Video Producer's Guide to Shooting in San Francisco, CA

San Francisco, CA is home to a population of 1,636,300 and industries spanning Tourism, Fashion Apparel, Health Care. Known as San Fran and The City by the Bay, the city was founded in 1776. This guide covers everything video producers need to know before shooting in San Francisco — from hotels and airports to weather, transportation, and local production guidelines.

Written by Zach Reed, Cameraman — San Francisco, California — Assignment Desk

San Francisco at a Glance

Population

1,636,300

Founded

1776

Nicknames

San Fran, The City by the Bay

Industries

Tourism, Fashion Apparel, Health Care

About San Francisco

San Francisco is one of the most iconic cities in the world, known for the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, and vibrant cultural diversity. The city occupies a compact 49-square-mile peninsula, creating a dense urban environment with distinct neighborhoods, each with its own character. San Francisco’s proximity to Silicon Valley makes it a hub for the tech industry, while its history as a center of counterculture movements gives it a uniquely progressive identity.

Attractions & Things to Do

Iconic landmarks include the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Chinatown (the oldest in North America). Golden Gate Park houses the California Academy of Sciences and the de Young Museum. The tech scene extends from SoMa to Silicon Valley. Cable cars remain a beloved transportation icon. Higher education includes University of San Francisco, San Francisco State University, and numerous community colleges.

Sports Teams

San Francisco 49ers (NFL), Golden State Warriors (NBA), San Francisco Giants (MLB), San Jose Sharks (NHL)

Where to Stay

Hotels in San Francisco range from luxury to boutique to budget. Union Square and the Financial District offer the most central options. Fisherman’s Wharf has tourist-friendly hotels. SoMa hotels are convenient for convention attendees. Near the airport, hotels line the 101 corridor in South San Francisco and Millbrae.

Airport & Drive Times

Primary Airport

San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

Approx. 20–30 minutes to downtown to downtown

Getting Around

San Francisco has excellent public transit including BART (rapid transit), Muni (buses and light rail), cable cars, and ferries. Uber and Lyft are ubiquitous. Parking is expensive and scarce — pre-arranged parking is essential for production crews. Many streets are steep hills that can be challenging for equipment loading.

Locations & Drive Times

SFO is about 20-30 minutes south of downtown via US-101 or I-280. Oakland International Airport is across the bay and can be an alternative. BART rapid transit connects both airports to the city. Within San Francisco, most destinations are within 20-30 minutes but traffic and limited parking can add significant time. The Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge are frequent bottlenecks.

Weather

San Francisco’s weather is famously mild but microclimatic. Summer mornings are often foggy and cool (50s-60s), while afternoons can warm to the 70s. Winters are mild with highs in the mid 50s and occasional rain. Mark Twain reportedly said “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” Always bring layers regardless of season.

View 10-day forecast for San Francisco →

Production Guidelines

Shoots in San Francisco are based on a ten hour day and the crew is on the clock at the specified crew call. Overtime at a rate of time and a half begins after ten hours. A distant location is any location outside a 30-mile radius drawn around the city. Verify with your crew their specific policies.

Chamber of Commerce

If you have additional questions about San Francisco, you can always contact the city's Chamber of Commerce.

San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, 235 Montgomery St., Suite 760, San Francisco, CA 94104, www.sfchamber.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I know before shooting video in San Francisco?

San Francisco shoots are based on a ten hour day with overtime at time and a half after ten hours. The city offers tourism, fashion apparel, health care industries as primary production subjects. San Francisco’s weather is famously mild but microclimatic. Summer mornings are often foggy and cool (50s-60s), while afternoons can warm to the 70s. Winters are mild with highs in the mid 50s and occasional rain. Mark Twain reportedly said “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” Always bring layers regardless of season.

Where should my crew stay in San Francisco?

How do I get from the airport to my shoot in San Francisco?

The primary airport is San Francisco International Airport (SFO). SFO is about 20-30 minutes south of downtown via US-101 or I-280. Oakland International Airport is across the bay and can be an alternative. BART rapid transit connects both airports to the city. Within San Francisco, most destinations are within 20-30 minutes but traffic and limited parking can add significant time. The Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge are frequent bottlenecks.

What is the weather like for shooting in San Francisco?

How do I book a video crew in San Francisco?

Assignment Desk provides professional video production crews in San Francisco, CA. Call 312-464-8600 or visit our booking form at assignmentdesk.com/hire-a-crew. Our staff Directors of Photography come equipped with full camera, lighting, and audio packages.

Read about recent productions shot in San Francisco. Browse Production Stories →