The romantic drama starring John Travolta was mostly filmed in the city of Auburn in Northern California. Known since the Gold Rush, Auburn is a California Historical Landmark. The magnificent surroundings of the old town were used as locations for the film. Take, for example, the bar where George celebrates his birthday, which at that time was called «Shanghai». Today it is called «Auburn Alehouse» and is located in the very center of Auburn. Doc Brunder's office, which you may remember from the «moon» scene in «Phenomenon», is on Sacramento Street, and the gas station shown in the film was actually a set built in front of the Auburn Post Office.

Filming Locations:

Auto Repair Shop

In the Movie

Scene where Today is George's birthday, and his friends have prepared a special surprise for him. George was told to look at the window upstairs in Doc's office across the street at 10 a.m. And when the appointed time came, George looked at the window and saw the message «Happy Birthday, George» written on the blinds. But the surprises didn't end there...

In Reality

The scene was filmed In the former building of the «Tsuda» grocery store. Now a jewelry store is located here. The building is in the city of Auburn in Sacramento County. Here you can stroll along old streets, see Victorian-style houses, and also visit various museums dedicated to the Gold Rush era.

Bar

In the Movie

Scene where After the supernatural jolt caused by strange bright lights, George rushes back to the bar to see if anyone else experienced the same phenomenon. «Did anybody see it? The flash?» George asks worriedly, but his friends dismiss his questions as the ramblings of someone who's had a bit too much and quickly return to their evening.

In Reality

The scene was filmed In a bar called «Shanghai», which is no longer in operation. Today, another drinking establishment, «Auburn Alehouse», is in the same location. If you want to stop by for a beer and check out the film location where the plot began, it's at 289 Washington Street in the heart of Auburn.

Fruit Orchard

In the Movie

Scene where Doc is called to a farm - an elderly worker has fallen ill, likely from food poisoning. The man only speaks Portuguese, so Doc asks George to help translate what he is saying. George grabs a Portuguese-English dictionary and manages to master the foreign language in 20 minutes.

In Reality

The scene was filmed At the «Machado Orchards» farm, just over five minutes' drive northeast of Auburn. You can find this filming location at 100 Apple Lane. This farm has been in existence for over 90 years and offers a variety of apples, peaches, pears, plums, nectarines, and figs.