CHiPs Turns 40: A Guide to the Series’ Most Notable (and Easy to Find) Locations
September 15, 2017 is the 40th anniversary of CHiPs making its network television debut on NBC.
Over the course of six seasons and 139 episodes, California Highway Patrol motorcycle officers Francis Llewelyn Poncherello and Jonathan Andrew Baker (better known as Ponch and Jon) took audiences for a weekly thrill ride across Los Angeles. The average episode was loaded with car chases, massive freeway pileups, new romantic interests, special guest stars, introductions to the latest trends, and last, but certainly not least, a crime that could be solved in 60 minutes or less. In those those agonizing days between new episodes, America’s last generation of unsupervised kids would hop on their Big Wheels and make their own adventures in neighborhoods across the country.
For as much as CHiPs set the template for the buddy cop genre (Ponch and Jon were the ultimate hang glider and jet ski sharing bromance decades before the word came into existence), it also remains an outlier. CHiPs was a cop show in which the two lead cops NEVER drew their service weapons during the duration of the series. As true fans know, guns were only pulled three times, all by officer Barry Baricza and only when he was in grave danger, like the time special guest star Danny Bonaduce slapped him silly with nunchucks during a streetfight.
Along with steering away from guns, Ponch and Jon rarely used their fists. They never roughed up a perp no matter how big of an accident was caused and they often took young, aspiring criminals under their wing and try to set them straight. For an inexplicable reason, their beat as Highway Patrol officers often included local neighborhoods, giving them plenty of opportunities to interact with kids. To this day, Ponch and Jon remain textbook examples of the role models police officers should be for their communities.
Looking back at CHiPs 40 years later, the show is a perfectly preserved time capsule. From the very first drum kick of the frenetic disco funk theme song, the viewer is instantly transported back in time to the California dream of the late 70s and early 80s.
Next week, CHiPs fans from around the world will be gathering in Los Angeles to celebrate its 40th anniversary. What follows is a guide intended for those attending the convention from out of town but feel free to use it anytime if you’re a CHiPs fan. Directions to each location are linked in their title and each one is very easy to find around LA.
CENTRAL LOS ANGELES
CHP Central
The mothership of the CHiPs universe. The original building was replaced over a decade ago but the CHiPs magic still hangs in the air. Encircled by an on-ramp at the intersection of the 10 and 110 freeways, the station can be a little be a little tricky to find (GPS is your best friend) and there aren’t many attractions nearby but how often do you get a chance to visit THE station from CHiPs?
MacArthur Park “Bright Flashes” Season 5.
Jon Baker rode a horse through the south side of the park while in hot pursuit of some bad guys who were trying to blind him with a powerful laser they were using to commit a string of robberies. The only unbelieveable part about this scene is that the producers of CHiPs didn’t use Waylon Jennings’ version of MacArthur Park. Someone left a golden opportunity out in the rain.
Echo Park Lake “Go-Cart” Terror Season 4
A woman is driving a van and minding her own business. It’s a nice pleasant day… until a kid on a Go-Cart comes out of nowhere and cuts her off. She takes evasive action to avoid a collision but loses control of her van and it launches into the lake. Good thing Ponch is there to save the day. He risks his own life and dives in after her to make a very dramatic rescue.
Sunset Blvd Bridge over Silver Lake Blvd “Repo Man” Season 2
Jon Baker timed a perfect jump off this bridge and landed on passing school bus full of children who were in danger after their driver lost consciousness. Baker described this event in his logbook as “Just another boring Tuesday.”
NORTHEAST LOS ANGELES
Griffith Park “The Grudge” Season 2
Ponch and Jon chase some vengeful stoner frat guys into the Travel Town railroad museum in the northern end of Griffith Park. In 2017, Travel Town still doesn’t charge admission so feel free to run right in.
The tunnel connecting Vermont Canyon Road to Western Canyon Road was featured in the opening scene when the frat guys were too stoned to notice it was closed and crashed their RV. The iconic Griffith Observatory is above this tunnel and offers a great view of LA and the Hollywood Sign so be sure to visit while you’re there.
*Griffith Park was featured in many CHiPs episodes but most of the roads that were used for filming are closed to automobile traffic.
The 2, 134, 210 Freeways — Many Episodes
Head out on the 2 North to the 134 East to the 210 West and you’ll feel like you’re riding alongside Ponch and Jon. The stretch of the 2 between the 5 and 134 was a frequent location as it was still under construction during early seasons, which explains why there was an LA freeway with virtually no traffic.
In later seasons, the 118 became a frequent shooting location but that’s way out in the middle of nowhere.
BEVERLY HILLS
Carney’s “Name Your Price” Season 1
Technically Carney’s is Beverly Hills adjacent, located on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. Ponch and John stopped at this rail car turned diner for a lunch of burgers and fries, which are still as good as they were back then.
The Beverly Hills Hotel “Roller Disco Part 1” Season 2
Ponch unknowingly meets Ed McMahon outside the entrance to this landmark hotel while he’s cruising Beverly Hills in search of stars to participate in the CHP’s Roller Disco Benefit. You know, the usual stuff a CHP officer would do in 1977.
Franklin Canyon Park “Vagabonds” Season 5
A family of hillbilly grifters led by special guest star and Academy Award nominee Ed Harris sets up camp in this picturesque mountain park. Meanwhile, the CHP battles other agencies in a futuristic bicycle race around the reservoir on the other side of the park. This reservoir also doubled as Mayberry and was Andy and Opie’s fishin’ hole in the opening credits of the Andy Griffith Show. Scenes from Rambo: First Blood Part II and Platoon were also filmed in the park along with dozens of other movies and TV shows.
*If you drive through, make sure you come to a complete stop at all the stop signs as cameras are in use.
WEST LA/SANTA MONICA
San Vicente Blvd “Neighborhood Watch” Season 2
Ponch and Jon deal with some pesky but well meaning skateboard kids and hunt for a drunk driver on the main drag of LA’s Brentwood Neighborhood. Follow San Vicente to the Pacific Ocean or stop at Whole Foods and hunt for celebrities in the kale aisle.
Santa Monica Pier — Many Episodes
Take a stroll on Santa Monica’s iconic attraction, ride the Ferris Wheel, or reminisce about the time when juvenile delinquent skitched a ride up the hill to Ocean Ave and magically ended up flying down the 2 Freeway in the very next scene.
Venice Boardwalk — Many Episodes
Located two miles south of the Santa Monica Pier, the Venice Boardwalk is that rare combination of tourist trap and freak show. In other words, it pretty much defines Los Angeles. Stop at the Sidewalk Cafe for lunch but be sure to hang onto your wallet just in case special guest star and NFL legend Jim Brown is lurking on his roller skates.
Ponch’s Apartment — Many Episodes
Whoever lives here better appreciate the fact that they live in the former home of a legend. And yes, that’s Caitlyn Jenner on the far left.
Jon’s Apartment — Many Episodes
Officer Baker’s pad is a little off the beaten path but could be worth side trip to see if his Mini Cooper is still in the parking garage.
MALIBU
Pacific Coast Highway — Many Episodes
Cruise north from Santa Monica on PCH and soak up the sun and the CHiPs history.
LONG BEACH
The Queen Mary — “Meet the New Guy” Season 5
Ponch and his new partner Bobby Nelson pull over Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, who claims to be running late to the World Series. The weirdest part of their interaction isn’t the fact that Tommy is driving to the ballpark in full uniform. It’s that The Queen Mary is 25 miles away from Dodger Stadium in the wrong direction.
What’s your favorite CHiPs location?
