California Streamin’

Films and TV shows to soak up some California vibes.

California. It’s not just a state, but a state of mind — one built upon an evershifting foundation of gorgeous scenery, history and folklore. Whatever your aesthetic, there’s a vibe for everyone. From Los Angeles’ glittery stars and smoggy sunsets to the rugged coastline that hugs the Pacific Ocean from San Luis Obispo to Half Moon Bay and beyond. From San Francisco’s blend of oldworld glamour and booming tech promises and the Central Valley’s fruitful generosity to Sacramento’s quaint charm.

In the mood to soak up all that sunshine, culture and attitude? Here are eight films and television shows that shine a light on the Golden State’s beautiful, wonderful and sometimes weird ways.

MOVIES

“Vertigo”: Alfred Hitchcock filmed a handful of murder mysteries in California, including “Rebecca,” in which Point Lobos served as a standin for Monte Carlo, Monaco, and “The Birds,” which famously unleashed its deadly flock in Bodega Bay. With “Vertigo,” released in 1958, Hitchcock crafted a stylish homage to San Francisco. The film, starring Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak, takes viewers on a Technicolor tour, with key scenes dotting a map that includes the Mission Dolores chapel, the California Palace of the Legion of Honor and Fort Point, situated beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. There are many shots, too, of longgone landmarks, including Ransohoff’s department store and the historic Fortmann Mansion, which doubled as the McKittrick Hotel in the film. Watch it: Available to rent on various services, including YouTube.

“American Graffiti”: During the 20th century, California emerged as the epicenter of car culture, and this 1973 comingofage film from a pre“Star Wars” George Lucas captures the mood with dreamy perfection. Set in 1962 Modesto, it echoes the filmmaker’s own experiences growing up in the Central Valley. Starring a who’s who of actors who’d go on to dominate the film and TV industry (Harrison Ford, Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Cindy Williams, Suzanne Somers et al.), “American Graffiti” places a series of vignettes at the nostalgic intersection of teenage love, cruising and rock ’n’ roll. (A 1979 sequel, “More American Graffiti,” revisited the characters, by this point deeply enmeshed in San Francisco’s hippie counterculture, spanning four consecutive New Year’s Eves from 1964 to 1967). Watch it: Available to stream on Hulu.

“L.A. Story”: There are countless Los Angelescentric films to suit any mood, be it the gritty film noir of “Chinatown,” the Hollywood glitz of “La La Land” or the allegories of lost dreams chased down in the likes of “Sunset Boulevard,” “Boogie Nights” and “Less Than Zero.” The 1991 Steve Martin/Sarah Jessica Parker film “L.A. Story,” however, captures its own singular sensibility, one that’s sweet and meaningful. It chronicles the life of Harris (Martin), a TV weatherman/ college professor undergoing a midlife crisis of sorts as he stares down his own future in L.A.'s increasingly superficial landscape. With its monstrous traffic, hipster coffee, talking billboards and Parker as SanDeE* (yes, the asterisk is actually part of her name), an aspiring

spokesmodel who romances Harris with freespirited youth, the film still feels surprisingly fresh and relevant. Available to rent on various services, including Amazon Video.

Greta Gerwig’s 2017 film is a pictureperfect ode to the filmmaker’s Sacramento roots. Gerwig’s solo directorial debut mirrors bits of her own restless senior year at a Catholic high school. The film unfolds as a 200304era tour across the city’s vintage neighborhoods as the titular protagonist (Saoirse Ronan) chafes under her mother’s (Laurie Metcalf) worried eye, argues with her best friend (Beanie Feldstein) and experiences romantic disaster with not one but two love interests (Lucas Hedges and Timothée Chalamet). It’s romantic, nostalgic and quiet — not unlike Sacramento itself. Make it a double feature with Gerwig’s 2012 film, “Frances Ha,” which features scenes depicting Gerwig’s character’s brief but poignant return home to the River City. Available to stream on Netflix.

Watch it: “Lady Bird”: Watch: TV SHOWS “Looking”:

So many TV shows set in San Francisco, so little time. If you’ve already binged through the likes of “The Streets of San Francisco,” “Tales of the City” and, yes, “Full House,” then give “Looking” a stream. This HBO comedydrama, which aired from 2014 to 2016, tells the story of three gay friends — a video game designer (Jonathan Groff), an artist’s assistant (Frankie J. Alvarez) and an aspiring restaurateur (Murray Bartlett) —as they try to navigate San Francisco, friendship and love. The show received high praise but scored low ratings, which means a muchanticipated third season never materialized — although HBO did appease fans with “Looking: The Movie,” an hourplus finale. Available to stream on HBO Max.

There are enough Californiacentric cop shows — “Columbo,” “Police Story,” “The Shield,” “Nash Bridges” — to satisfy any fan of gusty whodunits and tense procedurals. If you’re in need of lighter fun, however (and who isn’t right now?), stream episodes of “CHiPs,” which aired for six seasons from 1977 to 1983. Starring Erik Estrada and Larry Wilcox as two California Highway Pa

Watch: “CHiPs”:

Silver Screen Collection / Getty Images 1973 Mel’s DriveIn at 140 S. Van Ness Ave. in San Francisco was featured in George Lucas’ classic film “American Graffiti.”

John P. Johnson The TV series “Looking” starred Murray Bartlett, Jonathan Groff and Frankie J. Alvarez.

Getty Images 1958 Kim Novak and James Stewart appear in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo,” which was filmed at many San Francisco locations.