Remember the blended family sitcom that warmed hearts in the 90s? Step by Step brought laughs and life lessons into our homes each week.
The Lambert family house became just as memorable as the characters inside it.
I’ll show you exactly where to find this iconic TV home and share everything worth knowing about its history. You’ll get the real address, behind-the-scenes details, and tips for visiting respectfully.
This guide covers the South Pasadena filming spots, what’s changed since the show aired, and other TV landmarks nearby.
The house still stands today, and fans can see it for themselves with the right information in hand.
Where Is the Step by Step House Located?
The Step by Step house sits at 2011 Fletcher Avenue in South Pasadena, California. This quiet residential street feels worlds away from Hollywood, yet it’s close enough for production crews to reach easily.
The neighborhood features tree-lined streets and well-kept homes from the early 1900s. South Pasadena maintains strict preservation rules, which keeps the area looking much like it did when the show filmed here.
The production team chose this Craftsman-style home for its authentic period details. The wide front porch, prominent roofline, and classic proportions made it look like a real family home.
The architectural style matched the show’s warm, family-friendly tone perfectly.
History of the Step by Step Filming Location
Fans searched for years before finding this iconic house, and it still looks much like it did in the 90s.
How the House Was Spotted
TV location enthusiasts spent years searching for this exact house. They compared screenshots from the show with Google Street View images of South Pasadena neighborhoods.
The distinctive porch columns and roofline eventually led them to Fletcher Avenue.
The South Pasadena Film Office keeps records of productions filmed in the city. Fans shared their findings online, and the address became public knowledge.
Now visitors can find the house without hours of detective work.
Changes Over the Years
The exterior looks remarkably similar to how it appeared on screen three decades ago. The same porch structure remains. The roofline hasn’t changed.
Even the basic landscaping follows the original layout.
Some minor updates have happened over time. The paint color may differ slightly from what viewers saw on TV. Modern owners have added personal touches to the yard.
The house has been maintained with care, and current owners respect the property’s place in TV history.
Behind the Scenes: What Was Filmed Here?
Only the exterior shots came from this real house, while all interior scenes happened on a soundstage.
Exterior Shots Only
Production crews only filmed the outside of this house. Those wide shots showing the Lambert home came from South Pasadena. No actors ever stepped inside this private residence for filming.
The camera captured the front yard, driveway, and street views. The homeowners allowed filming from the street and sidewalk. This arrangement worked well without disrupting the residents’ daily lives.
Real Home Interior vs. TV Set
Everything viewers saw inside the Lambert house was filmed on a soundstage. Set designers built rooms that matched the show’s needs. The real house interior looks nothing like what appeared on TV.
Soundstage interiors offer practical benefits for TV production. Crews can control lighting perfectly. The same set stays available for filming throughout the entire series run.
Other Step by Step Filming Spots in South Pasadena
The show used several South Pasadena locations beyond just the house on Fletcher Avenue.
Opening Credits Filming Location
The show’s opening sequence featured a car driving through South Pasadena. That shot was filmed near 913 Meridian Avenue.
Sharp-eyed viewers can spot the Meridian Iron Works Museum building in the background.
This historic structure adds character to the opening credits. The brick building dates back to 1887. The Meridian Avenue location sits just a few blocks from the house on Fletcher Avenue.
Additional Filming Trivia
Some episodes featured scenes supposedly set at a water park. The production actually filmed at Magic Mountain theme park.
Digital effects added water and pool elements to create the illusion.
The show pretended to take place in Port Washington, Wisconsin. Yet nearly all exterior filming happened in California. South Pasadena’s architecture and tree-lined streets somehow passed for a Midwest town.
This location swap worked because viewers focused on the family dynamics, not the setting details.
Tips for Visiting the Step by Step House
Remember this is a private home, so respect the residents and view only from the street.
- Stay on the sidewalk. You can view the house from the street, but don’t walk onto the property. Take your photos from public areas and keep noise levels down.
- Don’t knock or peek. The residents deserve their privacy. They didn’t sign up to be tourist attractions when they bought this house.
- Park legally. Follow all posted signs. South Pasadena enforces parking rules consistently. A quick visit for photos takes just a few minutes.
- Visit on weekday mornings. This offers the quietest experience with better lighting and fewer cars on the street.
- Afternoon works too. The sun hits the front of the house nicely. Just avoid rush hour times when locals are coming home from work.
- Bring a zoom lens. This lets you capture details without getting too close to the property.
- Plan for good lighting. Early morning or late afternoon provides the best natural light for photography.
Nearby Filming Locations to Seek
The Halloween Myers House stands just a short drive away. This iconic horror location draws film fans year-round. South Pasadena has become a destination for movie location enthusiasts.
Several other TV shows and films have used South Pasadena streets. The city’s preserved architecture makes it a favorite for productions set in earlier time periods.
A walking tour could reveal multiple familiar locations.
Local film offices sometimes offer location maps. These guides help visitors find spots from various productions. The neighborhood rewards those who take time to find beyond just the Step by Step house.
Conclusion
I’ve always found something special about seeing real places where favorite shows were filmed. The Step by Step house connects us to those family sitcom memories from the 90s.
The Lambert family may have been fictional, but this South Pasadena home stands real and recognizable today. If you visit, take your photos respectfully and enjoy that nostalgia hit.
Have you found other TV filming locations? Drop a comment below and share your own location-hunting stories. Other fans would love to hear about your experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you go inside the Step by Step house?
No, the house is a private residence. The owners don’t offer tours. You can only view the exterior from the street.
Did the cast actually film at the South Pasadena house?
The cast never filmed scenes at the real house. Only exterior establishing shots were captured there. All the actors’ scenes happened on studio sets.
Is the Step by Step house the same as it was in the 90s?
The exterior remains very similar to how it appeared on the show. Some minor updates have occurred. The basic structure and porch look nearly identical.
What other shows filmed in South Pasadena?
Many productions have used South Pasadena locations. The Halloween franchise filmed the Myers house here. The city’s historic architecture attracts numerous TV shows and films.
Where exactly is 2011 Fletcher Avenue located?
The address sits in a residential neighborhood of South Pasadena, California. It’s northeast of downtown Los Angeles. The area features quiet streets with Craftsman-style homes.
