Visit 'Big Little Lies' Filming Locations in Monterey

Image: PHOTO: Jellyfish at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. (photo via Flickr/Bernard Spragg. NZ)
Image: PHOTO: Jellyfish at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. (photo via Flickr/Bernard Spragg. NZ)
Christine Bord
by Christine Bord
Last updated: 6:00 AM ET, Tue April 4, 2017

After Sunday's upcoming finale, fans of the HBO drama "Big Little Lies" might be wondering how they can visit all of the show's fabulous filming locations.

The series follows a group of moms-Madeline (Reese Witherspoon), Jane (Shailene Woodley), Celeste (Nicole Kidman) and Renata (Laura Dern)-and the events leading up to a school fundraising event that turns deadly. Set in Monterey, California, the show's scenery proves to be as breathtaking as its dramatic plot lines.

Here's a look at five of Monterey locations used in the show, and where you can find them:

Monterey Bay Aquarium

The Monterey Bay Aquarium plays duel roles in the series. Renata serves on the board of this famous attraction, while Jane brings Ziggy here for an afternoon away from the drama of his first grade classroom.

The aquarium, located on the site of a former sardine cannery, has been named one of the best in the country thanks, in part, to its unique experiences. For kids, they have sleepovers and dives into the Great Tide Pool, while adults can enjoy private romance tours at night.

Highway 1

The show's opening credits show the women driving their kids to and from school, intercut with sweeping views of Highway 1 and the gorgeous Bixby Bridge in Big Sur.

The route is also part of the area's most scenic drive, beginning at Monterey County's northern border and the fishing port of Moss Landing before continuing south of Monterey to the stunning cliffs of Big Sur.

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Fisherman's Wharf

Jane, Madeline and Celeste frequent the fictional Seaside Cafe, which is set in Monterey's very real Fisherman's Wharf. Once a thriving fisherman's market, the wharf is now a popular destination with many shops and restaurants, all perfect for taking in panoramic views of the bay.

Thanks to a little Hollywood magic, the cast and crew didn't have to spend as much time at the Wharf as fans might think. The area was recreated on a soundstage in Los Angeles where they were able to seamlessly film some of the scenes without continuously disturbing local businesses.

17 Mile Drive / Monterey Peninsula

The Seaside Cafe isn't the only location that the show's producers played with for dramatic effect. Celeste's home is the only one located in Monterey-the other homes on the show can actually be found in Malibu-and was also partially built on a soundstage. (Sadly, her enviable bedroom, bathroom and expansive closet don't actually exist.)

The rest of the $6 million home is very real and can be found on the Monterey Peninsula. Also located on the Peninsula is 17 Mile Drive, another spectacular scenic route that winds along the coastline from Pacific Grove to Pebble Beach. It proves you don't have to live in a mansion to catch a million dollar sunset.

[READMORE] READ MORE The Best Behind-the-Scenes Film Studio Tours Available to the Public [/READMORE]

Garrapata State Park

Fans who have been watching the show since the beginning will immediately recognize Garrapata State Park as the location of that scary cliff Jane almost runs right off, (before stopping herself at the last moment). The location will be seen again in the season finale as well.

Garrapata State Park has largely been off the tourist radar (until now), which has made it a favorite hiking spot for locals who can take in views of the Big Sur coastline and the Santa Lucia Mountains along the way.


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