DISCOVER THE ULTIMATE AMERICAN ROAD TRIP
Hotshot Hawaii
Honolulu - Honolulu
We’ve also handpicked some charming hideaway hotels along the way, so you can relax and recuperate close to where your favorite stars once performed.
Jaw-dropping sunsets and awe-inspiring scenery await when you set on a road trip to Hawaii’s most famous filming locations.
Stops on this Route:
What to drive:
Make the most of your US road trip with something from our American Collection:
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Stop 1: Honolulu 1/10
Hawaii’s bustling capital plays host to vibrant nightlife, an incredible gastronomic experience, and a quirky shopping scene – backdrops captured in both the original and 2010 iteration of Hawaii Five-0, set in the city.
Fans of the series can wander the bustling streets of Waikīkī where it was filmed – known for the world-famous Waikīkī Beach.
Feel the golden sands under your feet and fix your gaze on Waikīkī Bay at low tide when dawn breaks - capturing an unforgettable sunrise.
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Stop 2: Diamond Head 2/10
Known as Le?ahi – meaning ‘brow of the tuna’ – the volcanic cone of Diamond Head is around 300,000 years old and is perhaps O’ahu’s most beautiful corner.
Famous directors, producers and stars haven’t filmed movies in this breathtaking location, but the views it offers make it an essential stop-off point.
Gaze straight out across the Pacific Ocean to watch the crystal-blue waves ebb and flow from the shoreline. Turn to your right and you’ll discover an unrivalled panorama of Downtown Honolulu. Look behind you to admire the 350-acre crater.
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Stop 3: Kailua Beach Park 3/10
After passing through beautiful Koko Head District Park and Halona cove, Kailua Beach Park offers white sands, watersports – and the chance to perhaps see stars of the screen relaxing on days off from filming.
Try your hand at kayaking along the glistening blue waters of Kailua Bay or – if you’re feeling extra adventurous – kitesurfing. Of course, you could always spend your time sunbathing on the pristine beach for that movie-star tan. Perfect for a relaxing afternoon stop-off.
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Stop 4: Kane’ohe Bay 4/10
Fans of the TV series Lost will remember the mountains and forests that tower over the blissful paradise that is Kāne’ohe Bay.
Those captivated by ships battling just off the shores in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides may recognize the bay itself, which drew fervent crowds when filming took place here in 2010.
The waters that lap against the shores provide blissful views, whatever time of day you visit – particularly when the super corals display their treasures at low tide.
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Stop 5: Waiahole Beach Park 5/10
Though this quaint, peaceful shore doesn't buzz with tourists like some of O’ahu’s more illustrious shores, Waiāhole Beach Park more than holds its own when it comes to movie stardom.
Nearby, Waikāne Pier - visible from Waiāhole Beach, is famous for its appearances in 50 First Dates, Fantasy Island and, Hawaii staple, Lost.
While you’re looking out to the Waiāhole Stream, you can see Mokoli’I Island sitting offshore in the distance. Scan around and you’ll also see the lush Waiāhole Forest, which looms gracefully over the beach park.
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Stop 6: Kualoa Ranch 6/10
A working ranch, nature reserve and the filming location of several Hollywood epics? What’s not to love about Kualoa Ranch?
Kong: Skull Island, Godzilla vs Kong and Jurassic Park are just some of the blockbusters that played out across these 4,000 acres. And you can enjoy a tour where the action took place.
Take your pick from sweeping across the surrounding valleys on a zipline tour, embark on an off-road expedition deep into the jungle, or experience the ranch vibe for yourself with a leisurely tour on horseback.
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Stop 7: Ka’a’awa Valley Road 7/10
As part of your visit to Kualoa Ranch, you can visit one of Hawaii’s most iconic filming locations – the Ka’a’awa Valley. This three-mile road takes you on a stunning loop through the dense forests and dizzying peaks of the Ko’olau Mountain Range – which feature heavily in the Jurassic Park franchise. To visit, you’ll need to book your tour beforehand through the Ranch.
Less than five miles away along the Kamehameha Highway, Ahupua’a ‘O Kahana State Park has several challenging hiking trails. They’re well worth the effort for the unforgettable views you’ll experience.
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Stop 8: Turtle Bay 8/10
Sitting on O’ahu’s North Shore is the idyllic Turtle Bay, the setting of one of the nation’s most beloved rom coms - Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
Take a helicopter tour for an unparalleled birds' eye view of the spectacular shoreline, looking down across the resorts and coves that dapple the northern coast. After soaring, once you land, why not try to spot the famous residents that swim in the rippling waters?
Green sea turtles and lesser-spotted Hawksbill turtles are endangered species - you might be able to get the rare chance to spot one here.
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Stop 9: Ka’ena Point 9/10
Take a detour from your star-studded route to discover Ka’ena Point State Park and the trail that leads to Ka’ena Point – the westernmost part of O’ahu.
This trail is famous in Hawaiian folklore as a ‘jumping-off’ point for ancient Hawaiians when they joined the spirit world. Park your rental car at the northern starting point, Mokuleia, to begin your traversing of this sacred route.
Once you’ve reached Ka’ena Point, a dramatic viewpoint over the North Pacific Ocean will greet you. It’s the ideal place to enjoy a scintillating sunset in the evening, after completing a rewarding hike.
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Stop 10: Pearl Harbor 10/10
Pearl Harbor is our final and most somber stop on the trip. A U.S. naval shipyard, the Japanese military attacked the base on December 7, 1941 prompting the United States to enter World War II. Michael Bay’s 2001 blockbuster of the same name uses the actual harbor as a backdrop – capturing the real-life tragedy for the big screen.
There’s a visitor center, which contains exhibits about the attack, and you can visit the National Memorial. Accessed by shuttle boat, the memorial straddles the sunken battleship, USS Arizona.
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