The Birds (1963) filming locations

San Francisco, United States

The scene : From the very first images, Melanie Daniels walks through Union Square, in the heart of San Francisco, to reach the shop of a bird dealer.

Powell Street & Geary Street (Union Square)

San Francisco, United States

The scene : The film opens at the corner of Geary and Powell Street, at the edge of Union Square: this is where the exteriors of the Davidson pet shop stand, where Melanie will encounter Mitch, before a dissolve transitions the scene into the studio set.

Potter Schoolhouse (Bodega)

Bodega, United States

Built in 1873, the former Potter school, a tall white wooden structure, later served as a community center, inn, and restaurant, before becoming a guesthouse. It is now a private residence, visible from the road.

The scene : The school where Annie Hayworth (Suzanne Pleshette) teaches: arriving to pick up little Cathy, Melanie waits on a bench while the crows gather one by one on the playground equipment, then helps the teacher get the children out before the attack. Right next door is Annie's house, in front of which Melanie and Mitch later discover the young woman killed by the birds.

Bodega, United States

Built in 1860 on a hill overlooking the road, the Church of Saint Teresa of Avila in Bodega is the subject of a famous photograph by Ansel Adams, "Church and Road", taken in 1953.

The scene : Right in front of the school, the Catholic church of Bodega appears in the background of several scenes, particularly at the moment of Annie Hayworth's death.

Tides Wharf (Bodega Bay)

Bodega Bay, United States

Tides Wharf was rebuilt in the 1990s and expanded into a hotel complex, unrecognizable compared to the restaurant of the time; its shop retains a replica of the original facade.

The scene : On the dock and in the Tides Wharf restaurant, several key moments unfold: the arrival of Mitch and Melanie, followed by the attack of seagulls on the attendant of the nearby gas station. After the explosion and fire, the customers taking refuge inside turn on each other, and a distressed mother accuses Melanie of bringing the misfortune with her.

Bodega Bay, United States

The scene : The schoolchildren flee from the school, racing down Taylor Street, above the Diekmann's Bay Store, chased by a swarm of crows.

Bodega Bay, United States

The scene : At the wheel of her Aston Martin, Melanie drives down Bay Hill Road towards Bodega Bay: the scenic road overlooking the bay is used for the driving scenes of her arrival.

Gaffney Ranch (Bodega Head)

Bodega Bay, United States

The former ranch of Rose Gaffney occupied the end of Bodega Head, facing the harbor. The house and its outbuildings burned down in the late 1960s; the land is now part of the Bodega Marine Laboratory of the University of California and its marine reserve, near the entrance to its dormitories, and the grove of cedars that surrounded it is still there.

The scene : The Brenner house, on Bodega Head: they celebrate Cathy's birthday there before the seagulls attack, then the family barricades themselves inside, and Melanie, having gone upstairs, finds herself trapped by the birds. Mitch saves her, and it's from there that the car drives away amidst the birds, in the final shot.

15000 Valley Ford Road (Valley Ford)

Valley Ford, United States

The farm has disappeared since the filming; the land is private property.

The scene : At Dan Fawcett's farm, his neighbor, Lydia Brenner, discovers the body of the rancher, his eyes torn out by birds, in one of the film's most famous scenes.

Bloomfield, United States

The scene : The village of Bloomfield, in the hills of Sonoma County, is among the filming locations of the film, although sources do not specify which scene was filmed there.

Jenner, United States

The scene : Along the Shoreline Highway, the coastal road that runs along Russian Gulch, driving scenes for the film were shot.

Los Angeles, United States

Historic canals of the Venice district in Los Angeles.

The scene : The canals of Venice, in Los Angeles, are listed among the filming locations of the movie, without specifying the scene in question.

Universal Studios — Backlot

Universal City, United States

Universal Studios Backlot: permanent streets and outdoor sets.

The scene : On the Universal lot, the interior of the pet shop has been recreated, where Melanie, who has come to buy a mynah bird, pretends to be a salesperson to Mitch, as well as a good part of Bodega Bay, including the post office.

Universal City, United States

Mythical filming platform of Universal Studios, the "Phantom Stage" built in 1925 for The Phantom of the Opera and for a long time the largest permanent set in the world; it was demolished in 2014.

The scene : Stage 28 at Universal is among the soundstages where the studio scenes of the film were shot.

Universal City, United States

Universal Studios Plateau numbered Stage 32 until its demolition in 2010; it was called the Special Effects Stages, and its location is now occupied by the Transformers attraction.

The scene : This Universal studio lot, then numbered 32, hosted part of the on-set filming of the movie.

North Hollywood, United States

Main lot plateau of Universal. It was numbered 44 before being renumbered: it is now Stage 19. The number 44 now designates one of the soundstages opened in 2022 to the east of the lot.

The scene : This Universal lot, numbered Stage 44 at the time, was used for the studio filming of the movie.