Giddy for Vertigo’s scene at Fort Point’s Candlelight Tours

Need some amusing but earnest ideas during the quiet days of winter in San Francisco? There is nothing more inviting or awe-inspiring than taking in the historical points of our local ancestors at Fort Point, National Park Service. The army defense that never saw battle and also survived enormous earthquakes should give great comfort too in the midst of such global chaos and despair. Fort Point was the focal spot in Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo where the protagonist Johnnie ‘Scottie’ Ferguson played by Jimmy Stewart fishes Kim Novak’s character out of the San Francisco Bay. The scene offers a stark reminder of how much times have changed in only a short period. When cars not only looked different but the speed limit was much lower (used to be 4 miles per hour in the early 1920’s). While the clothes were more structured and symbolic as in men wore hats with their suits. Even when the character named Midge says “gay-old Embarcadero” offers a special semblance that cannot be captured in modern American dialect. Still, people remain the same and find solace in Fort Point’s inherent beauty and mystery.

Incidentally, Fort Point is often revered as the “pride of San Francisco” regularly offering self-guided tours. Their seasonal program Candlelight Tours is limited though just through February. Available only on Saturday evenings make reservations with your children, suggested age are 10 years or older 415.556.1693.