About Palmdale
Palmdale, California is a high desert city with a rugged backdrop, numerous outdoor attractions, and strong ties to the aviation industry and its history. The first settlers named it after what they thought were palm trees, hence the name Palmdale, but those were in fact Joshua trees. It is located in Antelope Valley and has the San Gabriel Mountains on one side, and the Mojave Desert on another.
The aerospace industry is still a major driver of the local economy here, and many in the population of around 153,000 works in this realm. Other firms outside of aerospace have also moved here, including CarMax, and the city is home to several higher education campuses.
Filming Options in Palmdale
The city of Palmdale is a place to call home, and also a place for filming. A place to call home is the city’s tagline, and it really reflects the filming options in Palmdale. Some of the allure is the stunning geography, the services available, and the spaces that can be used for filming influence that too.
- Catering
Catering companies in Palmdale have lots of practice collaborating with clients of all types, from filming to education and aviation. They have a variety of menus and services that are adaptable to the needs and schedules of those they are serving.
- Furniture Rentals
Furniture and equipment are plentiful in Palmdale, along with Lancaster, which is the main shopping and retail hub for Antelope Valley. The bigger question may be narrowing your choices down and picking what will feel authentic and right for your filming project.
- Transportation
There are two major transportation needs when it comes to Palmdale, getting here, and then moving around within the city once you arrive. The transportation options to and within the city can cover this, from the airport in Los Angeles to private transportation companies ready to chauffeur you where you need to be.
Filming Companies in Palmdale
These filming companies in Palmdale have the resumes and ambition to work with you and create the best possible filming event. Their previous clients include A-list names and regular people working on special projects.
- Baracoa Cuban Restaurant
Okay, we will admit it, the Cuban espresso coffee is our favorite menu item, it is authentic and delicious. The catering options at Baracoa Cuban Restaurant extend far beyond coffee though, and your filming project will enjoy the best Cuban food you can find off the island.
- Paragon Productions
Paragon Productions is the premier audio, visual, and lighting service in Palmdale. They can help you produce your film or supply the equipment you are missing to finish the project. Their services also include props and stage design, in addition, to live event coverage.
- Elite Black Car Services
Elite Black Car Services works throughout Southern California, including in Palmdale. Airport transfers and corporate travel are two among many of the services they provide. Drivers are always on time and courteous and the vehicles are maintained within rigorous standards keeping you safe while you are on the road.
Pros and Cons of Filming Options in Palmdale
Life is filled with ups and downs, and we are pretty used to riding the waves. That goes with geographic locations, so, here are the pros and cons of filming options in Palmdale.
Advantages
- Affordable
The city of Palmdale is more affordable than other locations in southern California, and that lets you focus your budget on other items. You will find high-quality filming locations, catering, rentals, and transportation here, all well within your optimum price range.
- Accessible
Palmdale is part of a twin-city region with Lancaster, and both are in Los Angeles County, so there is easy access to the city from major airports and other travel infrastructure. This proximity to the city facilitates the businesses and other services we see here.
- Safe
The city of Palmdale consistently ranks high on all safety ratings, making it a good place to live and work. This may not feel like a deal-breaker in your decision on a filming location, but safety affects the entire vibe of a city.
Disadvantages
- Traffic
Palmdale has a high population density, and guess what that translates into? Traffic. Expect it to take longer to get in and around the city because of the higher volumes of traffic and congestion.
- Extreme weather
The city shares one universal disadvantage with other southern California locations, and that is the extreme weather in the area. There are natural disasters – wildfires and earthquakes are the two most common. These do not happen regularly, although the incidences have increased in recent history.
- Limited entertainment
Palmdale has long relied on her other city neighbors to provide nightlife and entertainment options. So, when you are done filming for the day, you will not find many entertainment options. There are a few things to do, but you will need to be creative.
Famous Locations in Palmdale
- Pearblossom Highway
David Hockney made Pearblossom Highway famous in his photo collage, and you can view the stunning geography for yourself with a road trip along State Route 138 (also known as Pearblossom Highway). The road goes along the Mojave Desert into the San Gabriel Mountains, through Antelope Valley, and over to the San Bernardino Mountains.
- Joe Davies Heritage Airpark
Palmdale has a lot of ties to aviation and the military, and that history shines bright at the Joe Davies Heritage Airpark. Joe Davies was a World War II and Vietnam Airforce Veteran. In addition to the planes and aviation equipment in the airpark, there are also open-air displays. There are 21 different aircraft on display at the park and admission is free.
- Blackbird Airpark
You will not need to go far to get to the Blackbird Airpark, it is at the same location as the Joe Davies Heritage Airpark. The Blackbird Airpark is dedicated to the Blackbird though – also known as the Lockheed SR-71A. The Blackbird was built in the 1960s as a reconnaissance plane, and they only built 32 of them. The only place to see one in real life is in Palmdale at Blackbird Airpark.