Vista, California
a Rare Find for Filmmakers Where Every Street is a Unique Movie Set

The historic district is a premier “Americana” film set comprised of independent and family-owned restaurants, pubs and shops. Its charm lies in the preservation of its historic buildings and its underlying artistic vibe. Every street is a unique movie set. As a cinematographer, you will feel like a kid in a candy shop here. The surrounding hillsides also provide stunning locations such as French farmhouse estates, castles, western sets and other unique and hard-to-find locations.

Vista is a Climactic Wonderland and has been rated the best weather in the country, boasting 340 exterior shooting days out of the year.

To become a film-friendly destination, the City of Vista has waived all film permit fees until June 1, 2024.

The City Manager's Office handles film permits intended to facilitate commercial filming, videotaping, photographing, and other visual activities within the City of Vista.  The ordinance applies to filming and photographing activities on public property within the City limits. The intent is to ensure that commercial filming and photographing activities do not unreasonably interfere with public peace, health and safety, including traffic, parking, the use of or access to public property and facilities, or unreasonably endanger any property.

 
Contact

Sara Trench
email
760.643.5206

List of popular location requests and unique Vista locations

• Downtown look: Americana, 1950-1970
• Pictures of specific street corners with address
• Schools
• Funeral homes and cemetery
• Sewage pump plant
• Tunnel under road on utility easement
• Botanical gardens
• Landing strips
• Jail cells, in use or not.
• Laboratories
• Train stations
• Bus stops
• Abandoned roads
• Abandoned mines or caves
• Trails and lakes
• Theaters
• Alleys
• Warehouses
• Industrial parks
• Restaurants
• Storefronts
• Public bathrooms and parking downtown.

• The Film Hub standing sets
• Green Oaks Ranch and Zoo
• Kirk and Em’s place – Western Town, French Farmhouse, mansions

• Farms

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