Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Map: The Bizarre Geography Of 'Sharknado'
Sharknado's hilarious depiction of Angeleno geography (Google maps plus Shutterstock illustration by Lightspring)
We're not going to tackle the hilarious premise of Sharknado: that a tornado has enough force to pick up a shark right out of the water and drop it off at TCL Chinese Theater (that's been done). Nor are we going to consider whether the best way to beat a sharknado is riding helicopter to the edge of the funnel and throwing bombs into it (don't knock it 'til you've tried it).
No matter how much craziness was happening on screen—a chick in a bikini stabbing a shark with a cue stick, our hero escaping a shark's intestines with a chainsaw, Tara Reid trying to act—we couldn't help but pay attention to the bizarre, strangely condensed geography of the movie. If only the ocean, our skyline and most iconic landmarks were all in one place!
Our heroes start out in a Santa Monica untouched by the forces of gentrification. From a laid-back, beachy dive along Santa Monica Pier they head to Beverly Hills (where the emergency services are "second to none"). They're trying to make it up the 405 Freeway to Van Nuys, which is where things really go off the rails.
Nevermind how ridiculously difficult it is to take cross the Sepulveda Pass. It's the shooting locations that drive us nuts. The characters, who are supposed to be near the 405, take a jaunt along the 6th Street Bridge downtown. We even get a view of the downtown skyline. The Hollywood sign ends up being ripped off its perch in Griffith Park and crashing right on top of a failed actor (one of the most disposable Angeleno stereotypes). One "shortcut" through the Sepulveda Pass and untelevised high-speed car chase later, they end up at their final destination: an airport in Van Nuys where our characters (quite literally) enter the belly of the beast.
Check out our own "Sharknado" map that traverses 38 miles:
Sponsored message
View Geography of Sharknado in a larger map
Related:
6 Things 'Sharknado' Got Right About L.A. And 6 Things it Got Wrong
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
