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The Big Little Lie: 5 Shocking Filming Locations That WEREN'T Really In Monterey, California

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The dramatic, windswept coastline of Monterey, California, is arguably the sixth main character in HBO’s hit series Big Little Lies. Its misty shores, dramatic cliffs, and sweeping ocean views provide the perfect, beautiful-yet-brooding backdrop for the dark secrets of the 'Monterey Five.' However, as of late 2025, a deep dive into the show’s production reveals a surprising truth: while the stunning scenery of the Monterey Peninsula is very real, the luxurious homes of most of the main characters are part of a major Hollywood illusion, actually being filmed hundreds of miles away in Southern California. This article breaks down the iconic, real-life Monterey locations and exposes the "big little lie" behind where the main characters actually lived.

The show, based on the novel by Liane Moriarty, perfectly captures the wealthy, insular community of Monterey, but the logistics of filming with such an A-list cast—Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern, and Zoë Kravitz—required a creative approach to location scouting. The result is a seamless blend of Northern and Southern California landmarks, which continues to be a point of fascination for fans, especially with the recent buzz surrounding a potential third season.

The Real Monterey: Iconic Landmarks and Public Filming Locations

While the private residences were scattered, the show’s production team was committed to capturing the authentic, dramatic atmosphere of the Monterey Peninsula for all the public scenes, ensuring the city itself remained a central, tangible entity in the narrative. These locations are easily visited by fans today.

  • The Bixby Bridge: The most iconic shot of the entire series, the Bixby Bridge, is a real-life architectural marvel on the Big Sur coastline. Its dramatic, sweeping arch and cliffside setting are used in the opening credits and throughout the series to symbolize the isolation and grandeur of the community.
  • Garrapata State Park Beach: This is the famous, rugged beach where the 'Monterey Five' often meet, walk, and look out over the crashing waves. It is also the beach where the fateful trivia night incident occurs at the end of Season 1. The crashing waves and misty shores here symbolized the chaos beneath the surface of the women's lives.
  • Paluca Trattoria (The Blue Parrot Cafe): Located right on Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey, this Italian restaurant served as the exterior of the "Blue Parrot Cafe," the spot where the women frequently gathered for coffee and gossip. The interior scenes, however, were often filmed on a soundstage.
  • Lover's Point Park: This scenic spot in Pacific Grove, just a couple of miles from Monterey, was used for the set of the 'Blissful Drip' coffee shop in Season 2. While the structure built for the show has since been removed, the stunning coastal views remain.
  • Monterey Bay Aquarium: This world-renowned landmark makes several appearances, grounding the show firmly in the Monterey area.

The Big Little Lie: The Shocking Truth About the Houses

This is the biggest secret of the show’s production. Of the five main women's houses, only one was actually filmed on the Monterey Peninsula. The others were filmed in various, highly-priced locales in Southern California, mainly for logistical and budget reasons related to the lengthy production schedule.

1. Celeste Wright's House: The ONLY Real Monterey Home

Celeste Wright (Nicole Kidman) and Perry Wright’s (Alexander Skarsgård) stunning cliffside estate is the only main residence actually located in the Monterey area. Its location on the rugged coastline perfectly reflects Celeste's beautiful, yet dangerous and isolated, life.

  • Character: Celeste Wright (Nicole Kidman)
  • Filming Location: 40 Yankee Point Drive, Carmel, California.
  • Details: The home is situated on the Monterey Peninsula and was valued at approximately $6 million at the time of filming. It is a true example of the area's luxurious, cliff-perched real estate.

2. Madeline Martha Mackenzie's House: The Malibu Beachfront Illusion

Madeline Martha Mackenzie’s (Reese Witherspoon) picturesque, light-filled beachfront home, which is featured prominently in the series, is not in Monterey at all. It’s located hundreds of miles south in an exclusive enclave of Malibu.

  • Character: Madeline Martha Mackenzie (Reese Witherspoon)
  • Filming Location: 30760 Broad Beach Road, Malibu, California.
  • Details: This is a massive, multi-million dollar beach house that provided the perfect, airy backdrop for Madeline’s seemingly perfect but complicated family life.

3. Jane Chapman's House: The Pasadena Craftsman

Jane Chapman’s (Shailene Woodley) modest, charming home, which contrasts sharply with the mansions of the other women, was also not filmed in Monterey. It was found in the historic city of Pasadena, known for its beautiful, older architecture.

  • Character: Jane Chapman (Shailene Woodley)
  • Filming Location: 161 North Chester Avenue, Pasadena, California.
  • Details: The craftsman-style bungalow provides a visual representation of Jane's outsider status compared to the opulence of the Monterey community.

4. Renata Klein's House: The Modern Calabasas Mansion

Renata Klein’s (Laura Dern) ultra-modern, glass-walled mansion, a symbol of her high-powered career and wealth, was filmed in a different part of Southern California entirely.

  • Character: Renata Klein (Laura Dern)
  • Filming Location: 27326 Winding Way, Malibu, California (near Renata's house).
  • Details: The sleek, contemporary design and infinity pool perfectly convey Renata's ambition and drive, a stark contrast to the more traditional coastal homes.

5. Bonnie Carlson's House: The Bohemian Calabasas Compound

Bonnie Carlson’s (Zoë Kravitz) bohemian, rustic-chic house, which reflects her free-spirited personality, was also located outside of Monterey.

  • Character: Bonnie Carlson (Zoë Kravitz)
  • Filming Location: 636 Crater Camp Drive, Calabasas, California.
  • Details: The home, located near Calabasas, was described as a "bucolic bohemian bungalow," which helped visually distinguish Bonnie and Nathan Carlson (James Tupper) from the other, more formal couples.

The Future of Monterey: What We Know About Big Little Lies Season 3

The question of where the next chapter will be filmed is becoming highly relevant again, as of late 2025. After years of speculation, a third season is officially in the works, ensuring the Monterey drama is far from over.

In November 2023, star Nicole Kidman confirmed that the cast would be returning for a third installment, and in August 2024, author Liane Moriarty confirmed she was writing a sequel to the book, which will feature a time jump. While specific filming dates and locations have not been finalized, all signs point to a return to the dramatic Northern California coastline.

The intention of the show has always been to root the story in the beauty and tension of the Monterey Peninsula. It is highly anticipated that the production will once again utilize the iconic landmarks like the Bixby Bridge, Garrapata State Park, and the Monterey Bay area to maintain the show's signature atmosphere. The big question remains whether they will continue the "big little lie" by using Southern California homes again, or if they will finally film all the main residences closer to the fictional setting for Season 3.

Key Entities and Locations for Topical Authority

The following entities and locations are central to the show’s setting and filming:

  • The Monterey Five: Madeline Martha Mackenzie, Celeste Wright, Jane Chapman, Renata Klein, Bonnie Carlson.
  • Key California Regions: Monterey, Big Sur, Carmel Highlands, Pacific Grove, Malibu, Pasadena, Calabasas.
  • Other Locations: Portola Hotel and Spa (where the cast and crew stayed), Monterey Lanes, Happy Girl Kitchen.
  • The School: The fictional 'Otter Bay Elementary School' was primarily filmed at a location in the Monterey area, though specific interiors were often built on a soundstage.
The Big Little Lie: 5 Shocking Filming Locations That WEREN'T Really in Monterey, California
where was filmed big little lies
where was filmed big little lies

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