Living in San Francisco, you’ve probably had that moment while watching a movie or show where you pause and think, wait, that’s right down the street. This city, with all its quirks and layers, has been showing up on screens more and more, and it’s no wonder. It’s like San Francisco’s personality spills into each scene, grounding the story with familiar places that feel both personal and universal. Let’s take a look at some of the spots featured in 2023—who knows, maybe your favorite corner coffee shop made the cut!
I’m A Virgo: Vallejo Street Garage, Fairmont Hotel, Portsmouth Square Park
Boots Riley’s I’m A Virgo captured some of San Francisco’s lesser-seen spots, and it feels like a love letter to those hidden corners we walk by every day without a second thought. The Vallejo Street Garage and Portsmouth Square Park, with all their grit and charm, bring a raw side of the city into focus. And then there’s the Fairmont Hotel on Mason Street—a place that’s as old-school SF as it gets, with views that remind you why people fall in love with this city. Watching these scenes, you get this sense of the real San Francisco: unapologetically itself, blending the beauty with the bruises.
The Last Thing He Told Me: Chestnut at Steiner, Blue Bottle Coffee, Oracle Park
For The Last Thing He Told Me, they chose spots that feel like the heartbeat of the city. Chestnut Street at Steiner has that mix of neighborhood warmth and hustle that makes SF feel like home. Over on 2nd Street, Blue Bottle Coffee plays its part, too. You know the scene—a good cup of coffee, a quiet pause in the middle of the rush, and maybe a moment to people-watch. Then there’s Oracle Park, standing tall, showing off the city’s love for its team and our shared moments in the stands. These scenes remind us how even the most “ordinary” parts of the city have this way of carrying stories—ours, and the ones on-screen.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania: Buena Vista Park, Geary and Post Streets
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania gave us a fresh take on the city, zooming in on places that make you want to slow down and explore. Buena Vista Park—if you’ve hiked up there, you know it’s one of the best views in the city, with just enough peace to remind you to breathe. And then, when they moved into the buzzier parts of town—Geary Street and Post between Leavenworth and Montgomery—you feel that fast-paced energy that’s so uniquely San Francisco. Watching it all play out, you see the city’s dual personality: one minute it’s quiet and green, and the next, you’re surrounded by a chaotic beauty that just works.
Blindspotting Season 2: Coqueta at Pier 7, Broadway and Montgomery, Broadway Studios
Season 2 of Blindspotting brought us some classic SF vibes, with scenes at Coqueta on Pier 7 and Broadway Studios. If you’ve ever walked along Pier 7, you know it’s got that postcard-perfect view of the Bay—great for a date night or just a quiet moment with the city lights reflecting on the water. Broadway and Montgomery bring out another side of SF, the late-night energy that pulses through North Beach, especially at spots like Broadway Studios. There’s something about these places that feels unmistakably San Francisco—raw, creative, a little rough around the edges, and full of life.
Earth Mama: Bayside Drive, Treasure Island
Earth Mama found its soul in one of San Francisco’s most reflective spots, Bayside Drive on Treasure Island. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel a little removed from the city yet gives you this amazing view of it. Bayside Drive has this quiet beauty—it’s removed just enough that you feel like you’re looking at San Francisco with fresh eyes, seeing both its strengths and struggles from a bit of a distance. It’s the perfect spot for a story that dives into raw emotions, and if you ever need a breather, Bayside is there waiting for you.
Where Our Stories and Screens Meet
Walking through San Francisco, it’s hard not to see layers of history and personality in every street and corner. And seeing our city on-screen brings those layers to life in new ways. It’s a reminder that San Francisco isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a character all its own. Next time you’re out, take a look around; you might just be stepping into a scene waiting to happen.