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This week we have been hearing a lot about the Oscars, the star gala par excellence of the cinema world, where the film Everything Everywhere All at Once was the great protagonist of the night. What is not as well known is the importance that California and the world-renowned Orange County have in the history of cinema. And one of its best kept treasures is San Francisco. Will you join us on this cinematic journey?
Lights, camera, action!
View of the Golden Gate Bridge.
What is San Francisco famous for?
When one thinks of San Francisco, the first image that comes to mind is the unique Golden Gate Bridge. The iconic red bridge was chosen by one of cinema’s great geniuses, Alfred Hitchcock, to be the indirect star of his acclaimed film Vertigo, in which the character Madeleine, played by Kim Novak, ends up jumping into the San Francisco Bay.
One of the city’s most iconic neighbourhoods is Alamo Square. Its Victorian houses, just behind the spectacular panoramic view of the metropolis, also known as “the painted ladies”, were featured in the well-known series “Full House”.
Not only series and great directors are drawn to this magical place, but also iconic sagas from film history. For example, during the intrepid adventures of Indiana Jones, one of the scenes in Raiders of the Lost Ark takes place in City Hall. It is very similar to the Capitol Building in Washington, but contrary to appearances, it is even larger than its DC counterpart.
San Francisco City Hall.
What shouldn’t you miss in San Francisco?
The streets of San Francisco have featured in a number of memorable films. The Peter Yates film Bullitt, with a wonderful performance by Steve Mcqueen, depicts the characteristic steep streets in the city. You can take a selfie in one of these avenues and, without even mentioning where you are, everyone will immediately and inescapably associate it with the city they’ve seen so many times in the movies.
Robin Williams is another of the many top actors who have filmed in this wonderful location. One of his films, Mrs. Doubtfire, is set in the Pacific Heights neighbourhood, with its adorable little houses that are so characteristic of the place.
Another of the city’s unique elements is the tram, which you will recognise at first glance from the Clint Eastwood classic, Dirty Harry. Or Chinatown, in the film of the same name, in which Jack Nicholson leads us into one of the most charismatic areas in western California. And of course, there had to be a reference to Silicon Valley, the cradle of world-famous technology, which was featured in the film Jobs, where the German actor Michael Fassbender plays the founder of Apple.
Must-see: Alcatraz federal prison. The most famous prison in the United States, where the mafia boss Al Capone, also known as Scarface, served his sentence, featured in the movie Escape from Alcatraz. The island is open to visitors and can be reached in just 15 minutes on a ferry from the bay. A tour of this museum will make you feel as if you’ve been confined to an impregnable fortress (with a great view).
San Francisco streetcar.
Where to stay in San Francisco?
And after such a long day full of excitement, where should you spend the night? Well, in a hotel located in another Oscar-worthy neighbourhood! Our Riu Plaza Fisherman’s Wharf is located in the port area where you must try a typical Clam Chowder Bread Bowl, get lost in one of its many establishments, eat a shrimp salad, or simply enjoy the views of the San Francisco Bay. Well, one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed films has its own little spot there. Do you know which film we are referring to? If Jack and Rose have come to mind, you guessed correctly. All the scenes in Titanic where the ship’s engine rooms appear were filmed on the SS Jeremiah O’Brien, docked in the harbour.
Clam Chowder Bread Bowl, typical food in the Fisherman’s Wharf area.
And let’s not forget other iconic films such as Zodiac, The Maltese Falcon, The Social Network and Milk, the story about Harvey Milk, all of which were also filmed here.
When all is said and done, it’s an unmissable place. If you find the city, its streets and its people all look familiar to you, don’t panic, they may well have become part of your life through some major films.
