Find Film Shoot locations for rent in San Mateo, CA

About San Mateo

San Mateo is a city in California's San Francisco Bay Area that stands out for its dynamic tech industry, diverse landscapes, and booming production industry. With its temperate climate, it's the perfect place to film — recent productions that were partially shot here include Enola Holmes, Spy, and Homecoming. Nearby Silicon Valley has also led to even more content creation occurring in the city than ever before.

As an up-and-coming production hub for film, TV, and commercial content creation, the city and its surrounding areas provide an amazing array of diverse scenery to bring a content producer's vision to life. This is further emphasized by its commanding waterfront views of the San Francisco skyline.

It's no surprise that San Mateo is one of Hollywood’s most popular destinations for filming. Whether you're putting together a corporate video or searching for somewhere with cinematic potential, San Mateo is definitely worth exploring.

Film Shoot Options in San Mateo

• Videography
  In San Mateo, there are a wide array of videography services to pick from. These businesses come complete with excellent staff and top-of-the-line equipment, primed and ready to shoot amazing video footage for you.
  
  
• Catering
  There are a number of catering companies in San Mateo. These companies can provide film crews with the food and drink they need to stay fueled during long days of shooting.
  
  
• Cleaning Services
  San Mateo cleaning services can help film crews keep shooting locations clean and tidy, allowing them to focus on production rather than on cleanup measures.
  
  
• Lighting
  If you're in the film industry and looking for a lighting vendor in San Mateo, there are plenty of experts who can help provide you with the equipment needed to create perfect lighting conditions for your shots.

Film Shoot Vendors in San Mateo

• Circle Video Productions
  For over 26 years, Circle Video Productions has been providing video production services to businesses in the Bay Area. They offer a wide range of video production services, including shooting and editing footage, duplicating services, making DVDs, and professional recording services.
  
  
• Cheat A Little Catering
  Cheat A Little Catering is a catering company that provides services for events in the Bay Area. They offer a delicious buffet and appetizer service ideal for film shoot days and develop menus that reflect all different types of cuisines, including vegetarian, vegan, and kosher options.
  
  
• Yoselin House Cleaning
  Looking for a Bay Area cleaning service? Consider Yoselin House Cleaning. They offer residential and commercial cleaning services on a one-time, weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly basis. Their team of pros are detail-oriented and use quality, Earth-friendly cleaning products.

Pros and Cons of Film Shoots in San Mateo

San Mateo is a beautiful city with a lot to offer in terms of film shoot locations. However, there are also some potential drawbacks that should be considered before deciding to film in San Mateo.

Advantages

• San Mateo has easy access to airports and major highways that can make transport for the crew, actors, and equipment more manageable.
  
  
• The mild weather in San Mateo makes it ideal for shooting all year round as conditions rarely vary from day to day.
  
  
• There’s plenty of variety when it comes to locations in San Mateo – from parks to downtown areas – giving filmmakers more options when planning their shots.
  
  
• Since most Bay Area cities tend to be more expensive than other cities in California, San Mateo offers a good balance between affordability and quality when it comes to film shoot locations.

Disadvantages

• Due to San Mateo’s popularity among filmmakers, many locations may not be available or could be booked up months in advance. This can make it hard to secure your desired space on short notice.
  
  
• As with any highly populated city, there will be crowds of people that can interrupt a scene or cause delays during filming if they’re not managed properly.
  
  
• Depending on the location, there may be rules or regulations that have to be followed when filming, which could add additional time and cost to shoots.
  
  
• Although cheaper than in other Bay Area cities, film shoots in San Mateo can still become quite costly due to permit fees and hiring costs associated with using large public spaces like parks or certain buildings within the city limits.

Tips on How to Organize Film Shoots in San Mateo

Planning a film shoot can seem intimidating, but with the right preparations and strategies, it can be an amazing experience. When preparing for your San Mateo production, there are several points to consider.

• Check permits: Research the regulations and permits necessary to film in San Mateo. Make sure you have all proper permissions for filming at certain locations, such as public parks, private homes, or businesses.
  
  
• Visit the location(s) prior to filming and make sure they meet the production's needs: If a location is not suitable due to size or other factors, go back and explore other options.
  
  
• Check equipment: Verify that all necessary equipment is available onsite or can be provided by local vendors. Determine what lighting and sound equipment is needed for each scene and plan accordingly.
  
  
• Safety first: Take into account any potential safety hazards that could present themselves in each shooting location and take necessary precautions to reduce risks.
  
  
• Have a Plan B: Have a plan in place for dealing with unexpected changes in weather conditions that could affect lighting and sound recording quality, or worse yet, shut down production completely if it's too dangerous to continue.
  
  
• Explain the rules: Ensure that members of your crew understand parking rules and regulations specific to San Mateo so that they don't unintentionally violate them while unloading equipment, transporting talent, etc., into different locations throughout the shoot day/days.
  
  
• Consider access points: Determine whether access points need to be blocked off during shooting hours so that pedestrians are kept out of camera shots without disrupting traffic patterns or violating any laws against blocking streets or public rights of way.
  
  
• Research any noise laws in San Mateo: Some may limit how loud sound levels can be during filming. Some cities have restrictions on loud sounds after certain times (often 10 PM), so plan accordingly when considering extended shoot days into late hours at night.
  
  
• Plan for food: Make sure any food requirements for cast/crew are anticipated ahead of time so that if you need catering from outside sources, you know where/how far food will need to be transported to each location on shoot days. Also factor in dietary restrictions when selecting catering companies if needed.

Famous Locations in San Mateo

• Sawyer Camp Trail
  Sawyer Camp Trail is one of the most popular trails in the Crystal Springs Regional Trail system. The 12-mile trail runs along the San Andreas Fault, making it a beautiful and unique place to hike, bike, walk, or grab some film shots. The trail is home to Jepson Laurel, the oldest and largest Laurel tree in the area. make sure to keep an eye out for this 600-year-old tree! Sawyer Camp Trail is perfect for those who want a peaceful walk or an adventurous hike.
  
  
• CuriOdyssey
  CuriOdyssey is a great place to enjoy a fun and educational day out. With interactive exhibits and activities focused on science and wildlife, there is something to catch everyone's interest. The animals at CuriOdyssey are mostly native to California, and many of them are there because they would not survive in the wild in their current condition. With new and rotating exhibits all the time, CuriOdyssey is a great place to learn about the natural world while also having a lot of fun.
  
  
• Laurelwood Park
  Laurelwood Park should be your go-to for a perfect Saturday or Sunday outdoor oasis. With several pathways leading into Sugarloaf Mountain, it is an ideal base camp for exploring the San Mateo Mountains. Laurelwood is a peaceful 200-acre park at the bottom of Sugarloaf Mountain with a variety of paths, picnic areas, and spectacular views. The vistas from atop Sugarloaf Mountain are among the best panoramic views in the Bay Area.