The opening scene of the first episode takes place at the stunning rooftop restaurant at the Proper Hotel in downtown LA, where Nancy (Mara), Eleanor (Washington), and Mary (Moss) get together for drinks and dinner. Production originally shot the girls’ night out scene at a different location, but decided it seemed too uptight for the trio of friends. Instead, they opted to reshoot at this “cooler, younger space.”

“I love Hotel Figueroa because it was the location where I first filmed with Leslie Odom Jr. and I was soooo excited,” Washington says. For her, the “moody, layered, and quietly powerful” legendary hotel—built in 1926 and recently renovated—seemed like a perfect fit for the series. “It’s elegant without trying too hard, and that restraint really served the tone of the show.”

Mary and Eleanor have a memorable heart-to-heart as they take a walk around Echo Park Lake, a popular spot to picnic, jog, or ride the iconic swan boats. “Growing up in NYC, I was used to having a lot of urban parks around,” Washington says. “LA doesn’t have a ton of that, but Echo Park is one of the BEST! It holds this beautiful tension between calm and chaos, which made it the perfect backdrop. Filming there with Lizzie felt lived-in and real—like life unfolding just outside the frame.

This architecturally stunning building was a fitting location for a prestigious awards ceremony honoring Eleanor. “Shooting at the Academy Museum was deeply meaningful because it connected our show to the larger legacy of storytelling,” Washington says. “We were there to tell a new story inside a space that honors cinematic history. Being there reminded me why representation and nuance matter in film and television. It grounded Imperfect Women in something bigger than any one scene.”

When production started seeking out a spot for two characters to go on a clandestine date, this beloved movie theater instantly sprang to mind. “I love how this theater is zero bells and whistles and all charm,” Moss adds. Her insider tips? “The tiny narrow theater in the middle is the best—it’s like watching a movie inside an old airplane. Also, it’s a top-tier spot to beat the LA heat during summer.”

“First of all, I’ll take any day on set when I can be on the water,” Washington says. “So shooting on a beautiful boat in the marina was a dream come true. Our crew was so happy being out in the sunshine that day, and there’s something about the ocean views that invites peace, which aligned perfectly with the scene.”

“This became a real go-to escape for me during filming,” Moss says of the breathtaking spot, packed with roses galore, art galleries, and even a tea house. “It’s hard to believe it’s in LA. It feels like another world, and you can visit endless times and still find a new section you haven’t seen. Also very close to Houston’s for an after-garden martini, which is a plus!”

“We filmed a lot on the Eastside, which is where I was living for a good 20 years,” Mara says, “and this is my favorite-owned coffee shop in Silver Lake.” During the shoot, Mara became a regular. “I would go here every day for their iced homemade cashew-milk lattes.”

There’s no shortage of great lunch spots in LA, but this one stands out for Mara. “When we filmed at Nancy’s house, it was very close to this vegan restaurant that I have always loved,” she says. “They make a great quinoa bowl called ‘Fortified’ which I ordered regularly when filming.”

LA might (almost) have it all, but sometimes, you still want to feel transported. “The mussels, steak frites, and coziness take me to Paris,” Moss says of this beloved bistro. “The massive bar is stunning and the booths feel private and perfect for any meal I’m having without a toddler present. Such a cute friend or date spot!”

NORMS’ familiar orange sign is instantly recognizable to most Angelenos, so it made perfect sense that Nancy and Mara would sit down at the diner to share a late-night stack of pancakes. The production team remember it as one of their favorite shooting locations—and definitely one of the most iconic.