The primary filming location for the exterior shots representing the fictional Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital (formerly Seattle Grace Hospital) in the television series Grey’s Anatomy is not an actual hospital. These exterior scenes primarily utilize the campus of the Veterans Administration Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center in North Hills, California. The distinctive buildings and grounds of this facility provide the visual backdrop for the show’s exterior shots.
Employing an existing structure for the show’s external visuals offers several logistical and financial advantages. It eliminates the need to construct a full-scale exterior set, saving production costs and time. Furthermore, the VA Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center’s existing architecture contributes to the show’s realistic portrayal of a bustling urban hospital environment. The continued use of this location has established a strong visual association with the series among its viewers, enhancing the show’s established identity.