Take a Closer Look at Karen’s Sherman Oaks House from ‘Californication’

The spa-like master bath is especially impressive. Along with the huge walk-in shower, the welcoming space is made complete with two separate vanities, a soaking tub, and a television for bathtime viewing.

The master suite also boasts a wraparound balcony with views of the tree-protected backyard.

And the laundry room appears to be bigger than most studio apartments!

There is even a special alcove for a treadmill with a wall-mounted TV, which makes working out during quarantine a breeze!

Outside, the one-third-acre lot encompasses a large lawn, a sports court, a Pennsylvania bluestone patio, a spa and a swimming pool, where David Duchovny, as “Californication’s” Hank Moody, took a dip in the episode titled “Perverts & Whores” – a selling point, for sure! Can I get a “#davidduchovnywashere”?

The property is one of “Californication’s” most prominent Season 5 locations, first appearing in the premiere titled “JFK –> LAX,” when Hank shows up at Karen’s new marital home upon returning to the “Left Coast” after almost three years in New York, or as he more specifically states, “Two years, nine months, three weeks, and sixty-nine hours.” In the scene, Hank accidentally tries to enter a neighboring pad upon arrival, later explaining to Karen, “The houses all look the same.” He’s not wrong. Many properties on the street bear the same traditional white-clapboard-with-dark-shutters aesthetic

Hank even moves into the picturesque home for a time on the show and (very briefly) fantasizes about what it would be like to live a more traditional life with his ex and their daughter, Becca Moody (Madeleine Martin), in a “big house behind the white picket fence.” No set was utilized for the interior scenes – all inside shots took place at the actual Sherman Oaks estate, where very little appears to have been changed for the production. The kitchen, family room, dining room, and study all make appearances on the show.

As does the backyard, which, along with Hank’s swim, is the site of a very terse meal shared with Becca’s new boyfriend, Tyler (Scott Michael Foster), in “JFK –> LAX.” The dwelling makes its last “Californication” appearance in the Season 5 finale, “Hell Ain’t a Bad Place to Be.” By Season 6, Richard and Karen have split and she is living in a new place at 16 Park Avenue, steps from the beach in Venice.

Four years after its “Californication” stint, the property landed the role of the Murtaugh residence on “Lethal Weapon.” The exterior first appeared in the pilot episode and went on to be featured in establishing shots throughout the rest of the show’s inaugural season.

The interior of the home also made its way into the pilot.

But by episode 2, filming shifted to a set loosely based on that interior for inside scenes. And, in an odd twist, producers decided to really shake things up in Seasons 2 and 3 by using a different, but similar-looking property at 4720 Yarmouth Avenue in Encino for exterior shots of the Murtaughs’ place!

While neither series is still on the air (though they are both streaming on Hulu), the estate is obviously a location manager favorite. And being that it is situated in of the Valley’s most oft-shot neighborhoods, buying it means not just owning fine digs, but possible filming revenue, to boot!

Until next time, Happy Stalking!  🙂

Stalk It: Karen’s house from Season 5 of “Californication”/the Murtaugh residence from Season 1 of “Lethal Weapon” is located at 3816 Longridge Avenue in Sherman Oaks. Disclaimer: Please remember this is a private home. Do not trespass or bother the residents or the property in any way.

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