50 First Dates Filming Locations

50 First Dates (2004) was filmed primarily on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, with a few key scenes shot in California (and even one in Alaska). Below is a comprehensive guide to all the real-world 50 First Dates filming locations, complete with addresses, the scenes filmed there, current status, and visiting tips. Locations are organized by their role in the movie, and lesser-known or often misidentified sites are included.

Sea Life Park Waimanalo & Six Flags Marine World: Henry’s Workplace

Sea Life Park appears as the aquatic park where Henry (Adam Sandler) works as a marine biologist. All the outdoor scenes with the animals were filmed at this park. Memorable moments include Henry feeding a walrus named Jocko that gives him a sloppy kiss, his assistant Alexa getting slimed by a sea cucumber, and the cute penguin that keeps escaping its enclosure.

Sea Life Park is a real and operating marine park, and it still looks much as it did in 50 First Dates. You can visit the same dolphin tanks, sea lion pools, and bird sanctuary seen in the movie. The park’s setting, with the Koolau Mountains behind and the sea in front, is exactly as picturesque as on film.

The park even once featured promotional signs noting the movie connection. (The specific animals from the movie may not all still be there 20 years later, but the park does have dolphins, sea lions, penguins, turtles, etc.)

The lagoon where Henry’s office is located (with dolphins Kate and Ashley swimming by) is part of the real park. Whenever you see Henry interacting with dolphins, penguins, or walruses in an outdoor tank, that’s the actual Sea Life Park in Oahu. 

After wrapping the Hawaii location shooting, the production moved to this park to film all the aquarium interior scenes for 50 First Dates. Specifically, the scenes of Henry inside the walrus habitat (Walrus Cove) and the underwater shark tunnel were done at Six Flags Marine World in Vallejo.

The specific walrus from the film, Siku, lived at the park for years; he has since passed away, but the park does have walruses or sea lions at times. The shark tunnel (called Shark Experience) was a prominent attraction at Marine World.

In recent years, Six Flags has rebranded and sometimes rotates exhibits, but as of the mid-2020s, they have had a walkthrough shark aquarium that sounds very similar. The general areas used for filming (marine mammal pools and aquarium galleries) are likely still present, though possibly updated.

The underwater tunnel, if operational, is typically in the Sea Life/Aquarium section of the park (check the park map for “Shark Experience” or similar). You can literally walk through the tunnel and imagine Lucy and Henry strolling there.

Hukilau Cafe: First Meeting

Hukilau Cafe is probably the most important location in the movie and the base for a good half of the 50 ‘first’ dates. But there’s a lot of confusion related to Hukilau cafe; one can clearly read ‘Hukilau’ on the menus, and they say the name several times in the movie, but in all real reports and social profiles, ‘Hukilau’ cafe looks nothing like it does in the movie. Was it remodeled?

The beachfront diner “Hukilau Café,” where Henry and Lucy first meet, was constructed on-site at Kualoa Ranch, on a clearing by the Moliʻi Fishpond. The film’s producers opted not to use the real Hukilau Cafe and built a rustic set here to capture the perfect backdrop of mountains and ocean.

But the real eatery that gave the name and inspiration to the movie location is still open and fully operational. It is a small restaurant in Lā’ie, located at 55-662 Wahinepee St, Laie, serving local cuisine.

Trump National Golf Club: Golf Course Scene

The scene, where Henry and Ula (Rob Schneider) are golfing by the ocean, accompanied by Ula’s kids, and Henry gets knocked out by a stray golf ball, was filmed at Trump National Golf Club in Palos Verdes. Although the film implies this is a Hawaiian golf course, it was actually shot on a scenic California course overlooking the Pacific.

The filmmakers chose this location for its dramatic oceanfront bluffs, which could pass as a tropical links with some clever angles. When Henry is unconscious and dreams of Lucy in an otherworldly wave scene, that transition begins on the golf green here.

In reality, you might notice the vegetation on the cliffs isn’t exactly Hawaiian; that’s because Palos Verdes has a different ecosystem. But on screen, unless you know the area, you’d likely assume it’s Oahu.

Yes, Trump National Golf Club, Los Angeles (its official name) is a real upscale 18-hole golf course, and it’s open and operating daily. The course is renowned for its luxurious facilities and ocean views. It has changed only minimally since 2003 (the club opened in 2005 after inheriting and renovating an older course on that site).

The specific hole/section used in 50 First Dates isn’t marked, but given the cinematography, it was probably one of the cliffside holes with the best sea backdrop – possibly the 18th hole or nearby. The course is meticulously maintained. As of 2025, it’s still a Trump-branded property, complete with a beautiful clubhouse.

Halona Blowhole & “Eternity Beach” (Honolulu, Oahu): Romantic Cove & Dream Sequence

The Halona area appears twice in 50 First Dates: Henry and Lucy’s first real kiss and Henry’s goofy dream sequence.

Yes, both the blowhole and the cove beach are real and look just as they did in the movie, though in reality, the blowhole doesn’t send water quite as high as seen on film (movie magic enhanced it).

The Halona Blowhole is a natural lava tube in the rocks; when waves funnel in, it shoots seawater up like a geyser. It’s an active geological feature and a popular stop.

Halona Blowhole is located just to the west of the cove, it is visible during Henry’s goofy dream sequence. Henry gets hit in the head with a golf ball at the driving range and hallucinates about Lucy; we see a surreal scene of them kissing among giant crashing waves.

That was filmed on the rocks near Halona Blowhole, where waves really do explode upward (albeit exaggerated a bit). Later, in the end montage, there’s also a shot of them embracing on those same spray-swept rocks.

Halona Blowhole Lookout, Kalanianaʻole Hwy, Honolulu, HI 96825. (Along the coastal highway, between Hanauma Bay and Sandy Beach: look for the parking turnout and scenic overlook signage. While swimming here can be dangerous due to strong currents, it’s a great spot for photography and tide pooling when the conditions are calm.

The Halona Beach Cove is a naturally secluded inlet with a small sandy shore, enclosed by black lava rock walls. It’s still there and still beautiful; however, it’s small and can be crowded now due to its fame.

Once on the beach, you’re literally where they filmed the kiss – a fun spot to recreate a photo. There are no facilities or lifeguards; swimming is not advised unless the water is very calm, as strong currents can occur.

The blowhole itself should only be observed from the fenced viewing area (never attempt to approach it). The lookout is accessible 24/7 (no gate), but it’s safest and most scenic in daylight.

Dillingham Ranch: Lucy’s Accident Site

Dillingham Ranch was used for the flashback scene of Lucy’s car accident. In the movie’s backstory, Lucy’s father swerves to avoid a cow on the road and crashes into a tree on her birthday, causing her memory loss. Those shots, the winding dirt road, the pasture, and the large tree they hit, were filmed on Dillingham Ranch property.

In fact, the tree has become iconic: fans refer to it as the “50 First Dates tree.” It’s an impressive-looking tree (reportedly an albizia) that stood out in the scene. The ranch’s open fields and rural setting provided the perfect stand-in for the “North Shore backroad” where the accident is said to have happened.

 Dillingham Ranch is a historic ranch founded in the late 1800s. It still operates today as a cattle ranch and private estate. The ranch spans hundreds of acres, so casual visitors won’t see much from the road besides fence lines and distant trees. The interior dirt roads, including the one seen in the crash scene, are private ranch roads not publicly mapped.

Waikane, Oahu: Lucy’s House

This house serves as Lucy Whitmore’s home, where she lives with her dad and brother. We see it multiple times: the driveway and front yard appear in the daily morning scenes (e.g., washing the car, picking a pineapple, painting the wall), and the backyard with its small pier is where Lucy paints her murals and where Henry watches her on the days she doesn’t remember him

The exact address is 47-343 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, HI 96744 (approximate). This is a private oceanfront house in the Waikane area on Oahu’s windward (eastern) coast. It sits off the main highway, down a long driveway near the water.

No public tours or access to the house itself. You can take a peek of the location from a distance. One option is to view it from the water: kayak tours or paddleboarders on Kāneʻohe Bay can spot the long pier associated with the property (the pier is near Waikane Pier)

Waiāhole and Waikāne sit along the scenic Kāneʻohe Bay, offering a quieter, less commercialized side of Oʻahu. Waikāne, in particular, is known for its lush valleys, historic fishponds, and stunning views of Mokoliʻi (Chinaman’s Hat) just offshore. While there’s no beach access here, the shallow reefs and calm waters make it a great spot for kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding toward the nearby islets.

Kualoa Ranch: Road Scenes & Cafe

The dirt road through Kualoa’s valley appears in Henry’s daily attempts to get Lucy’s attention, for example, the scenes where he stages roadside pranks (like faking a broken-down car or a penguin crossing) were filmed on the ranch’s property.

This is a 4,000-acre nature reserve in Northeast O’ahu. Visitors can explore the ranch through ATV tours, horseback riding, ziplining, or open-air bus excursions, each offering access to restricted areas not open to the public. The ranch is also home to Moli‘i Fishpond, a 125-acre ancient Hawaiian fishpond still in use today.

The Hukilau Café set itself was temporary and removed after filming, so you won’t find an actual diner building there now. However, the spot by the fishpond and the surrounding scenery are unchanged: you can stand where Henry and Lucy “had breakfast.” The valley roads are also still in use for ranch tours.

Same as Halona Beach, Dillingham Ranch is a popular filming location; it has been the backdrop for movies and TV shows like Jurassic Park, Lost, and Jumanji.

Heʻeia Kea Harbor: Henry’s Boat Dock

This small harbor is where Henry moors his sailboat, the Sea Serpent. A brief scene shows Henry working on his boat at the dock here, and in another scene, Ula’s children jump off the pier into the water to swim to Henry’s boat.

The harbor is mentioned as Henry’s launching point for his research trip to Bristol Bay (and indeed, later in the film we see him depart for his voyage – that farewell scene was likely shot here.

All “harbor” sequences in the movie were filmed at Heʻeia Kea Pier, even though it’s portrayed as if adjacent to Sea Life Park (in reality, they are far apart). This location gives an authentic local harbor vibe, with the calm waters of Kāneʻohe Bay and the lush mountains in the background.

Heʻeia Kea is a functioning public boat harbor on Oahu. It looks very much the same – a concrete pier, boat docks, a small harbor office, and lots of fishing boats and sailboats moored in the bay. The spot where Henry’s sailboat was docked is not marked, but fans can easily imagine which slip it might have been. The harbor hasn’t changed significantly since 2003, aside from normal upkeep.

Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse: Montage “First Kiss” Spot

The lighthouse at Makapuʻu Point appears briefly in one scene, but the views alone make it a stop worth visiting. Henry and Lucy share one of their many “first kisses” with this lighthouse in the background.

Makapuʻu Point Light is a historic lighthouse (built in 1909) sitting at the summit of a cliff at Oahu’s easternmost point. It’s still an active navigational beacon, though it’s now automated. The structure itself is intact and maintained by the Coast Guard (visitors can’t go inside the lighthouse).

The surrounding scenery: deep blue ocean, rugged lava rocks, and views towards Waimanalo Bay, remains as gorgeous as on film. In winter months, you might even spot humpback whales in the waters below, just as the characters joke about in the movie.

The Makapuʻu Lighthouse Trail is a paved 2-mile (round trip) hike that is free and open daily during daylight hours (the park area is generally open from sunrise until about 6 or 7 PM).

The hike is moderately uphill but family-friendly, leading you to an overlook above the lighthouse. From that overlook, you can see the lighthouse from above/beside (great photo op) and enjoy the panoramic ocean views that made this spot film-worthy.

Cabrillo Beach Bathhouse: “Callahan Institute” Hospital

Address: 3800 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro, CA 90731. (Located next to Cabrillo Beach, in the Los Angeles Harbor area.)

The memory care hospital where Lucy resides toward the end of the movie, whimsically called the “Callahan Institute” (named after Dan Aykroyd’s character, Dr. Keats, and as an inside joke to Tommy Boy) was portrayed by the Cabrillo Beach Bathhouse. The production transformed this 1930s Mediterranean-style building into a medical facility for filming.

Interior scenes of Lucy’s art therapy studio were filmed inside the bathhouse’s main hall (dressed as a hospital common room). Exterior shots, when Henry runs up the steps to see Lucy, feature the Bathhouse’s white stucco facade, arched doorways, and red-tiled roof.

If you re-watch those scenes, you’ll notice the architecture is more California mission-style than Hawaiian; that’s because it really is California. The film seamlessly fooled most viewers into thinking this was still Oahu.

Cabrillo Beach Bathhouse is a well-known historic building in San Pedro. Built in 1932 for beachgoers, it was restored in the early 2000s (right before the film) and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

It still stands and looks the same, with its elegant open-air courtyard and distinctive design. In real life, it’s not a hospital at all; it’s typically used as an event space, community center, and occasionally as a film location.

Prince William Sound: Lucy’s Wake-Up Finale

Open waters of Prince William Sound, near the port of Whittier, Alaska. (Whittier is about 60 miles southeast of Anchorage, accessible by road and tunnel. The exact coordinates on the water are not known, but it was in view of snowcapped mountains and glaciers – likely in the College Fjord or Blackstone Bay area of the sound.)

The emotional final scene of 50 First Dates, where Lucy wakes up on a sailboat, steps onto the deck, and discovers she’s in Alaska, surrounded by glaciers, with Henry (now her husband), her daughter, and her father waiting to greet her, was filmed on location in Alaska’s Prince William Sound.

If you’re curious which glacier: it could be one of the large ones in that sound (perhaps Blackstone Glacier or Columbia Glacier); multiple sources suggest it was near Whittier in general.

The glaciers in that region (while receding over decades) remain massive and visible. Whittier is a tiny town that serves as a gateway to the Sound. Nothing in the film was a set here; it was all the actual natural environment.

So if you go, you can expect to see the same kind of vistas Lucy sees: blue glaciers, ice floes, and snowy mountains meeting the water. The boat in the movie was a private sailboat likely brought by the film unit, but many tour boats ply those waters regularly.

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As you can see, much of “50 First Dates” was filmed on O’ahu, Hawaii’s third-largest island. Going there feels like stepping into a postcard, brought to life by the chemistry between Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.