Hollywood Escapes: The Moviegoer's Guide to Exploring Southern California's Great Outdoors [Paperback]

Harry Medved (Author), Bruce Akiyama (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 27, 2006

LET THE MOVIES BE YOUR GUIDE!

* Hike THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE Trail!
* Behold the KILL BILL Chapel!
* Enter THE DOORS Indian Caves!
* Swim at BEACH BLANKET BINGO's Malibu!
* Escape to SOME LIKE IT HOT's Resort!
* Raft the STAGECOACH River!
* Explore HIGH PLAIN DRIFTER's Ghostly Lake!
* Trek to the LOST HORIZON Waterfall!
* Discover the STAR WARS Sand Dunes!

Here is the first comprehensive guide to Southern California's outdoor filming locations taking you to more than 50 of the Golden State's most cinematic beaches, mountains, deserts, lakes, hot springs and waterfalls. Illustrated with over 100 scenic photos and 20 easy-to-read maps, Hollywood Escapes: The Moviegoer's Guide to Exploring Southern California's Great Outdours not only takes you to movie history's most memorable destinations, but also recommends places to dine and lodge along the way, from mountain hideaways to beach side resorts.

Written by inveterate movie buffs and outdoors enthusiasts Harry Medved and Bruce Akiyama, these two native Southern Californians have interviewed dozens of actors, filmmakers, location scouts and rangers to help you explore Hollywood's most spectacular scenery.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"What a neat book! Ever since my wife and I moved to Los Angeles, we’ve been fascinated with the movie connections all around us. Harry Medved has produced a guidebook to Southern California that’s equal parts history, roadmap, restaurant guide, and pop culture catalogue. If you want to know which movies were made on each particular beach and cove in Santa Monica and Malibu, the history of Venice Beach and Catalina Island, a capsule guide to Bronson Canyon (including the famous Bronson Cave), seen in everything from Gene Autry’s Phantom Empire serial to John Ford’s The Searchers, this is the book for you. Quotes from producers, directors, local historians, and location scouts are sprinkled throughout the lively text, along with photos and useful maps. Most of all, Hollywood Escapes is fun to browse, whether you’re planning day trips or just want to experience the Southern California’s multitudinous movie locations vicariously from your armchair." --Leonard Maltin, author of Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide and The Great American Broadcast

 

“A perfect blend of show biz lore and wanderlust…as an ultra-engaging mix of film and the great outdoors, Hollywood Escapes allows us to re-experience, in the flesh, the great escapism that movies provide.”
- Brad Schreiber, Entertainment Today

 

“Immensely readable… Hollywood Escapes encourages us to leave the couch or the theater or even the city behind in search of parks and piers, lakes and reservoirs, islands and canyons, cafes and hotels we've previously only encountered on film.”
-Anthony Miller, City Beat ("Real. Best. L.A."  issue)

 

“A travel guide built around visits to the locations for dozens of classic films… the book serves as an interactive movie history of the area.”

- Gregg Kilday, The Hollywood Reporter

 

"We are all over the new book Hollywood Escapes ... an awesomely comprehensive movie lover's guide to famous (and mostly hitherto unknown) outdoor filming locations in Southern California "

- Los Angeles Magazine

 

"A movie buff's guide to film locations that range from Baja California to California's highest mountain, with beach and desert scenes in between... this solidly packed guide presents a different way to vacation in Southern California, turning Tinseltown and its environs into pure gold."

- Library Journal

 

“One has to wonder why a comprehensive guide to recognizable movie locations in Southern California hasn't been published before… Medved and Akiyama hit gold with the thoroughly researched, well-constructed Hollywood Escapes… as useful on the road as it is for thumbing through while watching a DVD at home.”
- Janet Fullwood, Sacramento Bee 

“Hollywood Escapes is jam-packed with tidbits, trivia and insider information about literally thousands of movies, old and new. Highly recommended, the perfect paperback ... to always have in your car glove compartment.”  

 - Boyd Magers, Western Clippings

 

“Discover the ultimate guide to your favorite movie picture or television program locations. Easily accessible for all types of travelers, recreate the scene starring ... you!”

 - Mary Ellen Bowman, DAILY PILOT

"(A) must-have book...Harry Medved interviewed dozens of production designers, location managers, and actors to pinpoint filming sites from Malibu to Mammoth, Lone Pine to La Jolla, for his book. Where was the Kill Bill desert chapel? Or Dr. Evil's compound? Or the Star Wars sand dunes? Find out."

- Los Angeles Magazine's "Movie Lover's Guide"

 

About the Author

A Southern California native, Medved has served as an entertainment publicist for Yahoo!, Warner Bros. Online and the Screen Actors Guild. Prior to creating the "Lost and Found" travel column for the Pasadena Star-News, he co-authored the popular movie books The Fifty Worst Films of All Time, The Golden Turkey Awards and The Hollywood Hall of Shame. He lives in Santa Monica with his wife Michele and family.

 

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1st edition (June 27, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312308566
• ISBN-13: 978-0312308568
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #321,563 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get Off Your Couch!, October 12, 2006

By 

Brian Rooney "R7 Media" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hollywood Escapes: The Moviegoer's Guide to Exploring Southern California's Great Outdoors (Paperback)

Armchair movie aficionados beware! Leave your remote control behind and visit hundreds of famous movie locations in person! This one-of-a-kind travel guide (very few authors can claim that) is the result of exhaustive research covering hundreds of film shooting sites and is a must have for anyone who loves movies and the great outdoors. I liked this book so much, I bought TWO copies - one to keep clean and one whose margins are already filling up with notes as I visit the places featured. Get this book and go touch Hollywood history in person!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hollywood Escapes: The Moviegoer's Guide to Exploring Southern California's Great Outdoors, February 17, 2007

By 

Terry "wardrobe" (Northern California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hollywood Escapes: The Moviegoer's Guide to Exploring Southern California's Great Outdoors (Paperback)

Great book for people interested in movie lore and making a trip to LA or who live there and like to make day trips. Lots of information and the organization of the material makes it very user friendly, and easy to find again when you are driving or trying to show a friend.

I bought it for my husband who is a history buff and he loved it! In California our history is limited sometimes, but this opened up Southern California for him.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Info about Southern California, August 14, 2008

By 

Chocophile (Southborough, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hollywood Escapes: The Moviegoer's Guide to Exploring Southern California's Great Outdoors (Paperback)

This book is PACKED with info about Southern California: places to visit, restaurants, hotels, parks, and attractions. It appeals not only to movie buffs but anyone who wants to know more about the history of the area. It serves as tour guide as well.

Everyone in Southern California should have a copy of Hollywood Escapes to use when visiting a new spot, or looking for a weekend adventure.