Harold And Maude - Sunflowers and Daisies
They stroll alongside a pond, their images reflected in the water (to help find the location, CitySleuth has inverted the movie image). The yellow flowers prompt Maude to declare she would like to change into a sunflower... "They're so tall and simple... what flower would you like to be?".
Then ... Harold isn't sure... as their voiceover continues they are seen, upper left, sitting amongst a sea of daisies planted row upon row... "One of these maybe... because they're all alike". (That's the lower end of those rows behind them in the reflection above).
... and Now, here's the pond, now overgrown, that captured their reflection; the daisy field was on the far slope but now lies fallow. It was filmed at the Cozzolino Nursery farm at 11881 San Mateo road (Highway 92) on the outskirts of the coastal town of Half Moon Bay (map). CitySleuth is grateful to the Cozzolinos for allowing him access to their property.
Here's a detailed south-facing aerial view of the farm today. The different parts of the property that appear during this movie scene are highlighted.
But Maude disagrees with Harold, pointing out that no two daisies are alike... "some are smaller, some are fatter, some grow to the left, some to the right, some even have lost some petals - all kinds of observable differences". It's her way of saying that, in our own way, we are all unique.
Then ... In a poignant juxtaposition the director cuts to a military cemetery, presenting a stark contrast between life and death. Unlike Maude's daisies, the headstones are identical and regimented.
For those wanting to visit this spot, the overlook is shown on Circle Drive on the map below.
Then ... As Maude drives down from the daisy field the farmhouse at 11881 San Mateo Road (marked on the aerial map above) is seen in the foreground. At the far left the light glints off a spillway leading down from the pond.
... and Now, an exterior closet has since been added to the farmhouse. The arrow points to where the daisy field was planted.
Then ... They continue on over a bridge (marked on the aerial map above) .
... and Now, the bridge links the farmhouse driveway over Pilarcitos Creek to the road.
Then ... She screeches onto the road, by way of the opposite lane. (Incidentally, actress Ruth Gordon could not drive so all of Maude's driving scenes used a stunt driver).
... and Now, this corner is referred to by the locals as the 'House Of Doors' corner. Read on for the reason why.
Then ... She over-corrects and barrels by on this side of the power pole past two hitchhikers who can't quite take in what they just saw.
... and Now, this spot is also pointed out on the aerial map above. On the far right across the street is the pathway entrance to 11880 San Mateo Road, a funky old house known locally as the 'House Of Doors'.
The house, seen below in an early 1980s photo, is so-named because it was literally built out of old wooden doors, reportedly by a German saloon-keeper who is said to have acquired the doors from dismantled buildings when San Francisco's 1915 Pan-Pacific Exposition closed down. A more recent photo is seen in this listing when, refurbished, it sold in 2013 for $345,000.