Where Was Parenthood Filmed? 90s Classic Reborn!

Have you been wondering where was Parenthood filmed? Well, then it looks like you stumbled across the right place. As we will tell you all about it today!

Do you believe in second chances? Well, you should, and we will tell you why. Back in 1989, a movie named Parenthood was released. While the movie received positive reviews, its series adaptation just a year later didn’t quite hit the mark. Fast forward two decades and in 2010 Parenthood received a revival, and boy did it deliver.

Jason Katims took production reigns and developed the show for TV. With a modern outlook and aim to resonate with the 2000s audience, the show got a new lease on life. The fresh new cast of Parenthood included Peter Krause, Lauren Graham, Dax Shepard, Monica Potter, and Erika Christensen. The whole ensemble cast is probably too big to fit here.

While most of Parenthood has been shot in a studio in Los Angeles, there are some other places where it was filmed too. Those locations include Berkley California, Mill Valley, and Oakland California. It has also been shot in Chinatown Los Angeles.

The Plot Of Parenthood | What Is It About?

Before we move on to where was Parenthood filmed and check out the filming locations, let’s get a brief refresher of what the show is about. Just as the title of the show says, it follows the struggle of parenthood. The show follows the lives of the Braverman family.

With three generations of family, we see a layered and nuanced set of problems. Seeing issues from the eyes of different generations puts things in perspective for the audience. We see the patriarch Ezekiel Braverman struggle to bond with his four children.

As they grow up and have families of their own to take care of, their unresolved childhood issues start to creep in. While some struggle to keep their marriages intact, others are unable to bear children. The ones that do have children aren’t able to give them enough time.

The show transpires into a drama filled with powerful emotions. We love to relate to someone that has the same issues on a personal level as us, and that is why the new Parenthood hits the mark!

Where Was Parenthood Filmed? All The Locations You Need To Know About!

Parenthood enjoyed a successful run for a few years. The show went on to be made into 6 seasons, with each receiving praise and critical acclaim. Parenthood also received a ton of award nominations and ended up bagging a fair few of them. 

Now while the show might be off the air, there are still reruns that we could watch. And while watching those reruns it’s normal to wonder where was Parenthood filmed. So let’s check out the locations and whether you can visit them right now!

Berkeley, California, USA

The actual show of Parenthood takes place in Berkeley, California. Located on the east shore of the San Fransisco Bay, the area is known to be an affluent place. And if you are academically inclined, it is also the main campus of UC Berkeley. 

The area has a good presence of Chilean Americans which gives the area a very culturally rich vibe. Most of the shots for Parenthood that take place outdoors have been filmed in town and some adjacent regions.

Mill Valley, California, USA

Known for being the backdrop of shows like 13 Reasons Why and documentaries like American Graffiti, Mill Valley is one of the favorite spots for filmmakers. The show has quite a few scenes which have been filmed in Mill Valley.

The city is just a few miles north of San Fransisco and can be easily accessed from the main city. If you want to do touristy things besides going to find movie sets, you should try mountain climbing or hiking.

Oakland, California, USA

Though the show is primarily based in Berkeley, it will surprise the audience to believe the whole show hasn’t been filmed there. While there are bits and pieces taken from here and there, it is mostly shot in Mill Valley and Oakland.

Now that may be because the two aren’t as densely populated as Berkely is. Giving the cast and crew a lot of breathing space to work with. It also comes down to the location is ideal. We see homely residential areas in Oakland that make up for those personal scenes in the show.

Chinatown, Los Angeles, California, USA

The downtown scene which is shown in Parenthood comes from being shot in Chinatown in Los Angeles. The filming location also is the location where out-of-state scenes of the show have been shot. With lots of crowds to deal with, it’s no surprise, that there aren’t many scenes in Chinatown.

Stage 44, Universal Studios – 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Finally, besides the outdoor scenes of the show, most of Parenthood has been shot entirely in Universal Studios. As the show worked with a two-camera setup, stage 44 was the perfect choice for the showrunners. Oh and if you want to know which other movie shared the stage? Well, think of names of movies like Fast & Furious 7, Jurassic Park III, and so many more! 

Final Words

We hope now you know where was Parenthood filmed. While on the subject of filming locations, you should check out where The Tourist has been filmed. Also, check out where Dan In Real Life has been filmed. It will definitely give you a lot of perspectives!

Have you watched Parenthood yet? What are your thoughts about the show? Let us know what you feel in the comments down below!