Filming locations (1980)

For information on the Filming locations in the Original Series, see Filming locations (TOS).

All of the Battlestar Galactica series, from the Original Series through Galactica 1980 to the Miniseries and beyond, have made use of location shooting to provide some of the background and scope for their storylines.

The programs filmed from 1978 through 1980 CE conducted location shoots around Southern California, for the most part not far from Universal Studios in Studio City, California.

The classic Galactica bridge set and others were built at Universal Studios, but many of those sets had been struck by December 1979 when Galactica 1980 began filming. As a result, stock footage was used even more than in the original program, especially when the bridge was shown. To compensate for this, the Universal backlot was also used throughout the shooting of the series, notably in "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II," for the sequences that took place in Germany. The programs filmed from 1978 through 1980 conducted location shoots around Southern California, for the most part not far from Universal Studios in Studio City, California. Galactica 1980 made even more use of this, since it was set in a contemporary setting.

Galactica 1980 Filming Locations

JCPenney

The store that Troy happens upon in Paradise Valley, when in search of supplies for the Super Scouts during Dillon's "bank robbery," was a JCPenney located on 18341 Sherman Way, Reseda, California, U.S.A.

This is visible in two distinct shots (a long shot and a close-up shot) when Troy first enters near the revolving door ^{(1980: "The Super Scouts, Part I")}.

This particular JCPenney closed down in 1985, having been on the site since 1953, and was rebuilt as a two-floor retail and office complex. As of 2024, the site is known as the Majestic Plaza.

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  Troy enters a department store ^{(1980: "The Super Scouts, Part I")}.
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  Troy enters a department store ^{(1980: "The Super Scouts, Part I")}.
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  Police officers are told that Dillon ran towards this store after "robbing a bank" ^{(1980: "The Super Scouts, Part I")}.
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  Dillon arrives to pay for the purchase with stolen money ^{(1980: "The Super Scouts, Part I")}.

Phone Booth

In "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I," Troy and Dillon first meet Jamie near what is now a French restaurant in Los Angeles County's Soledad Canyon. The phone booth that is featured in the scene was still there as of June 2006.

Planet Starbuck

The scenes of the planet Starbuck names after himself in "The Return of Starbuck" were filmed entirely on location at Red Rock Canyon State Park near Cantil, California, U.S.A.

Alonzo Ranch

Much of the episode "Space Croppers" was filmed at the Disney movie ranch in rural Los Angeles county, a favorite location for Galactica 1980. The recognizable covered bridge that is in the center of the ranch property is on prominent display in one scene.

Galactica 1980 definition: Troy looks this up when attempting to find a place to procure clothing for the Super Scouts ^{(1980: "The Super Scouts, Part I")}

Galactica 1980 definition: Dillon doesn't understand the situation he is placed in when attempting to exchange the gold cubits for American currency with a judgmental bank teller, this being the end result ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I")}.

Galactica 1980 definition: Troy attempts to use a phone booth near a gas station prior to their first run-in with Jamie Hamilton ^{(1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I")}.