San Francisco Locations Seen In Film And Television

By: Kyrie Sismaet By: Kyrie Sismaet | August 18, 2022 | People Travel & Recreation Celebrity Women of Influence Latest Television Movies Entertainment Community

San Francisco's captivating landmarks and sweeping skylines easily lend to several iconic movies and television shows choosing our scenic city as the primary location to shoot in. From the famous Mrs. Doubfire house, to the more recent Matrix installation, all of the local places used to film here are actually able to visited or sightseen any time! If you've ever wanted to have a daytrip adventure or a cute date idea to hunt them down, we have rounded up a few of the most highly sought-after spots made popular by the most recognizable on-screen performances.

1709 Broderick Street- "Full House" (1987-1995)

While many recognize the Painted Ladies during the opening credits of the heartwarming 90's sitcom "Full House" as Tanners' Victorian home, the real exterior used for the transition scene afterwards is actually located on 1709 Broderick Street. The real house has undergone renovations and was even previously owned by the show's executive producer and creator Jeff Franklin, before selling it in 2020 for $5,350,000. Today many still flock to the outside to snap a nostalgic photo for those who recognize the site.

Musee Mecanique- "The Princess Diaries" (2001)

Pier 45 / (415) 346-2000 / Website

Disney's "The Princess Diaries" had Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews delivering stellar performances all around our equally regal city. The segment where Mia takes her grandmother to have some local fun happens around Fisherman's Wharf and in the Musee Mecanique for that famous arm-wrestling scene.

2640 Steiner Street- "Mrs. Doubtfire" (1993)

One of Robin Williams' most legendary roles happened right here in San Francisco with "Mrs. Doubtfire," and the house it's set in still stands today, located in Pacific Heights.

St. Paul's Church- "Sister Act" (1992)

221 Valley St / (415) 648-7538 / Website

Just as essential to San Francisco's cinematic history is the side-splitting performance of Whoopi Goldberg in "Sister Act," in which she comedically hides in a convent in the St. Paul's Church. This church can be located within Noe Valley, and can typically be seen with a few other adoring photo takers.

Joe and the Juice- "The Matrix Resurrections" (2021)

235 Montgomery St / Website

Local followers both new and old were absolutely thrilled to see San Francisco's Financial District, Chinatown, and more as the home for 2021's "Matrix Resurrections," especially when Keanu Reeves and the cast came to the Castro Theatre! The opening reunion shot was filmed in a Joe and the Juice in FiDi, remodeled and cleverly renamed as "Simulatte."

601 Buena Vista Avenue- "Ant-Man" (2015)

San Francisco even entered the MCU as the setting for 2015's "Ant-Man," starring Paul Rudd. You can catch the exterior of Victorian home his character, Hank Pym, resides in just past Haight Ashbury and Cole Valley on the western perimeter of Buena Vista Park.

Twin Peaks Tavern- "Milk" (2008)

401 Castro St / (415) 864-9470 / Website

"Milk" viscerally captured the efforts, struggle, and eventual assassination of one of our most pivotal and powerful political and gay figures, Harvey Milk. Accurately filming on actual San Francisco locations Harvey frequented, aside from City Hall, you can continue to visit and feel the history at Twin Peaks Tavern and the Harvey Milk Plaza right outside. His original Castro Camera store is where the Human Rights Campaign Action Center and Store now sits, on 575 Castro St.

Palace of Fine Arts- "Always Be My Maybe" (2019)

3601 Lyon St / (415) 376-1704 / Website

We must imagine Keanu Reeves to truly love San Francisco, having also appeared in this modern-day rom-com starring Ali Wong and Randall Park! This is a hilarious and heartfelt movie that focuses on two Asian-American leads as they navigate their complicated relationship all around San Francisco. Find their gala scene at the Palace of Fine Arts, as well as the Contemporary Jewish Museum as the exterior for the amusing dinner scene.

461 Ashbury Street- "That’s So Raven" (2003-2007)

Raven-Symoné mid-2000s Disney hit "That's So Raven" always had her skedaddling around to fix scenarios, most of which took place in this famously vibrant Haight Ashbury corner home.

Mt. Davidson Cross- "Dirty Harry" (1971)

125 Dalewood Way / Website

Lastly, Clint Eastwood's "Dirty Harry" truly gave an inside look at San Francisco's aesthetic and culture in the early 70's, and one of the most famous scenes occured right at the top of Mt. Davidson. This is a short and delightfully easy hike to view the same towering cross he saw that still immensely stands today.

Experience some Hollywood right here in your neighborhood with these places that are just a few out of the many other famous media that our own San Francisco helped establish!

Photography by: Courtney Corlew/Unsplash

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