I imagine the area was much less populated and well connected to larger cities inland when the film was made 63 years ago.
However, I also imagine Hitchcock intentionally picked locations that were remote and harder to access to give more of an isolated feel.
I lived between Sebastopol and Bodega Bay in the early 2000’s and definitely saw a lot of farmland and isolated residences in the area, a stark contrast to areas like Santa Rosa and even the Russian River area. I’ve visited since leaving and feel like the area has developed a lot even in the relatively small span of time since I lived there, that’s why I feel confident saying it was much more isolated and quiet at the time of filming.
Fun fact: I’ve ran down the same hill from the schoolhouse like in the scene where the birds are attacking the kids! I’ve been to that school a few times and it was always completely empty.
I love The Birds. I watched every Halloween. You must have annoyed the people who live there.
I’ve been to Santa Rosa (which is named checked in the movie) and Russian River (yes the brewery’s tasting room too). Maybe I was conflating the times I’ve driving those freeways and highways in the area. Doesn’t seem very isolated. I’m not sure how true this is, but I read somewhere (a long time ago) that the driving scene was meant to depict the 101 but the shots were filmed closer to the coast.
Hahaha I’m sure I did, because I definitely screamed down that hill while flailing my arms. I also love that movie, I grew up watching it every time I visited my grandma who also loved it.
Yeah if you’ve only really been down the highways and other dense roadways in the area, it absolutely feels more populated. When I lived there, I used to go on drives with the intention of getting lost and finding my way back, only choosing a general direction as my guide (north, south, coast, etc.) and avoiding highways at all costs. This was before smartphones so it was quite easy, and I took the most incredible trips down these tiny side roads in these random rural areas all throughout and around Sonoma County. My favorites: Russian River/Guerneville, Calistoga, Bodega Bay, and Occidental. Also if you ever get the chance, driving from Bodega Bay down to San Francisco (or vice versa) via Highway 1 is divine.
As for your mention of the driving scene in The Birds - it would have to be Highway 1 they were depicting, as it goes right through Bodega Bay and is right up against the coast. It is indeed more remote and smaller feeing (mostly 2 lanes iirc) in that area and the main ‘thruway’ so to speak.
Highway 101 is ~30 miles inland and goes right through Santa Rosa. Both highways take you to San Francisco from Sonoma County.
Well Hitchcock didn’t portray the area very well either. He made it all look very isolated in The Birds.
I imagine the area was much less populated and well connected to larger cities inland when the film was made 63 years ago.
However, I also imagine Hitchcock intentionally picked locations that were remote and harder to access to give more of an isolated feel.
I lived between Sebastopol and Bodega Bay in the early 2000’s and definitely saw a lot of farmland and isolated residences in the area, a stark contrast to areas like Santa Rosa and even the Russian River area. I’ve visited since leaving and feel like the area has developed a lot even in the relatively small span of time since I lived there, that’s why I feel confident saying it was much more isolated and quiet at the time of filming.
Fun fact: I’ve ran down the same hill from the schoolhouse like in the scene where the birds are attacking the kids! I’ve been to that school a few times and it was always completely empty.
I love The Birds. I watched every Halloween. You must have annoyed the people who live there.
I’ve been to Santa Rosa (which is named checked in the movie) and Russian River (yes the brewery’s tasting room too). Maybe I was conflating the times I’ve driving those freeways and highways in the area. Doesn’t seem very isolated. I’m not sure how true this is, but I read somewhere (a long time ago) that the driving scene was meant to depict the 101 but the shots were filmed closer to the coast.
Hahaha I’m sure I did, because I definitely screamed down that hill while flailing my arms. I also love that movie, I grew up watching it every time I visited my grandma who also loved it.
Yeah if you’ve only really been down the highways and other dense roadways in the area, it absolutely feels more populated. When I lived there, I used to go on drives with the intention of getting lost and finding my way back, only choosing a general direction as my guide (north, south, coast, etc.) and avoiding highways at all costs. This was before smartphones so it was quite easy, and I took the most incredible trips down these tiny side roads in these random rural areas all throughout and around Sonoma County. My favorites: Russian River/Guerneville, Calistoga, Bodega Bay, and Occidental. Also if you ever get the chance, driving from Bodega Bay down to San Francisco (or vice versa) via Highway 1 is divine.
As for your mention of the driving scene in The Birds - it would have to be Highway 1 they were depicting, as it goes right through Bodega Bay and is right up against the coast. It is indeed more remote and smaller feeing (mostly 2 lanes iirc) in that area and the main ‘thruway’ so to speak. Highway 101 is ~30 miles inland and goes right through Santa Rosa. Both highways take you to San Francisco from Sonoma County.
Right. I should have figured it was Highway 1. They do mention in a scene how long it’s take to reach the freeway (assuming they meant 101).
It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen it, so I don’t remember! A rewatch is in order.
I ONLY watch it on Halloween.
lol I have movies like that, I feel ya.