Elle Woods remains one of pop culture’s most beloved heroines, and Prime Video’s prequel series, “Elle,” finally gives fans a peek into her origin story. Set in the 1990s, long before her Harvard Law days, the show follows a teenage Elle as she navigates the ups and downs of high school life. Lexi Minetree steps into the iconic role originally made famous by Reese Witherspoon, bringing to life the key friendships, family dynamics and defining moments that shaped the relentlessly optimistic lawyer.
Beyond the retro coming-of-age nostalgia, the series also doubles as a fantastic source of travel inspiration for TV lovers. Even though the story takes place in suburban America, the production crew filmed across several distinct destinations to craft its vibrant, colorful world. From charming neighborhoods to picturesque streets seamlessly transformed into ’90s USA, these filming locations make perfect additions to any travel itinerary for fans wanting to step into Elle’s world.
Vancouver Doubled As Seattle For The Filming Of ‘Elle’
Key Scenes: Surprisingly, much of the series was actually filmed in and around Vancouver, Canada, which offered key production perks and seamlessly doubled for the Pacific Northwest. As People reports, filming took place between March and July 2025, with crews leaning on a mix of local schools and suburban neighborhoods to bring the show’s world to life.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to explore Vancouver’s “Elle” filming locations is between May and September. During these months, visitors can expect warmer temperatures, longer daylight hours and relatively dry weather. This all makes walking through nearby neighborhoods much easier. Summer also provides excellent conditions for exploring North Vancouver’s parks, waterfronts and scenic viewpoints after visiting the filming sites.
Transportation Options: Getting around Metro Vancouver is relatively straightforward. Visitors can use the city’s SkyTrain rapid transit system, TransLink buses, rental cars or rideshare services. Since St. Thomas Aquinas Regional Secondary School and Port Coquitlam are located outside downtown Vancouver, renting a vehicle offers the greatest flexibility. However, public transportation connects most major areas throughout Metro Vancouver with reasonable travel times.
To bring 1990s Seattle to life, the production team transformed several communities across British Columbia into a convincing Pacific Northwest backdrop, according to Condé Nast Traveller. St. Thomas Aquinas Regional Secondary School in North Vancouver took center stage as Elle’s high school, while nearby Port Coquitlam provided the suburban streets and neighborhoods needed to set the scene.
The show’s design crew went all-in on late-90s nostalgia, outfitting sets with period-appropriate vintage cars, retro storefronts, and classic signage. Thanks to Metro Vancouver’s versatile mix of suburban charm, vibrant green spaces, and urban backdrops, filmmakers captured the series’ energetic, youthful vibe while keeping production conveniently grounded in British Columbia.
Things to Do: A trip centered on “Elle” filming locations can easily become a bigger Vancouver vacation. After exploring North Vancouver, head to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park for spectacular rainforest views. Then ride the SeaBus back across Burrard Inlet for panoramic skyline scenery. Film enthusiasts may also enjoy visiting Gastown, Stanley Park and Granville Island, all of which have appeared in numerous television series and movies over the years. If you have extra time, consider taking a day trip to Whistler. It is one of British Columbia’s most famous mountain destinations. Alternatively, travelers can visit Deep Cove for kayaking and waterfront dining.
Where to Eat: North Vancouver offers excellent waterfront restaurants at The Shipyards. Nearby Lonsdale Quay Market features a wide selection of local vendors serving seafood, international cuisine, coffee and desserts. Downtown Vancouver also offers outstanding Asian cuisine, fresh Pacific seafood and vibrant brunch spots that showcase the city’s diverse culinary scene.
Where to Stay: Properties near the waterfront offer easy access to North Vancouver via the SeaBus while remaining close to popular tourist attractions. Travelers planning to spend more time exploring North Vancouver might also find accommodations in the Lower Lonsdale area convenient. This is because the area provides shorter drives to several filming locations while still offering restaurants, shops and waterfront views. Good options around the area include Pinnacle Hotel at The Pier and Seaside Hotel Vancouver.
‘Elle’ Also Relied On Los Angeles Filming Locations
Key Scenes: To showcase Elle’s lavish Southern California upbringing, production also filmed across several iconic Los Angeles locations, according to People. Scenes shot along Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, as well as spots throughout Culver City and greater LA, help establish the Woods family’s glamorously sun-soaked lifestyle before the story transitions elsewhere.
Best Time to Visit: Los Angeles is a year-round destination, but March through May and September through November generally provide the most comfortable weather for sightseeing. Temperatures remain pleasant, crowds are somewhat lighter than peak summer months and visitors can comfortably explore.
Transportation Options: Driving remains the easiest way to visit multiple filming locations across Los Angeles due to the city’s size. Rental cars provide the greatest flexibility, although rideshare services are widely available throughout Beverly Hills, Culver City and central Los Angeles. It’s also worth noting that public transportation continues to expand through Metro Rail and Metro Bus services.
While Canada served as the main production hub for “Elle,” the crew traveled straight to Southern California to capture the key scenes that establish her iconic roots. Using authentic SoCal settings added a level of visual realism that would have been nearly impossible to recreate anywhere else. Rodeo Drive’s luxury storefronts instantly showcase the chic aesthetic that defines Elle Woods, while classic LA neighborhood shots firmly ground her story in California before the narrative shifts north toward Seattle.
Things to Do: Check out Beverly Hills, stroll through Beverly Gardens Park or visit the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. Film fans may also enjoy Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood or Universal Studios Hollywood for a behind-the-scenes look at television and movie production. Culver City offers additional entertainment with its walkable downtown district. There are museums, art galleries and historic film connections dating back to Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Where to Eat: Visitors exploring Rodeo Drive can enjoy Beverly Hills’ wide variety of upscale restaurants, cafés and bakeries within walking distance of the shopping district. Culver City also features an acclaimed dining scene ranging from casual eateries to chef-driven restaurants. Metro Cafe and Akasha Restaurant are popular options there.
Where to Stay: Travelers interested in visiting the filming locations of “Elle” may find accommodations in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, or Culver City especially convenient. These neighborhoods provide easy access to Rodeo Drive. But they also place visitors within reasonable driving distance of many of Los Angeles’ most popular attractions, including Hollywood, Santa Monica and Griffith Observatory. The most popular accommodations in these areas are Montrose at Beverly Hills, L’Ermitage Beverly Hills and Hilton Los Angeles Culver City, respectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who turned down the role of Elle Woods?
Before fans made Reese Witherspoon synonymous with Elle Woods in the original “Legally Blonde,” several actresses were reportedly considered for the role. According to Business Insider, Christina Applegate turned down the part. She worried about typecasting in her career after playing another blonde character on television. The decision ultimately opened the door for Witherspoon, whose performance became one of the defining roles of her career.
Will there be a season two of “Elle” on Prime?
Yes, there will be another season of the iconic series. According to NME, Prime Video has already renewed “Elle” for a second season ahead of the series premiere. Reports even indicate that production on the second season has already finished, although there is no confirmed release date at the time of publication.
