Look at What I Found on the Net

In search of... Hitchcock in San Francisco

Two of the master's famous dramas unfold on this city's streets. Ian McCurrach reveals the main locations

Published: 03 August 2003

Many famous movies have used San Francisco as a backdrop, but did Hitchcock shoot any there? You bet. Namely those two classics, Vertigo and The Birds. And it's not to difficult to find your way around town in the footsteps of the characters.

Many famous movies have used San Francisco as a backdrop, but did Hitchcock shoot any there?

You bet. Namely those two classics, Vertigo and The Birds. And it's not to difficult to find your way around town in the footsteps of the characters.

Vertigo, that's the one with James Stewart and Kim Novak, right?

Yep. Stewart plays Scottie, a former San Francisco policeman who suffers from vertigo - a dizzying sensation brought on by his acrophobia.

Acrophobia? That's fear of spiders isn't it? Where do they come in?

No, no, no. You are thinking of arachnophobia. Acrophobia is fear of heights, hence Vertigo, duh! Stewart is hired by a shipping magnate millionaire to follow his wife, Madeleine, played by the icy blonde Kim Novak, whom he fears is going to wind up dead.

So where do the locations come in and where can I find them?

At the start of the film, Scottie says that he is so overcome by vertigo that he cannot even ride the lift to the "Top of the Mark" - meaning to the bar at the top of the Mark Hopkins Inter-Continental Hotel up on Nob Hill. Although Scottie does not ride the lift to the 19th floor, you definitely should, as the views of the bays and bridges are unsurpassed. Forget the drab 1970s décor. Order a cocktail as the sun begins to slip into the Pacific and be inspired by the panorama panning out beneath you.

Where to next?

As you leave the Mark Hopkins, look out for the Brocklebank building, which is next door to the Fairmont Hotel at 950 Mason Street. This is where the scene was shot that establishes Scottie's mission to follow Madeleine. Scottie sits patiently waiting in his car outside what appears to be an elegant apartment building, watching and waiting for the enigmatic Madeleine to drive off in her Jaguar. Vertigo visitors are not encouraged but while in the area it is worth checking out the nearby Cable Car museum on Mason Street, which houses a collection of cable cars and the amazing motors that drive the cables.

So, getting back to Madeleine, where does she head for?

The mysterious Madeleine makes for Mission Dolores, 3321 16th Street, where she lays a bunch of flowers on the tombstone of her ancestor, Carlotta Valdez. The Mission district is sheltered from San Francisco's clammy fogs and is often the warmest neighbourhood in what is a frequently chilly city. Today the city's oldest district is a hotbed of culture and is still favoured by Latinos who came here when the mission was founded in 1776. Look out for the famous murals and sample the fabulous fare at the Mexican eateries. Wander round the mission cemetery, which is filled with flowers and among whose graves are those of the city's first mayor and California's first governor. But don't waste time looking for Carlotta's gravestone. It was a prop, removed after filming.

I guess we play Scottie and keep following Madeleine, right?

You got it. Head for the California Palace of the Legion of Honour, where Madeleine goes to look at a picture of Carlotta hanging in one of the galleries. Kim Novak did her mysterious woman act in Gallery Six but it's worth spending half a day here as the gallery is the prettiest in the city, surrounded by cypresses and pines, with the Pacific and the Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop. Be impressed by the fine Neo-Classical façade and be inspired by the vast permanent collection of mainly European paintings and excellent travelling exhibitions.

Didn't Madeleine pretend to commit suicide by throwing herself into the bay?

That's right. Your next stop should be Fort Point on Marine Drive, directly underneath the toll plaza for the Golden Gate Bridge, in the Presidio, a former military base. It was here that Madeleine jumped from the fort pier into the Pacific, only to be saved by superhero Stewart. The four-storey brick fort, which dates from the 1850s, was built to protect the city from attack by sea, and along with its 126 cannons, today houses several military exhibitions. This is a great place to get back to nature within the city as the Presidio boasts more than three miles of beaches, some 11 miles of hiking trails and around 14 miles of bicycle routes.

Where did Scottie live?

Funny you should ask, because after saving Madeleine from drowning he takes her home to his Russian Hill pad on Lombard Street. His apartment is still there on the 900 block but the main reason for coming here is to see what has been dubbed the "the crookedest street in the world". Between Hyde and Leavenworth Street, the 27 per cent gradient is the steepest in the city and packs in an incredible nine hairpin bends. Visitors queue up for the thrill of driving down it so go early or late to avoid the rush.

Madeleine and Scottie get out of the city, right?

They take a half-hour ride north to Muir Woods, the magnificent redwood forest which is on the other side of Golden Gate Bridge. Some of the redwoods here are more than 800 years old. There are plenty of hiking trails to follow, and abundant wildlife, such as deer and chipmunks, to observe.

Hmm, talking of wildlife, what's happened to The Birds?

We're getting to that bit now. Hitchcock cunningly combined the rolling hills and stunning shoreline of Bodega Bay with the inland hamlet of Bodega, making them seem only yards apart instead of miles. The schoolhouse is still standing in Bodega where Tippi Hedren and co holed up to escape the clutches of the crows, but it is now a private residence. These days Bodega Bay is a sleepy resort featuring some upmarket spa hotels and good restaurants. Keep your eyes peeled though for any menacing-looking feathered friends.

Okay, I'm hooked on Hitch. How do I get there?

British Airways (0845-733 377; www.ba.com) offers return flights from Heathrow to San Francisco from £358. If you want to hole up at one of the finest hotels in the city, check into Ian Schrager's The Clift Hotel (00 1 415 775 4700; www.ianshragerhotels.com), which offers rooms from £122 per night, based on two sharing. America Direct (0870-889 0827: www.americadirect.co.uk) offers seven nights' b&b at the Hotel Bijou from £499 per person, based on two sharing, including return flights from Heathrow with United Airlines. A seven-night room-only break at the three-star Renoir Hotel costs from £449 per person from Bon Voyage (0800-316 0194; www.bon-voyage.co.uk). Flights from Heathrow with Virgin Atlantic are included. Holiday Autos (0870-400 0010; www.holidayautos.co.uk) offers one week's car hire in San Francisco from £132, including online discount, insurances and taxes. Further information: California Tourism (0906-0577 0032, premium rate line; www.visitcalifornia.com).

..Ok, can we talk about San Francisco now??

Palace of Legion of Honor is spectacular!

Finally, standing before The Thinker

Ahh...that's what anyone wants: cold, wet fog in the middle of August

I became so dizzy looking up at the bridge

A lovely corner in Grace Cathedral

A a like-minded friend I met on the bus

The artists' show at Union Square

Mr. & Mrs. Sachs having dinner

Me on a bus...hey that's newsworthy since I never take the bus..I live in LA, remember?

Mission Dolores

I've become a blog freak, thank you very much. I currently have three blogs where I write and post photos and a Facebook page! As a result, I've been neglecting this page, I hate that.

So, with that in mind...

We went to San Francisco in early August for three days. Scott had to be there for professional reasons, and I tagged along for some rest, relaxation and tourism. I think somehow I forgot the resting and the relaxing, because I walked all day everyday we where there. I've been to San Francisco before, but have never had the opportunity or the time to see a lot and do a lot. This trip was different. Since I had a lot of alone time, as Scott's days were mostly spent at the convention, I mapped out a some sight I have always wanted to see and visit.

I traced some locations shown in one of all-time favorite movies, Hitchcock's Vertigo, and visited Mission Dolores and its antique grave yard, I sipped coffee and enjoyed partings by local artists in Union Square, and I visited the gorgeous Palace of Legion of Honor, which held Carlotta Valdez's portrait in Vertigo. Not such painting exists, of course, but the museum and the grounds were simply fantastic. And I finally saw Rodin's The Thinker, which made my year. And finally and most wonderfully, I took a walking tour of the Golden Gate Bridge, which is just amazing! But the weather was so windy and cold and foggy. Mother Nature apparently doesn't notice that it's AUGUST. I had four layers on, for goodness sake!

We had some wonderful meals, and even managed to meet up with some friends. All together it was a wonderful time. Here are some photos of our beautiful and memorable trip.

And stay tuned, because the next trip may be right around the corner. We might be going back to sunny Ventura, where we got married, for Labor Day weekend. I promise to write soon and share more photos.

Until then...

It's never to late to...

share good news. On July 1, 2007, my friend Karen who was a bridesmaid at my wedding got married. I've failed to share photos of Karen & Robert's beautiful wedding so far. This entry corrects that neglect.

Congratulations to Karen and Robert!

Love,

A&S

Fletcher, welcome to the world

Fletcher with mommy
Daddy's little man
Buddy welcoming Fletcher home- is that smile??

Our good friends, Michele and Patrick had their beautiful (I mean handsome and masculine) son on Tuesday, August 7, 2007. We are so happy for them and look forward to meeting little Fletcher Patrick very soon.

Congratulations, guys!

Love,

A&S

They are idols of hearts and of households;

They are angels of God in disguise;

His sunlight still sleeps in their tresses;

His glory still gleams in their eyes.

Oh those truants from home and from heaven,

They have made me more manly and mild,

And I know now how Jesus could liken

The kingdom of God to a child.

--DICKENS.

Happy Birthday, Madge!!!

Long time, I know. I'm about to share some new photos in the next few days. But, today's not about me. Today is about a legend, and inspiration and an unshakable spirit. This one's for you, Madge. Happy birthday.

With all my love and admiration,

Atisa

Our Travels in May 2007

With the gorgeous bride.

At a good friend's wedding in Plano, TX.

In Texas with a friend I had not seen in more than a decade.

Speaking of .... GIANT, I tell you.

At Serendipity before devouring a giant sundae!

We took this photo while going over the river in a cable car

Scott took this. It's his favorite photo of moi.

Overlooking New York City. Love it!

I told you we like traveling. To prove it, take a look at these photos. We were in NY for Scott's grandmother's 90th birthday party during the May 19th weekend. We got back on Monday, the 21st, only to pack our bags once more and head to good ol' Dallas, Texas FOUR days later on Friday, May 25th!!!

Jet setters? Yeah, baby!!!

Now, back in LA and on terra firma with no plans to travel in the foreseeable future, we get back to our routine in our wonderful, eclectic and crazy City of Angels.

Enjoy.

We Heart Traveling

At Sonoma's Sebastiani Winery

Strawberry Fields at Central Park

Mrs. Progressive Goes to Washington

In NYC and at the Metropolitan Opera

San Diego


On the plane from Los Angeles to Bella Roma

A year ago this time, after our gorgeous wedding, we were gearing up for our European honeymoon cruise. I'm reminded of that once in a lifetime trip at least once a day. The memories of those ten days will stay with me always. I often day dream about Rome, wish I could be in Paris, and wonder if I'll ever visit Portofino.

We love to travel and have had a year filled with memorable wonderful trips. Since our wedding and besides our honeymoon, we've traveled to San Diego, been to New York twice, I visited Washington, D.C. and we spent our anniversary in Napa. So, in honor and memory of our honeymoon and all the other memorable trips of this year, here are some photos of our trips in our first year of marriage.

Bon Voyage!

Long Time...

In Napa at our Cute Little Cottage
In Napa Celebrating our Wedding Anniversary

March 2007 in NYC at Carmine's

At Blue on Blue on our 10th Anniversary
Norooz 2007 Sitting by Our "Haftseen"

It has been a super long time since I've blogged on this page. I have no excuse other than saying life simply got away from me. Lots has happened since Valentine's Day 2007. On February 19, 2007, we celebrated ten years together. On March 21, 2007, we celebrated Norooz (Persian New Year) together, a first in a long time. On April 1, 2007, we commemorated the first anniversary of my sweet father's passing. On April 8, 2007, I got one older, making me a mere 21-year-old!:)



And, finally, last weekend we celebrated our first wedding anniversary!!! Hard to believe it's already been a year since our beautiful wedding. We celebrated in the most perfect way with a trip to Napa Valley, CA. Here are some photos from the last few months and celebrations.



Here's to another year filled with blessings, health and fartune. Here's to life filled with harmony, respect and love. Here's to my sweet, kind, generous, wonderful "HUS", Scott. I love you a little more everyday!!

OXOX

Happy Valetine's Day, Everyone!

Love,

A&S

1997-2007

2007 marks our 10 year anniversary. it was 10 years ago this month, when we met in law school. We had Criminal Law together with Professor Peden. And that's where we noticed each other. We both lived in MSU's Butterfield dormitory, and that's where we first met.

I was scared out of my kind. It was my first time away from my family, and everything seemed so scary: a new freezing state, a new challenging school, and having to figure out living independently for the first time.

Scott was a friendly, happy-go-lucky, hippie "dude" who seemed so at ease and so bright and sunny. He was so kind and truly caring nurturing and looking back at that time, I can honestly say that I would not have made it had it not been because of him.

So, to my kind, sweet, cute, gentle, accepting, and supportive "HUS", I say Happy Anniversary.

I love you more than words can express!!!

A

Boun Anno e Auguri!

We wish you all a year filled with health, wealth and happiness!!! Happy 2007!

Oh Holly Night...

We took this one just a few minutes ago.
Yes, that's snow in LA...fake snow, that is!


Isn't Santa handsome?

We want to wish you the merriest and happiest of Christmas Eves and a wonderful Christmas day tomorrow. May you always be surrounded by light, love, and family and may the new year make all your wishes come true.

Bon Natale!

A&S

Happy Holidays to You!

Only one short day left to Christmas Eve! What a wonderful time of the year this is. Everything seems happier and shinier. I just love it.

We could argue about each person's religious beliefs until we're blue in the face. We could discuss the "war on Christmas" and the lack of "Merry Christmas" wishes and the abundance of the PC greeting of "Happy Holidays". We could have a contest of the differing holidays... Chanukah's the one, no it's Christmas, and what about Kwanzaa? We could keep telling each other how different we are and drive a wedge between ourselves by one upping each other's holidays and religions. But, what does that accomplish?

Why not look at this time of the year and see it for what is: the time for us all to fulfill our need to believe in something unseen, in miracles, in magic, in beauty and in humanity? Does a Jew not see how beautiful the Christmas tree is? What problem could a Moslem have with lighting candles, gathering by friends and family and giving gifts out of love? Why can't we stop pointing to our differences and see, really see, that we're all basically the same? What can't we see that we all love our families and friends, that we yearn to believe in a higher power, that we love and look for beauty, that we want to celebrate life and that we all want to believe in magic, no matter how old we are, where we come from and what our gender is?

Christmas is a gorgeous holiday, and so is Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. They're all different ways of reaching the same goals: family, love, comfort, spirituality and thankfulness.

So, no matter what you believe and celebrate in your homes, we wish you bright days, happy nights and a season filled with love and happiness.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!

Christmas Present & Christmas Past

Scott wearing his favorite seasonal accessory at a party in 2004.
This house is in our neighborhood. It is adorn year-round by a whole lotta naked David statues and it's appropriately called the "Youngwood Estate" Ho! Ho! Ho!
Nearby Grove Shopping Center is all decked out. It boasts the tallest Christmas tree in the country. Even taller than the Rockefeller Center tree. Take that, NYC!
Our cute and tiny Christmas tree this year with a starfish as it's tree topper.

Here are some more photos from our Christmas times past and present. Enjoy!