The filming of the comedy road movie directed by Michael Angarano took place in several cities in California. Principal photography was conducted in Sacramento. Specific locations include the Tower Bridge, Gunther's Ice Cream shop, 35th Street and Folsom Boulevard, as well as the Old Sacramento and New Sacramento districts. Filming also took place in Los Angeles, Santa Clarita, Pomona, and Pollock Pines. Although the plot has the characters living in Los Angeles and only traveling to Sacramento, most of the filming process took place in Sacramento: director Michael Angarano emphasized the importance of filming there because it helped secure the necessary funding for the film and attracted the attention of stars such as Kristen Stewart and Michael Cera.

Filming Locations:

Bridge

In the Movie

Scene where Glenn and Ricky drive to Sacramento. The film's plot revolves around two friends, Glenn and Ricky. Glenn is a family man expecting a child with his wife Rosie. He is very excited about becoming a father and tries to prepare for this new stage in his life. Ricky, on the other hand, is an energetic and free-spirited young man who has spent time in a psychiatric hospital and in therapy sessions. He misses his ex-girlfriend and feels lost in life. Ricky convinces Glenn to take an impromptu trip from Los Angeles to Sacramento, ostensibly to scatter his father's ashes. In reality, Ricky just wants to spend some time with his old friend and revive their friendship.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at the Tower Bridge in Sacramento. This is one of the most iconic places in the city: Tower Bridge is a vertical lift bridge over the Sacramento River, connecting West Sacramento in Yolo County with downtown. Built in 1935, it became an important transportation artery and a historical symbol of the city. The bridge stands out with its bright gold color, which was chosen by a vote of local residents in 2002. Originally built for automobile and railway traffic, the railway tracks were later removed. Today, Tower Bridge is used by both cars and pedestrians, offering scenic views of the river and the city. This location was chosen for the film because of its cultural and visual significance. The bridge symbolizes the connection between the city's past and present, and its gold color highlights California's status as the "Golden State."

Gelateria

In the Movie

Scene where Glenn and Ricky go into a gelateria in Sacramento. The trip from Los Angeles to Sacramento becomes a turning point in both friends' lives. They set off on a journey in Glenn's old convertible, where they confront their troubled lives and reflect on past mistakes. This journey helps them think about what lies ahead and find new meanings in life. Ricky misses his ex-girlfriend and feels lost in life. He runs into her in Sacramento, seeing that she works at an ice cream shop, and realizes he longs to reconnect with her.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at Gunther's Ice Cream in Sacramento. Gunther's Ice Cream is the oldest ice cream shop in Sacramento, founded in 1940 by Herman "Pop" Gunther and his wife Iva. The shop is famous for making ice cream on-site and introducing new flavors each month. Gunther's is also known for its unique architecture, combining Mid-century modern and post-war styles. Above the shop is an animated neon sign featuring Jugglin' Joe, which is the shop's mascot. In 2015, Gunther's was named the best ice cream parlor in California. The filmmakers may have chosen it as a location for the film because of its iconic status in Sacramento and nostalgic atmosphere.