SF Christmas Movie Filming Locations

2Nob Hill · Hotelon screen

Mason Street & the Fairmont

In the movie: My Big Fat Chinese Christmas (2022), the Hallmark movie set in SF, filmed on Mason Street between California and Pine, right outside the Fairmont.

The Fairmont lobby builds a two-story gingerbread house every December. It is the most Hallmark thing in the city, and free to see.

Pro tip: Ride the California Street cable car up the hill and get off at Powell or Mason.

Gingerbread house season: November 21–December 31, 2026 (per the hotel).

Free to see the lobby display.

Address, sources & location

950 Mason Street, San Francisco CA

Pinned at the nearest intersection; this is a public sidewalk.

3Chinatown · Streeton screen

Grant Avenue & Old St. Mary’s

In the movie: The Hallmark crew shot along Grant Avenue between Clay and California, the stretch of Chinatown that runs up to Old St. Mary’s Cathedral.

Lanterns over Grant, the old brick cathedral on the corner and dim sum in every direction. Chinatown is where the movie’s family story lives.

Pro tip: Look for the clock tower inscription on Old St. Mary’s, then walk Grant north for snacks.

Street is open any time. Shops keep their own hours.

Free to wander. Food is pay as you go.

Address, sources & location

660 California Street, San Francisco CA

Pinned at the nearest intersection; this is a public sidewalk.

Source 1 ↗

4Financial District · Pocket parknearby

Transamerica Redwood Park

In the movie: My Big Fat Chinese Christmas filmed on Montgomery Street between Clay and California, a block from this redwood grove at the foot of the Pyramid.

A half-acre of real redwoods tucked under the Transamerica Pyramid. It is one of downtown’s calmest corners.

Pro tip: Bring a coffee and sit for ten minutes. It is a five-minute walk from Grant Avenue.

Park hours vary. Check posted hours.

Free.

Address, sources & location

600 Montgomery Street, San Francisco CA

Approximate venue, building or park location; follow the venue’s entrance directions.

5Embarcadero · Museumon screen

Exploratorium

In the movie: The Hallmark crew filmed at Pier 15, home of the Exploratorium.

Hands-on science for every age, plus bay views from the outdoor gallery. Great on a rainy December day.

Pro tip: Thursday After Dark nights are adults only. Check the calendar before you book.

Museum lists its own hours and holiday closures. Check before you go.

Paid tickets. The waterfront outside is free.

Address, sources & location

Pier 15, The Embarcadero, San Francisco CA

Approximate venue, building or park location; follow the venue’s entrance directions.

6Embarcadero · Pieron screen

Pier 7

In the movie: Another My Big Fat Chinese Christmas location: the long public fishing pier off the Embarcadero.

Walk to the end for the Bay Bridge and the Coit Tower view. The bridge lights put on a show after dark.

Pro tip: Pair it with the Exploratorium. The two piers are about five minutes apart.

Public pier.

Free.

Address, sources & location

The Embarcadero at Broadway, San Francisco CA

Approximate venue, building or park location; follow the venue’s entrance directions.

7Russian Hill · Cable caron screen

Hyde Street Cable Car (Filbert to Chestnut)

In the movie: The Hallmark movie’s holiday cable car ride was shot on the Powell-Hyde line between Filbert and Chestnut, with a car decked out in Christmas trim.

This stretch is the postcard: the car tips over the top of Russian Hill with the bay and Alcatraz straight ahead.

Pro tip: Board at the Hyde and Beach turnaround to skip the Powell Street line, and ride facing downhill.

Cable car service runs daily. Check SFMTA for schedules and service changes.

Cable car fare is paid.

Address, sources & location

Hyde Street & Greenwich Street, San Francisco CA

Pinned at the nearest intersection; this is a public sidewalk.

8Twin Peaks · Viewpointon screen

Twin Peaks

In the movie: Four Christmases (2008) is set in San Francisco. Twin Peaks shows up in one of its city views, and Kate and Brad’s modern hilltop house is on Burnett Avenue just below.

The best free view of the whole city. Go at sunset and watch downtown light up.

Pro tip: The movie house is a private home. Enjoy the view from the summit and skip the house.

Public park. Windy and cold after dark.

Free.

Address, sources & location

Twin Peaks Boulevard, San Francisco CA

Approximate venue, building or park location; follow the venue’s entrance directions.

Source 1 ↗ · Source 2 ↗ · Source 3 ↗

9SFO · Airporton screen

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

In the movie: The opening of Four Christmases: fog cancels every flight, and Kate and Brad’s fake charity trip gets caught on the news. It was shot in a real terminal with about 500 crew.

You will probably pass through anyway. SFO puts up holiday decor and runs art exhibits in the terminals.

Pro tip: Check the SFO Museum exhibits on your layover. They are free and before or after security.

Airport is open around the clock.

Free to see.

Address, sources & location

San Francisco International Airport, San Mateo County CA

Approximate venue, building or park location; follow the venue’s entrance directions.

10Potrero Hill · Streeton screen

18th & Missouri, Potrero Hill

In the movie: Sweet November (2001): Sara’s apartment is at this corner, and Nelson brings her his “12 gifts of Christmas.” The apartment interiors were shot on a set on Treasure Island.

A sunny village corner with cafés, a bookstore and a corner bar. It still feels like the movie.

Pro tip: Get a coffee on 18th and walk up to the top of the hill for a downtown view.

Public sidewalk. Businesses keep their own hours.

Free to wander.

Address, sources & location

18th Street & Missouri Street, San Francisco CA

Pinned at the nearest intersection; this is a public sidewalk.

11Presidio · Beachon screen

Crissy Field

In the movie: Sweet November also filmed out on Crissy Field, with the Golden Gate Bridge behind.

A flat bay walk with the bridge right in front of you. Good for a crisp winter morning.

Pro tip: Walk west to the Warming Hut for a hot drink and the closest bridge views.

Public park.

Free.

Address, sources & location

1199 East Beach, San Francisco CA

Approximate venue, building or park location; follow the venue’s entrance directions.

12Treasure Island · Islandnearby

Treasure Island

In the movie: Rent (2005) runs from Christmas Eve to Christmas Eve. Its loft and many interiors were built in a soundstage on Treasure Island, where Sweet November’s apartment set was too.

The soundstages are off-limits, but the island’s shoreline has a wide-open skyline view across the bay.

Pro tip: Drive or take the bus. The skyline view is best from Avenue of the Palms on the west shore.

Island is open. Film stages are not.

Free.

Address, sources & location

Treasure Island, San Francisco CA

Approximate venue, building or park location; follow the venue’s entrance directions.

Source 1 ↗ · Source 2 ↗ · Source 3 ↗ · Source 4 ↗

13SoMa · Film historynearby

375 Seventh Street (Nightmare Before Christmas studio)

In the movie: The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) was animated frame by frame in a SoMa warehouse here, split into stages for Halloween Town and Christmas Town.

The building was demolished in 1998, so there is nothing to tour. This is a film-history pin, not a destination.

Pro tip: Rewatch it, then remember Jack Skellington is basically a San Franciscan.

The studio is gone.

Free.

Address, sources & location

375 7th Street, San Francisco CA

Pinned at the street address; follow the venue’s entrance directions.