Immerse yourself in the movie from a local health store to the rolling hills of route 78. 

California Route 78

Getty Images/ Mike Kunes/ 500px

One Battle After Another, the latest film from director Paul Thomas Anderson and a Best Picture contender at this year’s Academy Awards, unfolds against a distinctly Californian backdrop. From quiet neighborhood markets to scenic drives down desert highways, the movie stitches together locations across the state that feel both cinematic and surprisingly accessible. Many of these spots are open to visitors, offering fans a chance to step directly into the film’s atmosphere. 

Rather than existing only as carefully framed sets, these places are real corners of California that carry their own histories and rhythms. Below, explore the real-life locations where you can experience the story for yourself, before the golden envelope is opened on Oscar night.

Elliott’s Natural Foods

In Sacramento, Elliott’s Natural Foods serves as one of the hiding spots of the French 75. You may recognize both the interior and exterior of this small health foods store from the screen. In real life, the shop is a neighborhood staple, lined with tightly packed aisles featuring shelves full of organic goods. Visitors can wander the same corridors seen in the film, soaking in the everyday charm that makes the location feel grounded and authentic.

Murphy’s Market

Further north in Eureka, the exterior of Murphy’s Market makes a brief but memorable appearance. While the payphone Leonardo DiCaprio uses in the scene is only movie magic, the market’s mustard-yellow façade and painted deli sign remain intact. The storefront offers an easy photo opportunity in the coastal town, where the fog and sea air add to the setting’s overall drama.

La Purísima Mission

Getty Images/S. Greg Panosian

Down the coast in Lompoc, La Purísima Mission portrays the convent of the Sisters of the Brave Beaver. One of California’s most fully restored missions and now a California state park, the site features whitewashed walls, open courtyards, and sweeping views of the surrounding hills. Open year-round, it hosts special events and maintains a gift shop, inviting visitors to linger and explore its layered history.

Ronald Reagan’s Former Residence

Back in Sacramento, the former home of Ronald and Nancy Reagan located at 1341 45th Street appears in the film as the unassuming meeting spot for members of the Christmas Adventurers Club. Today, the Tudor Revival-style residence stands as a designated historic landmark in the city’s storied Fabulous Forties neighborhood. Though privately owned, its striking exterior can still be admired from the street.

Route 78

Finally, a stretch of the film’s closing car chase unfolds along California State Route 78 in the Colorado Desert. The road undulates through stark, open terrain, creating a dramatic sense of motion even at a standstill. Travelers can drive the same rollercoaster-like route, though the winding highway requires caution and full attention behind the wheel.

Take advantage of the Sunshine State serving as the backdrop for this lauded Oscar nominee, and carve out time to explore these locations for yourself. Each stop offers a small window into the film’s world, and a reminder of how cinematic California can feel in everyday life.

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