Where was Stranger Things season 4 filmed? In truth, thousands of miles from the Bay Area. Since most of us can’t drop everything, hop in a VW bus, and head to Hawkins, here’s a list of Bay Area locations that remind us of the show with all of its ’80s nostalgia, secret government projects, and haunted mansions.
1. Rink-O-Mania: Church of 8 Wheels
There’s no place quite like Rink-O-Mania, but if you’re looking to assemble your crew, strap on some quads, and skate to your favorite tunes, The Church of 8 Wheels is the spot. This former church is a hub for the local skating community with their biggest party of the week being Saturday night’s Black Rock Roller Disco. No food or drink is available, so you won’t have to worry about getting a milkshake thrown at you.
Location: 554 Fillmore Street, San Francisco
2. Surfer Boy Pizza: The Pizza Place on Noriega
With its proximity to Ocean Beach, trippy pizza-themed murals, and giant ‘shaka’ logo, The Pizza Place on Noriega is exactly where Argyle would work. They have all the classic pizza and wings options, plus specialty pies like the Big Wave Dave, topped with bacon, feta, pineapple, and jalapeño. Delicious with or without a little Purple Palm Tree Delight.
Location: 3901 Noriega St., San Francisco
3. Creel House: Westerfeld House
Of all the Stranger Things filming locations in season 4, the Creel House is the spookiest. Luckily SF has a similarly creepy mansion, known as The Westerfeld House. In the ‘20s, Czarist Russians ran a nightclub called “Dark Eyes” out of the ballroom where a Russian colonel was allegedly murdered. In 1967, filmmaker Kenneth Anger lived at Westerfeld, made pseudo-satanic films, and played host to everyone from Mick Jagger to Charles Manson. Church of Satan founder, Anton LeVey, was also a regular guest at this spooky mansion. As a guest, he performed satanic rituals and kept his pet lion cub in the tower. It seems like Vecna would feel right at home here.
Location: 1198 Fulton St, San Francisco
4. Hawkins Lab: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Nestled in the hills above UC Berkeley, this extraordinary research facility seems like precisely the place where they’d open a gate to the Upside Down. This lab is home to particle accelerators, a molecular foundry, and one of the most powerful microscopes in the world. With a mission to “solve the most pressing and profound scientific problems facing mankind,” they’re also the folks I’d trust to save humanity. No offense, Eleven.
Location: 1 Cyclotron Rd, Berkeley
Bonus: Stanford Research Institute (SRI)
Eleven’s ability to spy on the Russians from afar is based on a real CIA-backed program at Stanford that trained psychic spies using a technique known as ‘Remote Viewing.” The program ran from 1972-1995.
5. Nina Project: Reboot Float Spa
One of Eleven’s many skills is the ability to spy on people from a distance with the help of a sensory deprivation tank at the Nina Project. Lucky for you, you don’t have to crawl into an underground bunker (or pizza place) to try one out. Reboot Spa will provide you with a private pod filled with salty water that matches the temperature of your body, complete darkness (if you choose), and total silence. The deprivation of external stimuli helps your mind to wander, allowing for deep relaxation and everything from enhanced creativity to hallucinations. Unfortunately, these tanks probably won’t help you fight Vecna.
Locations:
- 810 Valencia St., San Francisco
- 1912 Lombard St., San Francisco
- 6239 College Ave, Oakland
6. Kamchatka prison camp: Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary
The Rock is famous for its inhospitable climate, isolated location and frigid surroundings which would have made a perfect Stranger Things filming location. Though conditions here were decidedly better than Jim Hopper’s stay at Kamchatka, Alcatraz was no picnic. A tour of the island will give you a small taste of life behind bars and the history of the island. You probably won’t have to fight any Demogorgons on your way out, but you never know.
Location: Alcatraz Island, San Francisco