your reply and the update on Elliiot Gould. I don’t watch that show so I didn’t know. I’m glad to hear he’s still acting. I was a fan.
2. Someone from Susie’s party ended up following me to a blog I published on 3 years ago! Here is link to the blog party I’m having this weekend.
https://www.mostlyblogging.com/blog-party-mlk/
3. Thanks for saying you’ll check out my blog. If you click the link, you can party and check out the right blog!
Janice
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Ann Margaret also turned up in Ray Donovan. That woman still beautiful and a powerhouse as far as I’m concerned.
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Yes and in “Going In Style” – so good to see her still acting!
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That was a nice scene with Alan Arkin too.
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Susie sent me. That is some building. I thought I’d seen all of Altman’s films, but sure missed that one. Thanks for the heads up. Interesting blog.
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Thanks, Altman’s very modern take on Raymond Chandler is fascinating to see, and world-weary Elliot Gould is terrific! Thanks for the comment!
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My son lives nearby and I usually rent an Airbnb or a VRBO. I’ll have to look into staying here instead!
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It might be retro fun!
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As long as the beds aren’t from the 1950’s.
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John: Oh, yes. This is one of those iconic “L.A.” locations. Been by there many a time.
Pete: Truer words. IIRC, a former-CIA analyst made the statement I always recall, “There is no such thing as a foreign intelligence service.” Even allies, long-term or new, spy on each other.
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I recall that motel from scenes in films. Very cool to live so close to it. Then again, I lived in the centre of London for most of my life, and that place is a permanent film set!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes indeed, Pete! I particularly like the Bond film “Skyfall” when they destroyed your spy headquarters on the Thames…anything for art!
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That MI6 building is an iconic structure. It is very close to the new US embassy too. I doubt that’s a coincidence! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes indeed! As you point out, so many times the city was used for filming – I even shot TV there several times, including the opening of Planet Hollywood London, which I posted about to commemorate my very unpleasant Mel Gibson encounter! – https://johnrieber.com/2013/08/14/heaven-and-mel-shocking-mel-gibson-book-my-mel-encounter/
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I recall that post. I have never eaten at PH in London, but worked close by. I think Gibson was badly affected by the ‘celebrity madness’!
Best wishes, Pete.
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