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Downtown Tehachapi
- Description & History: Historic (rebuilt) venue located in Downtown Tehachapi, formerly the City's movie theater in the 1960's and 1970's before being turned into a Moose Lodge in the 1980's. After a fire destroyed much of the building, the City of Tehachapi purchased the structure and renovated it back to it original facade with a replica sign from it's first life. It currently houses a small live-production theater and is home to Tehachapi Community Theatre.
- Filming Environment: Very retro front, reminiscent of a 50's/60's movie theater. Large public sidewalk in front providing space for additional sets to transform the perfect shot. Large plaza directly to the North, also owned by the City of Tehachapi and available to reserve for staging. Additional parking spaces in the rear of the building for deliveries of gear. The theatre fronts Green St., a one-way street which can be closed with prior approval for filming or setup as well.
- Support/Nearby: Near local restaurants and catering options for crew. Location off Tehachapi Boulevard makes for easy deliveries of support materials and other needs. Located near several major chain hotels for accommodations.
A street scene rarely found in California and reminiscent of the midwest. Low buildings with classic facades that include a neon-lit burger restaurant, classic signs at Kelcy's Restaurant, Sante Fe Motel and Burger Spot complete this scene and filming options. Plenty of local shops and beautiful public spaces scream small-town America.
Kelcy's
Tehachapi Water Tower/Railroad Park

Kelcy's
- Environment: Located on a street with some regular traffic but very quiet in the evening/nighttime. Great decorative street lights installed by the City of Tehachapi to give everything a classic and unified look. Kelcy's Café and front façade was featured in a 2012 Chevrolet commercial. Inside of the Cafe also has a classic diner look, arrangements for filming would need to be arranged with the owners but can be facilitated by City Hall. Area is adjacent to Union Pacific rail tracks with several trains a day coming through the area.
- Support/Nearby: With central downtown location, near plenty of local restaurants for catering, large parking lot in the rear of the building for potential crew and staging if approved by private owners.
Burger Spot
- Description/History: The Burger Spot has been open since the late 1950's and features a classic retro look complete with an illuminated neon sign that tells a story of a bygone era. With a great classic look up front, the interior also features large windows overlooking Tehachapi Boulevard and can be used with private owner's approval. This location was featured in a 2017 Tesla commercial.
- Filming Environment:Classic looking small-town burger restaurant, great illumination at night and in the early evenings. Located Downtown and near amenities. Also near Union Pacific rail lines so regular train traffic is to be expected. A great looking scene of classic America.
- Support/Nearby: Downtown location. Private parking with owner's consent. Located next to City-owned visitors center with small parking area that can be reserved for staging or equipment.
Tehachapi Water Tower/Railroad Park
- Description/History: Owned and maintained by the City of Tehachapi, the iconic water tower is now a fixture in Downtown, complete with historic signage. Located directly next to Union Pacific Rail tracks, this water tower once served as the refilling station for the steam engines in the railroad. It has since been retired but serves as a monument downtown. The attached park includes large shade trees and shaded areas. Sidewalks next to Tehachapi Boulevard with natural traffic in the background if needed for shots. Was featured in 2012 Chrysler commercial as a background.
- Filming Environment: Shaded area along a roadway that sits between two stop sign intersections so traffic is moving at a slower pace. Vegetation covers much of the fencing hiding much of the railroad track. Train traffic is a regular feature. Trees are historically large and lush with leaves during the summer months.
- Support/Nearby: Park and water tower is owned and maintained by the City making reservations for filming easy. Considerations could be made for traffic control on Tehachapi Boulevard if needed, it is possible to reroute traffic for filming.
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Description/History: Once the rail home for Tehachapi passenger trains, it was initially shuttered in the 1970's when passenger service ended. For several decades it served as a maintenance facility for the Union Pacific Railroad. In the early 2000's the City of Tehachapi acquired the property as part of a redevelopment push for Downtown. The facility was renovated as a rail museum, but, just a few weeks before opening to the public, the facility burned down in 2008. The City of Tehachapi continued with the project, constructing a replica of the building which today is complete with relics from the rail history of Tehachapi. The building is complete with viewing platforms for the passing freight trains and serves as a museum for the railroad history in Tehachapi.
- Filming Environment: A replica of an antique train depot which could serve as a train station for a historical shot. The platforms create opportunities for passenger shots and a busy terminal. A city-owned park surrounds the facility allowing for plenty of space for equipment. The museum owns a variety of antique rail equipment and relics that could be used in productions.
- Support/Nearby: Near local restaurants and catering options for crew. Location off Tehachapi Boulevard makes for easy deliveries of support materials and other needs. Located near several major chain hotels for accommodations.
Description/History: Once the rail home for Tehachapi passenger trains, it was initially shuttered in the 1970's when passenger service ended. For several decades it served as a maintenance facility for the Union Pacific Railroad. In the early 2000's the City of Tehachapi acquired the property as part of a redevelopment push for Downtown. The facility was renovated as a rail museum, but, just a few weeks before opening to the public, the facility burned down in 2008. The City of Tehachapi continued with the project, constructing a replica of the building which today is complete with relics from the rail history of Tehachapi. The building is complete with viewing platforms for the passing freight trains and serves as a museum for the railroad history in Tehachapi.
- Filming Environment: A replica of an antique train depot which could serve as a train station for a historical shot. The platforms create opportunities for passenger shots and a busy terminal. A city-owned park surrounds the facility allowing for plenty of space for equipment. The museum owns a variety of antique rail equipment and relics that could be used in productions.
- Support/Nearby: Near local restaurants and catering options for crew. Location off Tehachapi Boulevard makes for easy deliveries of support materials and other needs. Located near several major chain hotels for accommodations.