San Francisco On Screen: Where Famous Films and TV Shows Were Shot Around the City | San Francisco Travel
Picnickers sit on the grass at Alamo Square Park with the Painted Ladies and San Francisco skyline in the background.
Have a picnic with a view at Alamo Square Park.

San Francisco On Screen
Where Famous Films and TV Shows Were Shot Around the City

Put yourself in your favorite stars' shoes by visiting these famous San Francisco locations made popular by film, TV, and streaming.

The film industry might have started in Southern California, but San Francisco has a long and colorful history with film that will make any self-proclaimed film geek giddy. From cinema classics to today’s biggest blockbusters, San Francisco has made plenty of appearances on the silver screen. Here are some of our favorite film locations in the city when you get a chance to come visit.

"Always Be My Maybe"

This modern-day "When Harry Met Sally" follows two childhood friends, Sasha and Marcus, as they reunite after years apart and explore their complicated friendship. This film has been celebrated for its diversity and celebration of Asian-American heritage, so there is no question that this story was made for San Francisco.

Musée Mécanique

The Embarcadero at Pier 45

As kids, Sasha and Marcus take pictures in the photo booth.

Palace of Fine Arts

3601 Lyon St.

Sasha takes Marcus as her date to a red carpet event.

Pier 7

The Embarcadero

Sasha and Marcus go fishing.

"Ant-Man" / "Ant-Man and the Wasp"

Several San Francisco locations can be seen throughout the thrilling car chase scenes, the most famous of which ends at Fisherman’s Wharf.

Victorian Home

601 Buena Vista Ave.

Hank Pym’s Victorian house.

Fort Point National Historic Site

End of Marine Dr. in the Presidio

Scott reflects on his past after being released from prison.

"Bullitt"

We couldn’t think of a better setting than the streets of San Francisco for the best movie car chase ever. The action in this Steve McQueen classic set the precedent and has been often copied but never matched.

Taylor and Vallejo streets

Russian Hill

The chase begins.

"Dirty Harry"

As renegade cop Harry Callahan, Clint Eastwood gives us so many great scenes as he roams the streets. Here are a few must-see locations from the classic.

Bank of America Building

555 California St.

Kezar Stadium

Frederick Street, Golden Gate Park

Mt. Davidson Landmark Park and Cross

125 Dalewood Way

"Full House" / "Fuller House"

“You got it, dude!” This beloved sitcom and its sequel have stayed in the hearts of millions for decades. While most of the show was filmed in a studio, the Tanners’ house is very real, even though its famous red door has gotten a paint job since filming.

Alamo Square Park

Steiner and Hayes streets

This is the famous park across from the Painted Ladies featured in opening title sequence.

Tanner-Fuller house

1709 Broderick St.

"Looking"

Embracing the gay culture of San Francisco, "Looking" follows three gay friends traversing life and relationships in the city. San Francisco is shown in a new light, avoiding the overused sights in favor of lesser known icons and a more genuine representation of the city that centers around the Castro.

El Rio

3158 Mission St.

Patrick and Dom discuss relationships at Patrick’s ex’s bachelor party.

The Press Club

20 Yerba Buena Ln.

Patrick goes on an awful first date.

Sutro Baths

1004 Point Lobos Ave.

Patrick and Richie go on a date and talk about their pasts.

"The Matrix Resurrections"

One of 2021's biggest and most anticipated blockbusters was filmed extensively around San Francisco. From the towering skyscrapers of the Financial District to hidden alleyways in Chinatown, there are a number of iconic locations that stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Ann Moss frequented that you can see, too. Want to know how? Follow our "Matrix Resurrections" walking tour!

House of Nanking

919 Kearney St.

Neo and Trinity stop for lunch here.

Joe and the Juice

235 Montgomery St.

This juice bar was transformed into Neo's favorite coffee shop, the cleverly named Simulatte.

"Milk"

San Francisco would not be what it is today without Harvey Milk. His story defines the fight for LGBTQ freedoms that spread throughout the country during and after his life. The filmmakers were able to film nearly all of the outdoor scenes at the actual historic locations.

Harvey Milk Plaza

17th and Castro streets

Harvey holds his first rally for gay rights by standing on a soap box.

Twin Peaks Tavern

401 Castro St.

"Mrs. Doubtfire"

Everyone’s favorite nanny came into our lives in the '90s and has never left since. A must-see for families and kids at heart, the Hillard House is located in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. If you’re a true film geek, you’ll have no problem pointing it out.

Hillard House

Broadway and Steiner St.

"My Name Is Khan"

This Bollywood film follows an Indian immigrant with Asperger’s syndrome, Rizwan Khan, who sets out on a journey across the nation after his son is murdered. Within this gut-wrenching film, the happiest scenes of Rizwan falling in love with his future wife are filmed in San Francisco.

Coit Tower

280 Telegraph Hill Ave.

Mandira says she will marry Rizwan if he shows her something in the city she hasn’t already seen. 

Corona Heights Park

Corner of Roosevelt Way and Museum Way

Rizwan brings Mandira to the peak to propose.

"The OA"

The second season to this mind-bending mystery is set in San Francisco. Director Batmanglij made it a point to present the diversity of San Francisco’s neighborhoods as accurately as possible, filming at several notable locations.

Chinatown

Waverly Pl. at corner of Clay St.

Karim has conversation while walking through the street.

"Pursuit of Happyness"

This heartbreaking yet inspiring movie tells the tale of a father trying to raise his son after losing everything. Will Smith beautifully portrays the true story of Chris Gardner, who reaches success through hard work and persistence alone.

1592 Taylor St.

At corner of Broadway St.

Final shot of Chris and his son walking towards the Bay Bridge.

Pacific Coast Stock Exchange

301 Pine St.

Chris asks man with a Ferrari what he does for a living and is inspired to become a stock broker. The exchange now houses an Equinox Fitness Club.

"Rise of the Planet of the Apes"

"Rise of the Planet of the Apes" puts a modern twist on the cult sci-fi classic. Starting atop the downtown skyscrapers and at the San Francisco Zoo, their uprising spreads throughout the Bay Area. If you’re looking to join Caesar’s tribe, head to the Muir Woods, where the apes eventually formed their own prosperous community.

Muir Woods

10 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge

Caesar is introduced to nature and eventually builds a community.

San Francisco Zoo

1 Zoo Rd. at the corner of Great Hwy. and Sloat Blvd.

Where the apes free fellow primates during the uprising. Buy tickets to the San Francisco Zoo.

"The Rock"

Sean Connery, Nicholas Cage, and Michael Bay action galore—but the real star of the movie is Alcatraz itself. Did you know the movie filmed all over the city? Here are some other locations to put on your itinerary.

The Fairmont San Francisco

950 Mason St.

Palace of Fine Arts

3601 Lyon St.

"Sense8"

While the story bounces around the world to places like Iceland, Nairobi, and Seoul, Nomi's story unfolds in San Francisco, a very fitting home for the proud, transgender, lesbian hacker.

Billy Goat Hill

Stairs at corner of 30th St. and Laidley St.

Amanita takes Nomi out for a birthday picnic,

City Lights Bookstore

261 Columbus Ave.

Amanita works at a book reading.

Clarion Alley

Between Valencia and Mission streets

Nomi tells Amanita about the strange visions she has been having.

"Sister Act"

Where did Whoopi Goldberg hide from her angry mobster boyfriend in "Sister Act"? Right here in San Francisco at one of the most beautiful churches in the city. Located in Noe Valley, St. Paul's is just a short walk from the Mission District.

St. Paul's Church

221 Valley St.

"Tales of the City"

Homosexuality. Drug use. Nudity. Now common in today’s top-rated shows, these features were revolutionary on a public network in the original 1993 miniseries. The 2019 sequel has embraced these themes and, with an all-queer writing team, made it a mission to portray LGBTQ life in San Francisco accurately. Creator Armistead Maupin’s life and beliefs are reflected in the tenants of 28 Barbary Lane, the famous steps were filmed at the beautiful Macondray Lane in Russian Hill.

Macondray Lane

Steps are across from 1832 Taylor St.

"Venom"

Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) is involuntarily bound to the symbiote, Venom, and the two spend the movie learning how to utilize their new shared skills to fight evil. A great example of this is the motorcycle chase scene that peaks with a massive jump at the top of Taylor St.

Hawk Hill

Marin Headlands

This is the location for Life Foundation headquarters.

Transamerica Pyramid

600 Montgomery St.

Venom scales the building.

"Vertigo"

In a city known for its many hills and scenic overlooks, San Francisco might not be the place for someone with acrophobia, and this is just what makes Alfred Hitchcock’s movie a classic.

Fort Point National Historic Site

End of Marine Dr. in the Presidio

Tyler Cohn headshot
Tyler Cohn

Tyler is the Sr. Manager of Global Content & Communications at San Francisco Travel. He has lived in San Francisco since 2015 and has been part of the San Francisco Travel team for just as long. He enjoys splashy production numbers and outdoor sporting events equally, which means you can usually find him at one of San Francisco’s many great theaters or at Oracle Park, cheering on the Giants. 

The Golden Gate Bridge at sunset with a multicolored sky and the San Francisco Bay in the foreground.
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