I’ve watched NCIS for years and always found myself wondering: where do they actually film this show? If you’ve had the same thought, you’re in the right place.
In this blog, I’ll break down every filming location, from the main studio base to real cities used as stand-ins for Washington, D.C.
You’ll know exactly where each scene was shot and why. I’ve done the research so you don’t have to.
From Santa Clarita Studios to a quiet California town doubling as Pennsylvania, I’ll cover it all.
Primary Filming Location Overview
Most of NCIS is filmed in California, not Washington, D.C. The show has relied on California locations since it first aired in 2003.
The main base is Santa Clarita Studios, where the crew shoots most indoor scenes. The squad room, autopsy lab, and interrogation rooms are all built there.
For outdoor shots meant to look like D.C., the team uses streets and buildings around Los Angeles and Pasadena.
A few special episodes were shot in other states, but California handles the bulk of the work every season.
Santa Clarita Studios, California: Main NCIS Headquarters
The main indoor filming hub for NCIS since day one.
Interior Scenes, Squad Room, and Long-Term Base Since 2003
Santa Clarita Studios has been the heart of NCIS production since 2003. This is where the crew builds and films all the key interior sets.
The squad room, the autopsy lab where Ducky does his thing, and the interrogation rooms are all here.
It’s a long-term home base that keeps the show running smoothly season after season.
Santa Clarita Valley & Valencia, California: Outdoor Scenes
The outdoor areas around Valencia double as Washington, D.C. streets.
Washington D.C. Stand-In for Action and Investigation Scenes
The streets and outdoor areas of Santa Clarita Valley and Valencia stand in for Washington, D.C. in many scenes.
The production team uses these locations for action sequences and investigation scenes set outside. The area looks close enough to D.C. that most viewers don’t notice the swap.
It’s a cost-effective way to keep filming in Southern California without flying the crew across the country.
Piru, California: Stillwater, Pennsylvania
This small California town plays Gibbs’ fictional hometown of Stillwater, Pennsylvania.
Gibbs’ Hometown Filming Location, Lake Piru, and Key Episodes
Piru is a quiet, small town in Ventura County, California. The production team chose it to represent Stillwater, Pennsylvania, which is Gibbs’ hometown in the show.
Lake Piru also appears in key outdoor scenes. Several important episodes about Gibbs’ backstory were filmed here.
The town’s small-town feel makes it a perfect fit for the rural Pennsylvania setting the writers created.
Pasadena City Hall, California: Government Buildings
Pasadena City Hall stands for federal government buildings in Washington, D.C.
Washington D.C. Exterior Scenes and Federal Building Stand-Ins
Pasadena City Hall is one of the most recognizable stand-ins for Washington, D.C. in NCIS.
Its grand exterior looks like a federal building, making it perfect for government and briefing scenes.
The production team uses it whenever they need official-looking D.C. exteriors. It’s a well-known filming spot in Hollywood and fits the show’s serious, government-agency tone well.
Miami, Florida: Special Episode Filming
Miami provided real beach and marina scenes for a select few episodes.
Limited On-Location Filming for Beach and Marina Scenes
NCIS doesn’t film in Miami often, but a few special episodes were shot there. The crew used real beach and marina locations to add authenticity.
Miami’s coastal setting is hard to fake in California, so the team made the trip for specific storylines.
These episodes stand out for their real outdoor settings compared to the regular studio-based production work.
Alaska: Gibbs’ Final Storyline
Alaska was used for Gibbs’ final storyline, set in the fictional town of Naktok Bay.
Bristol Bay Filming Location and Remote Wilderness Scenes
Alaska was used during Gibbs’ final arc on the show. The remote wilderness scenes needed a real, rugged backdrop that California couldn’t provide.
The crew used the Bristol Bay area to film the fictional Naktok Bay setting.
It gave those final episodes a raw, isolated feel that matched the tone of Gibbs stepping away from his old life for good.
Where Is NCIS: Origins Filmed?
NCIS: Origins films mainly in California with some production done in Vancouver, Canada.
California Filming
NCIS: Origins follows the same filming strategy as the original show. Most of the production happens in California, using locations that double for D.C. and other East Coast settings.
Southern California offers the right mix of urban streets, government-style buildings, and studio space.
The crew can control lighting and shooting schedules more easily when staying close to the main production base in Los Angeles.
Studio Production
A large part of NCIS: Origins is shot on studio sets. Indoor scenes, including office spaces, interrogation rooms, and labs, are all built on set.
Studio filming gives the production team full control over lighting and sound. It also cuts costs compared to filming on location every day.
The studio setup has been a core part of this franchise from the very start.
Vancouver, Canada
Some scenes in NCIS: Origins were filmed in Vancouver, Canada. Vancouver is a popular filming city because it offers tax incentives and a wide range of locations.
The city can stand in for many U.S. settings, from city streets to industrial areas.
Productions often choose Vancouver to keep budgets in check while still getting varied, high-quality backdrops for different types of scenes.
Washington, D.C. Stand-Ins
Just like the original NCIS, the Origins series uses California locations to stand in for Washington, D.C. Buildings in Los Angeles and Pasadena are used for government exteriors and official scenes.
The production team relies on careful framing and set dressing to sell the D.C. look. Viewers rarely notice the swap because the locations are chosen to match the real D.C. setting closely.
Conclusion
I’ll be honest: rewatching NCIS hits differently when you know most of those D.C. scenes were shot in sunny California.
It’s a reminder of how much work goes into making a show feel real.
Now you have the full breakdown of where NCIS is filmed, from Santa Clarita Studios to the wilds of Alaska.
I hope this cleared things up for you. If it did, leave a comment below and share this with a fellow NCIS fan who’d love to know the answer too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NCIS filmed in Washington, D.C.?
No, most of NCIS is filmed in California, with local locations used as stand-ins for Washington, D.C.
Where is the NCIS squad room located?
The squad room is a built set at Santa Clarita Studios in California.
Did NCIS ever film outside of California?
Yes, select episodes were filmed on location in Miami, Florida, and in Alaska.
What town stood in for Gibbs’ hometown of Stillwater?
Piru, California, was used to represent the fictional Stillwater, Pennsylvania.
Where is NCIS: Origins filmed?
NCIS: Origins is filmed mainly in California, with some production done in Vancouver, Canada.
