Animal Kingdom (the TNT TV series) takes place in Oceanside, California , a small coastal city in Southern California about 55 miles north of the U.S.–Mexico border.

Where the story is set

  • The show centers on the Cody crime family, who run their operations out of a beach‑front compound in Oceanside.
  • Oceanside is portrayed as a laid‑back surf town with beaches, piers, and a close‑knit but gritty local scene, which becomes the backdrop for the family’s heists and power struggles.

Filming vs. setting

  • While the story is set in Oceanside, many scenes were actually filmed on location in Oceanside and other parts of Southern California , including Los Angeles and Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank.
  • Some interiors (like the Cody house) were built on soundstages, but exterior shots and street scenes use real Oceanside landmarks such as the pier, surf shops, and local businesses.

If you meant a different Animal Kingdom (like the 2010 Australian film or Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park), let me know and I’ll break that down too.