Endocytic membrane trafficking represents a fundamental means for controlling receptor-mediated signal transduction in diverse cell types. Our laboratory is focused on understanding mechanisms by which seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are sorted between distinct, and functionally important, membrane pathways following ligand-induced endocytosis. The talk with summarize current understanding of (a) sorting of internalized GPCRs between lysosomal and recycling pathways, (b) receptor-mediated regulation of the endocytic machinery itself, and (c) functional consequences of GPCR sorting. Recent progress toward visualizing and analyzing specific receptor trafficking events in real time will be discussed, focusing on membrane traffic controlling the number and location of specific receptors on dendrites of neurons cultured from the central nervous system.