Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary: Filming Locations And The Malibu Beach House You Can Stay In for Free

Where To Watch The Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special

The anniversary special is now streaming on Disney+, bringing Miley Cyrus back into the world that made her famous. Rather than modernizing the show, the production leans into nostalgia. Sets were rebuilt, props were pulled from archives, and familiar moments were recreated with surprising accuracy.

What you’ll see in the special:

• Live performances of “The Best of Both Worlds” and “The Climb”

• A recreated Stewart family living room and kitchen

• Appearances from Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Cyrus

• A surprise appearance from Selena Gomez

• A new original song performed as Hannah Montana

Why Most Of The Filming Locations Don’t Actually Exist

Here’s the part that catches most people off guard: Hannah Montana wasn’t filmed like a typical location-based show. Almost everything you remember was created inside studio spaces in Los Angeles. That includes:

• The Stewart house interiors

• Rico’s Surf Shop

• The school

• Hannah’s performance spaces

These weren’t real, permanent places. They were designed to feel like a version of Malibu that existed just slightly out of reach. Over time, many of those sets were dismantled or repurposed, which is why they’re not something you can visit today.

Even the anniversary special follows that same approach. Instead of returning to real locations, it rebuilds the world of the show from the inside out.

Malibu Is Real, And It Still Feels Like The Show

If there’s one place that anchors Hannah Montana in the real world, it’s Malibu. The show used real Malibu footage for its exterior moments, including coastal highway drives, ocean transitions between scenes, and those wide establishing shots that gave the series its identity. That’s why it all feels so grounded, even when most of it was filmed indoors.

And the connection still matters today. In the anniversary special, Miley Cyrus is seen driving along the Pacific Coast Highway, tying the fictional version of Malibu to her real-life history. If you visit Malibu now, you won’t find exact filming spots, but you will recognize the atmosphere right away. The wide ocean views, quiet sun-washed neighborhoods, and that unmistakable California light all feel like something pulled straight from the show.

Twenty years later, Hannah Montana still feels tied to a place, even if most of it was built on a soundstage.

That’s part of what made the show work. It wasn’t trying to document a real version of Malibu. It was creating one that felt just close enough to believe in, while still leaving room for something bigger and more theatrical.

The anniversary special leans into that same idea. Instead of chasing realism, it rebuilds the world fans remember, set by set, moment by moment.

So no, there isn’t a long list of filming locations to visit. But there is still a very real sense of place.

And if you’ve ever watched the show and imagined yourself there, driving along the coast with the windows down and a song stuck in your head, that part still holds up exactly the way you remember it.

Want to Actually Stay in the Hannah Montana House?

Here's the part that makes the anniversary feel genuinely special. Airbnb and Disney have opened the actual Malibu beach house used for exterior shots of the Stewart family home for ten free one-night stays from April 6 through April 16. The inside has been transformed with Hannah's iconic closet, complete with sequined stage outfits and accessories, plus ocean views, direct beach access, and Disney+ loaded up with every episode. It sleeps four and costs nothing. Booking requests open on March 26 at 9 a.m. Eastern Time, and with only ten nights available, it's worth setting a reminder right now.

Image Credit: Airbnb

Frequently Asked Questions: Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary

Where can I watch the Hannah Montana 20th anniversary special?

It’s streaming exclusively on Disney+.

When did the Hannah Montana 20th anniversary special come out?

The special premiered on March 24, 2026.

Was Hannah Montana filmed in Malibu?

Only partially. Malibu was used for exterior footage, while most scenes were filmed on studio sets in Los Angeles.

Where was Hannah Montana filmed in real life?

The majority of filming took place on soundstages in Los Angeles, with Malibu used for exterior shots.

Is the Hannah Montana house real?

No. It was a constructed set, with some exterior shots of private homes.

Can you visit Hannah Montana filming locations?

Not exact set locations, but you can visit Malibu and parts of Los Angeles that inspired the show’s setting.

Who is in the Hannah Montana 20th anniversary special?

Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tish Cyrus, and Selena Gomez all appear.

Is there a new Hannah Montana song in the special?

Yes. The special includes a new original song performed by Miley Cyrus.