Clint Eastwood’s name conjures up a multitude of images: cowboy, cop, rogue, real-life mayor, masterful storyteller. To pay tribute to the California native who turned 81 on May 31, plan a trip to a few of the spots in the Golden State that helped frame his many memorable moments, both onscreen and
off.
1. Carmel: You may not be familiar with the song “Don’t Mess With the Mayor,” but most Californians of a certain age remember Eastwood’s political past in the town he still calls home. Traces of Clint are everywhere from the Dirty Harry Burger on the menu at the Hog’s Breath Inn to the piano tunes coming from the bar area of the Eastwood-owned Mission Ranch Inn and Restaurant.
Hog’s Breath, San Carlos between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Carmel-By-the-Sea. 831-625-1044, www.hogsbreathinn.net; Mission Ranch Inn and Restaurant, 26270 Dolores St., Carmel. 831-624-6436, www.missionranchcarmel.com.
2. Mount Davidson Park, San Francisco: This woodsy patch of land is the highest natural point in the city and home to the concrete cross that loomed over Inspector Harry Callahan and serial killer Scorpio in a messy confrontation in “Dirty Harry.”
Most of the downtown spots that served as backdrop to the 1971 film have changed with the times, but Mount Davidson remains much the same: bucolic and perpetually coated in fog.
Myra Way at Dalewood Way, San Francisco.
3. Alabama Hills and Lone Pine (Inyo County): Be prepared for deja vu. Hundreds of famous westerns were filmed on this rugged terrain, including “Rawhide” and the 1972 Eastwood flick “Joe Kidd.” After taking the self-guided movie tour through the majestic rock formations of the Alabama Hills, stop by the film-history museum in nearby Lone Pine for movie-set memorabilia and gear worn by Hollywood’s most famous cowboys.
Movie Road, 2.5 miles west of Lone Pine, off Hwy 395. 760-876-4444; tinyurl.com/3vwv6w7; Beverly and Jim Rogers Museum of Lone Pine Film History, 701 S. Main Street, Lone Pine. 760-876-9909. www.lonepinefilmhistorymuseum.org.
4. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz: “Go ahead, make my day” — one of the most repeated lines in movie history — was uttered by Eastwood in the 1983 thriller “Sudden Impact.” Callahan effectively removed the danger factor from the “San Paolo Fairgrounds,” but you’ll still hear ferocious screams every time the 1924 Giant Dipper whips around its rickety tracks at 55 miles an hour. 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz. 831-423-5590; www.beachboardwalk.com.
5. Monterey Jazz Festival: Eastwood’s love of jazz followed him from childhood piano-playing days to his movie soundtracks and ardent support of up-and-coming musicians (and established jazz artists like son Kyle). Long before he began his tenure serving on the Monterey Jazz Festival’s board of directors, he soaked up the concert atmosphere in 1971’s “Play Misty for Me.”
The festival doesn’t start until September, but now is a good time to get your tickets. Sept. 16 to 18, Monterey County Fairgrounds, 2000 Fairgrounds Road. 925-275-9255, www.monterey jazzfestival.org.
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