Netflix’s Ratched, developed by Ryan Murphy, serves not only as a psychological prequel to One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, but also as a masterclass in stylized production and rich location design. The show’s haunting mood, lush period visuals, and surreal elegance are grounded in real-world locations across California—and even Europe. Here’s an expanded, verified guide to the iconic places where Ratched was filmed.
Sealight Inn — Lucia Lodge, Big Sur, California
The cliffside motel where Nurse Ratched takes residence—the Sealight Inn—is not a set, but a real location: Lucia Lodge in Big Sur. Built in the 1930s, this rustic retreat sits 300 feet above the Pacific Ocean on the edge of the coast. Still family-owned and operated, it’s one of California’s most scenic lodging experiences. Its windswept cliffs and vintage cabins provided the ideal setting to reflect Mildred’s isolation and the show’s eerie serenity.
Lucia Lodge, nestled in the tiny hamlet of Lucia, California along the southern stretch of Big Sur, is a historic resort developed in the 1930s by the pioneering Harlan family. It stands perched about 300 feet above the Pacific Ocean along scenic Highway 1, offering dramatic, uninterrupted views of the rugged coastline.
The lodge originally included a general store and restaurant, both of which were tragically lost to a devastating fire in August 2021. Luckily, the cabins themselves, which sit approximately 100 yards north of the burned structures, remained untouched and continue to operate.
Lucia State Hospital — King Gillette Ranch & Fox Studios
The fictional psychiatric institution, Lucia State Hospital, was created using a blend of real and constructed locations.
Exterior scenes were filmed at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas, a preserved historic estate at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains. The Mediterranean Revival architecture gave the hospital a glamorous, otherworldly feel.
- Built in 1928 for razor magnate King Camp Gillette, designed by famed architect Wallace Neff.
- Features Spanish Colonial Revival style: white stucco walls, red tile roofs, archways, a grand courtyard, and a reflective pond.
- Originally a private estate, later owned by Clarence Brown (MGM director), Bob Hope, and religious groups.
- Became public in 2007 as part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
- Today, it’s a 588-acre park with trails, gardens, and a visitor center.
Interiors were shot on elaborate sets at 20th Century Fox Studios, inspired by the Arrowhead Springs Hotel in San Bernardino. This historic hotel, once frequented by celebrities, influenced the hospital’s Art Deco opulence. The aim was to design a space that resembled a luxury spa or hotel more than a sterile asylum—creating cognitive dissonance for viewers.
Big Sur & Monterey County
Ratched frequently returns to the coastal beauty of California’s central coast. Several Monterey County locations were used to capture the show’s quiet tension and scenic grandeur:
- Toro Place Café, Salinas – featured as a roadside gas station.
- Cannery Row & Fish Hopper, Monterey – used as the setting for the oyster bar scenes.
- Bixby Creek Bridge, Big Sur – featured in several dramatic driving shots showcasing the rugged coastline.
- These locations added visual weight to the show’s themes of isolation, mystery, and journey.
Lenore Osgood’s Mansion — Tony Duquette’s Dawnridge, Beverly Hills
Sharon Stone’s character lives in flamboyant luxury—and the location delivers. The mansion scenes were filmed at Dawnridge, the estate of famed designer Tony Duquette in Beverly Hills. With its surreal decor and maximalist interiors, it perfectly encapsulates the visual richness of Ratched.
Southern California Interiors & Landmarks
Malibu, West Hills & Los Angeles
- Adamson House, Malibu – served as the exterior for the Mexican hotel where Ratched and Gwendolyn later live.
- Malibu Wines & Beer Garden, West Hills – formerly the private residence of actor Francis Lederer, used for interior hotel scenes.
Bars & Public Spaces
- Cole’s French Dip – setting for Governor Wilburn and Hanover’s bar conversation.
- Tony’s Saloon – used in Amelia’s storyline.
- Dutch Chocolate Shop, Downtown LA – transformed into a subterranean wine-cellar prison.
- Guido’s Restaurant, West LA – location of a key dinner scene.
Religious & Institutional Settings
- St. Vincent de Paul Church, LA – appeared as St. John of the Cross Church.
- Mount Saint Mary’s University, LA – used for a violin confrontation scene.
- Velaslavasay Panorama’s Union Theatre, LA – exterior used as the marionette theatre.
The European Opening: Slovenia & Croatia
Unusually, the show’s opening title sequence was shot far from California—in Rogaška Slatina, Slovenia (at the Grand Hotel Rogaška) and the coastal town of Kamenjak, Croatia. These locations give the title sequence an old-world, romantic European flair that immediately sets the tone.
Summary Table of Key Locations
| Scene | Real Filming Location |
|---|---|
| Sealight Inn (exterior) | Lucia Lodge, Big Sur, CA |
| Lucia State Hospital (exterior) | King Gillette Ranch, Calabasas, CA |
| Lucia Hospital (interior) | 20th Century Fox Studios, LA (based on Arrowhead Springs) |
| Hotel scenes in Mexico | Adamson House & Malibu Wines, CA |
| Mansion (Lenore Osgood) | Dawnridge Estate, Beverly Hills |
| Prison cellar | Dutch Chocolate Shop, Los Angeles |
| Church | St. Vincent de Paul, Los Angeles |
| College scene | Mount Saint Mary’s, Chalon Campus |
| Opening titles | Grand Hotel Rogaška, Slovenia; Kamenjak, Croatia |
Final Thoughts
Ratched merges high-concept visual storytelling with the physical textures of California’s most opulent, surreal, and isolated locations. Its filming choices—many of which are real and visitable—create a layered psychological geography that amplifies every eerie lullaby, every unspoken motive, and every bloody twist.
From Big Sur’s windswept cliffs to Beverly Hills’ extravagant interiors, Ratched is a masterclass in turning location into story.
