Two weekends ago, thanks to Mike from MovieShotsLA, I was able to stalk a location that I have long been on the lookout for – the storefront that was used as the second Peach Pit on the original Beverly Hills, 90210 series. Yes, I did say the “second” Peach Pit. As most fans of the series know, for some odd reason, three different locations were used to represent Brandon, Brenda and the gang’s favorite afterschool hangout throughout the show’s ten year run. And while Mike and I had found the other two Peach Pit locations a while back, the “second” one proved to be quite elusive. Until a few weeks ago, that is, when Mike randomly walked by it while doing some stalking in the Venice area and recognized it immediately!
Truth be told, what Mike actually recognized was not the Peach Pit storefront itself, but the alleyway located right next door which currently houses a nursery. During our search for this location, Mike and I had spent hours studying screen captures of the Peach Pit and could not for the life of us figure out what was located directly next door to it. It appeared to be some sort of empty lot or alleyway enclosed by a detailed wrought iron gate. So, when Mike saw that gate in person, he immediately recognized it! It is very surprising to me that producers chose to use this location for the Peach Pit, because, as far as I know, it is the only Venice location every used on the series.
I am very happy to report that the Peach Pit still looks exactly the same today as it did when Beverly Hills, 90210 was filmed there back in 1990. And, ironically enough, while the storefront where the Peach Pit supposedly existed is currently vacant, it looks as if a diner style restaurant is in the process of moving in there. 🙂 How apropos!
This particular location was only used as the Peach Pit during the show’s first season, beginning with the episode entitled “Higher Education”. The last episode it was featured on was the Season One finale entitled “Home Again”.
When Nat decided to remodel his restaurant in the Season Two episode entitled “”Pass, Not Pass” (pictured above), the producers moved to an entirely new location to film the Peach Pit’s exteriors. The reasoning behind the location change has remained a 90210 mystery, but my best guess is that either a new owner moved into the Venice storefront and wasn’t cool with the filming, or, even more likely, the producers decided that the Venice location was just too far out of the way to go for filming and decided to relocate the Pit to Pasadena, just a few miles from the Walsh House.
I cannot recommend stalking the “second” Peach Pit enough!!!!! It is absolutely unbelievable to me that, almost two decades later, it still looks exactly the same as it did during the 90210 days. For all of you 90210 fans out there, this location will definitely bring back some memories! 🙂
Until next time, Happy Stalking! 🙂
Stalk It: The “second” Peach Pit can be found in the Venice Place Building which is located at 1027 Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice. The first Peach Pit is located at 10801 West Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles and the third, final, and most recognizable Peach Pit is located at 45 South Fair Oaks Avenue in Pasadena.
The building in your last photos — Venice Place — was also home to “Hutch” in the iconic 70s cop show “Starsky & Hutch”. His apartment was upstairs and to the left (below the word “Venice”), and what served as “The Peach Pit” in 90210 was, at the time, a restaurant named “Chez Helene”.
I remember the building too from Starsky and Hutch. I’m glad it’s still there. I’d wouldn’t mind “stalking” Hutch’s house. I had such a crush on him when I was a kid! LOL
Great work on this. However, I’m confused about one of your comments. You indicated that the reason this Peach Pit wasn’t used after Season One was likely b/c the new owner wasn’t cool with the filming. Aren’t these exterior shots filmed only one time and recycled over and over on the series?
Hi Jon,
Usually new exterior shots are taken each year during a series run because producers want to be able to utilize different looks instead of re-using the same shots over and over. 🙂
Happy Stalking :),
Lindsay
On the episode where the real estate developer wants to put a mall over the PP and surrounding area Brandon says it’s located on the corner of Olympic Blvd. and Larabee. Do those streets even intersect??
Hi,
No, I don’t believe they do! 🙂 That’s Hollywood for you!
Happy Stalking :),
Lindsay
Part of the reason may have been changes in producers/directors.Some want a different look.Or in this case may be what was avalible to film on the days they needed.When I worked on American Dreams we used three different schools for East Catholic High,but they all had the same look and style(brick and very old).Location people always have a list of location “back ups” in case something happens at one place they can try another.If the other business object to filming,it cannot be used.
Have you found the parking lot & door that was used when filming the Peach Pit After Dark scenes?
that was filmed at the Van nuys studios, the back of the parking lot was used as the exterior parking lot scene . The silver door used to be visible from the steert but they have since used that studio for various tv shows and movies. Lindsay has blogged about it, just go to search.