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| Written by Charles Knauf |
It was a rainy day in Oregon, 1990, when the third Back to the Future came out.
My family was on our yearly vacation and I was hanging out with my cousins when they mentioned they’re having a triple feature of all three films. I was so excited – finally, I’ll be able to see how this series ends.
The irony of this was the film’s exteriors, those not in the backlot of Universal Studios, were filmed less than 20 minutes from where I lived. However, I watched the films in another state almost 700 miles away.
Regardless, the production did a pretty great job filming in places that were as nondescript as possible, making its setting accessible to all.
However, having grown up in the same areas or near the same areas that they filmed Back to the Future makes this film, to me, a time capsule of the East Side and Valley of Los Angeles.
Doc Brown’s house is a very historic spot in Pasadena (my home town) that hold tours on a regular basis. The house is called The Gamble House, built by Green and Green master craftsman architects, for the Gamble family in 1908-09. It truly is a stunning location and one of the most beautiful houses I’ve ever seen. Pasadena, specifically South Pasadena, is also where the younger versions of Marty’s parents live. South Pasadena is a wonder place to look for locations, as many films such as Halloween, Teen Wolf, and Beethoven had used South Pasadena as a wholesome neighborhood.
The Burger King Marty skates past is still very much there in Burbank and the most famous location, The Twin Pines Mall, is easily found further east in Puente Hills (The Puente Hills Mall).
It’s really kind of cool if those of you reading this ever get a chance to tour the areas in which I’m mentioning; the Back to the Future series is such a cornerstone of so many children’s lives – especially in the 80s and 90s – that walking down the parking lot where the DeLorean first hit 88 miles an hour never fails to bring a smile to my face.
Recently, I was sitting in my office when an editor friend of mine quickly ran inside and shook me away from my work, saying “Guess what they’re building across the street at the prop house?”
Frankly, I didn’t even know there was a prop house across the street from where I worked so I was at a loss. He then showed me a picture on his phone of a very familiar sign.
A sign that, although unfinished, I immediately recognized.
The Twin Pines Mall.
I couldn’t believe it. Right across the street, this company was making a perfect recreation of the legendary Twin Pines Mall sign. What were they doing it for? Was it real? I had to know more…
I calmly approached the shop and spoke with the owners. They happily explained that the sign is going up at the Puente Hills Mall for the anniversary of the film. I had to take a picture with my equally excited friend and they allowed it. I couldn’t be more elated!
The sign itself will be used for the 30 anniversary celebration at the Puente Hills Mall being held this week.
Life is a serendipitous thing, no?
So if you get a chance to visit LA for any extended period, and have any love for the Back to the Future, I would highly recommend checking out the locations on this website, but at the very least, spend a day (or evening) at the Twin Pal—I mean, the Puente Hills Mall and see this sign in all its glory. Then, check out the back lot tour at Universal Studios where the facades still stand.
… and maybe grab a bite to eat at a specific Burger King in Burbank.
