Two years ago we created our Scary Excursion which we think is the perfect fall road trip. This year we decided to expand that trip to the west coast and make a special California edition of our horror movie themed road trip! And this trip doesn’t include just any scary movies, it takes you to the locations used in by the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock.
The first stop is Bodega, CA, the filming location of The Birds. Many of the original locations still stand, including the church where they found refuge, located on Bodega Highway. If you would like more location information check out Roadside America and for more on Bodega Bay check out the official site.
The next stop is San Francisco, the backdrop for the film Vertigo. Some of the locations used in the film have been torn down but most still exist and are still celebrating their place in cinematic history as featured in a recent USA Today story. The story also points out that no Vertigo tour is complete without venturing to the mission used in the film’s final scene.
No Vertigo fan should miss the two-hour drive south to sleepy little San Juan Bautista, where the largest of California’s 21 Spanish missions served as the setting for the film’s dizzying finale. The church welcomes visitors, but the tall bell tower that terrified Scottie doesn’t exist: Built in a studio, it was added to the real mission via special effects.
After leaving San Fran head down to Bakersfield, used in North By Northwest (even though the movie was primarily filmed on the east coast). The scene where Cary Grant’s character is attacked by a crop duster was filmed just off of Garces Highway. From Bakersfield take Route 99 to L.A., driving scenes in Psycho were filmed along this route.
Once in L.A. check out the Arboretum and Botanic Gardens: The Arboretum of Los Angeles County where scenes for Notorious were filmed. We’ve mapped out the entire route for you here. So get packing and hit the road for another scary excursion, if you still dare!
What a great idea for a road trip. Love it! I hope to plan something like this for myself.