Just 90 minutes from Oakland and a short detour off Route 101, San Juan Bautista is an ideal destination for a weekend day trip. This historic town has a welcoming Main Street lined with unique shops, eateries, and artistic signs depicting religious figures like San Rafael and San Miguel. At its heart is the San Juan Bautista Mission, founded in the late 1700s, surrounded by a collection of preserved Spanish colonial buildings, including the Plaza Hotel, now part of a historical state park.
The town is also famous for its connection to Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 thriller “Vertigo,” where the film’s climactic scene was shot. Fun fact: the mission’s iconic bell tower in the movie never actually existed—it was a Hollywood illusion.
Uncovering Deep Ties to Cinematic History
On my most recent visit in January 2025, I wandered into Fool’s Gold, a tucked-away antique shop across from Rozas House, which I hear hosts ghost tours around Halloween. Inside, I met Halina Kleinsmith, the shop’s owner for over 25 years. She’s filled a corner of her store with a tribute to “Vertigo,” including a vintage movie poster and a mannequin dressed like actress Kim Novak’s iconic film character.
Kleinsmith has plenty of stories to tell about the town’s connection to the film. She shared how a 50th-anniversary celebration in 2007 raised $75,000 for restoration of the centuries-old mission. She also recalled Kim Novak’s recent visit in fall 2024 to film a documentary about her career.
San Juan Bautista still attracts filmmakers. Sean Penn and Leonardo DiCaprio were recently in town shooting a movie about bank robbers, filming scenes at the Old Plaza Hotel, built in 1792.
More to Explore
Beyond its Hollywood ties, San Juan Bautista has plenty to offer:
- Vertigo Coffee – A cozy spot serving house-roasted coffee and brick-oven pizza.
- Mission Clocks and Watches – A unique shop where owner Ronald Paulk, a Navy veteran, specializes in selling and fixing cuckoo clocks.
- Pueblo Viejo Imports – A colorful shop packed with Mexican folk art, including Día de Los Muertos sculptures.
- San Juan Bakery & Grocery – Known for Mexican wedding cookies, empanadas and other homemade delights.
Whether you’re drawn by history, film nostalgia, or small-town charm, San Juan Bautista is definitely worth a visit.
Nicholas Iovino 