San Francisco On Screen

Where Famous Films and TV Shows Were Shot Around the City

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

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

Palace of Fine Arts

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

Pier 7

Sasha and Marcus go fishing.

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

Hank Pym’s Victorian house.

Fort Point National Historic Site

Scott reflects on his past after being released from prison.

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

The chase begins.

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

Kezar Stadium

Mt. Davidson Landmark Park and Cross

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

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

The Press Club

Patrick goes on an awful first date.

Sutro Baths

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

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

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

Twin Peaks Tavern

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

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

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

Corona Heights Park

Rizwan brings Mandira to the peak to propose.

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

Karim has conversation while walking through the street.

"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

Caesar is introduced to nature and eventually builds a community.

San Francisco Zoo

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

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

Palace of Fine Arts

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

Amanita takes Nomi out for a birthday picnic,

City Lights Bookstore

Amanita works at a book reading.

Clarion Alley

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

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