Greeted by
COLIN SIMPSON
Lucasfilm headquarters, San Francisco
3/5
THE actual-size depiction of the diminutive Jedi Master stood on top of a disproportionately large fountain near the car park at the headquarters of Star Wars production company Lucasfilm in San Francisco.
The company is based on a large campus in the Presidio park, a former military base near the Golden Gate Bridge. It remained there after The Walt Disney Company acquired it in 2012 in a deal worth just over $4 billion. Star Wars creator George Lucas founded the company back in 1971.
The force would have to be strong with the average visitor before they could get far inside the buildings where the movie magic takes place, as Lucasfilm does not offer public tours. However, fans are free to view the Yoda fountain and see a selection of Star Wars memorabilia on show in the main lobby. There are Darth Vadar and Boba Fett costumes made from the same moulds as those used in the films, a silvery R2D2, lightsabers and lots of Star Wars-related models and books.
Vintage movie posters from Lucas’s extensive collection hang on the walls, reflecting his fascination with Hollywood history. This interest can also be seen in the presence of a statue of special effects pioneer Willis O’Brien, who worked on the original King Kong in 1933. O’Brien is depicted with a model of the ape that is perched on a tower.
We cast envious glances at guests of staff members who were allowed through the doors leading to the rest of the building, where we were told many more historic posters and other items were on show.
Verdict: A fun half-hour visit that any Star Wars fan will love.
Updated May 2020
The Force of Gravity is Weak With This One
WE came across Yoda in another city far, far away – Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, at festival time. A street entertainer appeared to defy gravity as he hovered above the pavement outside St Giles’ Cathedral. Of course, this type of entertainer is a common sight in many cities that attract tourists – the London Times has reported concerns about the number of floating Yodas outside the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. Festival attractions in Edinburgh that year included an exhibition about Scotland’s relationship with the movies – there were posters that translated famous lines from the big screen into Scottish. For example, Darth Vader’s bombshell revelation that he is Luke Skywalker’s father became, “Luke, a’m yer da”.
MORE INFO
LUCASFILM HEADQUARTERS page on the company’s official site, with details of the units based there plus contact information. CLICK HERE
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THE SAND DUNES OF TATOOINE, the wilderness where Jesus spent 40 days and nights, and the Northwest Frontier of India have one thing in common. They’ve all been represented in famous films by the desolate, scorched landscapes of California’s Death Valley. READ MORE
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Disclosure: Afaranwide is an affiliate of leading travel operators such as Booking.com and Japan Rail Pass. If you purchase through our site we receive, at no additional cost to you, a small commission. We only work with companies we have used and recommend.
LET'S KEEP IN TOUCH!
Greeted by
Yoda, We
Were
COLIN SIMPSON
Lucasfilm headquarters, San Francisco
3/5
THE actual-size depiction of the diminutive Jedi Master stood on top of a disproportionately large fountain near the car park at the headquarters of Star Wars production company Lucasfilm in San Francisco.
The company is based on a large campus in the Presidio park, a former military base near the Golden Gate Bridge. It remained there after The Walt Disney Company acquired it in 2012 in a deal worth just over $4 billion. Star Wars creator George Lucas founded the company back in 1971.
The force would have to be strong with the average visitor before they could get far inside the buildings where the movie magic takes place, as Lucasfilm does not offer public tours. However, fans are free to view the Yoda fountain and see a selection of Star Wars memorabilia on show in the main lobby. There are Darth Vadar and Boba Fett costumes made from the same moulds as those used in the films, a silvery R2D2, lightsabers and lots of Star Wars-related models and books.
Vintage movie posters from Lucas’s extensive collection hang on the walls, reflecting his fascination with Hollywood history. This interest can also be seen in the presence of a statue of special effects pioneer Willis O’Brien, who worked on the original King Kong in 1933. O’Brien is depicted with a model of the ape that is perched on a tower.
We cast envious glances at guests of staff members who were allowed through the doors leading to the rest of the building, where we were told many more historic posters and other items were on show.
Verdict: A fun half-hour visit that any Star Wars fan will love.
Updated May 2020
The Force of Gravity is Weak With This One
WE came across Yoda in another city far, far away – Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, at festival time. A street entertainer appeared to defy gravity as he hovered above the pavement outside St Giles’ Cathedral. Of course, this type of entertainer is a common sight in many cities that attract tourists – the London Times has reported concerns about the number of floating Yodas outside the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. Festival attractions in Edinburgh that year included an exhibition about Scotland’s relationship with the movies – there were posters that translated famous lines from the big screen into Scottish. For example, Darth Vader’s bombshell revelation that he is Luke Skywalker’s father became, “Luke, a’m yer da”.
MORE INFO
LUCASFILM HEADQUARTERS page on the company’s official site, with details of the units based there plus contact information. CLICK HERE
RELATED
THE SAND DUNES OF TATOOINE, the wilderness where Jesus spent 40 days and nights, and the Northwest Frontier of India have one thing in common. They’ve all been represented in famous films by the desolate, scorched landscapes of California’s Death Valley. READ MORE
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TOP 10 VIRTUAL ATTRACTIONS: Many of the world’s most popular tourists sites are closed because of the coronavirus crisis, but you can still visit them virtually while you’re self-isolating. READ MORE
SHIMLA, QUEEN OF THE HILLS: Government officials once retreated to Shimla in the foothills of the Himalayas to escape India’s blazing hot summers. Now tourists make the same journey. READ MORE
TEN THINGS WE LEARNED: Our up-to-the-minute guide to creating a website, one step at a time. The costs, the mistakes – it’s what we wish we’d known when we started blogging. READ MORE
TROUBLED TIMES FOR EXPATS: Moving abroad can seem an idyllic prospect, but what happens when sudden upheavals or the inescapable realities of life intrude? READ MORE
Disclosure: Afaranwide is an affiliate of leading travel operators such as Booking.com and Japan Rail Pass. If you purchase through our site we receive, at no additional cost to you, a small commission. We only work with companies we have used and recommend.
LET'S KEEP IN TOUCH!
Greeted by Yoda, We Were
COLIN SIMPSON
Lucasfilm headquarters, San Francisco, US
3/5
THE actual-size depiction of the diminutive Jedi Master stood on top of a disproportionately large fountain near the car park at the headquarters of Star Wars production company Lucasfilm in San Francisco.
The company is based on a large campus in the Presidio park, a former military base near the Golden Gate Bridge. It remained there after The Walt Disney Company acquired it in 2012 in a deal worth just over $4 billion. Star Wars creator George Lucas founded the company back in 1971.
The force would have to be strong with the average visitor before they could get far inside the buildings where the movie magic takes place, as Lucasfilm does not offer public tours. However, fans are free to view the Yoda fountain and see a selection of Star Wars memorabilia on show in the main lobby. There are Darth Vadar and Boba Fett costumes made from the same moulds as those used in the films, a silvery R2D2, lightsabers and lots of Star Wars-related models and books.
Vintage movie posters from Lucas’s extensive collection hang on the walls, reflecting his fascination with Hollywood history. This interest can also be seen in the presence of a statue of special effects pioneer Willis O’Brien, who worked on the original King Kong in 1933. O’Brien is depicted with a model of the ape that is perched on a tower.
We cast envious glances at guests of staff members who were allowed through the doors leading to the rest of the building, where we were told many more historic posters and other items were on show.
Verdict: A fun half-hour visit that any Star Wars fan will love.
Updated May 2020
The Force of Gravity is Weak With This One
WE came across Yoda in another city far, far away – Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, at festival time. A street entertainer appeared to defy gravity as he hovered above the pavement outside St Giles’ Cathedral. Of course, this type of entertainer is a common sight in many cities that attract tourists – the London Times has reported concerns about the number of floating Yodas outside the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. Festival attractions in Edinburgh that year included an exhibition about Scotland’s relationship with the movies – there were posters that translated famous lines from the big screen into Scottish. For example, Darth Vader’s bombshell revelation that he is Luke Skywalker’s father became, “Luke, a’m yer da”.
MORE INFO
LUCASFILM HEADQUARTERS page on the company’s official site, with details of the units based there plus contact information. CLICK HERE
RELATED
THE SAND DUNES OF TATOOINE, the wilderness where Jesus spent 40 days and nights, and the Northwest Frontier of India have one thing in common. They’ve all been represented in famous films by the desolate, scorched landscapes of California’s Death Valley. READ MORE
RECOMMENDED
WELCOME TO OUR WORLD! Afaranwide’s home page – this is where you can find out about our latest posts and other highlights. READ MORE
TOP 10 VIRTUAL ATTRACTIONS: Many of the world’s most popular tourists sites are closed because of the coronavirus crisis, but you can still visit them virtually while you’re self-isolating. READ MORE
SHIMLA, QUEEN OF THE HILLS: Government officials once retreated to Shimla in the foothills of the Himalayas to escape India’s blazing hot summers. Now tourists make the same journey. READ MORE
TEN THINGS WE LEARNED: Our up-to-the-minute guide to creating a website, one step at a time. The costs, the mistakes – it’s what we wish we’d known when we started blogging. READ MORE
TROUBLED TIMES FOR EXPATS: Moving abroad can seem an idyllic prospect, but what happens when sudden upheavals or the inescapable realities of life intrude? READ MORE
Disclosure: Afaranwide is an affiliate of leading travel operators such as Booking.com and Japan Rail Pass. If you purchase through our site we receive, at no additional cost to you, a small commission. We only work with companies we have used and recommend.