Steve McQueen's 1968 thriller was shot on real San Francisco streets, from Nob Hill to the airport, with no studio sets at all.
Bullitt was filmed almost entirely on location in San Francisco, California, plus nearby Millbrae, Brisbane, and Daly City. The production shot on real streets and at real landmarks rather than building studio sets, which was unusual for a major feature at the time. Key sites include Nob Hill, Pacific Heights, North Beach, and San Francisco International Airport.
Peter Yates directed Bullitt in 1968, and the film remains a landmark in location shooting. Instead of soundstages, the production used the actual streets, hotels, hospitals, and hills of San Francisco and surrounding Bay Area towns. That decision gives the film a grounded, documentary-like feel that still draws fans to the city decades later.
Most of the locations survive in recognizable form, and many sit within walking distance of each other in neighborhoods like Nob Hill and North Beach. Others, including the airport and the chase roads south of the city, are easy to reach by car or public transport.
| Location | Where | What was filmed | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullitt's Apartment | San Francisco | Bullitt's apartment building exterior and nearby street scenes | Outside only |
| Mark Hopkins Hotel | San Francisco | Hotel lobby scene where Ross is spotted | Free to see |
| Chalmers' Mansion | San Francisco | Chalmers' residence exterior and terrace scenes | Outside only |
| Coffee Cantata | San Francisco | Jazz club and restaurant scene | Free to see |
| San Francisco General Hospital | San Francisco | Hospital and emergency room scenes | Free to see |
| Thunderbolt Motel / Clarion Hotel | Millbrae | Suburban motel / Thunderbird Hotel murder scene | Free to see |
| Enrico's Restaurant | San Francisco | Restaurant scene | Free to see |
| Grace Cathedral | San Francisco | Church exterior scenes | Free to see |
| San Francisco International Airport | San Francisco | Airport tarmac and terminal scenes including showdown | Ticketed |
| Guadalupe Canyon Parkway / North Hill Drive | Brisbane | Final part of car chase and Charger crash | Free to see |
10 locations. The map loads when it scrolls into view.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
California, San Francisco Outside only
Filmed here: Bullitt's apartment building exterior and nearby street scenes
The detective's home appears in exterior shots and nearby street scenes. The building is a residential property at 1153-1157 Taylor Street at the corner of Clay Street, on the steep slopes of Nob Hill. Fans can view the exterior from the public street, though it remains private housing, so respect residents' privacy during a visit.
California, San Francisco Free to see
Filmed here: Hotel lobby scene where Ross is spotted
The luxury hotel's lobby is where Ross is spotted during the film. The Mark Hopkins sits at 999 California Street on Nob Hill and is open to guests and visitors, making it one of the easiest locations to walk into. Fans can see the lobby area and enjoy views from one of the city's most famous hotels.
California, San Francisco Outside only
Filmed here: Chalmers' residence exterior and terrace scenes
The residence used for Chalmers' exterior and terrace scenes stands at 2700 Vallejo Street in Pacific Heights. It is a private home, so access is exterior only, but it can be viewed from the public street. The grand facade fits the politician character well and adds to the neighborhood's stretch of handsome architecture.
California, San Francisco Free to see
Filmed here: Jazz club and restaurant scene
This jazz club and restaurant scene was filmed at a former location on Union Street in Cow Hollow. Visitors should know the area has since been redeveloped, so the original venue no longer exists. The surrounding blocks remain pleasant to explore and sit close to other filming areas in the northern half of the city.
California, San Francisco Free to see
Filmed here: Hospital and emergency room scenes
Hospital and emergency room scenes were shot here, with real doctors and nurses appearing as extras during the operation sequence. The facility is now Zuckerberg San Francisco General at 1001 Potrero Avenue and operates as a public hospital. It is a working medical center, so sightseeing should be limited to public areas.
California, Millbrae Free to see
Filmed here: Suburban motel / Thunderbird Hotel murder scene
The suburban motel murder scene, set at the Thunderbird Hotel, was filmed at the former Clarion Hotel at 401 E. Millbrae Avenue in Millbrae, south of the city. The property has since been rebranded as the Aloft San Francisco Airport. It functions as a normal hotel, and the immediate area is fully accessible to the public.
California, San Francisco Free to see
Filmed here: Restaurant scene
A restaurant scene took place at Enrico's, formerly located at 504 Broadway in North Beach. The area has changed considerably since 1968 and the restaurant is long gone. Broadway itself retains its nightlife character, and the block sits within easy walking distance of other North Beach spots connected to the film.
California, San Francisco Free to see
Filmed here: Church exterior scenes
Church exterior scenes were filmed at Grace Cathedral, located at 1100 California Street on Nob Hill, a short walk from the Mark Hopkins Hotel. The cathedral is open to visitors, making it one of the most welcoming stops on a Bullitt itinerary. Its Gothic Revival architecture makes it a worthwhile stop in its own right.
California, San Francisco Ticketed
Filmed here: Airport tarmac and terminal scenes including showdown
The airport supplied tarmac and terminal scenes, including the film's showdown. Mayor Joseph Alioto helped the production secure permission for two weeks of night shoots here. Today it is a public airport, with terminal areas accessible to ticketed passengers. Anyone flying in or out of San Francisco passes through a genuine filming location.
California, Brisbane Free to see
Filmed here: Final part of car chase and Charger crash
The final stretch of the famous chase, including the Charger crash, was filmed on public roads in the Brisbane and Daly City area south of San Francisco. The roads remain open to drivers today, and film fans can trace the route by car. Drive with caution, as these are ordinary working roads rather than a designated tourist route.
The story is set in San Francisco, and the film was shot almost entirely on location there and at nearby Bay Area sites. There is essentially no gap between setting and filming location. Bullitt was one of the first major features shot almost entirely on location in San Francisco, with no studio sets used at all.
No dedicated Bullitt tour currently operates, but two general movie location tours of San Francisco include stops connected to the film. Both are bus or coach tours, so they cover ground efficiently and suit visitors who want film history alongside sightseeing.
San Francisco Movie Sights City Tour
With 1,324 reviews, this movie sights city tour passes through the North Beach and Nob Hill areas tied to Bullitt, screening on-board clips as it goes. It suits visitors who want a broader film-oriented overview of San Francisco with the comfort of a guided coach ride.
San Francisco: Movie Filming Locations Bus Tour
This bus tour includes various locations from the famous chase scene, along with other film sites around the city. At 79 USD, it has 414 reviews and appeals to travelers who want to step out at chase-related spots rather than only view them from a window.
Yes. The chase was filmed over two weeks in April 1968 on real streets in San Francisco and on roads in the Brisbane and Daly City area, including Guadalupe Canyon Parkway and North Hill Drive where the Charger crashes. No special effects were used.
Steve McQueen performed many of his own driving stunts in the Mustang during the car chase, though professional stunt drivers also contributed to the sequence.
The building is a private residence at 1153-1157 Taylor Street at Clay Street. You can view the exterior from the public street, but you cannot enter.
No. Bullitt was one of the first major features shot almost entirely on location in San Francisco, with no studio sets used. Even the hospital scene used real doctors and nurses as extras.
It was filmed at the former Clarion Hotel at 401 E. Millbrae Avenue in Millbrae. The property now operates as the Aloft San Francisco Airport, so fans can even stay on the site.
There is no dedicated Bullitt tour, but general San Francisco movie location bus tours include chase scene locations or pass through the North Beach and Nob Hill areas featured in the film, often with clips played on board.
Bullitt's legacy rests on its refusal to fake anything: real streets, real hospital staff, and a chase shot without special effects. Visitors can walk much of that world in a single day across Nob Hill, North Beach, and Pacific Heights, then drive the chase roads south of the city to complete the route.
Before You Go
The tours travellers book most for Bullitt.
