Ever wondered where Modern Family brought the Pritchett-Dunphy clan to life? I’ve always been curious about the real spots behind this beloved show, and I dug deep to find answers for you.
This article breaks down every filming location, from the actual houses to the studios where magic happened.
You’ll learn about the Los Angeles neighborhoods, outdoor hangouts, and special episode destinations. I’ve verified each location so you can trust this information.
Let’s find where Modern Family was filmed and maybe even plan your own tour of these iconic spots.
Major Filming Overview
Modern Family was shot mainly in Los Angeles, California. The production team chose LA because it offered everything they needed in one place.
The show used real houses for exterior shots. When you saw the Dunphy home from the outside, that was a real house. But all the interior scenes? Those happened on studio sets.
Sometimes the cast traveled for special episodes. They filmed in Hawaii, Wyoming, and Las Vegas. These trips added variety to the show’s look.
The mix of real locations and studio sets gave Modern Family its grounded feel. It looked like a real family living in a real city.
Modern Family Houses (Main Cast Homes)
Each family lived in a different LA neighborhood, and all three houses are real places you can visit today.
Dunphy House
The Dunphy family home sits at 10336 Dunleer Drive in the Cheviot Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles.
This is a real house where actual people live. The production team only filmed the exterior here. Every time you saw Phil practicing his dunking or Claire watching from the porch, that was this house.
The interiors were built on a soundstage. That’s why the layout inside never quite matched what you’d expect from the outside.
Pritchett House
Jay and Gloria’s home is located at 121 S. Cliffwood Avenue in Brentwood.
This Spanish-style house fit Jay’s character perfectly. The large, traditional design showed his success without being flashy.
Like the Dunphy house, only exterior shots used this location. All those scenes in Jay’s living room or kitchen? Studio sets.
Mitchell and Cameron House
Mitchell and Cameron’s home is at 2211 Fox Hills Drive in Century City.
This modern house matched their characters well. The clean lines and contemporary style reflected their taste.
Again, only the outside was filmed here. The interiors where Lily grew up were all built in a studio.
Primary Filming Locations in Los Angeles
Most indoor scenes happened at Fox Studios, while schools and offices mixed real locations with studio magic.
Fox Studios Lot (Main Production Base)
Most of Modern Family happened at Fox Studios in Century City. This is where the real work took place.
The production team built full replicas of each house interior. These sets included the Dunphy living room and kitchen, all three bedrooms upstairs, Jay’s home office and backyard area, and Mitchell and Cameron’s entire first floor.
These sets stayed up for years. The crew could film any indoor scene without leaving the studio. This saved time and money.
The studio also housed sets for recurring locations. Jay’s closet company office, the kids’ school cafeteria, and various restaurants were all built here.
Dunphy Kids’ School
Palisades High School in Pacific Palisades stood in for the kids’ school.
You saw this campus in many episodes. Luke’s pranks, Haley’s drama, and Alex’s academic stress all played out here.
The production team filmed exterior shots at the real school. But classroom scenes? Back to the studio.
Jay’s Closets Company
Jay’s business had two filming approaches.
Some office scenes used real Los Angeles office buildings. Others were shot on studio sets designed to look like a closet company headquarters.
The flexibility let the show film wherever made sense for each scene.
Popular Outdoor & Public Spots Featured in the Show
The Pritchett clan visited real LA hotspots that you can still enjoy today.
Porto’s Bakery (Burbank)
This Cuban bakery showed up multiple times throughout the series. Porto’s is a real Los Angeles institution. The family often stopped here for pastries and coffee.
Fans love visiting because it’s still open and you can eat where the Pritchetts ate. The cheese rolls and guava pastries are worth the trip.
Westfield Century City Mall
The family spent a lot of time shopping and eating at this outdoor mall. Several comedy scenes happened here.
The mall’s open layout and good lighting made it perfect for filming. You can visit today and walk the same paths the cast walked.
The Grove (Los Angeles)
This shopping and entertainment complex hosted multiple family outings. The Grove’s fountain and central courtyard appeared in several episodes.
The location gave the show a polished, Southern California feel. Many tourists visit The Grove specifically because of Modern Family.
Santa Monica Pier
The iconic pier and beach showed up in various episodes. The Ferris wheel, arcade games, and boardwalk provided a classic LA backdrop.
Beach scenes often happened here or nearby. The pier remains one of LA’s most popular tourist spots.
Memorable Special Episode Locations
Some episodes took the family far from home to create unforgettable moments.
Hawaii (Season 1 Finale)
The show went big for its first season finale. Filming happened at Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s North Shore. The cast also shot at various beaches around the island.
These episodes took weeks to film. The tropical setting gave viewers a vacation feel while keeping the family dynamics front and center.
Wyoming Dude Ranch (Season 3 Premiere)
The Pritchett family headed to Jackson Hole for this episode. Lost Creek Ranch served as the main filming location.
This real dude ranch offered horseback riding, fishing, and mountain views. The episode balanced comedy with gorgeous Wyoming landscapes.
Las Vegas Episodes
Sin City appeared multiple times in the series. MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay hosted most of the Vegas filming.
The casinos, pools, and nightlife gave the writers plenty of material. These episodes always brought high energy and family chaos.
Disneyland Episode
One of the most talked-about episodes filmed at Disneyland in Anaheim. The park closed to the public so the crew could work.
This required major planning and coordination with Disney. Fans loved seeing the family navigate the happiest place on earth.
Why LA Was the Perfect Filming Hub
Los Angeles offered everything Modern Family needed.
The city has diverse neighborhoods. Brentwood looks different from Cheviot Hills. Century City has its own vibe. This variety helped each family feel distinct.
Studio access was another major factor. Fox Studios provided state-of-the-art facilities right in the city. No need to travel far.
Weather played a role too. LA’s consistent sunshine meant outdoor filming rarely got delayed. The production could shoot exterior scenes year-round.
The crew could film a beach scene, a mountain backdrop, and urban streets all in one day. That flexibility kept production moving smoothly.
Can You Visit the Modern Family Locations?
Yes, but with some limits depending on the spot.
All three main houses are private residences. You can view them from the street but cannot enter. Please respect the residents and take photos only from the sidewalk.
Porto’s Bakery, The Grove, and Santa Monica Pier are open to everyone. You can eat, shop, and explore these spots just like the cast did. Many fans make a day of visiting multiple locations around LA.
Fox Studios occasionally offers tours, but the Modern Family sets were taken down after filming ended. Some tours discuss the show’s production history. Check availability before planning a visit.
Conclusion
I’ve always felt connected to where Modern Family was filmed because these places made the show feel real. From the Dunphy house in Cheviot Hills to Porto’s Bakery in Burbank, each location added something special.
The real LA neighborhoods and landmarks grounded the comedy in reality. Next time you’re in Los Angeles, drive by these spots and see them for yourself.
I’d love to hear about your Modern Family location visits. Share your photos and stories in the comments below. Which location would you visit first?
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Dunphy house in real life?
The Dunphy house stands at 10336 Dunleer Drive in the Cheviot Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. It’s a private home, so you can only view it from the street.
Can you tour the Modern Family sets?
The interior sets were at Fox Studios, but they were taken down after filming ended. Studio tours may discuss the show, but you cannot see the actual sets anymore.
Was Modern Family filmed in a real neighborhood?
Yes, all exterior house shots used real Los Angeles homes in actual neighborhoods. Cheviot Hills, Brentwood, and Century City are real areas you can visit today.
Which public places from Modern Family can I visit?
Porto’s Bakery, The Grove, Westfield Century City Mall, and Santa Monica Pier are all open to visitors. These locations operate as normal businesses and tourist attractions.
Did Modern Family film any episodes outside California?
Yes, the show filmed special episodes in Hawaii, Wyoming, and Nevada. The cast traveled to these locations for specific storylines throughout the series.
