Along with a visit to the Point Bonita Lighthouse and the small town of Sausalito, you can take this trip. The ancient redwoods and historic waterfront town are a great contrast, and combined, make the trip that much more enjoyable.
Godzilla — Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is the most famous landmark in San Francisco, so it’s no wonder the movies set in the city feature the bridge. In Godzilla, when the monster arrives in San Francisco, he destroys the bridge. The scene where a school bus drives across the bridge to escape the monster is memorable.
For a nice view of the bridge, go to Crissy Field where the beach is a nice spot to look from. It’s a great place to walk the dog because plenty of people walk their dogs here. Another nice spot to view the bridge is from a sailboat underneath it. A two-person sailboat ride at sunset is especially recommended to see the bridge with the sky glowing behind it.
It’s common for visitors to ride a bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. There are bike paths on both sides of the bridge, making it the ideal way to cross one of the most famous bridges in the world.
Inside Out — Lombard Street
San Francisco also inspired animation films such as Big Hero 6, and then Inside Out which came after it.
After moving to the city, Riley's family moved from Minnesota, and Riley begins with sadness and anger, then moves toward acceptance and eventually starts embracing her new home. The film includes iconic places in San Francisco like the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, and Lombard Street.
Lombard Street is considered the city's crooked street. It is filled with flowers during all seasons of the year with spring hydrangeas, summer roses, and autumn chrysanthemums. The top section also offers views of Coit Tower and the Bay Bridge.
The Rock, and Mrs. Doubtfire, and the Palace of Fine Arts.
This Roman style construction is over a century old and has a large dome and a peaceful lagoon. It is a very cinematic place and a construction that has to be built to commemorate the rebirth of San Francisco after the earthquake. It is also one of the constructions that require the least amount of imagination to appear cinematic.
This location starred the emotional reunion of Mason, played by Sean Connery, with his daughter in The Rock, and also starred in the Mrs. Doubtfire film with Robin Williams and The Princess Diaries with Anne Hathaway.
Tips:
The Palace of Fine Arts is small yet beautifully built. More than a century old, it sits comfortably by more modern houses. The calm scenery with birds and flowers makes an excellent place for an unhurried walk.
You can easily go to the Golden Gate Bridge and another destination due to the distance between them.
\The Pursuit of Happyness - Chinatown
\Will Smith stars in the movie which is based on a true story. The man struggles to make a living, and so he goes through a lot of hardships with his son. After all of the challenges, he becomes a millionaire. Some Chinatown scenes were filmed during a trip to San Francisco.
\Chinese immigrants started arriving to San Francisco in the 19th century. Due to extreme racial discrimination, they were centered in one place;
this formed Chinatown. This discrimination led to the creation of a neighborhood that was able to support its own community institutions. Today there are Chinese banks, schools, newspapers, restaurants, and various other businesses.
\Recommended hotels InterContinental Mark Hopkins: \About $249 per night. Fairmont San Francisco: \About $350 per night.
The two hotels are located close to Chinatown and the Financial District. From the windows, the view of Chinese shops and a lively Chinese community can create an immediate sense of familiarity for Chinese travelers,
\Check other Chinatown hotels: Expedia, Hotels.com & Priceline.com
\The Shawshank Redemption and The Godfather - Alcatraz Island
\Alcatraz Island is famous for being home to one of the most heavily guarded prisons in American history, which is why it is called 'The Rock.' \ It has a dreary, cold and wet climate which adds to its forbidding atmosphere. The island was first used for isolation by Indigenous people on those who were considered unwelcome.
Due to its dangerous location, including lots of water and sharks, Alcatraz became a federal prison in 1907.
Inmates included Al Capone, a gangster from Chicago, and the “Birdman” Robert Stroud. Philip Grosser became a famous name associated with the prison when he published Uncle Sam’s Devil’s Island, which documented the violent and terrifying conditions of the prison.
Tips:
Tickets to Alcatraz are in high demand, so they usually need to be booked about 1-2 months in advance. The CityPass is a great option if you plan to ride a cable car, go to the aquarium, and visit Alcatraz, as it helps save money. It is recommended to book Alcatraz tickets first on their official website. You can buy CityPasses at the pier on the day you travel. You can also order CityPasses and Alcatraz ferry tickets to be delivered to your home by calling 415-981-7625.
Do not miss Fisherman’s Wharf after visiting Alcatraz. You can find fresh Dungeness crab and oysters as well as sourdough bread. You may even see a huge cruise ship that is about to leave for Alaska.
