The Lineup - First Responders
The alarm has been raised and the first responders jump into action as the movie's opening credits roll. Views from the length and breadth of the city welcome the audience to beautiful San Francisco as each of the responders are shown.
Then ... An ambulance pulls out of a driveway and heads down the hill. Citysleuth is indebted to Reel SF reader and fellow sleuth CDL, who found this location. This is on the south edge of Cole Valley - the view looks north down the entire length of Cole Street from Carmel Street with the University of San Francisco main campus on the hilltop in the distance beyond the Golden Gate Park Panhandle (map).
... and Now, the view today, with the same houses on the Cole/Carmel corners. St. Ignatius Church at the University of San Francisco campus is visible on the far horizon.
Below is a closer look at St. Ignatius Church and the USF campus as seen from the higher vantage point of Twin Peaks, just south of Carmel Street, viewed along the same line as the Cole Street view above.
Then ... Next we see police motorcyclists heading south along the Great Highway past Lincoln Way at the southwest corner of Golden Gate Park in the Outer Sunset district (map). The Pacific Ocean is to the left and Cliff House (featured later in the movie, see it here) can be seen above the letters LL in writer Stirling Silliphant's name.
... and Now, Cliff House is still there, albeit remodelled.
Then ... We cut clear over to Potrero Hill where a police car responds on Wisconsin Street near 22nd Street (map). Here, Wisconsin points north towards a fine panorama of the city.
... and Now, still a fine view but it's truncated by the sidewalk trees. CitySleuth often wonders why trees and views in San Francisco have to be mutually exclusive.
Then ... Another police car responds from Sea Cliff on El Camino Del Mar at 32nd Avenue (map). The vista looks over Sea Cliff to the Presidio.
... and Now, some newer houses show up in the foreground amongst the recognizable survivors.
Then ... Finally, the responders arrive at Pier 41 near Fisherman's Wharf, the scene of the crime (map). The open lot to the left on the corner of Powell and Jefferson had only recently been cleared of a huge gas holder.
... and Now, a Gap Store and the Radisson Hotel sit on the site of the old gas holder.