Directed by Tony Scott, ‘Top Gun’ is an iconic action-drama film that follows Naval Aviator, Lt. Pete Mitchell AKA Maverick, who arrives to attend the TOPGUN training program at a Naval Fighter Weapons School with his friend and LTJG radar intercept officer Nick Bradshaw aka Goose. Maverick soon impresses all of the instructors with his extraordinary skills and original strategies, but they frequently chide him for his reckless behavior and self-centered decisions. When an accident kills Goose, Maverick is forced to face his guilt and fears and help his companions on one of the riskiest missions of his life.
Starring Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, Anthony Edwards and Val Kilmer, the 1986 film has become cult over the years with its stellar cast performances, aerial stunts and action sequences. The backdrops of a naval air base and a navy aircraft carrier add an element of authenticity to the narrative. Fans of the film will surely be curious to know where it was filmed. If you are one of them too, we have the answers. Let’s start!
Top Gun Filming Locations
“Top Gun” was filmed extensively in California, Nevada and Illinois, particularly in San Diego, Oakland, Coronado, Oceanside, Fallon and Chicago. Additionally, some of the carrier shots were filmed on the Pacific Ocean, aboard the real USS Enterprise. Principal photography for the film took place between June 26, 1985 and December 26, 1985. The crew used several real Navy aircraft, which were piloted by real NASA astronauts and aerobatic pilots. Here is an overview of the filming locations!
San Diego, California
Significant portions of “Top Gun” were filmed in the coastal city of San Diego, California. The cast and crew filmed at numerous locations, such as Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, which was renamed Naval Air Station Miramar in the film. Additionally, the scene at the Officer’s Club on Animal Night was filmed at the NAS Miramar Officer’s Club at 4472 Anderson Avenue. Significant footage, including that set in the hallway and restrooms, was also filmed in and around the Naval Training Center on Roosevelt Road, particularly in Headquarters Building No. 200.
Many bar scenes were filmed around the city at various locations, such as the Lafayette Hotel, Swim Clubs and Bungalows and Red Fox Room on El Cajon Boulevard, and the Windsock Bar and Grill at 2904 Pacific Highway . Additionally, the famous ending scene and the piano scene were filmed at the Kansas City Barbeque, located at 610 West Market Street.
The locker room scenes were filmed at The Plunge Pool at Mission Beach in the Fit Athletic Club’s Belmont Park, while scenes depicting Viper’s house were filmed at the New Point Loma Lighthouse on Cabrillo Road. The location footage where Charlie lets Maverick know she’s in love with him was filmed at 519 West Laurel Street. Interior shots of the aircraft carrier were taken from the USS Ranger, which was parked off the coast of the city during filming.
San Diego is known for its expansive beaches and parks, as well as the USS Midway, an old plane turned museum. Some other films that were filmed in San Diego include “Scarface”, “Kingsman: The Golden Circle”, and “Citizen Kane”.
Oakland, California
The miniature shots of the plane in “Top Gun” were filmed in Oakland, a bustling port city in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a charter city and has a robust economy that depends primarily on shipping, tourism, and automobile manufacturing. Oakland has a thriving arts community and nightlife and is home to various famous musicians.
The Oakland California Temple, Chinatown, Lake Merritt, Peralta Hacienda Historic Park, and Paramount Theater are the city’s biggest tourist attractions. The films “C’mon C’mon”, “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp” were also filmed in Oakland.
Coronado, California
The graduation scene in the film was filmed at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, a peninsular resort town in San Diego Bay. Popularly called The Crown City, Coronado is an island land connected to the mainland by a tombolo called the Silver Strand. It is an important location for the US Navy, especially the aforementioned NAS North Island, which is home port for many aircraft carriers. Renowned tourist sites in the city include the Victorian Hotel del Coronado, Centennial Park, Coronado Ferry Landing, and Coronado Dog Beach.
Oceanfront, California
The scenes featuring Charlie’s house in “Top Gun” were filmed at 102 Pacific Street in the coastal town of Oceanside in San Diego County. It is famous for the California Surf Museum, Harbor Beach and Oceanside Pier and hosts several sporting events each year. The city also hosted the filming of “American Sniper”.
Fallon, Nevada
The thrilling dogfight sequences over land in the film were filmed at the Naval Air Station southeast of the town of Fallon, a town in Churchill County. Located in the Lahontan Valley, Fallon has a cold desert climate. It is the site of the crucial 1963 underground nuclear test, called Project Shoal. Additionally, downtown Fallon is considered a National Historic Site.
Chicago, Ill.
The popular elevator scene from “Top Gun” was filmed in Chicago, one of the biggest cities in the country. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, the city is rich in history and is currently a global center for telecommunications, finance, education and technology. It is a cultural mecca that organizes various musical, literary, cinematographic, theatrical and comic events throughout the year.
Chicago is also known for its vibrant skyline, infrastructure, famous outdoor public art, and historical landmarks. Some of the well-known works of art include Plensa’s Crown Fountain, Heald Square Monument, Oldenburg’s Batcolumn Column, and Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate. The films “The Matrix Resurrections” and “Eternals” as well as the television series “Chicago Fire” were also filmed in Chicago.
USS Enterprise, Pacific Ocean
The exterior shots of the aircraft carriers in the film were filmed on and around the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), a decommissioned US Navy aircraft carrier. Nicknamed “Big E”, it was the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The historic ship is currently being recycled.
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