SFMTA
Ride the Powell–Hyde cable car
Powell and Market to Hyde and Beach
The line the film rides, from Powell and Market over Hyde Street towards the Wharf. Pay before you board with MuniMobile or Clipper, or carry exact change.
Fares and routes2640 Steiner Street · Pacific HeightsSan Francisco · 1993
Mrs. Doubtfire
EuphegeniaDoubtfire
A father builds himself a new face so he can stay near his children. Ring the bell, answer the ad, sit in the chair, then go and find the real Bay Area behind it.
In the windows: Robin Williams in May 1996 (John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com, CC BY-SA 2.0) and Sally Field in March 1990 (Alan Light, CC BY 2.0). The house is drawn; the real one is further down.
Classified · Domestic
Housekeeper wantedReplies by telephone
Take the calls.
Miranda advertises for a housekeeper. Daniel, a voice actor, rewrites her ad and then rings her himself, as one applicant after another she would never hire.
- 1…
- 2…
- 3…
- 4…
- 5…
The phone is quiet. The ad is in.
Five calls here, each drawn as a voiceprint; in the film he works through a string of them before the one that matters.
Where we read it
2640 Steiner Street, at Broadway, Pacific Heights
The Hillard house
The Hillard family home is 2640 Steiner Street, at Broadway, in Pacific Heights; Steiner drops away from it towards the bay. The film used its outside for Mrs. Doubtfire’s comings and goings.
The house became a tourist attraction, and after Robin Williams died on 11 August 2014 an impromptu memorial.
A private home. Look from the pavement on Steiner Street, briefly and quietly; don’t go up the steps.
Where we read it
The make-up chair
Eight pieces of latex.
Mrs. Doubtfire’s face was eight overlapping foam-latex pieces, modelled on a photograph of a woman from the 1940s. They were made fresh every week so they wouldn’t shrink.
0 h
The chair, and a bare face.
The hours are the AFI Catalog’s, shared evenly across the pieces; where each piece sits is our drawing. On some days he was in make-up for about ten hours and worked fifteen.
The face won Greg Cannom, Ve Neill and Yolanda Toussieng the Academy Award for Best Makeup.
Where we read it
North Beach
A face full of cream.
Here, as Mrs. Doubtfire, he talks the social worker round with his face covered in whipped cream.
The social worker is at the door.
520–522 Green Street, North Beach
Daniel’s apartment
Daniel’s apartment is 520–522 Green Street in North Beach, over an Italian restaurant, in the Telegraph Hill end of the neighbourhood.
Private flats over a restaurant. See them from Green Street; eat downstairs if you like.
Where we read it
San Francisco and Oakland
Daniel, or Mrs. Doubtfire?
Four real places. Who is in the shot?
The beach at Crissy Field, with the Golden Gate Bridge, June 2019. Ltwp · CC BY-SA 4.0 Football and bikes on the shore
Columbus Tower at Columbus Avenue and Kearny, with the Transamerica Pyramid, July 2023. The wub · CC BY-SA 4.0 A handbag snatcher at Columbus and Broadway
The Chronicle building at Fifth and Mission, 1999. Nancy Wong · CC BY-SA 4.0 A job interview downtown
KTVU’s studios and mast at Jack London Square, Oakland, September 2014. Tony Webster · CC BY-SA 4.0 Boxing film cans at a TV station
Pick one on each card.
Hyde Street, Russian Hill
The Powell–Hyde cable car
The film rides the Powell–Hyde cable car at the top of Hyde Street. The line runs from Powell and Market to the Fisherman’s Wharf end, with turntables at both. San Francisco’s cable cars became a National Historic Landmark in 1964.
Ride the Powell–Hyde line from Powell and Market towards the Wharf; pay before you board at the turntables.
Where we read it
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Mrs. Doubtfire and film-location tours
San Francisco
Live marketplace results for film-location tours of San Francisco. Check each itinerary: the house on Steiner Street is a private home, seen from the street.
Live marketplace results · itineraries change
Compare toursBerkeley and Redwood City
A day at the pool, a day in court.
Sally Field plays Miranda, the mother who hires the housekeeper. The film takes the family to a club pool in the Berkeley hills; Daniel’s worst day is in a courtroom down the Peninsula.
41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley
The Claremont
The family’s day at the club, where Mrs. Doubtfire swims with the children and Miranda’s new boyfriend, is the Claremont in Berkeley. It has been a Bay Area landmark hotel since 1915. You can book a night or buy a day pass for the pool and spa.
A working hotel and spa. Book a night, or ask about a day pass for the pool and spa.
Where we read it
2200 Broadway, Redwood City
San Mateo County History Museum
The custody hearing, where Daniel learns he will lose his children, was shot in Courtroom A of the old courthouse. The courthouse was built in 1910 for the county’s Superior Court; the history museum moved in in 1999. Its stained-glass dome is thought to be the largest of its kind on the West Coast.
A museum, open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm; closed Mondays.
Where we read it
Fairmont
The Claremont Club & Spa
41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley
The family’s club day in the film. A Berkeley landmark hotel since 1915; book a night, or ask about a day pass for the pool and spa.
Check rooms
San Mateo County Historical Association
San Mateo County History Museum
2200 Broadway, Redwood City · Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–4pm · closed Mondays
The old courthouse where the custody hearing was shot, under the stained-glass dome. A museum of the county’s history.
Plan a visitOne night, one restaurant
Two dinners, at once.
Bridges, on Church Street in Danville, is the restaurant where Daniel juggles two dinners at once: his family’s as Mrs. Doubtfire, his boss’s as himself. It is the film’s climax: the meeting with the television boss and Miranda’s birthday dinner, on the same night.
Mrs. Doubtfire is with the family. The boss is waiting.
44 Church Street, Danville
Bridges
The restaurant drew nationwide attention when the film came out, and it still serves. Lunch runs on weekdays from 11am to 2pm; dinner from 5pm every night, until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
A working restaurant: lunch on weekdays, brunch at weekends, dinner every night.
Where we read it
Bridges Restaurant and Bar
Dinner at Bridges
44 Church Street, Danville · Lunch Mon–Fri 11am–2pm · dinner from 5pm nightly
The restaurant of the two dinners, still serving in downtown Danville. Brunch at weekends, lunch on weekdays, dinner every night.
Book a tableRemembering Robin Williams
His name on the rainbow.
Robin Williams died on 11 August 2014. He had long lived in Marin County, north of the Golden Gate; the tunnel that leads there now carries his name.
Where we read it
US 101, just north of the Golden Gate Bridge
Robin Williams Tunnel
The new sign went up in 2016. Williams had long lived in Marin County, the side the tunnel leads to.
A highway tunnel: see the rainbow by driving or riding north over the bridge on US 101. There is no stopping at the portal.
Where we read it
Golden Gate Park, beside the Sharon Building
Robin Williams Meadow
It hosted most of Comedy Day, the free outdoor comedy show Williams was said to have quietly funded in its early years.
A public meadow in Golden Gate Park, beside the Sharon Building. Bring a picnic.
Where we read it
Go and find it.
Where it is now
10 places you can visit, from the Presidio shore to Danville. The Hillard house and Daniel’s apartment are private homes: they are named here and not pinned.
Pins mark public places; private homes are named but not pinned.
General reference · Public access · Coordinate precision: site · Not an exact scene or camera position; not a visitor route. A national park shoreline, open every day. Walk the promenade from Marina Green towards the bridge.
General reference · Public access · Coordinate precision: site · Not an exact scene or camera position; not a visitor route. Ride the Powell–Hyde line from Powell and Market towards the Wharf; pay before you board at the turntables.
General reference · Public access · Coordinate precision: building · Not an exact scene or camera position; not a visitor route. Offices above, Café Zoetrope at street level. See the green copper front from the Columbus and Kearny corner.
General reference · Public access · Coordinate precision: building · Not an exact scene or camera position; not a visitor route. Offices. See the corner from Mission and Fifth, then the public art in the Parks at 5M after dark.
General reference · Public access · Coordinate precision: site · Not an exact scene or camera position; not a visitor route. A public meadow in Golden Gate Park, beside the Sharon Building. Bring a picnic.
General reference · Public access · Coordinate precision: site · Not an exact scene or camera position; not a visitor route. A highway tunnel: see the rainbow by driving or riding north over the bridge on US 101. There is no stopping at the portal.
The beach at Crissy Field, with the Golden Gate Bridge, June 2019. Ltwp · CC BY-SA 4.0 The Presidio, between Fort Point and Marina Green
Crissy Field
Mrs. Doubtfire plays football and rides bikes with the children at Crissy Field, the Golden Gate Bridge behind them.
A national park shoreline, open every day. Walk the promenade from Marina Green towards the bridge.
Where we read it
A Powell–Hyde cable car on Hyde Street, Alcatraz behind, February 2018. Frank Schulenburg · CC BY-SA 4.0 Hyde Street, Russian Hill
The Powell–Hyde cable car
The film rides the Powell–Hyde cable car at the top of Hyde Street.
Ride the Powell–Hyde line from Powell and Market towards the Wharf; pay before you board at the turntables.
Where we read it
Columbus Tower at Columbus Avenue and Kearny, with the Transamerica Pyramid, July 2023. The wub · CC BY-SA 4.0 916 Kearny Street, at Columbus Avenue and Broadway
Columbus Tower
At Columbus Avenue and Broadway Mrs. Doubtfire fights off a handbag snatcher, the pale green flatiron behind her.
Offices above, Café Zoetrope at street level. See the green copper front from the Columbus and Kearny corner.
Where we read it
The Chronicle building at Fifth and Mission, 1999. Nancy Wong · CC BY-SA 4.0 901 Mission Street, at Fifth Street
The San Francisco Chronicle building
Daniel’s job interview was filmed at the Chronicle building at 901 Mission Street.
Offices. See the corner from Mission and Fifth, then the public art in the Parks at 5M after dark.
Where we read it
The Sharon Building, beside Robin Williams Meadow in Golden Gate Park, January 2024. Daderot · CC0 Golden Gate Park, beside the Sharon Building
Robin Williams Meadow
The meadow never had an official name; people called it Sharon Meadow, after the Sharon Building beside it.
A public meadow in Golden Gate Park, beside the Sharon Building. Bring a picnic.
Where we read it
The rainbow over the tunnel’s south portal on US 101, April 2011, before it was renamed. Edward Betts · CC BY-SA 3.0 US 101, just north of the Golden Gate Bridge
Robin Williams Tunnel
The tunnel on US 101 north of the Golden Gate Bridge was the Waldo Tunnel; its first bore opened in 1937, its second in 1954.
A highway tunnel: see the rainbow by driving or riding north over the bridge on US 101. There is no stopping at the portal.
Where we read it
Stay
A night at the club.
The Claremont in Berkeley, where the family spends its day at the pool.
Fairmont
The Claremont Club & Spa
41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley
The family’s club day in the film. A Berkeley landmark hotel since 1915; book a night, or ask about a day pass for the pool and spa.
Check roomsGo there
Dinner, a museum and a cable car.
Eat at Bridges, see the courtroom in Redwood City and ride the Powell–Hyde line.
Bridges Restaurant and Bar
Dinner at Bridges
44 Church Street, Danville · Lunch Mon–Fri 11am–2pm · dinner from 5pm nightly
The restaurant of the two dinners, still serving in downtown Danville. Brunch at weekends, lunch on weekdays, dinner every night.
Book a tableSan Mateo County Historical Association
San Mateo County History Museum
2200 Broadway, Redwood City · Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–4pm · closed Mondays
The old courthouse where the custody hearing was shot, under the stained-glass dome. A museum of the county’s history.
Plan a visitSFMTA
Ride the Powell–Hyde cable car
Powell and Market to Hyde and Beach
The line the film rides, from Powell and Market over Hyde Street towards the Wharf. Pay before you board with MuniMobile or Clipper, or carry exact change.
Fares and routesViator · Ad / affiliate
Mrs. Doubtfire and film-location tours
San Francisco
Live marketplace results for film-location tours of San Francisco. Check each itinerary: the house on Steiner Street is a private home, seen from the street.
Live marketplace results · itineraries change
Compare toursWhat’s on
On stage this autumn.
The musical, on tour in Leeds in November.
Checking current event dates…
Take it home
The book and the score.
Anne Fine’s novel in two editions and Howard Shore’s soundtrack.
Bookshop.org UK · Ad / affiliate
Madame Doubtfire
Anne Fine · Puffin
The 1987 novel the film is based on.
Find the book
Bookshop.org UK · Ad / affiliate
Alias Madame Doubtfire
Anne Fine · Bantam
The American edition, issued with the film in 1993.
Find the book
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eBay · Ad / affiliate
Mrs. Doubtfire: Original Soundtrack Album
Howard Shore · CD, Fox Records, 1993
Howard Shore’s score, on its first American CD, December 1993.
Live marketplace search · listings and condition change
Find a copyDates, prices, rooms and stock change: confirm with the provider before you travel or buy. A stay or tour is described as a filming location only where the card says so.
The make-up book
Every place and moment behind this page, with sources.
12 of 12 places · 16 of 16 Moments
The Hillard house
2640 Steiner Street, at Broadway, Pacific Heights
The calls to the ad
Daniel changes Miranda’s ad for a housekeeper, then rings her as a string of unsuitable applicants before calling as Euphegenia Doubtfire.
Eight pieces of latex
Mrs. Doubtfire’s face is eight overlapping foam-latex pieces, three to four and a half hours to put on and an hour to take off.
The make-up Oscar
Greg Cannom, Ve Neill and Yolanda Toussieng win the Academy Award for Best Makeup.
A memorial on Steiner Street
After Robin Williams dies on 11 August 2014, the house becomes an impromptu memorial.
Comings and goings
Mrs. Doubtfire’s arrivals and exits at the family home.
Daniel’s apartment
520–522 Green Street, North Beach
A face of whipped cream
With the social worker at the door, Daniel, as Mrs. Doubtfire, carries on with his face covered in whipped cream.
Crissy Field
The Presidio, between Fort Point and Marina Green
Football and bikes
Mrs. Doubtfire plays football and rides bikes with the children.
The Powell–Hyde cable car
Hyde Street, Russian Hill
The cable car
The film rides the Powell–Hyde cable car at the top of Hyde Street.
Columbus Tower
916 Kearny Street, at Columbus Avenue and Broadway
The handbag snatcher
Mrs. Doubtfire fights off a handbag snatcher at Columbus and Broadway.
The San Francisco Chronicle building
901 Mission Street, at Fifth Street
The job interview
Daniel’s job interview.
Robin Williams Meadow
Golden Gate Park, beside the Sharon Building
Robin Williams Meadow
San Francisco names the Golden Gate Park meadow after Robin Williams.
Robin Williams Tunnel
US 101, just north of the Golden Gate Bridge
The Robin Williams Tunnel
California renames the rainbow tunnel on US 101 after Robin Williams.
KTVU’s studios
2 Jack London Square, Oakland
Boxing film cans
Daniel works at a television station, boxing film cans.
San Mateo County History Museum
2200 Broadway, Redwood City
The custody hearing
In Courtroom A, Daniel learns he will lose custody.
The Claremont
41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley
The day at the club
Mrs. Doubtfire swims with the family and Miranda’s new boyfriend at the club.
Bridges
44 Church Street, Danville
Two dinners at once
Daniel runs between two tables: his family’s, as Mrs. Doubtfire, and his boss’s, as himself.