Filming on The San Francisco Peninsula

It's an exciting time to film in Northern California, especially on The San Francisco Peninsula. Just south of San Francisco and just north of San Jose, The San Francisco Peninsula has a huge variety in environments to set the stage perfectly for your next project. Without traveling more than 20 minutes, you can find yourself at beaches, parks, mountains, varied downtowns, industrial areas, and more. The region is bordered on the east by the San Francisco Bay and on the west by the Pacific Ocean, offering your production team both scenic beauty and the excitement of a cosmopolitan community for featured films, commercials, television shows, and media productions. You may already recognize the San Francisco Peninsula in movies, TV shows, car commercials and more, but there is so much left to be explored with film. See below for the active list of movies filmed in San Mateo County.

With 20 charming and picturesque cities and towns, including miles of stunning coastal and Bayfront shores, redwood forests, country roads, and the renowned high-tech Silicon Valley, we can assist you in finding that perfect location you've been looking for. We would be happy to assist you in accessing and submitting permits, contacts with our partners, logistical help, and otherwise anything else you'd need. While you're in the area, check out our Things to Do page! Be sure to be aware of Hotels and Events in the area as well.

Ready to get started? Contact Cam Newton (cam@thesfp.com) today to get your next film project underway in the best part of the San Francisco Bay Area!

Cliffs above the ocean at Devil's Slide.

 

Filming Resources

Top Film Locations on The San Francisco Peninsula

 

1. Devil's Slide

Devil’s Slide Trail is a 1.3-mile multi-use trail, converted from a former segment of Highway 1 with access to the rocky cliffs above the Pacific Ocean. 

 

2. Highway 1

Offering views of coastal bluffs and stunning beaches, Highway 1 is a top choice for filming.

 

3. Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay is a quaint small town in the heart of The San Francisco Peninsula's coastal region and is home to many local farms and the world-famous Mavericks surf. Chasing Mavericks (2012) celebrates the city's surfing legends. 

 

4. Filoli

Established as a private residence in 1917, Filoli is considered one of the finest remaining country estates of the 20th century featuring a 54,000 square-foot Georgian revival-style mansion and 16 acres of exquisite formal gardens. Filoli was featured in the Wedding Planner (2001).

 

5. Pigeon Point Lighthouse

 The 115-foot Pigeon Point Lighthouse is one of the tallest lighthouses in the United States, guiding mariners since 1872. The lens stands 16 feet tall, 6 feet in diameter, and weighs 2,000 pounds.

Cliffs above the ocean at Devil's Slide.

 

Filoli Garden House

Films and TV Shows Shot on The San Francisco Peninsula


The San Francisco Peninsula has been and remains one of the most diverse places to film movies, TV shows, commercials, and more. Below are a few examples of films shot on The San Francisco Peninsula. 

  • Chasing Mavericks (2012) starring Gerard Butler, Elisabeth Shue, Abigail Spencer, and Leven Rambin and directed by Curtis Hanson and Michael Apted, shot in Half Moon Bay.

  • Harold and Maude (1971) starring Ruth Gordon, Bud Cort, Vivian Pickles, Cyril Cusack, and Tom Skerritt and directed by Hal Ashby. This hilarious classic used several San Francisco Bay Area locations including the site of the former Southern Pacific Railroad Bayshore Yard in Brisbane. 

  • The Right Stuff (1983) starring Sam Shepard, Scott Glenn, Ed Harris, and Dennis Quaid and directed by Philip Kaufman. The indoor party scene involving a barbecue and fan dance was filmed at the Cow Palace arena (2150 Geneva Avenue). 

  • Sweet November (2001) starring Keanu Reeves, Charlize Theron, Jason Isaacs, and Greg Germann and directed by Pat O'Connor. The house located at 166  Santa Cruz Avenue in Daly City was featured as Keanu Reeves's character's childhood home. 

  • The Wedding Planner (2001) starring Jennifer Lopez, Matthew McConaughey, Bridgette Wilson, and Justin Chambers and directed by Adam Shankman. Filoli was used as a location for scenes.

  • Dynasty (1980) pilot for TV series starring John Forsythe, Linda Evans, Pamela Sue Martin, and numerous others was filmed at Filoli. The aerial shots of the mansion and the famous clock tower were shown during the opening credits for the series' entire run from 1981 to 1989. Sets were created duplicating the rooms of Filoli to shoot the interior scenes of the series. Additional filming of background shots was done in 1981. 

  • Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) starring Li Gong, Ziyi Zhang, and Michelle Yeoh. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve was used as one of the filming locations.

  • Bicentennial Man (1999) starring Robin Williams with Embeth Davidtz, Sam Neill, and Oliver Platt and directed by Chris Columbus. Green Gables Estate at 329 Albion Avenue in Woodside was used as the family home in the movie. 

  •  Poetic Justice (1993) starring Janet Jackson, Tupac Shakur, Regina King, Joe Torry, and Billy Zane and directed by John Singleton. Devil's Slide and Gray Whale Cove on Highway 1 just south of Pacifica and north of Montara were used as background.

 

 

 


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Pacifica Pier by Bradley Wittke
 

 

Professional Filming Associations

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Full Film/TV Show List by Location

Brisbane:

  • The Surprise Party (2001) 
  • Harold and Maude (1971) 
  • Bullitt (1968)

 

Daly City:

  • Sweet November (2001)
  • The Right Stuff (1983) 
  • Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn (1982) 
  • Karate Cop (also entitled Slaughter in San Francisco - 1973) 
  • Bullitt (1968) 

 

Colma:

  • Colma, the Musical (2006)
  • Nine Months (1995)
  • Dangerous Minds (1995) 
  • Harold and Maude (1971) 

 

South San Francisco:

  • Startup.com (2001)
  • Tales of the City (1993)
  • Dying Young (1991) 
  • Harold and Maude (1971) 
  • Skidoo (1968)
  • Riding High (1950) 

 

San Bruno:

  • The Rock (1996) 
  • Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988) 
  • Harold and Maude (1971) 
  • Riding High (1950) 

 

San Francisco International Airport:

  • Presidio Med (2002-2003)
  • Enough (2002)
  • Just One Night (2000)
  • The Game (1997) 
  • A Smile Like Yours (1997)
  • San Francisco International Airport (1970-1971)
  • San Francisco International (1970)
  • Bullitt (1968) 
  • Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967)

 

Millbrae:

  • A View to a Kill (1985)
  • The Right Stuff (1983) 
  • Bullitt (1968) 

 

Burlingame:

  • Ashes to Ashes (2001)
  • Mission (2000) 
  • Flubber (1997) 
  • Dangerous Minds (1995) 
  • Mrs. Lambert Remembers Love (1991)
  • The Right Stuff (1983) 
  • Harold and Maude (1971) 
  • Little Lord Fauntleroy (1921)

 

Hillsborough:

  • Kamillions (1989) 
  • Harold and Maude (1971) 

 

San Mateo:

  • Scrappers (2000)
  • Stonewashed (2000) 
  • Copycat (1995) 
  • Dangerous Minds (1995) 
  • Nine Months (1995) 
  • The Doors (1991)
  • The Killing (1956) 

 

San Carlos:

  • Harold and Maude (1971)

 

Redwood City:

  • The Matrix Reloaded (2003) 
  • Want (2002) 
  • Bicentennial Man (1999)
  • Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
  • Harold and Maude (1971)

 

Woodside:

  • The Darwin Awards (2005)
  • Rent (2005)
  • The Wedding Planner (2001)
  • Bicentennial Man (1999)
  • Stigmata (1999)
  • What Dreams May Come (1998)
  • Flubber (1997) 
  • The Game (1997)
  • George of the Jungle (1997)
  • Lolita (1997)
  • Nash Bridges (1996-2001)
  • Poetic Justice (1993)
  • The Joy Luck Club (1993) 
  • Raising Cain (1992)
  • Dying Young (1991)
  • An Inconvenient Woman (1991)
  • Shadow of a Doubt (1991)
  • Starman (1986-1987) 
  • Dynasty (1980) 
  • Heaven Can Wait (1978)

 

Menlo Park:

  • Startup.com (2001) 
  • Dumbarton Bridge (1999) 
  • Raising Cain (1992) 
  • Escape from Witch Mountain (1975)

 

East Palo Alto:

  • Dumbarton Bridge (1999)

 

Pacifica:

  • The House of Sand and Fog (2003)
  • Further Tales of the City (2001)
  • Harold and Maude (1971)

 

Montara:

  • The House of Sand and Fog (2003)
  • Bandits (2001)
  • Jade (1995)
  • Poetic Justice (1993)

 

Moss Beach:

  • Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
  • Room For Improvement (2002)
  • Stonewashed (2000)
  • The Promise (1997)