City in California, United States
Photo: Downtowngal, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The self-declared "Media Capital of the World", Burbank is a small city in the San Fernando Valley of Southern California, in the Los Angeles area. It is the home of the headquarters and primary studios of Warner Bros. Discovery and The Walt Disney Company, and of the animation studios of Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon.
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Tours of the Warner Bros. lot are conducted in twelve-person carts that visit the backlot sets, soundstages, production facilities, and the Warner Bros. museum. Reservations are offered for the first three tours each day and for the following day's tours, otherwise tours are on a first-come, first-s-served basis.
One of the two WB backlots. This one is closest to the Studio Tour (see above). It features everything from a Midwest town center, old New York cityscape, French Street, residential neighborhood, to a jungle lagoon are on the Studio’s backlot. The sets can be dressed to resemble any time, period or look imaginable. They also have 31 large sound stage buildings where various movies and TV programs have been filmed. Tour is available with the VIP Studio Tour listed in above. Ask.
Columbia Ranch
The focal point has been a series of faux houses along "Blondie Street", and house with a pool across the street, that have been used in the exterior and some interior filming of a variety of movies and television programs. Such shows filmed there are WandaVision (2021); Lethal Weapon (1987); I Dream of Jeannie (1965); Partridge Family (1970); Dennis the Menace (1959); National Lampoon Christmas Vacation (1989); Bewitched (1964); Blondie (1956); Father Knows Best (1954); etc. The houses and "Blondie Street" are slated for demolition late 2023 and eventually replaced by a series of large sound stage buildings, offices and parking lots.
Shops, movie theaters, eateries, etc., on San Fernando by the mall. Take the 5 and get off on the "Olive" exit. That should put you in the thick of things.
The world's first martial arts history museum is a cultural and educational look at how Asian history became part of American history through the martial arts. The museum takes about 40 minutes to visit.
Completed in 1940, this expansive lot serves as the corporate headquarters for The Walt Disney Company and contains its primary film, television, and animation production facilities. Tours of the studio are not available to the general public. There are only two ways to tour the studio if you are not employed there: one is through Adventures by Disney, which offers a tour of the studio as part of their pricey six-day, five-night Southern California tour package. A far less expensive way is by becoming a member of D23, Disney's official fan club, which occasionally offers member-exclusive tours of the studio.
A large equestrian center with boarding facilities, a riding school, horse rentals, and access to miles of equestrian trails in adjacent Griffith Park.
Very attractive place, but don't forget to visit the ice rink.
TV audiences are needed for tapings of all manner of television productions, in particular game shows and sitcoms. Burbank is home to the production facilities for many shows produced by, among others, ABC, Disney, TBS, and Warner Bros. You can get tickets online usually free of charge from sites like on-camera-audiences.com, although if you have a particular show in mind your best bet might be to go to the show's website itself.
The oldest remaining Bob's, built in the 1950s. A national landmark, this diner is a short distance from the Warner Bros. Studios main gate, and celebrity sightings are common. Drew Carey in particular is seen frequently eating burgers here.
Filming location of Doc Brown's garage (or at least the facade in 1985) and the opening credits of Back to the Future. Filming took place in the south parking lot, by the drive through lane of the restaurant.
A kitchy bar where the locals hang out. Everything is colored blue, and the drinks are cheap. Featured in a bunch of movies.
In downtown Burbank close to shopping and restaurants.
An upscale hotel near Warner Bros. Studios and catering to business travelers.
488 rooms including 20 PURE allergy friendly rooms. 46,000 feet (14 m) of meeting space.
A half mile from the airport, this hotel is a bit run-down but is near the freeway and within driving distance of all major sites.
166 guest suites, with full size kitchens, separate living and sleeping areas, free in-room wi-fi
Small 1950s or 60s-style hotel with palm trees and kind of a hip kitch. If you saw Quentin Tarantino's movie True Romance, you'll recognize it.
The U.S.'s only all-horror bookstore. The owners are very friendly and anything horror-related will be here. Weekly signings (especially on Saturdays).
Public transit service in Burbank is spotty; as with most of Los Angeles, most people tend to drive, so you may find yourself the only one heading to the bus stop after your TV taping or studio tour.
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