Blended (2014) is often referred to as 50 First Dates but in Africa. Though not the most prominent of Adam Sandler movies, it takes the viewers on a heartwarming and humorous journey to South Africa. Some scenes were also captured in Georgia, USA, around the Gwinnett area, such as Buford and Lake Lanier.
Blended was filmed across two continents. Principal photography occurred in mid-2013, with north metro Atlanta sites standing in for the characters’ hometown scenes and South African resort and wildlife areas portraying the film’s “African familymoon” setting. Below is an in-depth look at the key Blended filming locations, scene details, and how fans can visit these places today.
Georgia, USA – Buford, Lake Lanier & Lawrenceville
Most of the stateside filming took place in Gwinnett County, Georgia, especially around the city of Buford and nearby Lake Lanier, with a notable scene in Lawrenceville. Shooting in Georgia occurred in July–August 2013, drawing local onlookers as Hollywood temporarily transformed familiar spots.
Lawrenceville Hooters, Atlanta
Blended opens with the hilarious blind date between Jim (Adam Sandler) and Lauren (Drew Barrymore) at a Hooters restaurant. The production chose this real restaurant as a nod to a plot point that Jim’s late wife had managed a Hooters.
In fact, the Lawrenceville Hooters was so recognizable that it appears prominently in the movie’s trailer. The filmmakers even included real Hooters employees and patrons. The top 11 finalists from the 2013 Miss Hooters pageant were on set as extras during the scene, which delighted the Atlanta-based chain’s management.
Today, fans can dine at this Hooters of Lawrenceville, it’s easily accessible from Atlanta (~30 minutes north by car) and still features the same bright orange logo and casual sports-bar atmosphere seen in Blended.
This eatery is a popular spot, known for its tasty chicken wings and waitresses in eye-catching uniforms. It’s a classic American sports bar, decked out with vibrant lights, sports broadcasting on multiple TVs, pool tables, and a variety of drinks on tap. The menu is very typical as well: burgers, sandwiches, and signature chicken wings, all served up by cheerful waitresses sporting short shorts, just as you see in Blended.
Location Details
Buford: Mall of Georgia (Dick’s Sporting Goods)
The film crew also took over the Dick’s Sporting Goods store at the Mall of Georgia in Buford for a sequence involving Jim’s workplace (his boss, ironically named Dick, is played by Dan Patrick). Filming at the mall was scheduled for July 25–26, 2013, mainly after-hours (before opening and late at night) so as not to disrupt shoppers.
In the movie, this location appears a few times before and after the Africa trip. Right after the unfortunate blind date, and then again when Jim realizes that he misses Lauren a lot more than he would have expected.
Visitors to the Mall of Georgia can easily spot the Dick’s Sporting Goods (3333 Buford Drive). While you won’t find any film props there, you can imagine Sandler roaming the aisles as he did during production.
Four Seasons on Lanier (Flowery Branch)
For sports scenes, the production fixed up an abandoned ballfield in the Four Seasons on Lanier lakeside subdivision (Flowery Branch, just northeast of Buford). They reportedly spent thousands of dollars sprucing up this community baseball field to prepare it for filming.
During late July 2013, Blended shot multiple sequences here: one set at the African resort where Jim helps local kids with cricket, and the final scene of the film featuring a little league baseball game back home. Local press noted that although it’s a baseball diamond, the Africa-set scenes involved cricket equipment – a nod to South Africa’s love of cricket.
In the final scene, filmed at this same field, Tyler’s baseball game unfolds as both families cheer him on; Jim gives Tyler batting tips (recalling their Africa bonding) and Jim and Lauren declare their love in front of everyone.
Fans in the area can visit the Four Seasons Sports Complex (at 6262 Chestnut Hill Rd, Flowery Branch) where the field is located. It’s a public park space with grassy fields and bleachers – you can stand on the very spot where the cast filmed the heartwarming finale.
Tip
South African cricket star Dale Steyn makes a cameo briefly, when Jim hires him to assist in teaching Tyler baseball
Johnson’s Hometown Pharmacy
Early in the film, Jim and Lauren have an awkward run-in at a pharmacy. This scene was shot at Johnson’s Hometown Pharmacy on East Main Street in downtown Buford.
The production filmed there one evening in late July 2013, even wrapping after dark as fans waited outside to catch a glimpse of Sandler. Modern fans can still find this old-fashioned pharmacy on Main Street, Buford, a real small-town drugstore that now has a fun Hollywood connection.
At the end of pharmacy scene at the cashier, there’s a ’10-second Tom’ as a buyer, a nod to 50 First Dates.
South Africa – Sun City Resort & Safari Scenes
Once the narrative moves to Africa, Blended treats viewers to the lush landscapes of Sun City, a luxury resort adjacent to wilderness, and indeed, the cast and crew filmed on location there. Sun City Resort, in South Africa’s North West Province, served as the fictional “African familymoon” destination where the two families end up vacationing together.
Principal photography took place on the grounds of Sun City’s Palace of the Lost City hotel and the surrounding resort, with additional shooting in nearby wildlife parks. The result is an authentic backdrop complete with real exotic locales.
Location Details
Many of the resort interiors and exteriors in Blended were filmed at Sun City’s flagship hotel, The Palace of the Lost City, a lavish five-star venue about 2.5 hours northwest of Johannesburg.
The hotel’s extravagant architecture (fantasy Afro-palatial style with domes, towers, and jungle-themed decor) is unmistakable on screen. In fact, the filmmakers used the Palace’s grand lobby, restaurants, pool terrace, and gardens as settings
The elegant Crystal Court restaurant at the Palace was used for several group meal scenes in the film. It’s in these dining sequences that we see over-the-top resort entertainment.
For example, Blended features recurring musical interludes by a spirited choir led by Terry Crews. Those segments were actually performed and filmed right in the Crystal Court dining hall, with Crews and performers singing among the tables.
The Palace hotel’s opulent lobby and foyer (with its 25-meter-high painted dome and marble floors) served as the backdrop for characters’ arrivals and check-in. When Jim and Lauren first arrive with their kids, you can spot the lobby’s lavish African wildlife murals and the famous bronze sculpture “Cheetah Hunt” at the entrance.
Sun City’s Valley of Waves water park (an outdoor pool beach) was repurposed for one of Blended’s funniest set-pieces: a nighttime “disco” party scene. The production turned the Valley of Waves’ beach area into an open-air disco where the families and resort staff dance and bond.
According to a Sun City FAQ, “Yes, that is the hotel where Blended was filmed. The disco was filmed at the Valley of Waves.” By day, this water park is open to all hotel guests, fans can lounge on the sand or swim in the wave pool where the movie’s characters partied.
Pilanesberg Game Reserve
Adjacent to Sun City is the Pilanesberg National Park, a spectacular wildlife reserve set in an ancient volcanic crater. Blended took advantage of this setting for its safari scenes. Throughout the film’s Africa portion, we see the characters encountering elephants, rhinos, giraffes, and other animals – much of this was filmed on location in Pilanesberg.
The park’s panoramic vistas and herds of wild animals provided an authentic backdrop that “puts beautiful Pilanesberg on the big screen”. One memorable comedic sequence involves the families on a safari ride when they witness ostriches, including an over-the-top gag of an ostrich ride.
This ostrich-riding scene was indeed shot in Pilanesberg/Sun City territory (the exact spot can be visited, according to Sun City guides), although of course ostrich riding is not actually offered at the resort in real life.
Another action scene shows Drew Barrymore’s character parasailing behind a truck across the savannah and nearly colliding with a rhinoceros. That stunt was filmed on an old airstrip near Sun City – the crew used a disused runway to tow her with a 4×4, allowing for a safe (if ridiculous) parasailing shot.
For fans, Pilanesberg National Park is open to visitors via self-drive or guided safari tours – you can traverse the same dirt roads the characters did (hopefully with fewer animal antics). The park even features lookout points and hides where some film moments occurred
Location Details
Pilanesberg National Park is home to over 7,000 species, as well as the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo), along with cheetahs, hippos, and so on. There’s no need to stay at Sun City to have a safari here, the park has its own lodges and is only 2 hours from Johannesburg.
Kruger National Park (establishing shots)
The film “also features Kruger National Park”, another of South Africa’s famed game reserves, though this was mainly through a few establishing wildlife shots or B-roll. There’s indication that parts of the production were shot in Kruger as well, possibly to capture iconic African wildlife scenery that Pilanesberg might not provide (Kruger is far larger and known for big herds).
For example, a sweeping vista of a safari sunset or certain animal close-ups may have been filmed in Kruger. It’s a full day’s drive from Sun City but offers a different safari experience with vast landscapes.
Visiting Blended Filming Locations Today
One of the joys of Blended for fans is that almost all the locations are real places you can visit:
- Buford, GA: Take a walk down Main Street Buford to see the historic shop fronts. Johnson’s Hometown Pharmacy (producers used the real interior) still operates at its old address.
- A short drive away is the Mall of Georgia in Buford; while there, you can pop into Dick’s Sporting Goods and picture the overnight film crew rearranging the store for Sandler’s scenes.
- Lawrenceville, GA: The Hooters restaurant on Duluth Highway is open daily – a meal there doubles as a movie location tour. The staff are aware of their brush with Hollywood; you might even sit where Jim and Lauren’s disastrous blind date began.
- Lake Lanier/Flowery Branch, GA: The Four Seasons on Lanier neighborhood sports field is accessible as the Four Seasons park. If you attend a local little league game or casually visit, you’ll be standing on the same field where Blended’s climactic reunion occurs. It’s a humble community ballpark.
- Sun City, South Africa: The resort proudly embraces its Hollywood connection. Sun City’s Palace of the Lost City hotel welcomes visitors to stay or tour. You can dine in the Crystal Court (maybe request the table where the “Blended Familymoon” dinner was filmed), or sip a drink in the lobby where Barrymore and Sandler walked. The Valley of Waves is open to all hotel guests; by day it’s a water park, but you can re-imagine it at night as the dance floor from the movie’s “Africa disco” scene. The resort grounds also feature the “Cheetah Hunt” statue and other landmarks visible in the movie making it a thrill for fans to discover these in person.
- Sun City even offers safari excursions into Pilanesberg Game Reserve next door, a chance to relive the safari moments from the film. Knowledgeable guides can show you the old airstrip used in the parasailing scene or the general area where that ostrich race happened (no ostriches for hire, unfortunately).
- And, of course, if you go to South Africa for the first time, you will highly likely be after the Big 5, and the best place is Kruger National Park
