- Date: September 9, 2022
- Topic: Filmmaking
- By: Peerspace
Source: Peerspace
Love the motorcycle club series and are wondering: where was “Sons Of Anarchy” filmed? Today we’re hopping back on that iron horse as we ride through the rolling hills and streets of Northern California. Join us as we check out some of the most memorable and important filming locations from the show!
While you’re here, be sure to stay tuned until the end, where we share how you can find your own “Sons Of Anarchy”-inspired filming location to rent through Peerspace. As the song says: “The crow flies straight, a perfect line” – we’re going to follow it all the way to Charming, California!
What is “Sons Of Anarchy”?
Kurt Sutter brought motorcycle clubs back to the limelight when he created “Sons Of Anarchy” in 2008. Starring Charlie Hunnam, Ron Perlman, and Katey Sagal, the show ran for seven seasons and chronicled the story of SAMCRO (Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original) and Jax Teller. The show has inspired countless people to buy a motorcycle or even try their hand at acting or directing!
The series showcases Northern California and the town of Charming, where SAMCRO and the characters call home. Despite the constant violence and mayhem perpetuated by the motorcycle gangs and other bad actors, there’s still time to admire parts of Charming and ask the question: where was “Sons Of Anarchy” filmed?
Check out the best garage rentals in Los Angeles to start planning your own production!
Is Charming, California a real place?
We’re first going to have to find out if Charming, California is a real place before we can fully answer the question: where was “Sons Of Anarchy” filmed? If you want to visit Charming for yourself you’ll be riding around Northern California for quite some time searching. The town is purely a creation of the show’s creator, Kurt Sutter.
According to Travel Pulse, the approximately 23 square mile town would be situated somewhere between Lodi and Stockton. This lines up to the town of Morada on a map, but as far as we know, there is no relation.
As for the inspiration for the town of Charming, creator Kurt Sutter recently revealed where he got the idea from in a post on Twitter. He said: “There was a town in northern California called Pleasanton. That was the inspiration for the name. And yes, it was about Mayberry. I loved the idea of juxtaposing the outlaw subculture against the iconic American values. That’s why I chose Opie, Floyd the barber… There are at least three more Mayberry references in the series.”
For those of you who aren’t familiar with “The Andy Griffith Show,” the series takes place in the idyllic town of Mayberry where Andy Griffith is the sheriff. The show is from the 1960s, so as you might imagine it’s quite a tamer show than “Sons Of Anarchy”.
Where did they film Charming in “Sons Of Anarchy”?
Now that we know the origin of Charming, we have to go to some real-life California locations to answer the question: where was “Sons Of Anarchy” filmed?
Like most shows and movies, nearly all of the show’s interiors and some of the exteriors were shot on a studio lot. In this case, Occidental Studios, according to ShowBiz Cheat Sheet.
This included the full set and garage for the Teller-Morrow Repair Shop. As far as we know, there isn’t any way to tour the studio and it’s likely that the “Sons Of Anarchy” sets are no longer there.
There are still some real locations the series used that you can see for yourself. When the production team needed exteriors or establishing shots, they went all around Southern California. One of the towns that they used the most is called Tujunga, located in the San Fernando Valley. Other filming locations they found closer to home around downtown Los Angeles and Simi Valley.
“Sons Of Anarchy” filming locations in Tujunga, California
As we mentioned before, much of what you see as Charming, California is actually the Southern California town of Tujunga. This is the primary place you’re going to want to check out if you’ve ever asked the question: where was “Sons Of Anarchy” filmed?
Global Film Locations has some of our first stops in Tujunga, Jax’s house. This private residence is on Floralita Avenue. However, be sure to respect the residents and don’t do anything to disturb them if you go to check it out.
Another to check out is the SAMCRO club, which they filmed at 10035 Commerce Ave. There are many locations in Tujunga from every season of the show. After a quick drive around the town, you’ll see familiar sights from the show.
This cool motorcycle shop in Palm Desert has everything you need to make you SOA production or event come to life!
Did they shoot “Sons Of Anarchy” season three in Belfast?
You may remember that the third season of “Sons Of Anarchy” had Jax returning to his ancestral roots by visiting Belfast. When characters are in the show’s version of Belfast, they provide a very convincing representation of the Irish city.
However, this is just another case of Hollywood magic. According to Travel Pulse, all of the Belfast scenes were actually shot in and around the Los Angeles area. “Sons Of Anarchy” is a great example of how production teams can create a cohesive space using many different locations and still have it feel real to the audience.
Find your own “Sons Of Anarchy”-inspired filming location
When you aren’t rewatching “Sons Of Anarchy” or watching the spinoff series “Mayans,” we hope that you’re working on the next great show in the same style. Whatever kind of creative project you’re working on, make sure you use Peerspace for location scouting.
The platform has just about everything you need to make a “Sons Of Anarchy”-inspired project. For instance, take a look at this fully functional auto shop in Chicago, Illinois. It will make you feel like you’re working in the Teller-Morrow Repair Shop.
This is just a taste of what Peerspace has to offer. In fact, it’s the number one location online for all of your filming location and production studio rental needs. Now that you know where to go, throw on your biker vest and get to work on the next great motorcycle drama!
Find unique filming locations on Peerspace
I'm a seasoned enthusiast in the realm of filmmaking and television production, with a particular focus on location scouting and the behind-the-scenes aspects of popular series. My expertise extends to the intricacies of filming locations, production techniques, and the creative decisions that shape iconic shows. To illustrate my depth of knowledge, let's delve into the specifics of the article about the filming locations of "Sons of Anarchy."
The article provides insights into the filming locations of "Sons of Anarchy," a series that played a significant role in bringing motorcycle clubs and their subculture to the forefront of popular culture. Created by Kurt Sutter in 2008, the show ran for seven seasons and starred Charlie Hunnam, Ron Perlman, and Katey Sagal.
The central question addressed is: Where was "Sons of Anarchy" filmed? The fictional town of Charming, California, serves as the backdrop for the series. Despite its prominence in the show, Charming is not a real place; it's a creation of Kurt Sutter's imagination. The inspiration for the town's name, Pleasanton in northern California, is revealed, drawing a parallel to the idyllic Mayberry from "The Andy Griffith Show."
To answer the question of filming locations, the article highlights that while most of the interiors and some exteriors were shot on a studio lot—Occidental Studios—some real locations were used for exteriors and establishing shots. Tujunga in Southern California is identified as a key filming location, with specific addresses mentioned, such as Jax's house on Floralita Avenue and the SAMCRO club at 10035 Commerce Ave.
The article dispels the notion that the third season, set in Belfast, was actually filmed there. Instead, all the Belfast scenes were shot in and around the Los Angeles area, demonstrating the Hollywood magic of creating a cohesive space using various locations.
The article concludes by encouraging readers to explore Peerspace for their own filming needs, promoting the platform as a comprehensive resource for location scouting and production studio rentals. It suggests options like a fully functional auto shop in Chicago, Illinois, to evoke the atmosphere of the Teller-Morrow Repair Shop from "Sons of Anarchy."
In essence, my expertise aligns with the intricate details of filmmaking, including the selection and significance of filming locations, as demonstrated by the comprehensive breakdown of the "Sons of Anarchy" filming locations in this article.
