City Guide Filming in Rancho Bernardo, CA
Production Permit Fees
- Hourly Film Permit Fee: $50
- Half-Day Film Permit Fee: $150
- Full-Day Film Permit Fee: $300
- California Film Commission Permit: Free
- State-owned property site rental: Free
Minimum Insurance
- General Liability:
- Worker’s Compensation:
- Automobile Liability:
- Aviation Insurance Coverage:
- UAS/Drone Insurance:
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Rancho Bernardo
Nestled in the northern hills of San Diego, Rancho Bernardo has been termed “the best-planned city within a city in the United States,” owing to its impressive and orderly design. Rancho Bernardo is categorized as a master-planned city within San Diego, and its topography is predominated by rolling hills and canyons. But this has never hampered the growth of the local economy – the community houses impressive neighborhood parks, golf courses, shopping malls, office parks, and much more. The RB Alive annual summer-time carnival is one of the defining elements of the city. The community is also home to the Bernardo Winery, which is the oldest regional winery, dating back to 1889.
This allure and charm have not gone unnoticed on the big screens of Hollywood – the community and the city it resides in have both been featured in countless motion pictures that have gone on to receive critical acclaim. Top Gun, Top Gun: Maverick, Transformers, Scarface, Veronica Mars, Purple Hearts, The Hunt for Red October, True Lies, The X-Files, The Terminal List, Step Brothers, Spaceballs, Thor, Bring It On, The Last Ship, The Terminal List, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, and Green Lantern are all excellent examples of what the region can offer in terms of ambiance and creative inspiration.
Overall, the filming laws are fairly lenient, but you still need to be up to date on the filming guidelines in Rancho Bernardo to avoid any inconvenience later down the road. You can count on the support of the local authorities and the California Film Commission (which offers production assistance and other help throughout the state), which is bound to make things easier. But most of all, you need to pick the best, most suitable filming venues in Rancho Bernardo for your script, and for this, you can count on Giggster to help you throughout the process.
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Rancho Bernardo?
Let’s make it short: yes! According to the filming guidelines in Rancho Bernardo, all film production activities in Rancho Bernardo can only be deemed legal if the production crew acquires the necessary permits in advance. Having a general filming permit is the basic requirement for filming in public or accessing public resources, or securing the assistance of local departments for your production efforts. If you're filming on private property, you'll only need written permission from the property owner to get started.
Pyrotechnics Permit
to operate fire-based special effects, explosions, gunfire effects, and so on.
Animal Control Permit
to get animals like dogs and horses involved in the film project.
Aircraft Usage Permit
– to use helicopters and other aircraft in film production activities; additional insurance is also needed.
Drone Filming Permit
to use a camera drone for your film project; additional insurance is also needed.
Permit Management in Rancho Bernardo
San Diego Film Office
The San Diego Film Office issues filming permits in Rancho Bernardo and the rest of the city as well. You can reach out to them at Civic Center Plaza, 1200 Third Avenue, Suite 1326, San Diego, CA 92101, or simply log onto their website for the permit application process. Overall, there are no major hurdles in acquiring a general filming permit – just be sure to fulfill the insurance requirements, and you'll be good to go. But it would help you to know the general guidelines and what to expect, and in this regard, the film office offers much-needed comprehensive information.
You’ll also have to liaise with the local police and fire departments for your production efforts. This part you’ll have to take care of on your own. However, you can get contact information from the film office. Plus, for any collaboration with state-level agencies and departments, you can reach out to the California Film Commission. The CFC also offers permits for filming on state-owned sites throughout California. You can also benefit from their filmmaker incentives programs, such as refunds and waivers on the site rental fees.
What Insurance Do I Need in Rancho Bernardo?
The only hard requirement for filming in Rancho Bernardo is to arrange for the mandatory insurance coverage. Insurance is needed so that you can compensate your crew members and any third-party affectee in the case of a mishap. Even if your script is not risky and does not involve hard stunts or adrenaline-inducing chase scenes, accidents can still happen. The city requires you to be fully prepared for such an eventuality, so the production insurance requirements in Rancho Bernardo are strictly enforced. There is a fixed baseline of insurance, but the Film Office reserves the right to increase the minimums if the risk associated with your movie or tv show is deemed higher than average.
If you can’t meet any of these requirements, you’ll need to explain in writing why you can’t meet the requirement to the Office. They will determine if the shoot can go ahead without the necessary insurance.
Note that these requirements are minimum requirements. Larger and more complex shoots may require additional insurance which will be determined by the Office.
What Kind of Filming Locations Are Available in Rancho Bernardo?
Rancho Bernardo is loaded with points of public interest that have been described as must-see spots by tourists. These include the San Diego Zoo & Safari Park, Port of San Diego, USS Midway Museum, LEGOLAND California, and SeaWorld San Diego, among others. But on top of these public spots, you can also rent private venues for your filming efforts and choose a space that best suits your sense of style. For instance, the San Diego Conference Room is a well-lit, fully furnished space with an office ambiance, perfect for formal-style shoots. The same is also true for the La Jolla Conference Room, although this one is themed a bit differently.
The Rancho Vista Corporate Center is another perfect private filming venue – masterfully designed with glass walls, a spacious parking area, and an impressive exterior and interior. This commercial building hosts many spacious sections, all lit naturally by sunlight and the building's own lights. There is also a reception area, lunch/break area, and other amenities and facilities. If this formal setting does not appeal to you, however, you can try something more fun-oriented, like the Indoor Kids Playground in San Diego, which gives away its theme and setting very clearly in the name. Or you can rent the Lecture Room in San Diego, which is perfect for more serious aspects of your script.
But if it is a formal workspace that you need, only with a slight twist of the theme and appearance, then why not try the New York Style Office? You also have options like the Paris Style Office, Vienna Style Office, and the London Style Office. And if these venues don’t work for you, you can always try local restaurants, bars, and shopping centers. One thing is for certain: you’ll never have to sweat over having to scout for the perfect filming destinations in Rancho Bernardo or elsewhere. Giggster has you covered with a vast assortment of filming locations and you’ll surely find something that suits your needs.
Special Requirements in Rancho Bernardo
Filming In Rancho Bernardo High School District
To film in the Rancho Bernardo High School District, you'll have to get conditional approval from the school administration, and for that:
First, reach out to the administration with your filming proposal.
Discuss all activities and scenes you plan on doing in the school district.
Next, schedule your filming activities as per the school premises' availability.
You can improve your chances by asking for access during the weekends, holidays, or summer vacation.
Arrange for $1 million in general liability and worker’s compensation coverage.
After approval, finalize the permit application process with the San Diego Film Office.
Once that’s done, you can start filming.
Filming In Rancho Bernardo Community Park
Pretty much the same protocol works for filming in the Rancho Bernardo Community Park, except that you can request access to the park in your permit application directly. You’ll still need to speak to the local Parks and Recreation department regarding any production assistance and resources and to ask for their specific requirements.
Filming In The San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo is managed by a non-profit organization named San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. To film in the zoo, you'll have to ask for their permission. Overall, the protocol is pretty basic, except that you'll have to agree to certain restrictions for filming in the zoo. After all, the well-being of the animals is a top priority. You can forget about any flash photography or any other activity that may excite or endanger the animals.
Filming In Nearby State Parks
You can also feature nearby state parks such as the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in your film project. For this, you’ll need a permit from the California Film Commission, and you won’t have to pay any site rental fees. However, the park administration may require you to hire guides and monitors, plus entry and parking fees will also apply.
Filming On Highways And State-Owned Roads
As with state parks, you’ll need a permit from the California Film Commission and coordinate your efforts with the California Highway Patrol to be able to film on any state-owned road or highway. The latter will also discuss street closure protocols with you before starting.
Regulations For Filming With Drones
The use of camera drones is allowed given that you have the needed permit, have shown proof of liability insurance, will protect the privacy of the residents, and will follow the FAA regulations.
What Does it Cost to Film in Rancho Bernardo?
The filming regulations in Rancho Bernardo require you to pay for both the permit issuance for your filming activities and any services rendered by the local and state-level departments. Firstly, you'll have to pay for the general film permit.
Additional Fees
Some locations require a security deposit to guarantee potential damages or disruptions caused during filming. To get precise information about current fees and requirements for filming in Rancho Bernardo, it's advisable to contact the relevant authorities directly, such as the city's film office, local government, or film commission.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Rancho Bernardo?
The filming laws in Rancho Bernardo discussed above are only applicable within the bounds of the community, so understanding its borders is imperative. Rancho Bernardo is located in the northern region of San Diego; to its west lies the 4S Ranch, Carmel Mountain Ranch to the south, the city of Poway to the southeast, Maderas Golf Club and Blue Sky Ecological Reserve to the east, and the city of Escondido marks the northern border. The planned community is situated some 20 miles up north from San Diego’s Downtown area.
Outreach in Rancho Bernardo
As per the Rancho Bernardo filming laws, the production is obligated to send timely notification letters to the affected residents and resolve any issues faced by the community in this regard. The production alone will be responsible for dealing with any issues that arise during production. Your notification letters must list the relevant contact information, details about the scheduled filming activities, including the timing, and information about any street closures and alternative routes. If you're planning to film for extended durations, want to go beyond the regular daily hours, or want to incorporate elements like pyrotechnics or low-flying aircraft, you'll have to conduct a resident survey and see if at least 80% of the affected people are okay with it. You're pretty much on your own here, so be prepared to lay on the charm.
Community Management in Rancho Bernardo
Rancho Bernardo has been ranked as one of the best places in all of California, and the local community is warm and welcoming. You'll get a suburban-type feeling from the community – the people are usually nice and cooperative but do want to maintain a private life. Since the filming regulations in Rancho Bernardo don't require you to conduct a resident survey under most conditions, you don't have to fret over much, but you'll still have to put your communication skills to the test to address any issues put forward by the locals. Just be sure to listen to what they have to say, come up with concrete solutions, and make sure you stick to your commitments.
Privacy violation, noise pollution, and undue disturbance are red lines, so be sure to avoid them. Overall, the people are nice, so you shouldn't run into much trouble.
Conclusion
Rancho Bernardo offers the full package when it comes to film production. California generally has a pro-filming policy, and this is reflected perfectly here. The local authorities are eager to help, the filming guidelines in Rancho Bernardo are not all that hard to keep up with, and the general atmosphere of the area is perfect for your film production efforts.
There is much to love in the area – the community is well-planned, you've got a ton of recreational spots and points of public interest that can add value to your film screen, and you can also rent an assortment of private filming venues for your efforts. From restaurants and bars to office buildings and lecture rooms, you have limitless options when it comes to picking the perfect ambiance, theme, setting, and lighting for your film project.
And since you don’t need a film permit when filming exclusively on private property, without any assistance from the local authorities, you’ll be able to do more while spending less. But film permits, when needed, aren’t expensive, and any permits for state-owned properties are free of cost, and so is the site rental for such spaces, courtesy of the California Film Commission.
And speaking of CFC, how can we not mention their filmmaker incentive programs? There are two that concern you the most – the Film California First incentive which involves refunds for your filming expenses, and the Star Program, which allows you to film on state-owned properties, including state parks, highways, and buildings, without having to pay a dime in site rental.
Remember that picking your favorite filming venues is as easy as it gets because Giggster lets you do so with a couple of swipes, scrolls, and clicks. You can rent filming destinations that suit the theme of your script without leaving your comfort zone, and of course, complete payment protection is guaranteed throughout!