Explore Palmdale’s Film History

Palmdale has a long and extensive history of hosting all types of Hollywood productions. Studios began to refer to the entire Antelope Valley and Mojave area as “Palmdale” because it was the first community they’d hit upon arriving out here. Note that Hwy 14 wasn’t built until 1964.

From a historical perspective, many productions have been filmed here–early silent films, movies shot in the 30’s & 40’s, westerns, and television shows shot in the 50’s & 60’s for instance. Palmdale has long been the go-to place for productions and movies requiring a nearby desert location.

Why Palmdale?

Palmdale’s prime location–being in close proximity to Los Angeles and right on the edge of the Mojave Desert–has made it a sought after site. There are various desert landscapes, a multitude of beautiful Joshua Trees, wide-open vistas with primordial-looking rock formations, and areas with majestic towering buttes.

Consequently, instead of incurring the exorbitant costs and complications of traveling to another country in search of an exotic-looking desert landscape, such as to create the illusion of India, Morocco, Spain, or the Holy Land, Hollywood has come out here time and time again to film right here in Palmdale.

Many productions have secured their basecamp in Palmdale while filming elsewhere in the Antelope Valley–including the remote areas of the Mojave, Angeles National Forest, Red Rocks Canyon, or Death Valley. No matter where they filmed, Palmdale was an essential basecamp where the cast and crew would operate out of and stay at conveniently located hotels.

Gallery of AV Posters and film productions in Palmdale

Over the years, several films and television shows have been filmed in the Antelope Valley.

Explore the gallery here and get inspired to be a part of this rich history!