The Great Outdoors

PG

• Though the film is set in Wisconsin, it was actually filmed in Yosemite as well as in Bass Lake in California
• Ducey’s Bass Lake Lodge, a rustic 1940s resort, was featured as Wally and Juanita’s Perk’s Pine Lodge

Small Soldiers

PG-13

• This children’s favorite was partially filmed in Yosemite Valley, an area which the toys believe to be their planet Gorgon

Mrs. Doubtfire

PG-13

• Classic Robin Williams comedy. He called Tiburon (in Marin County) his home – and the tunnel from the Golden Gate bridge over to Marin County is named in his honor.
• This movie was set and filmed entirely in San Francisco – you will see plenty of famous locations.
• You can check out the Hillard family home at 2640 Steiner Street in Pacific Heights and enjoy the incredible view down Steiner to the Bay!

Escape from Alcatraz

PG

• This film dramatizes the real 1962 prisoner escape from the maximum security prison on Alcatraz Island.
• Alcatraz was closed shortly after the true events on which the film was based.
• Much of this movie was filmed on location on Alcatraz Island.
• Producers paid $500,000 to restore the decaying prison. Many improvements remain intact after filming.

Star Trek V, The Final Frontier

PG

• One of the most famous movies filmed in Yosemite
• Captain Kirk spends his shore leave climbing on El Capitan and Inspiration Point

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

PG

• The rafting sequence was filmed in the Tuolumne River Rapids in Yosemite

My Favorite Wife

PG

• This three-time Academy Award nominated film starring Cary Grant and Irene Dunne was mostly filmed in Yosemite National Park in the Ahwanee Hotel.

Bonanza

G

• The Cartwright family lived on the Ponderosa Ranch near Lake Tahoe, and parts of Bonanza were filmed on its shores.
• The famous opening scene of Bonanza was filmed on location at North Lake Tahoe near Incline Village.
• In October 2020 – the Ponderosa Ranch property – which is 24 acres – was sold for $38 Million!

City Of Angels

PG-13

• Filmed at the same house as the BodyGuard (below). The Tallac House at Fallen Leaf Lake, Lake Tahoe.
• The dramatic final scene when Meg Ryan is on her bike is HWY 89 near Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe.

The Rock

R

• Another movie filmed mostly on Alcatraz Island. Since the Island is now part of the National Park Service – the production could not shut it down – and filming had to be done around crowds of tourists.
• The scene where Womback is thrown off the balcony – was filmed at the Fairmont Hotel. Filming led to multiple calls to the hotel out of concern for a man hanging from a balcony!

Milk

R

• This award winning film is based on the life of gay rights activist Harvey Milk, who was the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in California – to the San Franscisco Board of Supervisors
• Much of this was filmed on Castro St., including Milk’s former storefront – Castro Camera.

The Game

R

• Set in the City’s Financial District. It’s such a busy section of the city – that filming was done mostly on weekends in order to have more control.
• The scene where the taxi drives into the San Francisco Bay was near the Embarcadero.
• Some notable filming locations, Golden Gate Park, The Presidio, and the famous Filoli Mansion (located in Woodside). San Francisco Airport even makes an appearance!

Dirty Harry

R

• This was shot almost entirely in San Francisco
• The story is drawn from the real life case of the Zodiac Killer, a notorious serial killer who operated in Northern California. The film’s character seeks out a similar vicious psychopath.
• Many well known spots can be seen – City Hall, the Hall of Justice, Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Lombard Street, and Kezar Stadium to name a few.

The Road Within

R

• One of the few recent movies filmed in Yosemite.
• This dramedy was entirely shot in California with several parts of the road trip being filmed in Yosemite.

Yosemite

R

• The film was shot in various locations in Yosemite National Park.
• The director had chosen the locations, but many of them ended up being a lot of the places that James Franco and his father had visited when he was a child

The Godfather II

R

• The Corleone Estate is in Fleur De Lack Estates in West Lake Tahoe – in Homewood.
• The area has now been developed and the Corleone compound is now the Boathouse of a private, gated community.

The BodyGuard

R

• The wintery retreat is also filmed at Fallen Leaf Lake located about 1 mile from Camp Richardson in Lake Tahoe.

Smokin’ Aces

R

• Set and filmed in Lake Tahoe
• The Nomad Casino – was actually MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa in Lake Tahoe

Survivors

R

• Comedy Legends Robin Williams and Walter Mathau star in this comedy thriller that is filmed in Lake Tahoe.
• Most of the scenes are filmed in and around Camp Richardson.