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5 Pop-Culture Hotspots That Showcase Iconic San Francisco

April 24, 2018 by John Telford

Because of its beauty and charm, San Francisco often has a co-starring role in television shows, movies, and books. If you’re traveling to the city and want to see some of the famous locations in person, this guide can help you discover a few of the most famous pop culture hotspots around San Francisco.

Painted Ladies

Image via Flickr by jondoeforty1

Even though the television show “Full House” was filmed on a soundstage in Los Angeles, the show was set in San Francisco. If you were a kid growing up the in 1980s, chances are you’ll immediately know the sight of the Painted Ladies even if you don’t recognize the name. This row of pastel-colored, Victorian-style homes and a beautiful view of the city played a prominent role in the opening credits of the show. To get your own iconic picture of the Painted Ladies, go to Alamo Square Park in the Alamo Square neighborhood.

Pacific Heights

Considered by many as one of Robin Williams’ greatest films, “Mrs. Doubtfire” has several iconic shots of San Francisco throughout the movie. However, the most famous is the house used in the film in the Pacific Heights neighborhood. When Williams passed away in 2014, fans created an impromptu memorial by leaving flowers and trinkets at the house. If you want to drive by the home to view it, you can use InterContinental Hotels Group to find a hotel in the Pacific Heights neighborhood. Just remember that the house is a private residence.

Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of San Francisco’s most iconic and recognizable landmarks. Whether it’s being destroyed in an action film or simply driven across in a romantic comedy, chances are good that if a television show or movie is being filmed in the city, you’ll see some great shots of the bridge. For your own scenic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, go to either Fort Point National Historic Site or Crissy Field.

Nob Hill

When “Vertigo” was first released in 1958, the movie’s reception was less than stellar. However, today it’s considered one of Alfred Hitchcock’s defining works and a classic film. The movie offers several famous shots of San Francisco, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Legion of Honor Museum, and buildings around the Mission District. However, one of the most recognizable attractions is the imposing Brocklebank Apartments located in the Nob Hill neighborhood. In the movie, characters Galvin and Madeleine Elster lived in these apartments, and you can still drive by to see the building today.

Sister Act Churches

Although the churches featured in “Sister Act” and “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit” were fictional, the actual church buildings are in San Francisco, and you can visit them today. Saint Paul’s Catholic Church in the Noe Valley neighborhood was the church in the first movie, and Saints Peter and Paul Church in the North Beach neighborhood is where the second was filmed.

When you want to take a tour of some of San Francisco’s iconic pop culture hotspots, you don’t want to miss these popular destinations.

Filed Under: The Americas Tagged With: destinations, pop culture, San Francisco, travel

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