Northern CA Trip

I was so excited to finally get the chance to explore a largely-unknown Last Crusade location - the site of the motorcycle chase! This scene was added on late in the film's production and Harrison Ford and Sean Connery were brought up north to the small town of Fairfax, not far from George Lucas's home in San Anselmo. The windy dirty roads of Deer Park provided the perfect spot for some exciting action! Today this is a popular mountain biking area, so if you're planning on hiking use caution. 

Promo shot of Sean Connery and Harrison Ford on location at Deer Park. 

To get to the film's locations, park at the lot in front of the Deer Park School and follow the trail that goes around the left of the school (which turns into Deer Park Fire Road). Most of the locations are on this road further up the hill. Prepare for a hike, and be aware that cell signal is nearly non-existent up here! (Here I will present the locations in film order, not the order you will run across them) 

The road intersection that the Joneses fly down is actually the furthest point from where you start, at the junction of Shaver Grade and Concrete Pipe Road. I found it amusing that the film crew left the trail signpost intact but just dressed it with some greenery to hide it (center frame). 

GPS Coordinates: 37°57'47.8"N 122°35'38.8"W

When we see the German in pursuit and cutting down the hill to cut them off, he is turning off of Deer Park Fire Road onto Boy Scout Road (you will pass this spot on the way to the previous location). 

GPS Coordinates: 37°58'10.6"N 122°35'46.8"W

We see the German turning the corner and approaching the gate from the north side on Deer Park Road. This is midway between the school and the last location. 

GPS Coordinates: 37°58'12.2"N 122°35'33.0"W

Note the position of the guard shack on the left (east) side. 

Reverse angle of the German approaching. 

The Jones boys are seen coming down Deer Park Road from the south. This is at the intersection of the Six Points Trail. Now we see that the guard shack has been moved to the opposite (west) side of the road. 

GPS Coordinates: 37°58'10.0"N 122°35'34.0"W

The Jones boys are coming in hot! The camera trucks ahead of them as they head north. 

The location of the bike flip is actually the first spot you will come across, the first clearing after leaving the school. 

GPS Coordinates (approx.): 37°58'20.3"N 122°35'19.3"W

Another worthy stop right down the street is the house used for the quick exterior shot in Raiders, located at 38 Alder Avenue in San Anselmo. This is only about a mile from George's Park Way house. As you can see, the house has been remodeled since. 

As Indy first arrives to the castle prison in Germany 1916/Trenches of Hell, one quick cutaway of a German guard manning a machine gun was actually shot far from the rest of the location work. This was Montgomery Chapel of the University of Redlands in San Anselmo. 

Address: 5 Richmond Rd, San Anselmo, CA 94960

Unwinding after a long day at the 2AM Club, famous for its use on the "Sports" album by Bay Area band Huey Lewis & The News. 

Address: 380 Miller Ave, Mill Valley, CA 

If you're in the area, I also highly recommend the drive out to Point Reyes. The Point Reyes Lighthouse (famous for it's use in John Carpenter's The Fog) is worth the trip. While I was out there, grey whales could be seen swimming by in the distance. 

On my way north, I was able to check off another Hollywood Follies location - the Washoe House outside Petaluma played the part of "Hollywood Hannah's." Built in 1859 as a stagecoach stop, this roadside stop is full of character. I just wish I had time to stop and eat!

Address: 2840 Roblar Rd, Petaluma, CA

One of my favorite spots to stop on this drive is the planet Endor itself - or rather the closest you can get to it. Cheatham Grove outside Eureka was where a 2nd Unit for Return of the Jedi led by Dennis Muren and camera operator Garrett Brown (inventor of the Steadicam) was sent to shoot the plate shots for ILM's work on the speeder bike chase (the actors were filmed against a bluescreen at ILM's C Stage in San Rafael). Since the private timberland where the rest of the exterior Endor scenes were shot was logged and cannot be visited by the public, this is really the closest you can get to the real deal!

Since cell reception is non-existent at this location, marking the spots is difficult but I will do my best to describe it. 

The first location is just a short walk from the parking lot. Basically the trail does a big loop, and this is shortly after you take the fork to the right. 

This POV shot from Leia's bike follows the trail under a fallen tree. 

It continues from the reverse angle as they emerge from the other (north) side. 

As you make the loop around on the north end it's hard to miss 2 trees forming a distinctive X-shape (on your right). This shot was flipped in the film (corrected here), as we see the scout trooper in hot pursuit. 

This is back at the first location, later in the scene we see them fly around a corner and speed off. 

Unfortunately, I've scoured this location on multiple trips armed with screengrabs but I suspect the woods have changed just enough over the years to obscure any recognizable landmarks from the film. Also, any shots with the actors on the ground or featuring practical explosions were shot on the private timberland just south of the town of Smith River. This spot was really only used for background plates. Still, this small peaceful grove is one of my favorite spots.