If you are familiar with the natural areas around the Palos Verdes Peninsula, you probably know about the South Coast Botanic Garden, an 87-acre stretch of land that holds more than 2,000 different species of plants from around the world. Originally built over a sanitary landfill in 1959, the botanic garden offers walking areas, greenspaces and event spaces for guests to enjoy.

However, it offers more than just a place to connect with nature — it also has a presence as an entertainment venue, acting as a filming spot for multiple TV shows, movies and music videos over the years.

Take a look at the list of projects below to see if your favorite films and shows have had some filming done at the South Coast Botanic Garden.

Movies

Bullet Train (2022)

This fast-paced film stars Brad Pitt, who plays an assassin completing a mission on a bullet train in Tokyo. He encounters a variety of other assassins looking to recover the same item.

The Spongebob SquarePants Movie (2004)

In this comedy, SpongeBob SquarePants and his starfish sidekick, Patrick, seek to clear the name of their friend Mr. Krabs, who has been framed for stealing the crown of King Neptune, a sea deity.

TV Shows

Dexter (2006-2013)

This eight-season show starred Michael Hall and follows a man leading a double life as a serial killer and a crime-solving blood spatter expert.

Criminal Minds (2005-present)

This long-running crime show follows an FBI team seeking to capture the most twisted criminal minds.

CSI: Miami (2002-2012)

This crime show, starring David Caruso as the lead, followed a team of forensics investigators solving crimes in Miami.

This is Us (2016-2022)

This popular drama series starring actors like Milo Ventimiglia and Mandy Moore followed a group of people whose lives cross paths unexpectedly.

The Rookie (2018-present)

Starring Nathan Fillion, this crime show follows a rookie starting out in the LAPD force.

The Rookie: Feds (2018)

This spinoff from “The Rookie” followed Special Agent Simone Clark (Niecy Nash), the oldest rookie in the FBI academy, at the Los Angeles field office.

The Women in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window (2022)

Starring Kristen Bell, this Netflix thriller series follows a woman who is convinced she witnessed a murder from the window of her house.

Music Videos

The light is coming

This song by Ariana Grande (ft. Nicki Manaj), from her album Sweetener, garnered 69 million views over six years on YouTube.

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQitfe8u7i4

Starting Now

This song by Brandy was released in 2021 and received 2.8 million views on Youtube.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/7Ms-Y99bAi0?si=7SYetXB8hXpBGxMo

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Bio:

Emily McGinn is a journalist based in the Los Angeles area. She enjoys reporting on and writing about a variety of topics from lifestyle to news, especially in her areas of specialty, environmental science and political science.