Marin isn’t just a great place to watch movies — it’s a great place to make them. Some of the most iconic scenes and images in classic films were filmed all over Marin County, from residential neighborhoods in San Rafael, Mill Valley and Belvedere, to the scenic vistas of Muir Woods, Point Reyes and the Marin Headlands. In short, our gorgeous county has made an indelible mark on film history and will continue to provide breathtaking backdrops for films in the future. Here’s a fairly exhaustive list of movies that were made in Marin County.
In addition, beyond Marin, Northern California has been home to many famous films. Explore the many sites in San Francisco, Sonoma and even Monterey used as backdrops to some of Hollywood’s most notable films.
Marin Movies
American Graffiti (1973)
San Rafael
Fourth and Main streets serve as the film’s main drag.
Bandits (2001)
Mill Valley
Some scenes were shot at the Fireside Motel, 115 Shoreline Highway.
Basic Instinct (1992)
San Rafael
Scenes at a college were filmed at Dominican University.
Blue Jasmine (2013)
Belvedere
Future lovers meet at a mansion on Britton Avenue and a ranch house on Paradise Cay serves as backdrops for key scenes.
Bumblebee (2018)
Marin Headlands, Novato, San Rafael
Coastal shots were filmed in the Marin Headlands, and some residential shots were filmed in the Peacock Gap area of San Rafael. Underwater sequences were shot at the College of Marin’s pool in Novato.
Dark Passage (1947)
San Quentin
The film opens with Parry (Humphry Bogart) escaping the prison by hiding in a barrel!
Dirty Harry (1971)
Larkspur
Harry jumps onto a school bus off of the now-demolished Corte Madera Creek railway bridge, though a portion of the bridge remains. The final showdown was shot at the Hutchinson Rock Quarry.
The Fog (1980)
West Marin
Much of the film was shot in Point Reyes, with the Point Reyes Lighthouse and Drake’s Beach acting as the settings for crucial scenes. Point Reyes Station serves as the town of Port Antonio.
Gattaca (1997)
San Rafael
The Gattaca Aerospace Corporation’s headquarters scenes were filmed at the Marin County Civic Center.
The Godfather (1972)
Ross
The scene where Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) meets Kay Adams (Diane Keaton) after his return from Sicily was filmed at the Ross Elementary School.
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
San Anselmo
Exteriors of Jones’ home were filmed near Drake High on Alder Avenue.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
Novato
The hills of Nicasio are featured in the final moments of the movie when the freed children run back to their village. The opening cargo base scene was shot at Hamilton Air Force Base in Novato and a handful of shots were filmed in Fairfax.
Foul Play (1978)
Sausalito and Belvedere
Chevy Chase’s bachelor pad was filmed on a houseboat in Sausalito, and the opening credits feature views of Conzelman Road in the Marin Headlands. Airport scenes were filmed at Hamilton Air Force Base in Novato.
Jack (1996)
Ross, Mill Valley
The town, school and main house scenes were shot in Ross, and the graduation scene was shot in Mill Valley.
Play It Again, Sam (1972)
Sausalito, Stinson Beach
The Trident Restaurant’s interiors and The Spinnaker’s exteriors, both in Sausalito, served as a primary filming location for the film. The Marin Headlands and the Robin Williams Tunnel are featured as well. A few scenes were also filmed near and of Stinson Beach.
The Right Stuff (1983)
Novato
Hamilton Air Force Base in Novato served as a key production set for the film.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
Muir Woods
Mostly shot in Vancouver, but Muir woods has some cameos.
Salomy Jane (1914)
San Rafael
The film was a production of the California Motion Picture Corporation, which operated out of San Rafael before going bankrupt in 1916 (though it continued producing films through 1920). A storefront set dubbed “Hangtown” was built in Lagunitas, and a stagecoach chase scene was shot on Fairfax-Bolinas Road. Jane and Jack share a famous kiss near Lagunitas Creek.
Scream (1996)
Tomales Bay
Stu’s house at the end of the movie was filmed on Tomales Road.
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
Kentfield
Underwater scenes involving model whales were shot at the College of Marin’s campus swimming pool.
Ewoks: The Battle of Endor (1985)
San Rafael
Lucasfilm’s very own Skywalker Ranch served as one of the filming spots — all of which were on location in Northern California.
Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988)
Mount Tamalpais
The winding roads Tucker drives on were filmed on Ridgecrest Boulevard on Mount Tamalpais.
Sonoma County
The Birds, Alfred Hitchcock (1963)
Bodega Bay
Scenes in this Hitchcock classic that included the boat dock and restaurant were filmed in and around The Tides Wharf & Restaurant.
San Francisco
Milk, Gus Van Sant (2008)
Multiple Locations
This award-winning film shot nearly all outdoor scenes at the real-life locations, including Harvey Milk Plaza where the prominent politician and LGBTQ activist (portrayed by Sean Penn in the movie) held his first rally for gay rights.
Vertigo, Alfred Hitchcock (1958)
Multiple Locations
Jimmy Stewart’s character Scottie’s house was situated on 900 Lombard Street, on the corner of Jones Street; the Empire Hotel was filmed at what was once known as the Hotel York (now Hotel Julian); and Ransohoff’s fashion store was filmed at 259 Post Street.
East Bay
Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan (2023)
Berkeley
Christopher Nolan filmed several scenes in and around the UC Berkeley campus: Edwards Stadium (University of Chicago’s Stagg Field Stadium in the movie) and the archway into Cal’s Faculty Glade, to name a few.
Mrs. Doubtfire, Chris Columbus (1993)
Oakland
The comical scene depicting Robin Williams throwing fruit at Pierce Brosnan’s head by the pool was filmed at The Claremont Hotel & Spa.
South Bay
Harold and Maude, Hal Ashby (1971)
Palo Alto
This cult classic’s two main characters first meet at a funeral, filmed in what is actually the oldest church in Palo Alto, St. Thomas Aquinas (built in the early 1900s and now a registered historic landmark).
Monterey County
Basic Instinct, Paul Verhoeven (1992)
Carmel
Seacliff, a sprawling estate situated in the Carmel Highland’s, was the backdrop for Sharon Stone’s house.
Fun fact: the property was listed last year at $91 million.
