Home Global Fame

The Ultimate Guide: 5 Surprising Secrets About Where 'Grace And Frankie' Was Filmed

• minute read
Contents

The Netflix hit Grace and Frankie, starring screen legends Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, is famous for its sharp wit, deep emotional core, and perhaps most of all, its stunning coastal backdrop. While the series may have concluded its phenomenal run, the curiosity surrounding its iconic filming locations remains at an all-time high, especially the gorgeous beach house that becomes the unexpected home for the two frenemies. Today, December 23, 2025, we dive into the definitive details of where the magic—and the drama—truly unfolded, revealing the surprising truth that lies behind the California dream setting.

The show masterfully sells the illusion of a carefree, sun-drenched existence, but the reality of television production is a complex blend of real-world locations and meticulously crafted soundstages. From the specific Malibu address of the exterior shots to the Hollywood studio where the interiors were built, we uncover the secrets of the show’s most beloved settings, including the beach house, Grace's original mansion, and Robert and Sol's Spanish Colonial home.

The Iconic Beach House: Malibu's Broad Beach vs. La Jolla's Illusion

The most recognizable and central location in Grace and Frankie is the beautiful, sprawling beach house that Grace Hanson (Jane Fonda) and Frankie Bergstein (Lily Tomlin) are forced to share. The show explicitly states that this magnificent property is located in La Jolla, San Diego, a wealthy, picturesque seaside community. This, however, is the first major filming secret.

The exterior shots of the house, which give the series its signature aesthetic, were actually filmed much further north in Malibu, California.

  • Fictional Location: La Jolla, San Diego.
  • Real Exterior Filming Location: Broad Beach, Malibu, California.
  • The Exact Address: The real-life luxury residence used for establishing shots is located at 31212 Broad Beach Road in Malibu.
  • The Architect: The house itself was designed by renowned architect Steve Giannetti, contributing to its unique, airy, and expensive look.

This specific section of Malibu is known for its exclusive, high-end properties directly on the sand, providing the perfect backdrop for the characters' affluent lifestyle. The production team chose this location to capture the quintessential Southern California coastal vibe, even though the story places it over 100 miles south in La Jolla. The exterior shots of the house are a key piece of the show's visual identity, often featuring the stunning Pacific Ocean and the expansive deck where many pivotal scenes take place.

Behind the Scenes: The Paramount Studios Soundstage

While the exterior of the beach house is a real, multi-million dollar Malibu property, almost all of the interior scenes—the kitchen, the living room, the bedrooms, and the famous deck—were filmed on a controlled set.

The primary filming location for the entire series, including all the main home interiors, was Paramount Studios in Los Angeles.

This is a common practice in television production, as using a soundstage allows the crew and actors (including stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin) maximum control over lighting, sound, and camera angles. The interior set was meticulously designed to mirror the floor plan and interior design aesthetic of the real Malibu house, ensuring a seamless transition between the exterior location shots and the indoor scenes. This attention to detail is a testament to the show's incredible production design team.

The Art of Set Design: Bringing Grace and Frankie's Worlds to Life

The set design is a crucial element in telling the story of Grace and Frankie, as their opposing personalities are reflected in their respective homes. Beauchamp Fontaine, the show's talented set decorator, was responsible for crafting these distinct environments.

  • The Beach House Interior: Designed to be a shared space, the set features a blend of Grace’s more traditional, elegant style and Frankie’s bohemian, artistic flair. The kitchen is bright and spacious, the living area is open, and the overall feel is one of casual, sun-drenched luxury, fitting for two women starting a new chapter.
  • Grace’s Original Home (Hanson House): This set, representing the home Grace shared with Robert (Martin Sheen), was designed to be more formal, traditional, and impeccably organized, reflecting Grace's controlled and sophisticated personality.
  • Robert and Sol’s Home (Bergstein Home): The home Robert and Sol (Sam Waterston) move into is a Spanish Colonial-style house, a grand and warm setting that reflects their new life together. The interiors, also filmed at Paramount, were designed to be comfortable and stylish, acting as a counterpoint to the women's chaotic beach house life.

The intricate set design choices, from the furniture to the art, are what give the show its rich, character-driven environment, making the sets themselves feel like additional characters in the series.

Beyond the Homes: Los Angeles and Malibu Location Shots

While the majority of the series was filmed within the walls of Paramount Studios, the production often ventured out for establishing shots and key scenes to lend authenticity to the Southern California setting. The broader Los Angeles area served as the primary location for these exterior shoots.

Location scouting was essential for scenes involving the characters' children—Bud, Coyote, Brianna, and Mallory—as well as the various businesses and public spaces they frequent. Key areas that have been used include:

  • Malibu Beach: Beyond the beach house, the actual Malibu coastline was used for various scenes, including the memorable "funeral" for Frankie's ashes and the wedding of Bud and Allison.
  • Malibu Mountains: Actress Jane Fonda herself noted that some scenes were shot deep in the Malibu mountains, areas she was familiar with from her youth.
  • La Jolla and San Diego: Although the homes were in Los Angeles and Malibu, the production utilized establishing shots of the La Jolla area to maintain the illusion of the beach house's San Diego setting.

The use of these real-world locations, combined with the detailed studio sets, created a rich, believable world for the six-season run of the show. The meticulous effort to blend the luxury of a real Malibu home with the functionality of a Hollywood soundstage is the true secret behind the show's stunning visual success and its enduring appeal to fans.

The Ultimate Guide: 5 Surprising Secrets About Where 'Grace and Frankie' Was Filmed
where was grace and frankie filmed
where was grace and frankie filmed

Detail Author:

  • Name : Vernie Rutherford
  • Username : mikel27
  • Email : ltillman@schmitt.com
  • Birthdate : 1992-07-31
  • Address : 2899 Crooks Parkways Libbyberg, CT 11357-1814
  • Phone : +1 (303) 940-7883
  • Company : Muller-Runolfsdottir
  • Job : Agricultural Manager
  • Bio : Occaecati sed velit magni. Voluptas aspernatur neque sint et laudantium. Distinctio reprehenderit dolor laudantium possimus. In ullam soluta veritatis magni.

Socials

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/garfieldhessel
  • username : garfieldhessel
  • bio : Voluptates maxime sit dolor eos sed. Quis aspernatur vero eaque dicta possimus iure. Et sed reiciendis voluptatem aut at.
  • followers : 4731
  • following : 2221

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/garfield.hessel
  • username : garfield.hessel
  • bio : Adipisci enim ut consectetur. Voluptatum officia qui sint natus. Non est qui quia soluta ea.
  • followers : 1055
  • following : 110

linkedin:

tiktok:

  • url : https://tiktok.com/@garfield6532
  • username : garfield6532
  • bio : Et rerum repudiandae facilis harum. Velit illum ipsa et expedita consequatur.
  • followers : 5683
  • following : 1320

facebook:

  • url : https://facebook.com/garfield4361
  • username : garfield4361
  • bio : Ut ut id quis quia et. Laboriosam cupiditate sed sapiente non voluptatum.
  • followers : 5605
  • following : 166

Random Posts