WELCOME TO SAN FRANCISCO!
SFFILM’s City Guide for Film Lovers
The SFFILM Festival is deeply rooted in San Francisco’s culture and process of film appreciation—film as an art form and as a meaningful agent for social change. Find below SFFILM’s city guide for film lovers – the guide includes unique places around the city, as well as information about great films that were filmed in San Francisco’s diverse neighborhoods.
We are more than pleased to welcome you to our beloved San Francisco!
5 MUST SEE DESTINATIONS IN SAN FRANCISCO
Pictured Above, The Golden Gate Bridge in ‘Vertigo’ (1958)
1- THE ONE AND ONLY “GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE”
Yes, it’s the world’s most photographed and filmed bridge for a reason! The most iconic landmark in the city, the 746-foot tall international orange towers have stood sentinel over the San Francisco Bay since 1937. You can cross it on foot, bike, or by car, or admire its beauty from different lookouts across the city and North Bay. Go to Crissy Fields for a walk and hot chocolate at The Warming Hut or enjoy the priceless view of the bridge while lounging on Baker Beach.
What to expect: Bikes and cars are permitted access across the bridge 24-hours a day, walkers can cross using the east sidewalk between 5am-6:30pm. Stop outside the Welcome Center at the statue of Joseph Strauss, the bridge's designer, and look for the plaques explaining the bridge’s history. On the other side, Sausalito awaits you with beautiful views of San Francisco and The Bay. Enjoy the sunset on the ferry from Sausalito to the Ferry Building in San Francisco.
Tip: Wear extra layers or bring a jacket. It can get really windy!
Movie Tip: ‘Vertigo’ (1958) iconically shows the Golden Gate Bridge as James Stewart trails Kim Novack to mysterious locations around the city.
Pictured Above, Golden Gate Park’s Conservatory of Flowers in ‘One on Top of the Other’ (1969)
2- OH, THE PARKS!
THE GOLDEN GATE PARK
With its 1,000-plus acres, Golden Gate Park is one of San Francisco's main oases. Full of rolling hills with picnic areas, groves of trees, monuments and gardens, playgrounds and hidden treasures, it's a must-see if you are visiting the city. It’s the home for the Conservatory of Flowers, the Botanical Garden, the Japanese Tea Garden & the Academy of Sciences, to name a few of its wonders—as well as less famous but also delightful attractions such as the SkyStar Wheel, the bison paddock, the Dutch & Murphy Windmills, the Shakespeare’s Garden, Strawberry Hill, and Stow Lake. Hikers, cyclists and roller skaters take over the main drive street since it’s closed to cars.
Tip: Walking from the Park’s Eastern ‘Panhandle’ to Ocean Beach on its West end could take up to 2 hours! Bring some snacks and enjoy a lovely day outdoors.
Movie tip: Charlie Chaplin’s A Jitney Elopement (1915) was one of the first films shot in Golden Gate Park. Though the park has changed a lot in the past hundred years, the Murphy Windmill in the clip above still stands on the western ocean front side of the park.
Pictured Above, The Presidio in ‘The Presidio’ (1988)
THE PRESIDIO
A California Historical Landmark, the Presidio is a former military base that is a major outdoor recreation hub that overlooks the Golden Gate Bridge and Pacific Ocean. It has forested and lawned areas, miles of trails, a golf course, bowling alley, and the Disney Family Museum. Other highlights nearby include Crissy Field, Baker Beach, and the iconic Palace of Fine Arts. The SFFILM Lounge and Premier Theater are both located in The Presidio!
Tips: Film Industry lovers, see if you can find the Yoda Fountain and Edward Muybridge statue!
Movie tip: In the schlocky finale to the Dirty Harry series THE DEADPOOL (1988), The San Francisco National Cemetery located in The Presidio can be seen. The cemetery is for veterans and their family, but is hysterically used in the film for the funeral of Jim Carey’s fictional take on Guns and Roses frontman Axel Rose.
Pictured Above, The Alta Plaza Park Steps in ‘What’s Up Doc?’ (1972)
ALTA PLAZA PARK
This beautiful park is located on the western edge of Pacific Heights. Boasting panoramic and compelling views of the city and the Bay, Alta Plaza Park is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy an overlook of the city. Nearby Fillmore Street has a variety of shops, restaurants, and bars that are perfect for an afternoon stroll or nightcap.
Movie Tip: The steps at Alta Plaza are featured in the 1972 film What's Up, Doc? in its signature chase scene. In the scene, a Volkswagen Beetle, a Yellow Cab, a black Cadillac Fleetwood limousine, and a Cadillac DeVille Convertible, all clumsily speed down and damage Alta Plaza’s iconic steps. The damage can still be seen today. For more information you can check out the article linked and clip linked above!
Pictured Above, Mission Dolores Park’s Muni stop in ‘Casualities of War’ (1989)
MISSION DOLORES PARK
Dolores Park is the heart of this vibrant Mission district and is the perfect place to enjoy sunny afternoons and younger crowds. Dolores Park is one of San Francisco’s most popular parks, and is host to a variety of performances, festivals and cultural events throughout the year.
Tip: Spectacular views of the city’s skyline and beyond with plenty of restaurants to grab food and have an impromptu picnic! Dolores Park is the perfect place to catch the sunset.
Movie Tip: Casualties of War (1989) from Brian De Palma (where Eriksson gets off the train at the end), Sweet November (2001) and TV shows like Devs and Sense8 were filmed here!
Pictured Above, The view from Buena Vista Park in ‘The Sniper’ (1952)
BUENA VISTA PARK
The oldest official park in San Francisco, Buena Vista Park is great for morning runs, afternoon picnics, and evening walks. This gem in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood provides visitors remarkable views when you reach its upper, grassy slopes.
Tip: If you are looking for winding trails and pathways for venturing off the beaten path but still be a few blocks away from the lively Haight-Ashbury street, this park is for you!
Movie Tip: The Sniper (1952) was filmed here. Abused as a child, Eddie Miller (Arthur Frazer) takes his high-powered rifle on a serial shooting spree across San Francisco. It takes psychologist Dr. James Kent (Richard Kiley) to get inside Miller’s mind and bring him to justice, but not before he takes the lives of several victims, including a woman in Buena Vista Park.
Pictured Above, Julie Andrews’ character gets into a fender bender with a cable car in ‘The Princess Diaries’ (2001)
3- THE PICTURESQUE CABLE CARS
San Francisco has the last manually operated cable car system in the world. Surviving the great San Francisco earthquake and the fires of 1906, Cable cars have been transporting people around San Francisco since the late 19th century. The cars run on tracks and are moved by an underground cable along three city routes, all of which provide spectacular views of the city’s celebrated hills. Visit the Cable Car Museum for more information.
Information on Riding Cable cars: Cable cars run from 7 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the cable car turnarounds at the ends of each route. More information about tickets visit the official website.
Tip: Their familiar bells can be heard ringing from blocks away.
Movie Tip: The 1947 film “Dark Passage” with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall and directed by Delmer Davies has wonderful shots of the Bay Area. At one point Bogart catches a cable car.
Bonus Track: A Trip Down Market Street is a 1906 phnatom ride film of a cable car as it travels down Market Street in San Francisco and it’s FANTASTIC!
Pictured Above, Alcatraz Island in ‘The Rock’ (1996)
4- NO ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ
In the middle of the San Francisco Bay is Alcatraz Island, home to the early 20th century’s most notorious criminals including Al Capone and Robert Franklin Stroud, prisoners at the island’s former maximum-security prison. Though several prisoners tried, there’s no official records of anyone ever making a successful escape from “The Rock.” The island was occupied by Native American activists after its closure – the island offers a guided tour of the history of their occupation.
Movie Tip: The movie Escape from Alcatraz (1979) tells one of the most well-known legends from this prison. Watch a clip from the Clint Eastwood starring movie above.
Pictured Above, Castro’s iconic Victorian houses in ‘I Remember Mama’ (1948)
5- THE NEIGHBORHOODS <3
CASTRO
The Castro is the gay capital of the world and host to a vibrant and lively atmosphere both day and night. Home of our beloved Castro theater, it is a must-visit place.
Movie Tip: During the filming of Milk (2008), a biographical film that depicts the life of gay rights icon Harvey Milk, local documentarian Jenni Olson filmed a powerful elegy to Milk and his ethos in the film’s re-creation of Milk’s photo shop that was also the hub for his political endeavors.
Pictured Above, Director Wayne Wang chats with his actors in a Chinatown café behind the scenes on ‘Chan is Missing’ (1982)
CHINATOWN
San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest and most storied enclave of Chinese immigrants in North America. The neighborhood is best explored on foot. Fun shops, renowned restaurants, and food markets can be found along Grant Street. Don’t miss The Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory (56 Ross Alley), where some 20,000 fortune cookies are made every day—folded by hand as they come off an ancient-looking cookie conveyor belt.
Movie Tip: San Francisco’s Chinatown was the birthplace of indie icon Wayne Wang, who directed several films in his hometown neighborhood, including ‘Chan is Missing’ (1982) and ‘The Joy Luck Club’ (1993). Check out the main character of ‘Chan is Missing’ cruising around in early 80s’ Chinatown in the clip above.
Pictured Above, Union Square as captured in the opening scene of ‘The Conversation’ (1974)
UNION SQUARE & FINANCIAL DISTRICT
Union Square is the main commercial square of the city, boasting major department stores and the designer boutiques. The San Francisco Shopping Center houses the largest Bloomingdale's outside of New York and in the Financial District workers and business people can be seen mulling about at all hours of the day.
Movie Tip: ‘The Conversation’ (1974) directed by the legendary Francis Ford Coppola, is startling thriller about a professional snoop (Gene Hackman) who eavesdrops on a grisly murder plot. Can you recognize Union Square in the famous opening scene?
Pictured Above, The Mission District’s 24th Street as seen in ‘The Laughing Policeman’ (1973)
THE MISSION
The Mission is San Francisco's oldest neighborhood, but features some of its newest restaurants and galleries. Latino culture and Dolores Park are among the most popular attractions. Here you can also find the Roxie Theater and Victoria Theatre.
Movie Tip: La Mission (2009), written/directed by Mission district native Benjamin Bratt provides a unique and personal look into the historically latinx neighborhood.
Pictured Above, North Beach’s Washington Square Park is seen in ‘Woman on the Run’ (1950). The iconic Coit Tower can be seen faintly in the far right.
NORTH BEACH
North Beach is the city’s Italian quarter. The neighborhood has romantic European-style sidewalk cafes, restaurants and shops centered near Washington Square along Columbus and Grant Avenues. The neighborhood boasts some high profile cafés, including Café Trieste, where Francis Ford Coppola wrote The Godfather and Vesuvio Café, the cultural center for the Beats in the 60’s. City Lights Booksellers founded by Beats leader Lawrence Ferlinghetti, can also be found in the neighborhood.
Get A Great View: Coit Tower, atop Telegraph Hill, offers a splendid vantage point for photos of the bridges and the Bay. Inside the tower, floor-to-ceiling murals painted in the 1930s depict scenes of early San Francisco.
Movie Tip: Dirty Harry (1971) gives life to North Beach’s central urban park, Washington Square Park, in this thrilling scene where the film’s serial killer antagonist is thwarting from killing again.
Pictured Above, the titular teenage girl of ‘Diary of a Teenage Girl’ (2015) returns to her house in the Haight district.
HAIGHT ASHBURY
Known as the center of San Francisco's hippie counterculture, Haight-Ashbury is a haven for vintage finds and 1960s nostalgia. Thrift shops, piercing and tattoo parlors, dive bars, and the iconic Amoeba Music can be found along Haight Street’s main stretch.
Movie Tip: Crumb (1993) offers a first hand look into the Haight experience in its hey-day, as told by underground comic icon Robert Crumb. Check out the clip from the movie where Robert Crumb chats with a journalist in an SF café about his perspective on modern culture.
Pictured Above, the famous Painted Ladies of Alamo Square as seen in ‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’ (1978)
ALAMO SQUARE
The Painted Ladies are the most famous houses in San Francisco, located on the 700 block of Steiner Street . You can’t enter the Painted Ladies (real people live there!), but you can get a great view and a photo of your own from the east-facing hillside of Alamo Square across the street.
Movie tip: The Painted Ladies are most famous for their usage in the 90s sitcom Full House, but can also be seen as the home to the protagonists of 1978 sci-fi horror ‘The Invasion of the Bodysnatchers’.
BONUS TRACK FOR ART LOVERS!
ART MUSEUMS
De Young Museum – Expanded many times since 1894, the De Young holds art of the ancient Americas, Oceania, and Africa – 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Francisco, CA
SF Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) – One of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the US and thriving cultural center – 151 3rd St, San Francisco, CA
Legion of Honor Museum – 4,000 years of ancient and European art in a breathtaking site overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge – 100 34th Avenue, San Francisco, CA
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts – Using culture as an instrument for social change: contemporary art, civic engagement, and public life – 701 Mission St, San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Contemporary Jewish Museum – Non-collecting institution reflects Jewish experience with timely exhibitions – 736 Mission St, San Francisco, CA
Asian Art Museum – Explores Asian art, music, dance and tradition – 200 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA
Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) – One of the nation’s leading university museums dedicated to art and film in equal measure – 2155 Center Street, Berkeley, CA
BALLET, OPERA & SYMPHONY
American Conservatory Theatre operates in two venues:
The Toni Rembe Theater (formerly The Geary Theater)– Historic 1,000-seat theater, rebuilt after the 1989 earthquake, in the heart of Union Square – 405 Geary Street, San Francisco CA
The Strand Theater – Opened in 2015. Presents new commissions, cabaret and events with school partners and community groups – 1127 Market Street, San Francisco CA
Curran Theatre – 445 Geary St, San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Opera – 301 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco CA
San Francisco Symphony – Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco CA
SFJAZZ Center – 201 Franklin St, San Francisco CA
BOOKSTORES
City Lights – Cultural landmark founded by Lawrence Ferlinghetti and Peter Martin in 1953, with a legacy of anti-authoritarian politics and insurgent thinking. Poetry, fiction, translations, politics, history, philosophy, music, spirituality – 261 Columbus Avenue at Broadway, San Francisco CA
Books Inc. – has many locations, including Opera Plaza (601 Van Ness, San Francisco CA), in the Marina (2251 Chestnut Street, San Francisco CA) and in SFO Airport terminals
Booksmith – Haight-Ashbury bookshop owned & managed by Christin Evans and Praveen Madan – 1644 Haight St, San Francisco CA
Dog Eared Books – Specializing in Beat, small press, and local literature – 900 Valencia Street and 489 Castro St, San Francisco CA
Folio Books – 3957 24th St., San Francisco CA
Book Passage – 1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA
Green Apple Books – Two floors of new & used nonfiction, new releases, kids’ books and cookbooks – 506 Clement St, San Francisco CA (Fiction & music annex – 1231 9th Avenue, San Francisco CA)