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 would hit upon arriving in the valley.

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

Why Palmdale?

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

Instead of expensive and complicated trips to another country for exotic-looking desert landscapes, such as to create the illusion of India, Morocco, Spain or the Holy Land, Hollywood has come out to film in Palmdale time and time again.

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 productions film, Palmdale is an essential basecamp where the cast and crew 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!