48 HRS Locations

Locations Manager(s): Mary F. Galloway

48 HRS Filming Locations:

Most of the movie was shot in the SF area of Northern California.

The scene where Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte follow an informant into a subway station was filmed at the Church Street Station Muni subway stop in San Francisco. In the film, the station is constantly bustling with commuters, when in reality, it's one of the railway's least busy stops. It would be very difficult for anyone to "hide" in the crowd at this station, like Murphy and Nolte did. [Thanks to Patrick Fogerty]

The Railroad tracks crossing at Warnerville (SE of Oakdale) in Central Valley were used for the opening scenes.

I believe the bar "Torchy's", is the same bar used in a scene for "When A Stranger Calls"- at least the external shot. [Thanks to Chris Sweet]

The bar "Torchy's" is located at 218 and a half W. Fifth Street in Downtown Los Angeles CA 90012. The bar closed some time ago, but the original paneling behind the classic blinking "Torchy's" light still remains, and it now houses some new-age fashion store, and previously housed an electrical supplies store. [Thanks to Brian Doyle]

I recognize the external location of "Torchy's" when they're in San Francisco's Mission District as Bruno's, at 2376 Mission Street, a venerable institution that's sadly been closed since COVID [Thanks to David Campbell]

Torchy's was also a location in Brewsters Millions staring Richard Pryor and John Candy. Ironically the waitress that calls the cops when fight breaks out at Torchy's (Margot Rose) is also in both movies. [Thanks to TJ McElaney]

The gas station where Cates & Hammond clean up after their fight is an old Classic Texaco station in Hollywood, on Highland a block or 2 south of Santa Monica Blvd.

When Cates leaves the police station to meet Reggie at VROMAN'S, the Cadillac pulls out of the service alley/ ramp behind the Biltmore Hotel in downtown LA ( 5th & Grand ).That alley, as well as the hotel entrance has been used in countless films & TV shows (Buckaroo Banzai, Ghostbusters, Dave, The West Wing).

When Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte are leaving the police station and getting into Eddies car that is the hall of justice in downtown LA [Thanks to David McKee]

Also, San Francisco City Buses are electric, running off an overhead wire grid. There are a few shots of these in the movie, but in the bus chase/ shoot out they're magically gone. [Thanks to Matt Ullman] An anonymous contributor added: There are diesel busses in San Francisco, as well as electric busses with overhead wires powering the bus. They also have trolleys which run on tracks, and cable cars in the hills like California street...

Little City Market where Nick Nolte goes down the hill in his SkyBlue Caddy after leaving Elaine is located at Stockton & Vallejo Streets. [Thanks to Anonymous]

Luther gets his head pounded into car door by Cates on Woodward! You can See TheArmory building prominently in the Background. [Thanks to Anonymous]

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