Ever wonder where the iconic 1986 action film Top Gun was filmed? Well…the sky. A lot of it was filmed in the sky, but not exclusively. Top Gun is a film that somehow manages to be wholly unrealistic yet entirely authentic at the exact same time. The combat scenarios that Top Gun and its hugely successful sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, depict not only would never happen, but if even if they did, they would likely start a third World War, making the obligatory celebrations feel a tad silly. The late great filmmaker Tony Scott clearly had authenticity in his mind when making Top Gun. Much of that is showcased in the film’s various and impressive locations that Scott and the cast and crew were able to film in.
Top Gun did almost all of its filming in sunny Southern California, particularly in the San Diego area. This, of course, includes the oh-so-iconic and memed-into-oblivion beach volleyball scene where Maverick (Tom Cruise), Goose (Anthony Edwards), and the rest of their fighter pilot friends played shirtless on the shoreline. Those who have seen the film also know that Top Gun has more than a few bar scenes, and Top Gun filmed in three separate bars over the course of principal photography. This included Kansas City Barbeque for the “Great Balls of Fire” piano scene and the Windsock Bar & Grill for the ice water scene.
Other San Diego locations where Top Gun filmed include The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club, & Bungalows, and the New Point Loma Lighthouse. One of the most iconic locations in the entire film is Charlie’s house, where Maverick and Charlie have their first date.
Top Gun was able to film at various military locations, including Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Naval Air Station North Island, and San Diego’s Naval Training Center. The movie also filmed on two massive U.S. aircraft carriers, the USS Ranger and the USS Enterprise. The flying and dogfight sequences in Top Gun were all done practically, with real pilots and real planes. However, filming these sequences also had its risks, as one stunt pilot tragically crashed into the ocean.
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