Follow Wes and Jill on their journey across San Francisco and Vancouver, but be careful not to reveal your identity!
When young Isabelle dies from a genetic disease, her older sister Jill seeks comfort by calling her old phone number and leaving long, candid voicemails about her everyday life, relationships, and struggles. For a few minutes, the young pastry chef can pretend her sister is still there and that nothing has changed. Eventually, the number is reassigned to Wes, a real estate agent in Austin who carries his own loneliness after past relationship disappointments. When Jill’s voicemails begin arriving on his phone, he initially plans to tell her she has the wrong number. He soon finds himself, however, waiting for the notification. The messages become a meaningful part of his life, and he realizes he is falling in love with the woman behind the voice.
Both characters cope with their loss and loneliness through this unexpected connection, until Wes decides he cannot keep listening to Jill’s voicemails forever. He flies from Austin to San Francisco to meet her in person. He does not need to ask her where to find her; after months of hearing about her life, he already feels like he knows her. Their meeting begins a friendship – and probably something more – although it is complicated by the secret Wes is afraid to reveal.
Featuring Zoey Dutch (Set It Up), Nick Robinson (Love, Simon), and Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation), Voicemails for Isabelle has become one of Netflix’s latest romantic successes. This sentimental story recalls the heartfelt romances of the early 2010s, with Vancouver and San Francisco providing the perfect backdrops for this unexpected love story.
Chef Bastien’s Place, Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Photo by @meetatcraftyKick off the tour in Vancouver, where most of the movie was filmed after only spending three days of production in San Francisco. On Commercial Drive, you’ll find the location where Jill works while trying to become an accomplished pastry chef.
Chef Bastien’s kitchen is a stressful environment, ruled by an extremely talented but abusive celebrity chef who pushes Jill to limits. The restaurant location is actually Havana Vancouver at 1212 Commercial Drive. Vibrant and energetic, the Latin hangout is a tropical escape with a year-round patio protected from Vancouver’s colder weather. Its Pacific Northwest style blends with Latin flavours through an innovative menu and cocktail program.
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Photo by @netflixanzJill often sits on a bench overlooking the iconic Golden Gate Bridge while talking to her sister, which gives Wes the clue he needs to find her when he finally arrives in San Francisco.
Although these sequences were filmed using a green screen at Martini Film Studios, visiting Battery Spencer can make you feel like you have stepped directly into the movie. Nearly five-hundred feet above the bay, this cliff-top viewpoint offers breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco skyline. The location has also appeared in films such as Dirty Harry.
Pier 39, San Francisco
Photo by @chenetflixFollow Wes and Jill’s footsteps and take a ride on the iconic carousel at Pier 39, located in the heart of San Francisco’s waterfront.
This popular destination blends tourist attractions with local favorites, offering restaurants, shops, and entertainment along the bay. Visitors can enjoy views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, and Alcatraz, while many come specifically to see the famous California sea lions resting on K-Dock.
Lombard Street, San Francisco
Photo by @meetatcraftyDuring their bus tour, Wes hilariously refers to Lombard Street as the “world-famous squiggle street”, a playful description of San Francisco’s famous crooked road.
Stretching between The Presidio and The Embarcadero, Lombard Street’s eight sharp turns were created in the early 1900s as a practical solution to the steep hill’s dangerous incline for early vehicles. What engineers designed for safety later became one of the city’s most photographed landmarks, offering unique views from almost every corner.
You can watch Voicemails for Isabelle on Netflix!
