Movie Sights Tours in San Francisco

Probably the best way to sightsee in San Francisco is a movie sights tour. Combine the must-see stops in the city with ones made famous on the silver screen. Spy the park where the Tanners picnic in “Full House,” the spot where Jimmy Stewart rescues Kim Novak in “Vertigo” and the infamous chase scene from “Bullitt.”

Motor up the hills and curving roads of the “City by the Bay” while taking in quintessential landmarks and locales made famous in more than 50 movies and television shows. A movie sights tour in San Francisco delivers all you expect from a sightseeing excursion and more.

You can browse through our movie sights tours guide, which is full of useful tips and information on one of the most captivating sightseeing activities in San Francisco.

What are the best movie sights tours in San Francisco?

Hop on a tour bus with a large or small group for a tour of San Francisco sites made famous in movies and TV. Half-day movie sights tours hit the prime destinations in town with the thrill of witnessing the backdrop of blockbuster movies.

Take in the commentary from your guide during the 3-hour drive to many points in the city. Watch on-board video clips from San Francisco’s top movies as you visit the areas where they were filmed. While the focus is on filming locations, you will see and learn about the city’s famous sites at the same time.

Where will I go and what will I see?

Movie filming locations

Action, family, comedy and classic films have made parts of San Francisco familiar to moviegoers around the world for decades. Tour providers have compiled countless clips from movies filmed in the city, and your guide will show 70 or more of them as you view the actual places throughout the tour.

Noteworthy spots include the building where Christian Slater questions Tom Cruise in “Interview with a Vampire.” View the alley where Sam Spade’s partner, Miles Archer, was slain in the “Maltese Falcon.” Pass by the high school from “The Princess Diaries,” and don't miss photo ops of Alcatraz, featured in a bevy of films and TV shows.

Snap a photo of the house from “Mrs. Doubtfire” and the park steps damaged in the car chase scene from “What’s up, Doc?” Though not immortalized on film, observe the spot where Francis Ford Coppola penned the screenplay for “The Godfather.”

Television filming locations

The small screen has done its part, adding to San Francisco’s appeals. Glimpse areas featured in “Monk,” “The Bachelor,” “Full House” and “Fuller House.” See how the chapters of Armistead Maupin’s “Tales of the City” books-turned-series look set against real San Francisco venues. Relive memories of 1994’s “Real World” as you pass by the cast’s haunts.

Parks

Some of the Bay Area’s best known attractions are its parks. A must on any San Francisco sightseeing tour is the Golden Gate Bridge, with pristine views from the Presidio. Established in 1776, the Presidio was once Spain’s northernmost military post. Today, the Presidio offers days' worth of entertainment with its trails, museums, game fields, beaches and more.

Golden Gate Park sits to the west of town, and its open spaces boast lakes, waterfalls, museums and the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Some of the park’s highlights are its resident bison population and its role in the genesis of 1967’s “Summer of Love” movement.

Fisherman’s Wharf

The starting point of many San Francisco sightseeing tours, Fisherman’s Wharf is home to some of the city’s most celebrated destinations. Taste locally made chocolate at the Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience, visit a museum and dine on fresh seafood, before checking out the sea lions of Pier 39.

Lombard Street

Just two blocks south of Fisherman’s Wharf is Lombard Street, notoriously called the “crookedest street in the world.” This picturesque thoroughfare meanders down a hill planted with hydrangeas that are in bloom year-round. Its distinctive scenery has made appearances in many movies, including an animated depiction in Pixar’s 2015 film “Inside Out.”

The “Painted Ladies”

Alamo Square, though tiny, is immediately recognizable for its “Painted Ladies.” This row of colorful homes dating from the 1890s star in the opening credits of “Full House” and countless Instagram posts. One of the Painted Ladies was owned by “The Color Purple” author Alice Walker. Alamo Square’s hilltop perch affords peerless views of the city skyline.

The Beat Generation

Fans of the Beat authors flock to North Beach. During the 1950s, Jack Kerouac, Allan Ginsburg, Gary Snyder and other counter-culture writers frequented the area. Check out Caffe Trieste, the City Lights Bookstore and the Beat Museum for a dose of beatnik culture.

Nob Hill

Affluent Nob Hill has drawn the rich and famous to its premium real estate since the time of the railroad barons. In the 1870s, the four founders of the transcontinental railroad displayed their earnings by building ostentatious, looming mansions. Some survive today and are a marvel. The neighborhood has made cameos in Hitchcock movies.

Haight-Ashbury

Haight-Ashbury is a quarter made famous by the cross streets of the same name that burst into fame in the 1960s. “Flower power” bloomed here, and the area still celebrates peace and love today. Roam its colorfully painted streets in search of former residences of members of the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane.

The Castro

Known as one of the first places in the United States where LGBTQ+ individuals felt safe and accepted, the Castro neighborhood remains a safe haven with tons of entertainment options.

Here you will find prime shopping and dining, as well as the historic Castro Theater. Stop for a solemn moment at one of the area’s several monuments to the struggles of the LGBTQ+ community.

How much do movie sights tours in San Francisco cost?

Group San Francisco movie sights tours cost US$60 per adult, US$55 per senior aged 65 and up and US$40 per child aged 5 to 17. Small group tours cost US$70 per adult, US$60 per senior and US$45 per child. Children under 5 can participate for free with a paying adult.

What is included in movies sights tours?

San Francisco movie sights tours are led by actors or comedians-turned guides, who entertain you with a wealth of facts during the tour. You will enjoy clips from over 50 movies that were filmed in the city, as well as San Francisco’s top magnets for visitors. Some tours also provide a booklet to accompany the sites.

The ride in a small yet comfortable tour bus makes it easy for families and people with limited mobility. Buses can accommodate strollers and collapsible wheelchairs, making a tour of San Francisco’s steep streets accessible for all.

Group tours take place on a 23-seat bus, while the bus for small group tours accommodates 13 participants.

Where do they  start?

Movie sights tours start at Fisherman’s Wharf or the neighboring Embarcadero.

What is the typical duration?

Movie Sights tours in San Francisco typically last 3 hours. Tour providers ask that you arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes before your scheduled excursion.

When should I go on a movie sights tour in San Francisco?

The best time for a movie sights tour in San Francisco is during the fall, after the summer fog has dissipated. Book a tour in September for warm weather without the crowds of the peak tourist season. However, a movie sights tour can be enjoyable at any time of year.

Travel tips

• Movie sights tours in San Francisco sell out quickly, so book your tour early.
• Be prepared for the day’s weather, as you will be able to exit the bus for photos and exploring.
• Wear comfortable shoes, as you may do some walking.