Hey there travel enthusiasts and welcome to my post where we will check out the answer to the question where did they shoot Top Gun : Maverick. Are you a fan of movie and wondering where the movie was filmed? Look no further, as we have compiled all the information you need to know about the filming locations of this action-packed movie.
Throughout the movie, we see an array of mountainous regions, sunset beaches and snowy lands. The filming locations of Top Gun: Maverick are spread across different parts of the USA, especially in the states of Nevada, California and Washington. Principal photography reportedly commenced in May 2018, coming under wrap by July 2019.
Some of the locations where the film was shot include the Naval Air Station Semore, El Dorado County/National Forest, San Diego, Inyorken Airport, Los Angeles, Sierra District State Parks and a few other mountainous spots for the final battle.
Top Gun Maverick: A Snapshot
Top Gun: Maverick is a 2022 American action drama film directed by Joseph Kosinski and written by Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer and Christopher McQuarrie. The movie is a sequel to the 1986 classic Top Gun, where Tom Cruise reprises his role as the naval aviator Maverick.
The film is set in the present day and follows Maverick as he trains a group of Top Gun graduates for a specialized mission. The movie features a star-studded cast, including Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, and Ed Harris.
Top Gun: Maverick is known for its breathtaking aerial sequences that were shot using real Boeing F/A 18F Super Hornet aircraft, providing an immersive experience for the audience. The movie also features a mix of practical and digital effects to create a realistic and thrilling visual experience.
Where Did They Shoot Top Gun – Primary Filming Locations
Top Gun Maverick filming locations include San Diego, California and Nevada. The production crew also utilized Naval Air Station Lemoore in California, which is home to the Navy’s Strike Fighter Wing Pacific. The location provided the filmmakers with access to real aircraft and pilots, adding to the authenticity of the film.
Here is an outline of the main shooting locations:
Naval Air Station North Island
A significant portion of Top Gun: Maverick was filmed at the Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California. Affectionately known as “Fightertown USA,” this base provided the location for several sequences in the movie, including the Top Gun base. If you’re interested in visiting the base, keep in mind that it is an active military installation and not open to the public.
South Lake Tahoe
Some scenes in Top Gun: Maverick were filmed in South Lake Tahoe, California. This scenic location provided the backdrop for the snow-covered mountain scenes in the movie. If you want to see it how it was in the movie, or you’re a fan of skiing or snowboarding, you might want to consider visiting South Lake Tahoe during the winter months.
Check out these: Best Winter Locations in the United States
Owens Valley
Owens Valley, California, was another filming location for Top Gun: Maverick. This location provided the backdrop for the desert scenes in the movie. If you’re interested in visiting Owens Valley, keep in mind that it is a remote location and not easily accessible by public transportation. However, if you’re up for a road trip, Owens Valley is definitely worth a visit.
Book your trip to where they shot Top Gun here!
Secondary Filming Locations
Other filing locations include:
San Diego
Aside from the Naval Air Station Miramar, San Diego was also a filming location for Top Gun: Maverick. The production team used several spots in the city for various scenes. One of the most notable locations was the Hotel del Coronado, which served as the backdrop for a beach party scene in the movie. The hotel is a historic landmark and a popular tourist destination in San Diego.
Another location in San Diego that was used for filming was the USS Midway Museum. The museum is a retired aircraft carrier that has been turned into a museum, and it was used as a backdrop for several scenes in the movie.
Lemoore
Naval Air Station Lemoore, located in California’s Central Valley, was also used as a filming location used as a stand-in for the Top Gun school in the movie.
The production team also used the base’s aircraft hangars and runways for several scenes in the movie. The base is one of the largest and busiest in the Navy, and it played a significant role in the filming of Top Gun: Maverick.
How Do I get There?
As mentioned above, access to the air base shooting locations is not really an options as they are working naval bases and not open to the public. However many do have yearly open days so keep an eye out for those. If you want to visit the public locations, here are some ways to get there:
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe straddles the border of California and Nevada in the United States. Here are some general directions based on various starting points:
- From San Francisco, CA (approximately 3.5 hours by car):
- Take I-80 E towards Sacramento/Oakland.
- Continue on I-80 E towards Reno.
- Take CA-89 S exit towards Lake Tahoe.
- Follow signs for your specific destination around Lake Tahoe.
- From Los Angeles, CA (approximately 7-8 hours by car):
- Take I-5 N towards Sacramento.
- Merge onto CA-99 N towards Bakersfield/Fresno.
- Merge onto US-50 E towards South Lake Tahoe.
- Follow signs for your specific destination in South Lake Tahoe.
- From Reno, NV (approximately 1 hour by car):
- Take I-580 S/US-395 S towards Carson City.
- Take exit 57B to merge onto US-50 W towards South Lake Tahoe.
- Follow signs for your specific destination in South Lake Tahoe.
- By Air:
- The nearest major airport is Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) in Reno, NV. Once you land, you can rent a car or take a shuttle to Lake Tahoe.
- There is also a smaller airport, the Lake Tahoe Airport (TVL) in South Lake Tahoe, CA, which caters to smaller, private flights.
- By Public Transport:
- Various shuttle and bus services operate between major cities and Lake Tahoe, especially from the San Francisco Bay Area and Reno.
- By Train:
- Amtrak offers service to Truckee, a town near the north shore of Lake Tahoe, on its California Zephyr route, which runs between San Francisco (Emeryville) and Chicago.
Remember to check current traffic, weather conditions, and any potential road closures before embarking on your journey. Lake Tahoe is a popular destination and can be busy during peak seasons.
Owens Valley
Owens Valley is located in eastern California, just to the east of the Sierra Nevada mountains. It is best accessed by car given its rural nature so when planning a trip, be sure to check current traffic, weather condition, and any potential road closures.. Here are some general directions based on various starting points:
- From Los Angeles, CA (approximately 4-5 hours by car):
- Take I-5 N toward Sacramento.
- Merge onto CA-14 N via Exit 162 toward Lancaster/Palmdale.
- Continue onto US-395 N, which will take you directly into Owens Valley.
- From San Francisco, CA (approximately 6-7 hours by car):
- Take I-580 E toward Oakland.
- Continue on I-205 E toward Tracy/Stockton.
- Merge onto I-5 N.
- Take CA-120 E exit towards Manteca/Sonora.
- Merge onto CA-99 S toward Los Angeles.
- Take the CA-58 E exit toward Tehachapi/Mojave.
- Merge onto US-395 N, which takes you into Owens Valley.
- From Reno, NV (approximately 3 hours by car):
- Simply take US-395 S, which will lead you directly into Owens Valley.
- From Las Vegas, NV (approximately 4.5-5 hours by car):
- Take US-95 N toward Reno.
- Turn left onto NV-266 W (Crossing into California).
- NV-266 W becomes CA-168.
- Turn right onto US-395 N, which leads into Owens Valley.
San Diego
San Diego is located in the southernmost part of California, near the border with Mexico. Here are some general directions and transportation options based on various starting points:
- From Los Angeles, CA (approximately 2-3 hours by car):
- Take I-5 S directly to San Diego.
- From San Francisco, CA (approximately 8-9 hours by car):
- Take I-5 S all the way to San Diego.
- From Las Vegas, NV (approximately 5-6 hours by car):
- Take I-15 S directly to San Diego.
- From Phoenix, AZ (approximately 5-6 hours by car):
- Take I-8 W towards San Diego.
- By Air:
- San Diego International Airport (SAN) is the primary airport serving the San Diego area. Most major U.S. airlines operate flights to SAN from various cities.
- By Train:
- Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner route runs between San Luis Obispo and San Diego, passing through major cities like Los Angeles. If you’re coming from the north or from major cities along the California coast, this is a scenic option.
- By Bus:
- Multiple bus services, including Greyhound, offer routes to San Diego from various cities across the U.S.
- From Mexico:
- If you’re coming from Tijuana or other parts of Mexico, you can cross the U.S.-Mexico border at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, which is just south of San Diego.
Remember to check current traffic and weather conditions before your journey. San Diego is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches, world-class attractions like the San Diego Zoo and its historic areas like Old Town San Diego.
Book your trip to where they shot Top Gun here!
Comparisons with Original Top Gun Movie Locations
If you’re a fan of the original Top Gun movie, you might be curious about how the filming locations for Top Gun: Maverick compare. While the majority of the Top Gun school scenes from the 1986 movie were filmed at the Naval Air Station Miramar (now the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar) in San Diego, Top Gun: Maverick expanded its filming locations beyond California.
In Top Gun: Maverick, the Top Gun base was filmed at North Island Naval Air Station in San Diego, which is just across the bay from the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Additionally, several scenes were shot at the Naval Air Stations in Fallon, Nevada, and Whidbey Island, Washington.
One of the most iconic locations from the original movie is the “Top Gun beach,” where Maverick and Goose play volleyball. This beach is actually located on the grounds of the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. However, in Top Gun: Maverick, the beach scene was filmed at a different location.
Another memorable location from the original movie is the “Hard Deck bar,” where Maverick sings “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” with Goose. In Top Gun: Maverick, the Hard Deck bar was recreated on a soundstage, rather than being filmed at a real location.
Overall, while Top Gun: Maverick does reference and pay homage to some of the original movie’s locations, it also expands its filming locations and utilizes more soundstages for certain scenes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the answer to where was Top Gun Maverick filmed is primarily in and around Southern California in the United States and well worth a visit no matter your interest in the show. The movie is set in San Diego which is also a popular tourist destination as well. And as usual, let me know of your experiences here and what you loved about these areas.
Also, please do not hesitate to comment below if you have any questions, concerns, or corrections or would like me to check anything else out for you.
Until next time.
Have fun
Paul
