Gidget (1959) filming locations
“Gidget” (dir. Paul Wendkos, 1959) follows the story of Francine “Gidget” Lawrence as she learns how to surf and experiences summer romance when she befriends a group of professional surfers at a local beach. Here is what some of the filming locations from the movie look like today:
““That’s a manhunter?””
Surf Beach
The beach where Gidget learns how to surf throughout the film is Leo Carillo State Beach located at 35000 Pacific Coast Highway, Los Angeles County, CA.
If you look in the screenshot below, the rock formations on the beach and the mountain in the surrounding area is identical to those seen during the surfing scenes in the movie.
Additionally, the snack shack that Gidget and surfer “Hot Shot” are seen eating at was located at the space that now contains lifeguard tower 2 as seen in the image.
Photo Credits:
Screenshots from “Gidget” (1959), Columbia Pictures
Leo Carillo State Beach - Google Maps 2023
Beach Shack
The “beach shack” that Kahuna and Gidget visit was once located on Malibu Road. If you look closely in the film scene at the address listed on the garage that is located next door, you can see that the garage matches the structure in the Google Maps screenshot.
Photo Credits:
Screenshots from “Gidget” (1959), Columbia Pictures
“Beach Shack” - Google Maps 2023
Gidget’s house
Gidget’s house is located at 267 18th Street, Santa Monica, CA. In a later scene, Gidget’s friends arrive to her house at the corner of 18th Street and Georgina Ave.
Photo Credits:
Screenshots from “Gidget” (1959), Columbia Pictures
Gidget’s House - Google Maps 2022