RIVERSIDE COUNTY

Riverside County offers filmmakers an incredible mix of locations, from historic landmarks like the Mission Inn and downtown Riverside to dramatic desert landscapes, mountain ranges, and resort cities such as Palm Springs.

Riverside County has long been a favorite backdrop for filmmakers, offering everything from historic landmarks to desert landscapes. The Mission Inn appeared as early as 1919 in Boots. Later, productions like Joan Crawford’s Strait-Jacket (1964) and Ford v Ferrari (2019) filmed in downtown Riverside and at the former Riverside International Raceway. The county’s unique settings, including Palm Springs and the Salton Sea, have also been used in projects like Mission: Impossible and The Salton Sea. Today, the Riverside County Film Commission and Inland Empire Film Services continue to support modern productions.

Riverside County Film Locations Guide

RIVERSIDE

The city offers a range of backdrops, from historic buildings and Mission Revival styles to agricultural settings like orange groves and desert landscapes.

PALM SPRINGS

Mid-century modern architecture, desert landscapes, upscale resort vibes. Ideal for luxury shoots, fashion, music videos, or retro settings.

ONTARIO

Ontario, California is a desirable location for filming a variety of productions, thanks to its diverse locations, established infrastructure, and proximity to the entertainment industry hub of Los Angeles.

TEMECULA

Temecula offers scenic backdrops like vineyards, ranches, and historic Old Town, making it a popular choice for productions.

MORENO VALLEY

The Moreno Valley Film Office helps you find the perfect location for your needs, with urban, country and scenic backdrops.

Film Permits In Riverside County

Inland Empire Film Services (IEFS) manages film permits for Riverside County, providing a streamlined one-stop process for film productions. Permits are mandatory for all filming activities, and many county-owned locations do not charge fees for shoots lasting less than ten days, provided the necessary insurance is in place. IEFS also offers assistance with traffic control, public notifications, and special effects approvals, making Riverside County a film-friendly destination. We recommended contacting IEFS before scouting this region to get the latest information on film permitting in Riverside County.

Incentives, Subsidies & Discounts

♦Hemet

The City of Hemet has adopted a program of no fee film permits as an inducement for film production in the City. As an added incentive, there is no charge to film on City property or at / in City-owned buildings once approved by the City.

Film Permits

♦Riverside County

Riverside County has waived all of their film permit fees in the unincorporated county and are offering free use of County owned properties for projects lasting 10 days or less. Visit the Riverside County Film Commission for more information.

Riverside County Film Commission

♦San Jacinto

The City of San Jacinto has adopted a program of no fee film permits as an inducement for film production in the City.

Film Permits

♦State Of California

The State of California offers Free film permits for all California State properties. No location fees for filming on state-owned land (e.g., freeways, roads, beaches, parks, buildings, and facilities). Monitor reimbursement is typically required, even though permits and locations are free.
The California Film Commission (CFC) oversees the process and provides centralized support for all State Properties.
The (CFC) works in coordination with over 55 regional film offices across the state to ensure smooth and efficient filming logistics.
The Film Liaisons in California Statewide (FLICS) is a professional association made up of these film commissions and offices, all dedicated to promoting filming throughout California. FLICS members offer free assistance to productions, providing support with locations, permits, local resources, and regional expertise to help filmmakers navigate the process and successfully shoot across the state.
The State of California provides a film and television Tax Credit Program with a current annual allocation of $750 million. This program offers tax credits to offset qualified production expenses, encouraging film and television productions to shoot in California. The credits can be applied towards any tax liabilities within the state.

Visit the California Film Commission for more information.

♦Temecula

The City of Temecula has adopted a program of no fee film permits as an inducement for film production in the City.

Film Permits

Film Permit Jurisdictions

Caltrans Highways & Freeways (4)

Basic App Fee: $0
*Caltrans does charge a review fee, as well as an inspection fee for complex requests.
(4) business days prior to start.
(12) for requests involving freeway ramps and lane closures.
(16) for requests involving freeway closures.
CFC Film Permit Office

Cal State Buildings & Facilities (4)

Basic App Fee: $0
*Buildings, and Facilities charge cost-recovery fees in order to accommodate filming.
(4) business days prior to start of prep or shoot.
*Certain activities and locations require a much longer lead time and coordination with additional state departments.
Contact the building or facility before applying.
CFC Film Permit Office

US Army Corps of Engineers (30)

Basic App Fee: Non-refundable deposit fee of ($750)

In general, filming is not permitted on Corps-owned property during the rainy season of October 15-April 15, due to safety concerns.
All permit applications must be submitted at least thirty (30) days prior to the requested film date(s).

Real Estate Division
Los Angeles District, USACE
915 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90017
Primary Contact: Lisa Sandoval (213) 452-3147
Secondary Contact: Lynette Ulloa (213) 452-3145

San Bernardino National Forest

The San Bernardino National Forest is a popular destination for commercial filming and still photography. As with other commercial uses of National Forest lands, a Special Use Permit is required, issued by the District Ranger or Forest Supervisor. Before approval, the Forest Service reviews each application to assess environmental impacts and ensure compliance with land-use regulations. Permits may be denied if proposed activities conflict with prohibited practices on National Forest lands.

SB Nation Forest Permits

California State Parks

California’s State Parks have played a starring role in film history, offering filmmakers an incredible range of natural backdrops. With mild year-round climates, hundreds of miles of coastline, and some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, these parks provide unmatched versatility for productions of all kinds. From towering redwoods and rugged mountains to rolling meadows, desert vistas, and sandy beaches, the diversity of trees, plants, and landscapes allows California’s parks to convincingly “stand in” for locations across the globe.

California State Parks

Cal State Park Film Permits

Bureau of Land Management (15-30)

Processing and Monitoring Fees: BLM Filming Fees

America’s public lands have long been popular with the motion picture industry, and many major motion pictures, television shows and commercials have been filmed on BLM-managed lands.

Unique within the BLM, the California Desert District was created to protect the natural, historic, recreational and economic riches of the diverse and scenic California Desert. Designated as the California Desert Conservation Area by the U.S. Congress, the California Desert District is responsible for protecting and preserving nearly 11 million of its 25 million acres.

Contact Inland Empire Film Services (IEFS), to process BLM permits for all California Desert District Offices.

Inland Empire Film Services

California Desert District BLM Offices