About San Rafael
San Rafael is a wonderful city located in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay area. It is located between Santa Venetia and Greenbrae, so it’s a beautiful and charismatic portion of California. With a population of just under 58,000, it is a nice mid-sized city in the state where many big cities exist.
San Rafael was founded and established in 1817 by Spanish immigrants. You will still feel that Hispanic heritage is represented here, and that shows within the culture of the community overall. It is a city best known for its beautiful shoreline and historic buildings, and it’s a wonderful place to visit.
Filming Options in San Rafael
When you start to plan your filming in San Rafael, there’s a lot to think through. This is a wonderful place to have a production of any kind. Then you want to focus on a few local services that can help you to be successful with everything.
- Sound and Lighting
There will be a need for lighting and sound, so you want to work with a local company to put this together. They can help you to determine where and what is needed in your overall production. They will be on set to help you with this function throughout the entire filming process.
- Catering
You will want this service to be handled by somebody else, and that’s why you need a good local catering company. They can take care of the menus and the actual food preparation. So, you can trust them to just come in with the food and get your cast and crew fed and ready for some long days.
- Recording
You may find that you have a need for some type of recording, and you want to work with a local company on this. They can help with voiceovers, music, or any other type of recording needs that you may have. They can be integral in coming up with ideas that can help you in the long run too.
Filming Companies in San Rafael
You will have no issue planning your filming in San Rafael. There are so many beautiful locations, and then it’s all about focusing on the services you need to be successful. Here we look at the best companies to help you in supporting your production.
- Audio Video Integration
There will come a need to have sound and lighting on your set, and that’s where Audio Video Integration can really come in handy. They can work with you to develop a customized solution and ensure that things stay on track. They can offer additional services beyond just sound and lighting, or you can utilize them for this area of expertise alone.
- Revel Catering Company
They are your one-stop shop when it comes to feeding a cast and crew. You will love that Revel Catering Company has so much to offer in terms of its menu selection and food delivery. They will take this off of your list of things to do and take care of this function so that everyone is fed and you can focus on other things.
- Skyline Studios
This is a fantastic local recording studio that you can use for any of your recording needs, and they have an excellent reputation. Working with Skyline Studios means that the recording that you may need in terms of voiceovers or music is handled. No matter how big or small your need, they will help you to get it handled with ease.
Pros and Cons of Filming in San Rafael
There is so much to love about San Rafael, and that’s why so many people flock here each year. You can check out some of the history and enjoy the city, but you do want to consider the pros and cons. Here is a solid list that can help you to decide if this is the right place for your filming needs.
Advantages
- Reasonable cost of living
One of the big draws to the area is the fact that it has a very reasonable cost of living. You can typically afford whatever you want here, and that’s great.
- Low crime rate
This is definitely a safe place to visit and live. One of the great things about San Rafael is that they have a lower crime rate than many nearby communities.
- Nice community overall
It’s a mid-sized city and that means it’s not too big and not too small. You can enjoy this true community feel, and that’s a wonderful thing.
Disadvantages
- Population decrease
In recent years there has been a bit of a decrease in the overall population size. People just aren’t moving here like they used to, and some are moving out.
- Not access to all amenities
There isn’t access to everything that you need or want, and that can be a downside. Sure, you have access to plenty, but certain amenities may be harder to access.
- Faster pace than expected
There is a certain pace here that you may not be used to and that takes some getting used to. The pace here is much faster than you might expect, and that’s a consideration.
Famous Locations in San Rafael
- Museum of International Propaganda
This is not like any other museum that you have likely seen, and so a trip to the Museum of International Propaganda is essential. This is a museum dedicated to political propaganda used throughout the world over time. You can see the history, sometimes the manipulation or persuasion, and also check out some cool artifacts related to all of this.
- China Camp State Park
There is so much history to this area about the China Camp State Park that surrounds the site of a shrimp fishing village. You can check that out, but you can also enjoy the beauty and amenities that this park has to offer. You can hike, bike, swim, or just enjoy the great outdoors here.
- WildCare
This is the ultimate animal sanctuary, so WildCare is definitely worth a visit while you are in the San Rafael area. This is a place that rescues and rehabilitates animal wildlife, and you can see how it all works firsthand. You can take a tour or enjoy some educational workshops on a topic that is near and dear to so many.