California's capital is the setting in Sacramento native Greta Gerwig's Golden Globe-winning indie film "Lady Bird." Since the movie debuted, locals and visitors have sought out the filming locations for either a breath of nostalgia kindled by the film or to explore something new in town.
The film won for best comedy Jan. 7, and lead actress Saoirse Ronan took the award for best actress.
Those who know Sacramento well can probably spot some of the locations that crop up in the movie. Below are several of the prominent ones.
Photo by Hannah Lee
Tower Theater
Many locals watched "Lady Bird" inside this classic movie house, and there's something to be said for sitting in a theater and seeing it featured on the big screen. Located at 2508 Land Park Drive, Tower Theater is adjacent to the downtown core and is popular with locals for art and indie films.
Crest Theater
Another historic theater in Sacramento, the Crest gets some screen time in "Lady Bird." The theater is located at 1013 K St. between downtown Sacramento hotels, the Sacramento Convention Center and the newly opened Golden 1 Center. It's well known as a host for activities such as the Sacramento French Film Festival and other events.
Gunther's Ice Cream Shop
There's no shortage of neon signs in "Lady Bird," and one favorite for locals and visitors alike is the happy ice cream man atop Gunther's Ice Cream just south of the central city at 2801 Franklin Blvd.
Tower Bridge
No film set in Sacramento is complete without at least one shot of the city's iconic Tower Bridge, and Gerwig used it as the setting for a pivotal conversation between Lady Bird and her close friend. Built in the 1930s, the bridge used to serve as the gateway to the city before the freeways were built after World War II. Today, it is still a vital link across the Sacramento River to West Sacramento as well as a favorite tourist snapshot given its presence and location next to the Gold Rush-era Old Sacramento. One night each September, it also serves as the setting for the Farm-to-Fork Tower Bridge Dinner, a gala fundraiser that raises money for scholarships and a free Farm-to-Fork Festival.
California State Capitol
Another iconic Sacramento landmark is the hub of California's government. The white building with its classical features topped by a black dome is nestled in the beautiful Capitol Park in the heart of downtown Sacramento at 10th Street and Capitol Mall. There are great shots from the outside, but the Capitol is free to enter, and free tours are offered inside on the hour.
McKinley Park
The rose garden at McKinley Park in East Sacramento is another setting for an important scene in "Lady Bird." The park, located at 601 Alhambra Blvd., is just a block outside of the central city and easily accessible to visitors focusing on the downtown and Midtown areas. Locals love it for the 1-mile dirt running/walking track, tennis courts, playground and the recently revamped duck pond in addition to the rose garden.
The Fab Forties
Home to the well-heeled in Sacramento, the Fab Forties is where Lady Bird's friend from the "right side" of the tracks lives, and is the setting for several shots in the film.
Murals
Several murals are featured in "Lady Bird," and Sacramento is full of them. The wildly popular annual Wide Open Walls mural festival adds new ones to the city each year, and there are more than 450 in the city of Sacramento. Visit the Wide Open Walls website to get started on your own mural discovery tour.
Other Locations
The above listing includes a handful of the most easily accessible locations included in "Lady Bird," but others include Thrift Town (which many Sacramentans who grew up in the 1990s remember well and is still open today), the sign outside Club Raven (where, again, many who grew up in Sacramento have spent more than a few evenings), and coffee bars.
Did we miss your favorite? Let us know in the comments.
