Hillside with trees and fog

Twin Peaks Location – Gazebo at Easter Park

The gazebo at Easter Park in Twin Peaks serves as the backdrop for several key scenes in seasons 1 and 2 in Twin Peaks. According to the “Twin Peaks Access Guide to the Town,” the gazebo is located in Upper Twin Park at the corner of Falls Avenue and Cedar Street, which is nowhere near a lake as seen in the series. In reality, the gazebo was located on the shore of Malibou Lake at Malibou Lake Mountain Club, in Agoura Hills, California.

WHERE IS THE GAZEBO AT EASTER PARK LOCATED?

Twin Peaks Film Location - Gazebo at Easter Park
Google Maps

The area circled in red at the corner of Lake Vista Drive and Lake Shore Drive was home to the gazebo. The approximate coordinates for this location are 34°06’33.1″N 118°45’14.7″W.

Twin Peaks Film Location - Gazebo at Easter Park
Google Earth

Another look at the spot (courtesy of Google Earth) shows where the gazebo was located by Malibou Lake. The area is considered private property, so I couldn’t get close enough to the location when I first visited in August 2008.

The surrounding area was also used for several scenes in Twin Peaks including the exterior of the Johnson House, One-Eyed Jacks, Timber Falls Motel, the Log Lady’s cabin and more.

WOOSLEY FIRE DESTROYED THE GAZEBO AT EASTER PARK

Gazebo on fire at a park
A structure burning Nov. 9 in Malibu, Calif. Many in the Los Angeles-area wedding community are banding together to help couples affected by the fires. Credit: Ringo H.W. Chiu/Associated Press

Unfortunately, the gazebo was destroyed during the devastating Woosley Fire in Southern California in November 2018. The above image comes from a New York Times article about how the fire impacted this popular California wedding destination. See this article from CBS News that shares ways you can assist those affected by this terrible fire.

Former spot of the gazebo at Malibou Lake Mountain Club
September 19, 2020

I returned to this spot on September 19, 2020, nearly two years after the fire. Any remnants of the gazebo are now long gone.

Google Street view of Malibou Lake Mountain Club
Google Maps, January 2023

Google Street has an updated view from January 2023 and it doesn’t look like the gazebo is being rebuilt. When I win the lottery, I plan on making a screen accurate gazebo and giving it to the community in honor of Twin Peaks fans.

As a follow up to the Setting The Stage article about the gazebo, let’s a take a closer look at the five episodes that used this spot as a film location.

GAZEBO AT EASTER PARK IN EPISODE 1.005

Twin Peaks Film Location - Gazebo at Easter Lake
Google Maps

The gazebo’s first appearance is in Episode 1.005 when James Hurley and Donna Hayward meet. He shares his family’s history with Donna as he doesn’t want to keep secrets from her.

Donna Hayward walking Gazebo at Easter Lake
Episode 1.005
Donna Hayward walking toward the gazebo at Easter Lake
Episode 1.005

The scene opens with Donna crossing the lawn before entering the gazebo and hugging James.

Donna Hayward entering the Gazebo at Easter Lake
Episode 1.005

The episode aired on May 10, 1990,  but I love the gorgeous golds, reds and oranges of the landscape which makes it feel more like fall.

Twin Peaks Film Location - Gazebo at Easter Lake
Bing Maps

Bing Maps has a nice look at the area from February 2015. Donna crossed from the right side of the image moving toward the gazebo.

Donna and James at the Gazebo
Episode 1.005

During their conversation, you can see the faint outline of the small island located in Mailbou Lake.

Google Maps
Google Maps

The same island can be seen in this image from Google Maps.

Malibou Lake Mountain Club on September 19, 2020
September 19, 2020

A similar view of the spot in September 2020.

Twin Peaks Film Location - Gazebo at Easter Park
Bing Maps

James eventually crosses to the opposite side of the gazebo, looking out toward Easter Lake (a.k.a. Malibou Lake). There are reverse shots of James and Donna speaking which shows the embankment behind the gazebo. I believe an out-of-focus image of the tree on the far left side of the image can be seen in the series.

Lake with trees and docks
Episode 1.005

The scene ends with James and Donna looking at Black Lake. It’s an impossible view from where the gazebo is located.

Malibou Lake
Google Maps

More than likely the establishing shot was captured from the boat dock nearby. I found a similar, albeit slightly higher, image from the bridge along Lake Vista Drive.

GAZEBO AT EASTER PARK IN EPISODE 1.006

Twin Peaks Film Location - Gazebo at Easter Park
Google Maps

We return to the gazebo at nighttime in Episodes 1.006 and 1.007. This scene includes Maddy Ferguson making a phone call to Dr. Lawrence Jacoby while dressed as Laura Palmer. Donna and James attempt to lure Jacoby away from his office so they look for clues about Laura’s murder.

James Hurley waiting by the Gazebo at Easter Park as a car pulls up
Episode 1.006
Maddy Ferguson dresses as Laura Palmer by a car with headlamps on
Episode 1.006

The scene opens with James Hurley patiently waiting by the gazebo as Donna and Maddy arrive in a 1984 Chevy Cavalier Wagon.

Donna Hayward's Car at Big Ed's Gas Farm
Pilot

The car was probably supposed to be similar to the 1978 Ford Fairmont Wagon that Donna drove in the Pilot Episode. But I digress…

Malibou Lake Mountain Club
Google Maps

Here’s a look at the area from Lake Vista Drive. Donna and Maddy arrive by driving along Lake Shore Drive which is private property.

James Placing a Phone Call
Episode 1.006
James, Maddy and Donna by a payphone
Episode 1.006

Maddy places her phone call to Dr. Jacoby at a payphone near a dock by the gazebo.

Malibou Lake Mountain Club
September 19, 2020

The payphone was a prop. I mean why would a payphone be randomly placed by the dock on private property?

The phone is later missing in Episodes 2.019 and 2.020 when Cooper and team discover Windom Earle’s giant pawn. This prop is similar to Twin Peaks – Part 5 on Showtime where Jade drops the Great Northern Hotel key in a prop mailbox .

Bobby Briggs Hiding in the Bushes
Episode 1.006
Bobby Briggs watches Maddy
Episode 1.006

Bobby Briggs, who is watching the action unfold, is unknowingly being watched by a masked man.

Malibou Lake Mountain Club
Bing Maps

The scene appears to be shot from an area just below Lake Vista Drive.

Grass area by a lake
September 19, 2020

There could have been more shrubbery and trees in the area during the early 1990s. Sadly, I haven’t found photo reference to confirm.

James and Donna Leaving the Gazebo
Episode 1.006

James and Donna drive away on Lake Shore Drive leaving Maddy behind. I’m still confused why they all didn’t just leave using Donna’s car.

Malibou Lake Mountain Club
Google Maps

Here’s a look at Lake Shore Drive from Lake Vista Drive. Notice the Malibou Lake Mountain Club (MLMC) gate on the far left side of the image. It also appears landscaping was added to the location since the episode aired.

Gazebo at Easter Park
Episode 1.006

The episode ends with the camera following Maddy as she circles the gazebo.

Twin Peaks Film Location - Gazebo at Easter Park
Bing Maps

I believe the trees that are seen in the foreground of this Bing Maps image are the same ones from the episode.

GAZEBO AT EASTER PARK IN EPISODE 1.007

Maddy Ferguson dressed as Laura Palmer by Gazebo at Easter Park
Episode 1.007

In Episode 1.007, we return to the gazebo as Dr. Jacoby has figured out the spot where the video was shot. As he approaches the gazebo, he is shocked to  see “Laura Palmer.” While looking at Maddy in disguise, Jacoby is attacked by a masked man and left for dead.

Maddy Ferguson by a tree near Gazebo at Easter Park
Episode 1.007

Maddy can be seen circling a tree near the boat dock and gazebo.

Malibou Lake Mountain Club Kathy Smiley
Image by Kathy Smiley

The tree is located to the left of the gazebo as seen in this image by Kathy Smiley. You can also spot the tree in the AP image of the gazebo on fire (notice the base of the trunk which matches the tree in the episode).

Malibou Lake Mountain Club
September 19, 2020

The tree is now gone, which only makes me more sad.

Dr. Jacoby at Easter Park
Episode 1.007
Dr. Jacoby at Easter Park
Episode 1.007

Jacoby watches from a spot just below Lake Vista Drive, which is similar to where Bobby Briggs was standing.

Dr. Jacoby is attacked at Easter Park
Episode 1.007

A masked man sneaks up behind Jacoby and repeatedly beats him until he falls on the ground. The trees behind the man were purposely lit to pick up their details. They also confirm where the scene was shot.

Malibou Lake Mountain Club
Google Maps

The trees seen in the background are located on the other side of Lake Vista Drive.

Lake Shore Drive in Agoura Hills, California
September 19, 2020

They are still found there today.

Dr. Jacoby after attack at Easter Park
Episode 1.007

I believe the shots of Dr. Jacoby on the ground were captured on location.

Dr. Jacoby after attack at Easter Park
Episode 1.007
Dr. Jacoby after attack at Easter Park
Episode 1.007

There is a slight chance, however, this part of the scene could have been shot on set. All the shots are closeups and don’t show much surrounding details.

DAYTIME AT THE GAZEBO AT EASTER PARK IN EPISODE 2.019

Twin Peaks Film Location - Gazebo at Easter Park
Google Maps

Episode 2019 in Season 2 has two scenes that take place at the gazebo. The first scene shows Annie Blackburn and Special Agent Dale Cooper sharing a tender moment while Fisherman Earle watches from afar.

Annie and Dale at Easter Park
Episode 2.019
Malibou Lake Mountain Club
Google Maps

After a short excursion on Easter Lake, Annie and Cooper walk from the boat dock to the gazebo.

Twin Peaks FIlm Location - Gazebo at Easter Park
Episode 2.019
Twin Peaks FIlm Location - Gazebo at Easter Park
Bing Maps

Earle watches as the two lovebirds stop by the gazebo and share another kiss

Windom Earle
Episode 2.019
Windom Earle
Episode 2.019

I love Earle’s many disguises including this fisherman outfit complete with a Saf-T-Bak fishing vest.

Twin Peaks FIlm Location - Gazebo at Easter Park
Google Maps

Based on the bend of the middle tree, I’m thinking Fisherman Earle stood around this spot while watching Cooper and Annie.

Twin Peaks FIlm Location - Gazebo at Easter Park
Episode 2.019
Grass area by lake with a dock and trees
September 19, 2020

I adore this shot of the gazebo with Annie and Cooper standing nearby. It’s really quite sad that it’s now gone.

NIGHTTIME AT THE GAZEBO AT EASTER PARK IN EPISODE 2.019

Twin Peaks Film Location - Gazebo at Easter Park
Google Maps

The second appearance of the gazebo in Episode 2.019 takes place at night when the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Department discovers a wooden box. The team will soon uncover that Windom Earle’s next move is waiting inside.

Twin Peaks Film Location - Gazebo at Night
Episode 2.019
Malibou Lake Mountain Club
Google Maps

Cooper arrives on the scene, parking his car along Lake Shore Drive. You can see the giant tree just at the end of the white fence.

Law Enforcement team investigates
Episode 2.019

Agent Cooper speaks with Sheriff Truman and Deputy Brennan in front of the steps of the gazebo.

Truman and Cooper at The Gazebo
Episode 2.019

He then finds a rock next to the gazebo’s landscaping, wraps it in yellow caution tape and attaches one end to a round pull protruding from the wooden box.

Malibou Lake Mountain Club
Google Maps

One day I imagine Google Maps will have the ability to go all places. For now, I can only provide another image of the gazebo and imagine the action taking place on the opposite side.

Truman and Cooper by the Dock
Episode 2.019

After placing the caution tape-wrapped rock on the gazebo railing, Cooper, Truman and Brennan retreat behind the Sheriff’s Ford Bronco parked next to the dock.

Agent Dale Cooper Takes Aim
Episode 2.019
James, Maddy and Donna by a payphone
Episode 1.006

Look carefully behind Cooper and you’ll notice the payphone is missing.

Rock Wrapped in Caution Tape
Episode 2.019
Gazebo at Malibou Lake Mountain Club
Bing Maps

Sharpshooter Cooper hits the rock on the gazebo railing which opens the wooden box.

Giant Pawn Revealed
Episode 2.019
Sheriff Truman and Agent Cooper shocked
Episode 2.019

Cooper and Truman approach the now opened box to find a dead “Heavy Metal Youth” (a.k.a. Rusty Tomaski played by Ted Raimi) encased inside a giant black pawn.

Malibou Lake Mountain Club
Google Maps

The landscaping in the foreground wasn’t present in 1990. The Sheriff’s vehicle was parked next to that brown dock for this particular scene.

Malibou Lake Mountain Club
September 19, 2020

GAZEBO AT EASTER PARK IN EPISODE 2.020

Removing the Pawn from the Gazebo
Episode 2.020

Episode 2020 begins with the removal of the giant pawn from the gazebo (notice the sod on the gazebo floor).

Removing the Pawn
Episode 2.020

The team walks by the brown dock on their way to loading it into a truck.

Rusty's Friend Speaks with Agent Cooper
Episode 2.020

While the pawn is removed, Cooper, Truman and Brennan question Rusty’s friend, a “Roadie” played by Willie Garson. I really need to find Truman’s sweater!

This was the last episode in Twin Peaks to feature the gazebo.

Author

  • Steven Miller at Twede's Cafe enjoying cherry pie and coffee

    A "Twin Peaks" fan since October 1993, Steven Miller launched Twin Peaks Blog in February 2018 to document his decades-long fascination with David Lynch and Mark Frost's wonderful and strange show. With his Canon camera in hand, he's visited numerous film locations, attended Twin Peaks events and conducted extensive historical research about this groundbreaking series. Along with fellow Bookhouse Boys, he dreams of creating a complete Twin Peaks Archive of the series and feature film. Steven currently resides in Central Florida.

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