You’ll Recognize These Iconic San Francisco Spots
San Francisco is the most beautiful City in the world.
And perhaps that’s why so many movies and television shows have been shot here, because one might argue it is far more convenient to shoot elsewhere.
Then again it is impossible to replicate the charm of San Francisco! See how many of these places you’ll recognize from the movies and television shows:
Pacific Heights: 2640 Steiner St
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993): Everyone’s favorite nanny! And the site of a part of the Gospel according to San Francisco. If you have an opportunity to watch the play I highly recommend it.
I wish I had been in San Francisco when Robin Williams passed away- apparently hundreds of people (including my mother and siblings) left flowers here to pay their respects.
North Beach: St. Peter & Paul Church: 666 Filbert St
Zodiac (2007), Getting Even With Dad (1994), Sister Act 2 (1993), Dirty Harry (1971) : Did you know that this is also the location of a very famous photo-shoot? That’s right, Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe, each being formerly married, weren’t able to get the blessing of the Catholic Church for their planned nuptials. Reportedly even the Pope denied their request! So you know what they did? They got married at City Hall and had the world’s largest photo shoot on the front steps of St. Peter & Paul- giving the impression that the entire ceremony took place there as well!
Marina District: 2601 Lyon St
Princess Diaries (2001): The (front) of Mia Thermopolis’ high school! Yes, it is a house!
Rumor has it that the owner of this house is actually really nice… and if you’re polite and not obnoxious, you might get special permission to snap a pic from the front!
Financial District: TransAmerica Pyramid, 600 Montgomery St
Venom (2018), Zodiac (2007), Invertigo (1958), : Ironically this used to be the tallest building in San Francisco and has somehow managed to maintain the status of third tallest. You can see the current tallest building, the Salesforce Tower (lower right with the flat top), just behind the TransAmerica Pyramid.
Another super cool fun fact about the Transamerica Pyramid is that the park right next door (TransAmerica Redwood Park) is the current roosting site of our Wild Parrot flock. So if you’re in the Financial District when the sun is getting ready to set and you hear some very loud squawking, you’re not going crazy, San Francisco has parrots and you can read more about them here.
That really cool green building? That’s the Sentinel Building (rumored to be owned by Francis Ford Coppola), with Cafe Zoetrope on the ground-floor!
Excelsior District: 724 Brazil St
Princess Diaries (2001): Remember that random fire pole in the middle of Mia Thermopolis’ “civilian house”? Turns out her house was a real fire station in the neighborhood that I grew up in! Last I checked there was an Airbnb experience that did t-shirt screen-printing at this location.
While most of the movie was shot in Pacific Heights and other “fancier” parts of town, we did get one scene in the outer Mission. And my father knew when Julie Andrews and Anne Hathaway were filming in our neighborhood. He knew we wouldn’t finish washing the car if he told us.
I’ll never forgive him.
Broadway St at Taylor St
Pursuit of Happyness (2006), Princess Diaries (2001), Bullitt (1968): Interestingly enough a popular claim is that the Bay Bridge isn’t as photogenic as the Golden Gate. The view speaks for itself. For your planning purposes, keep in mind that the bridges are on opposite sides of the City.
This shot is just another reminder of how insanely beautiful San Francisco is. That’s probably why it was used in the final shot of Pursuit of Happyness.
Nob Hill: 15 Phoenix Terrace
Princess Diaries (2001): This is where Mia’s best friend lived. Phoenix Terrace is a tiny cul-de-sac in Nob Hill that has less than ten houses- actually not far from the amazing view at Broadway & Taylor. Fun fact the Phoenix is an unofficial mascot of San Francisco, paying homage to our rebirth after the disastrous earthquake and fires of 1906.
Alamo Square: Steiner St, between Hayes St and Grove St
Fuller House (2016-2020), FullHouse (1987-1995): Hate to burst anyone’s bubble but it was only the opening sequence that was filmed here at the Painted Ladies, otherwise known as Postcard Row. If you’re interested in checking out the inside of one of the iconic homes, contact George for a tour of the blue one.
The other home (white Victorian) from the television show is located in Pacific Heights at 1709 Broderick St.
Marina District: Palace of Fine Arts, 3601 Lyon St
Always Be My Maybe (2019), Star Wars Three: Revenge of the Sith (2005), The Rock (1996), Vertigo (1958): Episodes of Wheel of Fortune and Game of Thrones were also filmed here at the Palace. This has to be my favorite building in the City. It is no surprise that so many shows and movies have been shot here!
This was the original dispatch location for the limousines of the United Nations, founded right here in San Francisco, 1945.
The beauty of the Palace of Fine Arts is truly unrivaled.
Chinatown: 20 Ross Alley
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006): This is where the preschool was! And the Fortune Cookie Factory is literally just a few storefronts down, towards Jackson St.
It is rare that so many different scenes in a movie are shot in the City proper. But just like Mrs. Doubtfire, The Pursuit of Happyness was filmed all over San Francisco- Glen Park Bart Station, Duboce Park, the Mission District and Chinatown!
When you come visit the City by the Water, you’ll need a local guide to show you all these cool places! Learn more about my walking tours here