Pretty Woman is the classic 1990 romantic comedy that became Julia Roberts’ breakout role. It also starred Richard Gere, Hector Elizondo, Jason Alexander, and Ralph Bellamy. The film takes place in Los Angeles, and was filmed at numerous locations around the city.
Beverly Wilshire Hotel
When Edward hires Vivian for the week, he brings her to his penthouse suite at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. The suite was built on a studio, but the hotel is real, and located in Beverly Hills.
Shots of the lobby, lounge, and ballroom were filmed at the historic Ambassador Hotel, which was sadly torn down a number of years ago.
Hollywood Boulevard
The film opens with Vivian and her friend Kit, working Hollywood Boulevard. This busy tourist area with tacky souvenir shops is the backdrop is where they women look for business. Referencing the stars on the Walk of Fame, Kit mentions they work “all the way down to Ella Fitzgerald.”
When Vivian and Kit first spot Edward driving his lawyer’s Esprit SE, he pulls over where they are working. This particular scene was filmed on the stretch of Hollywood Blvd between Highland Ave and North McCadden Place. It was basically filmed where Ripley’s Believe It Or Not now stands.
Rodeo Drive
Edward sends Vivian to find some nice clothes, and asks Kit where to go shopping. As Kit puts it, “Rodeo Drive, baby”.
This world famous shopping area is considered one of the most high end shopping streets in the world. Pretty much every major designer has a shop along here, and some stores require appointments.
Badgley Mischka
After walking along Rodeo Drive, Vivian ends up at a store at the corner of Rodeo and Santa Monica Blvd. This is the shop where they refuse to help her. After successfully shopping elsewhere, Viv returns to this shop to let them know what a huge mistake they made. For many years, this shop was occupied by Badgley Mischka, however it recently became a Christian Louboutin location.
Burberry Store
When hotel manager Barney Thompson realized Vivian needed help buying some clothes, he maked a call to a nearby store. The sales agent ends up being very helpful, unlike the previous shopping experience. The scenes of the helpful shop were filmed at the Burberry store on Rodeo Drive.
Vivian’s Apartment
At the end of Pretty Woman, Edward’s limo drives to Vivian’s apartment, and she decends the fire escape to meet him with a kiss. The Las Palmas Hotel, just a block away from Hollywood Blvd, is the location of this final scene.
This same hotel is also featured on Seinfeld. It’s where Kramer lives when he moves to Los Angeles.
The Polo Match
Edward brings Vivian to a polo match, as part of a business outing. This is where she meets his lawyer Philip, and has a chat with David Morse. She also takes part in the tradition of the divot stomp, where spectators help fill in the holes left from the horses. These scenes will filmed at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. This same location was frequently used on the sitcom American Housewife.
Edward’s Office
Pretty Woman shows Edward’s office in downtown Los Angeles several times throughout the film. These scenes were shot at the Bank of America building located at 333 South Hope Street. This building was also featured in the movie Barbie, as the Mattel headquarters.
