Presque Isle State Park

At a glance

Visual character

“A sandy tombolo peninsula curling into Lake Erie with 11 miles of beaches, diverse wetland ecotypes, and sweeping Great Lakes water horizons. The lighthouse, sand spit beaches, and Lake Erie vastness create a genuinely coastal-feeling environment in a landlocked state.”

About

Manzanar National Historic Site near Independence, California preserves the site where 10,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II—set against the stark, magnificent backdrop of the Eastern Sierra Nevada and Owens Valley. The reconstructed recreation hall, original guard tower, stone lantern cemetery memorial, and period barracks blocks create a historically and visually powerful environment for documentary, drama, and productions exploring the WWII Japanese American incarceration story. Both interior museum and extensive exterior site available for filming with NPS authorization. The dramatic Eastern Sierra Nevada backdrop—jagged peaks rising thousands of feet from the desert floor—creates one of California's most visually compelling natural settings. Cultural sensitivity consultation with Japanese American community groups recommended. A premier California film location. Filming permits available through Manzanar NHS Superintendent. NPS Special Use Permit required; cultural sensitivity protocols mandatory for all productions.