It’s not often you’ll watch a TV commercial and realize your own neighborhood was used as the backdrop.
Balboa Street was the star of a Nike commercial in 2015 saluting marathon runners. And this year, we’ve seen the Richmond District used in a two commercials for Volkswagen and Subaru.
Readers tipped us off to the actual locations, but you let us know in the comments where these locales are in the neighborhood!
Update 3/6/18: A reader tipped us off to yet another car commercial, this time for Honda, that stars Phillip, the owner of Clement Nursery. Check it out below.
Sarah B.
1st video, 21st Ave between Fulton and Cabrillo
2nd Video 32nd Ave and Anza, George Washington High School
Pedestrian monitoring is a great idea, especially in SF where crossing the street engrossed in your phone is normative. I have another thought about automobile technology. If we get true driverless cars, will my five year old grand daughter be able to ask her mom to program it for her friend’s house and then take off by herself?
Is that where Volkswagen was gassing the monkeys? (Disturbing true issue- read about it in “Dieselgate”)
Also, saw this commercial on TV the other day featuring Phillip from Clement Street Nursery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQeniO59r6c
That top photo is a keeper. Ah, cars. A curse and a blessing. We’re contemplating ridding ourselves of a 2011 Subaru with the dreaded leaky engine gaskets that Subaru refuses to do a recall on. And then the dreaded car shopping experience, like volunteering to stick your hand in a wasps nest. I guess it beats riding the bus. At least my typewriters are dependable- and I’ve got a few spares.
@John – Thanks! We added Phillip’s spot to the post
There was also a Presidents Day car commercial filmed in and around Mel’s on Geary.
I recognized GWHS in the Subura commercial, I drop my son of every morning and was like, “wait, that’s 32nd ave & Anza”…. going to show the video to my son and see if he will notice.