Maps of Movies

The Birds (1963)

Where The Birds says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

A quiet Sonoma coast town where a school, a wharf and a ranch house were filmed in two different villages

Scenes and places

The pet shop where they meet (1963)

Mitch wants lovebirds for his sister's birthday and pretends to mistake Melanie for a shop clerk. He quizzes her about birds, she fails, and he reveals he knows who she is. Melanie leaves intrigued and buys the lovebirds herself.

Set in A San Francisco pet shop — The bird shop where Melanie and Mitch first meet; the shop's name is not given in the sources used.

A city pet shop where the film's comic opening plays out.

The drive up the coast (1963)

Intrigued by Mitch, Melanie buys the lovebirds and drives north after learning he has gone to his family's farm.

Set in The road to Bodega Bay — Melanie drives north to Bodega Bay with the lovebirds after learning Mitch has gone to his family farm.

A coastal road in Sonoma County; the film's driving shots were completed with special effects at Walt Disney Studios.

The schoolhouse and Annie's garden (1963)

Melanie knocks on Annie's door to learn the name of Mitch's little sister. Annie, Mitch's former girlfriend, offers her a cigarette, and Melanie learns Annie was once close to Mitch.

Set in Annie Hayworth's school and house, Bodega Bay — The schoolhouse and cottage where Melanie meets teacher Annie Hayworth. Google Maps · Apple Maps

A schoolhouse in the inland village of Bodega, now a private home.

Filmed at Potter School, Bodega Lane, Bodega (Sonoma Coast, Bodega Bay, United States) — The school building stands in the inland village of Bodega, next to St. Teresa of Avila church. The coordinates are the church's, not the school's. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The wharf and the boat across the bay (1963)

Melanie rents a boat to cross the bay unseen. Mitch spots her and drives round to the dock. A gull swoops down at her, and he dresses the cut and invites her to dinner.

Set in Bodega Bay waterfront — Melanie rents an outboard boat and crosses the bay to leave the lovebirds secretly at the Brenner dock. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The working harbour of Bodega Bay, home to the Tides restaurant used in the film.

The Brenner farm (1963)

Melanie meets Lydia, a mother who is wary of any woman near her son. Lydia worries about her hens that will not eat and about Melanie's gossip-column fame. Mitch invites Melanie to Cathy's party.

Set in The Brenner farm and house — The white farmhouse across the bay where Mitch lives with his mother Lydia and his sister Cathy.

A ranch house on the west shore of Bodega Bay that has since been torn down.

Cathy's birthday party (1963)

Melanie opens up to Mitch about her mother leaving. During a game, gulls suddenly attack the children. The cheerful birthday turns into the first real panic.

Set in The Brenner house lawn — The garden party for Cathy's 11th birthday.

The same ranch-house setting as the Brenner farm.

The neighbor's farm (1963)

Lydia drives over to ask a neighbor about their chickens that will not eat. What she finds in the house sends her fleeing in horror.

Set in Dan Fawcett's farm — The neighbor's farm Lydia visits about her chickens.

A farm near the village of Valley Ford, south of Bodega Bay.

Filmed at A farm near Valley Ford (specific farm not identified) (Sonoma Coast, Bodega Bay, United States) — Reportedly filmed at a farm near Valley Ford; the coordinates are the village's. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The crows at the school (1963)

Melanie waits outside the school, and a flock of crows engulfs the jungle gym behind her. She warns Annie, and the teacher leads the children out. The crows follow.

Set in Bodega Bay school — The schoolhouse where Melanie waits for Cathy, with a playground behind her. Google Maps · Apple Maps

The Potter School scenes were filmed inland; the street runs in Bodega Bay town.

The diner and gas station fire (1963)

Townspeople argue over whether birds can really be organized. When gulls attack a gas-station attendant, a dropped match ignites gasoline. Melanie takes refuge in a telephone booth.

Set in The diner and gas station, Bodega Bay — The restaurant where townspeople argue about the birds, and the street outside. Google Maps · Apple Maps

Part of Bodega Bay's wharf area.

Filmed at St. Teresa of Avila Church, Bodega (Sonoma Coast, Bodega Bay, United States) — The church seen in the village scenes Google Maps · Apple Maps

Characters

• Melanie Daniels — A San Francisco socialite who follows a stranger to Bodega Bay.
• Mitch Brenner — A lawyer who spends weekends at his family's farm in Bodega Bay.
• Annie Hayworth — The Bodega Bay schoolteacher and Mitch's ex-lover.
• Lydia Brenner — Mitch's widowed mother, wary of any woman in his life.

Questions answered on the map

• Where were the school scenes of The Birds really filmed?