By: Chris Keyes

In 1978, the face of horror changed forever with the release of John Carpenter’s Halloween. Set in the fictional town of Haddonfield, Illinois, the movie follows Michael Myers, a silent and relentless killer who stalks babysitter Laurie Strode on Halloween night. The stark realism of Carpenter’s low-budget masterpiece helped it become one of the most influential films in the genre. A large part of its success lies in its effective use of Southern California’s neighborhoods as a stand-in for the Midwest. Today, Halloween filming locations have gained cult status, drawing fans from around the world who want to walk in the footsteps of Michael Myers. This review will take you through the most iconic filming locations, highlighting their history, preservation, and how they remain central to the legacy of Halloween.

The Original Myers House – 1000 Mission Street, South Pasadena
One of the most iconic locations in Halloween is the childhood home of Michael Myers, where he commits his first murder as a young boy. The dilapidated two-story house, seen in the film’s chilling opening sequence, was originally located at 707 Meridian Avenue in South Pasadena. The house, which was built in 1888, was slated for demolition when the film crew arrived. However, a fan of the movie and local resident purchased the property for just $1 and relocated it to its current address at 1000 Mission Street, just a few blocks away.

Today, the Myers House serves as a sort of pilgrimage site for horror enthusiasts. Its stark white facade, simple architecture, and association with one of the greatest horror icons of all time make it a must-see for fans. The building has been carefully preserved, and it is currently used as office space. Standing before the house, fans can easily imagine young Michael Myers peering through its upstairs windows, silently plotting his dark future.

The Strode House – 1115 Oxley Street, South Pasadena
Laurie Strode, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, lived in a house that was quintessentially suburban in every way, making it the perfect setting for the normalcy that Michael Myers would soon shatter. Located at 1115 Oxley Street in South Pasadena, the Strode House still looks much like it did during filming, though the surrounding area has developed over the years.

This quiet neighborhood, with its tree-lined streets and cozy homes, was a perfect stand-in for small-town America. Laurie Strode’s uneventful walk to school, as seen in the movie, felt calm and serene, which only heightened the terror of Michael Myers’ later intrusion into her world. Fans who visit this location today can almost imagine Laurie herself sitting on the front steps, waiting for her friends before the nightmare began.

The Hedge – 1019 Montrose Avenue, South Pasadena
One of the most memorable scenes in Halloween takes place on a quiet residential street where Laurie first notices Michael Myers. As she walks home from school with her friends, she spots the masked figure standing ominously behind a large hedge. When she investigates further, he’s disappeared—beginning the psychological terror that defines the film.

The hedge, located at 1019 Montrose Avenue, still stands, though it has been trimmed down a bit since the 1970s. The location has become a beloved spot for fans who wish to recreate Laurie’s fateful encounter. Standing at the same corner, it’s easy to feel a slight chill run down your spine, imagining Michael Myers lurking just beyond the shrubbery.

South Pasadena High School – 1401 Fremont Avenue, South Pasadena
In Halloween, Laurie and her friends are students at Haddonfield High School, which, in reality, was South Pasadena High School. Located at 1401 Fremont Avenue, this school provided the backdrop for the scenes where Laurie stares out the classroom window, only to see Michael Myers watching her from across the street. The sense of isolation and dread that builds throughout these scenes is in stark contrast to the otherwise ordinary school setting.

Though the school’s exterior has changed slightly since the film was shot, it remains an integral part of the Halloween filming legacy. Fans visiting this location can imagine the quiet terror Laurie must have felt as she slowly realized that she was being stalked by an unknown menace.

The Doyle and Wallace Houses – 1530 and 1537 Orange Grove Avenue, Hollywood
The climax of Halloween takes place at two neighboring homes on Orange Grove Avenue in Hollywood. The Doyle House, where Laurie is babysitting Tommy, and the Wallace House, where her friend Annie meets a grisly fate, are located just across the street from each other, at 1530 and 1537 Orange Grove Avenue. The simplicity of these homes made them ideal settings for the film’s harrowing final act, in which Laurie is relentlessly pursued by Michael Myers.

Both homes have become legendary filming locations, and fans who visit them today are often struck by how little they’ve changed since 1978. Standing on the sidewalk in front of these homes, it’s easy to picture Michael’s slow, menacing walk as he crossed the street in pursuit of Laurie during the film’s climax.

The Pasadena Streets: Carpenter’s Vision of Haddonfield
John Carpenter’s vision of Haddonfield was primarily created by filming on the streets of South Pasadena, as well as nearby Hollywood neighborhoods. With a limited budget and tight schedule, Carpenter’s team transformed Southern California into the Midwestern town of Haddonfield, Illinois. However, since Halloween was filmed in May, far from the autumn season it depicts, the crew faced a unique challenge: creating the illusion of fall in springtime.

One of the most amusing stories from the set involves the crew bringing their own leaves to scatter around the filming locations. Since South Pasadena’s streets were lined with lush green trees in May, the lack of falling leaves was a noticeable issue. To solve this, the production team gathered bags of fake brown leaves, scattering them in key scenes to add the illusion of autumn. After each shot, the crew would gather up the leaves and reuse them, a testament to the creativity required on a small budget.

The Legacy of Halloween’s Filming Locations
Over the years, Halloween filming locations have taken on a life of their own. Fans flock to South Pasadena and Hollywood to visit these iconic spots, retracing Laurie Strode’s footsteps and reliving the terror of Michael Myers. Many of these locations have been featured in numerous YouTube videos, with personalities like Adam the Woo and Horrors Hallowed Grounds documenting the film’s history and its long-lasting impact on pop culture.

Adam the Woo, a well-known filmmaker and vlogger, has created a comprehensive tour of Halloween’s filming locations, offering fans an in-depth look at these famous spots. Horrors Hallowed Grounds has also produced detailed location-based episodes that dive into the history and significance of these places in Halloween lore. These tours have helped solidify the locations as must-see destinations for fans of the genre.

The film’s timeless appeal, combined with the charm and mystery of these locations, continues to draw new generations of fans who want to experience the terror firsthand. The homes, streets, and buildings used in the film have become part of horror history, forever linked to the legacy of Michael Myers.

A Lasting Pilgrimage
The filming locations of Halloween remain as hauntingly iconic today as they were when the film was first released in 1978. For horror fans, these places are more than just filming spots—they’re shrines to a cinematic masterpiece. Visiting the Myers House, walking past the hedge where Michael Myers first appeared, or standing on the porch of Laurie Strode’s home allows fans to immerse themselves in the world of Halloween. Each location plays a role in preserving the horror legacy of Michael Myers, reminding us why the film continues to captivate audiences nearly half a century later.

For those seeking to experience these locations in person, the journey offers not only a trip through cinematic history but also a chance to be part of the Halloween mythos. Whether you’re a casual viewer or a die-hard fan, the trail of Michael Myers in Southern California promises to be an unforgettable journey into the heart of one of horror’s most enduring stories.