True Blood Tour - Wikitravel

True Blood Tour

Contents

• 1 Prepare
• 2 Get in
• 3 Get around
• 4 The tour
• 5 Buy
• 6 Eat
• 7 Drink
• 8 Respect
• 9 Stay Safe
• 10 See also

This article is a Movie/TV Tour.

True Blood is a one day driving tour of the Los Angeles area, taking you past the various filming locations for the highly acclaimed HBO series, True Blood. We start our tour in Malibu and then head east towards Hollywood, through downtown LA, and the San Fernando Valley, before arriving finally in Long Beach. The tour is 112 miles (180 km) long and will probably take you at last 10 hours to see all the locations. You might even consider splitting it up into 2 days because of the notorious LA traffic jams. To avoid rush hour traffic it is recommended you do the tour during the weekend.

Prepare[edit]

First, watch True Blood. Otherwise do not read beyond this section, as major spoilers follow!

Together with a printout of this itinerary, the only other thing you need is a car full of gas. You will cover a reasonably long distance so it's recommended that you first fill up your tank.

Get in[edit]

The tour starts at Queen Sophie-Anne's mansion (26848 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265) in Malibu, about 18 miles east from Santa Monica. Be sure to enjoy the views of the Pacific Ocean along the way.

Get around[edit]

Bring or rent a car as there is no other realistic way to tour the various filming locations. The Los Angeles public transportation system is underdeveloped to say the least, and there are certain parts of the city where it's safer to avoid traveling on foot or by bus.

• Bon Temps Cemetery
• Bon Temps Woods
• Sookie's House
• Merlotte's Bar Sign

The tour[edit]

Starting in Malibu, right on the Pacific Coast Highway is Queen Sophie-Anne's mansion (26848 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265) This is the shooting location for actress Evan Rachel Wood's Sophie-Anne Vampire Queen of Louisiana's estate. It is here where we first meet Sookie's cousin Hadley who is also Sophie-Anne's lover and food source. The mansion is extravagant and houses the opulent chandelier-ed natatorium featured in the series. This room which features a pool, glass ceilings and walls and are reportedly lined with 500,000 seashells is where we see Sophie Anne lounge around lamenting her vampire life and yearning for the day she can once again see the sun.

From there you will be driving north on beautiful mountain roads through the Santa Monica Mountains to Calabasas where you will see Sookies House (1199 Las Virgenes Rd, Calabasas, CA 91302). Head northeast on CA-1 S (PCH) toward Santa Monica. After 3.2 miles turn left Malibu Canyon Rd that will turn into Las Virgenes Rd. Drive for 5 miles and you will see the Sookies House right at the intersection of Las Virgenes Rd and Las Virgenes Canyon Rd. Sookie's House is where much of the action takes places during the first two seasons of the show. Not only is it the residence of our main character, the location is also a safe haven for when she doesn't want vampire visitors (although Eric buying the house negated that rule). Left to her by her grandmother Adele Stackhouse after she was murdered in it by Drew Marshall the Bon Temps killer.

Next stop on the tour is The Junkyard Trial (11590 Tuxford St, Sun Valley, CA 91352). It's quite a ride from Calabasas. You will have to cover 30 miles which might mean that you will have to drive for more than one hour to get there. Start by driving north on Las Virgenes Rd and Merge onto US-101 S via the ramp to Los Angeles. Continue on US-101 S for 14 miles and then take the exit onto I-405 N/San Diego Fwy toward Sacramento. After 7.5 miles, take the exit onto I-5 S toward Los Angeles, drive for 4.4 miles and take the Lankershim Blvd exit. Merge onto Cayuga Ave and turn left onto Tuxford St. After one block your destination will be on the right. This is the location for the season one cliffhanger where Bill Compton is on trial for the killing of Long Shadow in Fangtasia. In consideration of the fact that Bill was defending his Sheriff, the Magister only sentenced him to create a new vampire to replace the one he killed. Unfortunately for Jessica Hamby that new vampire was to be her.

Now it's time to get to Merlotte's Bar & Grill (148 N Lima St, Burbank, CA 91505). The bar is in Burbank, 8.6 miles from The Junkyard Trial. To get to the bar please head northeast on Tuxford St and merge onto I-5 S. After 6 miles take the Alameda Ave exit. Follow signs for Alameda Ave W and after 2.3 miles turn left onto N Lima St. The bar will be on your left. Located just off the Warner Brothers lot (4000 Warner Blvd, in Burbank, California), the interior set for the bar might not be accessible to everyday visitors. If you would like an up close view of the exterior you should contact Warner Brothers VIP tours to ask for the guided studio tour. In the series, Merlotte's Bar plays a central role as it is the place of employment for a host of central characters. Sookie, Tara, Arlene, and even Jessica have worked at Merlotte's. Owned by the local shapeshifter Sam Merlotte, the restaurant also employs Lafayette and Terry as well as being the location of many a on screen deaths.

Next stop in our tour is The Hotel Carmilla (the vampire hotel) (8555 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA), located near Beverly Hills. To get there head southeast on N Lima St toward W Olive Ave. Take the 1st right onto W Olive Ave that will change into Barham Blvd. After 2.5 miles turn left onto Cahuenga Blvd W that will change later to N Highland Ave. Drive on those streets for 5 miles and then turn right onto Beverly Blvd. After passing La Cienega Street turn right and you will see The Hotel Carmilla. Filmed at the Sofitel Hotel, the Hotel Carmilla is the only hotel in the Dallas area that had undergone the extensive renovation necessary to accommodate vampire patrons with shutters that completely block out the sun, comfortable sleeping conditions and room service catering to both human and vampire whims. It is also where Sookie first meets another telepath in the bellboy Barry. On the show, the hotel is notorious for vampire and human orgy parties and while I can't verify that for The Sofitel we are talking about LA.

From the Vampire Hotel we will drive to another hotel- the Jackson Hotel (1770 N Serrano Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027). Head east on Beverly Blvd toward N Rossmore Ave. Turn left onto N Wilton Pl and then right on Hollywood Blvd. After 5 blocks turn left onto Serrano Ave and you will see the Jackson Hotel. Here was where in Season 3 Alcide took Sookie to stay when she went to Jackson, Mississippi to look for Bill after his disappearance. It also is the stage for the fan favorite dream sequence where Eric floats up to her window and seduces her.

From the Jackson Hotel, get on US-101 S from N. Western Ave. Continue on US-101 to S Beaudry Ave. Take the Interstate 110 S exit from CA 110/Harbor Fwy. Take Wilshire Blvd and Francisco St. to W 7th st. Merge onto S Beaudry Ave htne left left onto Wilshire Blvd. take the 1st right onto Francisco st, then turn right onto W 7th st. Godric's Rooftop (1000 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017) will be on the right. This pivotal, heartbreaking scene is where Eric and Pam's maker Godric decides to meet the sun. After a millennia of nonstop violence and bloodshed, Godric wanted to instill some empathy in the radical members of both the human and vampire communities. The scene was actually shot in Downtown LA but was supposed to take place in the Hotel Carmilla. Apparently the producers did not like the looks of the rooftop helicopter pad on the Sofitel and just painted a Carmilla logo onto this rooftop.

From Godric's Rooftop (1000 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90017), the next stop will be Tara's Mama's house (253 S Ave 19, Los Angeles, CA 90031). Start heading East on W 7th St toward Francisco St. Take the 2nd left onto S. Figueroa St then turn left onto W 5th St. Keep right to stay on W 5th St. As you keep right, follow signs for 110N/Harbor Fwy N and Merge onto 110N/Harbor Fwy. Exit Solano Ave toward Academy Rd. Continue on Solano Ave toward Academy Rd. Merge onto Solano Ave, turn left on N. Broadway, then turn left again to stay on N. Broadway. Take the 1st right onto S Ave 19. Tara's mama's house will be on the right. The Victorian house is where Tara's mother, Lettie Mae lives on the series. We first see it in episode two when Tara returns and find Lettie Mae drunk and then later in a house party scene in the backyard.

After visiting Tara's mama's house, our next destination is Maryann's House (3525 Locksley Dr, Pasadena, CA 91107). Start heading northwest on S ave 19 toward N Broadway. Take the 2nd right onto Pasadena Ave. Then take the 1st left onto N San Fernando Rd. Turn right onto the California 110N ramp. Merge onto 110N. Then exit California Blvd. Once you exit, turn right onto California Blvd. Then turn right onto Madre St and take the 3rd left onto Locksley Dr. Tara's mama's house will be on the left. Home of the season 2 antagonist Maenad Maryann, the mansion is where we see Tara after her run in with the giant pig and subsequent reckless driving arrest. Shown as basically a resort, the "informal halfway house" is stocked with bountiful food, servants waiting on her hand & foot, and conveniently a new boyfriend in Eggs. The house is also important to Sam Merlotte's back story as it is the location where he lost his virginity (to Maryann of course) and where he acquired his startup money to open the bar.

Next destination will be the Fellowship Of The Sun Church (3888 Workman Mill Rd,Whittier, CA 90601). From Tara's mama's house, start heading east on Locksley Dr. toward S Lotus Ave. Turn right onto CA-19 S/S Rosemead Blvd and then onto 60E. Exit off of Peck Rd, turn left onto Durfee ave. Then turn right on Peck Rd, stay slight left to stay on Peck Rd. Continue straight onto Workman Mill Rd. Then the Fellowship Of The Sun Church will be on your left side right before you reach Mill Elementary School. The location is actually the SkyRose Chapel at Rose Hills Memorial Park and doubles as the notorious religious fanatic hangout for the Newlins in Dallas. The church is the setting for a good part of season two, and is where Jason succumbs to the temptation that is Sarah Newlin(the gorgeous Anna Camp) and then rescues Eric from the stake with his paintball arsenal.

To get to the Fangtasia (2913 E Anaheim St, Long Beach, CA 90804) from Fellowship of The Sun Church, head northwest and will turn left onto Workman Mill Rd. In about a mile, turn right onto Pioneer Blvd. Stay slight left to stay on Pioneer blvd. Take the 1st right onto Beverly Blvd and slight right onto the ramp to 605 South. keep left and stay on 605 South. Then merge onto CA-22W/E 7th St. Stay slight right onto CA-1N and turn left onto E. Anaheim St. Fangtasia will be on your right. If you've reached N. Gladys Ave, you've gone too far. Owned by the Sheriff of Bon Temps himself, Eric Northman, Fangtasia is the local hangout for vampires and fangbangers. The bar employs Pam, Ginger, Chow Lin and even Tara for a bit. It is also the site of Longshadow's death and where Lafayette was imprisoned for three weeks after he was caught selling V.

From the Vampire Bar, you can start heading towards the Bon Temps Police Station (4440 W 126th St, Hawthorne, CA 90250). Start heading east on E. Anaheim St. toward N Orizaba Ave. Turn left onto Redondo Ave and in about 1.9 miles, turn left onto E. Spring St. Take the ramp onto I-405 North. Exit on El Segundo Blvd and take right onto W. El Segundo Blvd. Turn left onto Grevillea Ave. Take the 1st right onto W. 126th st. The Bon Temps Police Station will be on the right. The site of many a bungled investigation, the Bon Temps Police Station is where Andy Bellefleur and Bud Dearborne attempted to solve the supernatural crimes that seem to litter their desks every other day. An actual jail in real life, the building is shown prominently during season 2 when Maryann's spell has taken over Bon Temps and she goes to break everyone out who has been arrested.

Buy[edit]

• Tru Blood, [x]. Official site of the Tru Blood Beverage. Currently out of stock Check back for more later

Eat[edit]

• Poncho's Place, 3944 E Center St. Piru, CA 93040, ☎ (805) 521-0694, [x]. Monday-Thursday: 8AM-3PM , Friday-Sunday: 8AM-5PM. $. This location was Crawdad's Restaurant in the show.
• Chips, 11908 Hawthorne Blvd Hawthorne, CA 90250, ☎ (310) 679-2947. The actual location of Big Patty's Pie House the location where Sookie and Sam went to investigate the Bon Temp serial killer.

Drink[edit]

• Alex’s Bar, 2913 E Anaheim St. Long Beach, CA 90804, ☎ (562)434-8292, [x]. Alex's bar was used as the location for "Fangtasia" on True Blood in its second season. $.
• Old Towne Pub, 66 N Fair Oaks Ave Down The Alley of 22 Holly St. Pasadena, CA 91103, ☎ (626) 577-6583, [x]. 4:30 pm - 2:00 am. The location of the punk underground night club in 1982 where Bill first meets Nan of the vampire league. $.

Respect[edit]

Remember to be polite and respect the diverse group of people. Like any other states, be mindful of sensitive topics that includes immigration, race, gay rights, politics, religion and etc.

Wherever you decide to visit, please do not litter. Especially if you are planning on visiting the beach while in Malibu or Long Beach, make sure you throw away your trash in the trashcan.

Stay Safe[edit]

Things to keep in mind while traveling around Southern California:

-Although may cities in California can be safe, compared to many other states, California has a relatively high crime when it comes to the inner city parts of Los Angeles. Just be smart. As you stay out of run-down neighborhoods and take basic precautions against small crime, you'll be just fine.

-Keep your car locked, even if you are leaving for a minute. Don't leave any purses, luggage or valuable items in the car where people can easily see them.

-Have your ID with you at all times.

-Use caution when picking up hitchhikers.

-You may run into homeless people especially as you get closer to downtown LA. If they are asking you for money then you can choose to give them something or if you would like to decline then simply be nice by saying, "sorry, I can't help you" or quietly walk away. There is no reason to be mean or rude to them. That will only cause more drama and may get yourself in trouble.

-Be aware of Earthquakes. During your tour, if you do experience an earthquake, make sure you face away from windows and hide under any sturdy desks or table that can help you to avoid getting hurt from falling objects. If you are indoors, don't run outside. If you are outdoors, stay away from buildings and power lines.

-Wildfires are common between May and October. Please be careful when throwing out cigarette butts and never leave flames unattended.

-In case of an emergency, call 911.

See also[edit]

• True Detective Tour
• The Wire Tour
• Breaking Bad Tour
• The Walking Dead Tour
• The Big Lebowski Tour
• Back to the Future Tour
• James Bond Goldeneye Tour
• Skyfall Tour
• Paris, je t'aime Tour
• Love Actually Tour