Star Trek: Picard is the long awaited return of Jean-Luc Picard to the Star Trek Universe. Sir Patrick Stewart starred as the Captain on Star Trek: The Next Generation from 1988 to 1995. This was followed by four movies. Picard’s first season debuted in 2020. After being sidelined by Covid 19, season two aired in 2022, and the third and final season is expected to air in 2023.
The series was met with mixed reviews. Some fans celebrated the return of Picard, while others found the story convoluted and too reliant on action as opposed to storytelling. Nonetheless, the show has been a success, and fans are anticipating the return of the entire TNG cast for season three.
The show is filmed in and around the Los Angeles area. The city was extensively used in season two, when the crew travels back in time to 2024. However most of the locations I’m going to feature below are from season one, as these are locations I’ve personally visited.
Vasquez Rocks
When Picard visits Raffi at her home, she’s living in a home at Vasquez Rocks. These rock formations are located just outside Santa Clarita, and have been a popular filming location for many years. Just in the Star Trek franchise, they’ve appeared in The Original Series, The Next Generation, Voyager, Enterprise, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Star Trek, and Star Trek Into Darkness.
Troi and Riker’s Cabin
The cabin used as Deanna Troi and Will Riker’s home appeared in the first season when Picard and Soji visit. The cabin used is located on the backlot of Universal Studios next to the War of the Worlds set. It is more recognizable for appearing in the 80s comedy movie The Great Outdoors.
Vashti
Vashti is a planet in the Beta Quadrant. It is the site of a Romulan resettlement camp and home to Elnor. The Romulan camp was set up on Mexican Street at Universal Studios Hollywood.
Stardust City
In the first season, Rios visit’s Stardust City on planet Freecloud. He beams down onto a busy pedestrian street where we see signs for Quark’s Bar and Mr. Mott’s Hair Emporium in the background. This scene was filmed at Universal Studio’s CityWalk, right in front of the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
Starfleet Headquarters
Long shots of Starfleet Headquarters show the facility at the end of the Golden Gate Bridge, around Horseshoe Bay. Of course, the buildings were all added using CGI.
Closeup shots of Starfleet were filmed at the Anaheim Convention Center. I haven’t visited there yet, but hope to have photos in the future.
Chateau Picard
Scenes at Chateau Picard were filmed just outside Santa Barbara, at the Sunstone Winery. I haven’t had a chance to visit this location as it’s a couple hours from Los Angeles. But I do hope to in the future.
Check out filming locations from other Star Trek productions like The Original Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.
