Top Gun Filming Locations
Explore the Top Gun Filming Locations
San Diego
If you are a Top Gun fan, then visiting the filming locations of this iconic movie is a must. So get your camera ready and let's start singing "Great Balls of Fire".
Kansas City Barbecue (Downtown)
One of the most memorable scenes of the movie was filmed inside this small barbecue joint in downtown San Diego. This is where Maverick and Goose sang "Great Balls of Fire" on the piano. That piano is still there today along with photos and other Top Gun memorabilia. In 2008, a fire caused more than $400,000 of damage to the building and some of the props and memorabilia were damaged. However, the owner began rebuilding the next day and re-opened the restaurant five months later. Don't worry, it hasn't lost that loving feeling - it looks exactly the same.
Naval Training Center ( Liberty Station)
Several scenes were filmed at the former Naval Training Center which has now been transformed into a public mixed use development, called Liberty Station. That means you can visit this location and walk the buildings and see where Maverick walks out and hops on his motorcycle before Charlie get in her car and chases him down the streets of San Diego. This location is at 2820 Roosevelt Road near the current Solare restaurant. Liberty Station is also where Maverick follows Charlie into a bathroom bar near the beginning of the movie.
Viper's House (Point Loma Lighthouse)
The best place to view Viper's house is from above at the Cabrillo National Monument. At the tip of Point Loma you can look down and see the working lighthouse below. It is operated by the Coast Guard and is not open to the public, but you can see everything from above. In the movie, this is where Maverick goes to visit Viper at his home. Scenes were filmed both inside and outside and are easily recognizable.
Charlie's House (Oceanside)
Charlie's house is in the northern San Diego County community of Oceanside. For many years since the movie's release, this was the most popular tourist location in Oceanside. However, the property where the house sat is now being redeveloped into a resort and the house has been temporarily moved a couple of blocks away. You can still see the house behind a chain link fence, although it is boarded up and not in the best shape. Charlie's house was originally at 102 North Pacific Street. Here you'll be able to see the hill where the Maverick gets on his motorcycle and rides off into an ocean sunset.
West Laurel & Union Streets (Bankers Hill)
After Maverick storms out of a briefing and rides away on his motorcycle, Charlie chases after him and they end up at this location near the intersection of West Laurel and Union Streets in Bankers Hill near the airport. Here you'll be able to see the steep hill with the airport below and the large palm tree next to where Charlie slams on the brakes and stops her car.
The Locker Room (Mission Beach)
The locker room scenes were filmed at the Mission Beach Plunge Pool. The original plunge pool has been closed since 2014 for an $11 million renovation. It is scheduled to reopen during the summer of 2019. Although, it won't be exactly the same you'll soon be able to visit where these scenes were filmed.