The 2014 romantic comedy Blended stands as a visual feast that transports audiences from the familiar suburban landscapes of America to the breathtaking vistas of a South African safari resort. For those captivated by the film’s vibrant backdrops, the question of where the production actually took place often leads to a discovery of two distinct geographic hubs: Sun City in South Africa and the state of Georgia in the United States. This production wasn't just about finding a pretty spot; it was about seamlessly weaving these two continents together to create the fictional "Blended Family Moon."

The Heart of the Safari: Sun City Resort, South Africa

When viewers think of the most iconic scenes in the movie, they likely envision the opulent, sprawling resort that serves as the primary setting for the second and third acts. This is not a studio set constructed on a backlot, but a real-world destination known as Sun City, located approximately 90 miles northwest of Pretoria. Specifically, much of the filming was centered at The Palace of the Lost City.

The Palace of the Lost City

The Palace is the crown jewel of the Sun City resort. Its grand architecture, characterized by towering domes, intricate stone carvings, and animal-themed motifs, provided an almost mythical atmosphere for the characters Jim and Lauren. The production utilized several key areas within the hotel:

  • The Royal Suites: The lavish accommodations shown in the film, where the two families are forced to share a suite, reflect the actual high-end decor of the hotel’s top-tier rooms. The ornate furniture and expansive balconies overlooking the valley were central to the "forced proximity" comedy tropes the film explores.
  • The Pool Terrace and Valley of Waves: The sprawling water complex seen in the movie is the Valley of Waves, one of the most advanced water parks in the world. The pool terrace scenes, where the characters interact with other vacationers like the Warnick family, highlight the resort’s massive scale. The artificial beach and turquoise waters provided the perfect summer aesthetic, even though filming took place during the South African winter months (June and July).
  • Crystal Court Restaurant: This elegant dining area was used for the more formal moments at the resort. Its high ceilings and massive windows overlooking the gardens grounded the film's more tender moments between the two leads.

The Animal Park and Safari Experiences

While the resort itself is luxury personified, the "safari" element required more natural settings. The resort’s own animal park featured prominently, allowing the production to capture interactions with African wildlife in a controlled yet authentic-looking environment. However, it is a common misconception that all the wilderness shots were exclusive to this one spot. The filmmakers used movie magic to expand the scale of the resort's surroundings, making it appear as though the characters were in the deep heart of the African bush.

Cape Town’s Botanical Beauty: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Not all of the South African footage was limited to the Sun City resort. The film also ventured to the southern coast of the country, specifically to the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town. Located at the foot of Table Mountain, this world-renowned garden served as the backdrop for several nature walk scenes.

Kirstenbosch is famous for its "fynbos"—a unique type of vegetation native only to the tip of Africa. The lush greenery and diverse floral displays seen as the families bond during their "nature adventures" are quintessential Kirstenbosch. These scenes were strategically included to show a softer, more organic side of the African landscape, contrasting with the high-octane luxury of the Sun City resort. Visitors to the gardens between August and November would see the landscape exactly as it appeared in the film’s most colorful outdoor moments.

The American Suburbs: Georgia’s Filming Hubs

While the African safari is the soul of the movie, the story begins and ends in a relatable American setting. To achieve this, the production turned to Georgia, a state that has become a powerhouse for film production due to its versatile landscapes and infrastructure. The "home" scenes in the movie were primarily shot in and around Lawrenceville, Buford, and Flowery Branch.

The Hooters in Lawrenceville

The disastrous blind date that sets the entire plot in motion was filmed at a real Hooters restaurant located at 860 Duluth Highway in Lawrenceville, Georgia. This location provided the specific "sports bar" aesthetic needed to establish Jim’s character and the initial clash with Lauren. For fans of the movie, this is perhaps one of the most accessible filming locations, as the restaurant remains a functioning establishment that looks remarkably similar to its appearance in the film.

Lake Lanier and the North Georgia Mountains

One of the most impressive feats of the production was using North Georgia to stand in for parts of the African jungle. While the wide-angle safari shots were definitely South African, some of the more intimate wooded scenes and lakeside moments were captured around Lake Lanier and Buford. The production team utilized the thick foliage and rolling hills of the Georgia mountains to create a seamless transition between the two continents. Through careful set design and post-production color grading, the pine forests of the American South were made to resemble the scrubland and forests of the African interior.

The Final Inning: Four Seasons Sports Park

The film concludes with a heartwarming baseball game where the two families finally come together as one. This scene was filmed at the Four Seasons Sports Park in Flowery Branch, Georgia (specifically at 6262 Chestnut Hill Road). This local community park provided the authentic "Little League" feel that was necessary for the film's climax. The contrast between this grounded, suburban setting and the exotic grandeur of South Africa reinforces the film's theme that family is where you make it, regardless of the setting.

Deconstructing the Movie Magic: The Ostrich Scene

One of the most discussed sequences in Blended is when the children and Jim engage in an ostrich-riding race. While it looks remarkably convincing, this was a masterpiece of technical coordination rather than a simple animal stunt. Because of the safety risks and the unpredictable nature of ostriches, the production used a layered approach:

  1. Mechanical Rigs: Most of the close-up shots involving the actors were performed on mechanical ostrich replicas. These rigs were programmed to simulate the bobbing, jerky movement of a running bird, allowing the actors to react realistically without the danger of a real animal.
  2. Stunt Performers: Professional stunt doubles were used for the wider shots where actual movement across a field was required. These performers have the specialized training to handle animal interactions that would be too dangerous for the main cast.
  3. CGI and Post-Production: The final touch was the digital integration. Green screens were often used behind the mechanical rigs, allowing editors to drop in the authentic South African landscape. Digital enhancements were then applied to the mechanical birds to give them the texture and muscle movement of real feathers and skin.

Seamlessly Blending Georgia and South Africa

The production of Blended took place during the summer of 2013, a timeframe that required the crew to manage two different seasonal cycles. While it was summer in Georgia, it was winter in South Africa. The cinematographers had to work carefully with lighting to ensure that the bright, sun-drenched look of the "Family Moon" remained consistent throughout the film. This involved using reflectors and high-powered lighting rigs in the South African locations to mimic the intense overhead sun associated with a tropical spring break, despite the lower winter sun angles.

Furthermore, the transition between the characters' homes in Georgia and their vacation in Africa was handled through a clever use of pharmacy and retail interiors. Many of the mundane errand-running scenes were filmed in the Gwinnett area of Georgia, using local businesses that could easily represent any American town. This mundanity makes the sudden jump to the Palace of the Lost City even more impactful for the audience.

Practical Insights for Visiting These Locations Today

As of 2026, many of these locations have seen upgrades but remain recognizable to fans. If you are planning a trip to see these spots, here are some things to consider:

  • Sun City Accessibility: The resort is very much a functional, high-end tourist destination. While you can visit for the day, staying at The Palace of the Lost City is the only way to fully immerse yourself in the exact environments seen in the film. The "Valley of Waves" remains a major draw for families.
  • Kirstenbosch Timing: To see the gardens in their most "cinematic" state, aim for the South African spring. The gardens are vast, so if you're looking for the specific trails from the movie, it's best to check with the local visitors' center for the "fynbos" paths near the base of the mountain.
  • The Georgia Trail: Most of the Georgia locations are within a 45-minute drive of downtown Atlanta. The Hooters in Lawrenceville and the sports park in Flowery Branch are public spaces, making them easy stops for a local film tour. Lake Lanier offers various parks and recreation areas that capture the "wooded" vibe used in the movie's transitional scenes.

The Evolution of the Filming Sites

Since the movie was released, the Georgia film industry has exploded in scale, with many of the quiet areas used in Blended now hosting massive Marvel and Netflix productions. This has made the local areas more film-friendly, though some of the smaller suburban charms seen in the 2014 film have been modernized. Conversely, Sun City has maintained its distinct architectural identity, preserving the specific fantasy-African aesthetic that Adam Sandler’s production team found so appealing over a decade ago.

The choice of these locations was a strategic effort to balance the relatable with the aspirational. By grounding the family's beginning in the very real suburbs of Georgia and their growth in the spectacular environment of South Africa, the film creates a visual journey that parallels the emotional journey of the characters. Whether it’s the high-end luxury of the Palace or the simple charm of a Georgia baseball field, the locations of Blended remain as central to the story as the characters themselves.