Your San Francisco Private Investigator for Surveillance and Investigations
If you need a private investigator in San Francisco, Bear Witness has been documenting the truth for California clients since 1996. San Francisco is a city of about 836,000 people in San Francisco County. Surveillance is our specialty, and every case is handled by a licensed investigator — never a call center.
From infidelity and custody cases to workers’ compensation fraud and litigation support, we keep our caseload small so every San Francisco client works directly with the investigator in the field — and gets a clear answer, documented to the standard California courts expect.
San Francisco Surveillance Investigations: Our Specialty
As a San Francisco private investigator, surveillance is the core of what we do. We document activity legally, discreetly, and in a way that holds up in court.
Mobile Surveillance
We follow the subject by vehicle through San Francisco and beyond, keeping distance and cover so they never know we are there.
Static Surveillance
Discreet observation of a home, workplace, or business from a lawful public vantage point, documenting who comes and goes.
Two-Investigator Teams
For careful or unpredictable subjects, two investigators trade off so the same car is never seen twice.
San Francisco’s density (about 17,900 people per square mile) makes foot surveillance practical and keeping a vehicle in position harder, so we plan coverage accordingly.
How a San Francisco Private Investigator Can Help
Four kinds of clients call us most — and surveillance is at the center of almost every case.
Personal Cases
- Nanny & daycare surveillance — peace of mind about who is caring for your child in San Francisco.
- Infidelity & cheating spouse — documenting where a partner goes and who they meet, without them knowing.
- Runaways & missing persons — finding someone who has left San Francisco or stopped answering.
Family Law Cases
- Lifestyle investigations — showing how someone actually lives when income or need is in dispute.
- Divorce investigations — evidence for San Francisco County family court, documented properly.
- Child support — documenting employment and income the other parent may not be reporting.
- Cohabitation — proof of a live-in partner when spousal support is at stake.
- Child custody — parenting-time compliance, home conditions, and welfare concerns.
- Child visitation — documenting visitation exchanges and compliance with the court order.
Business Cases
- Insurance defense — surveillance and investigation for carriers and defense counsel.
- Business partner surveillance — due diligence and surveillance on partners and key associates.
- Injury claims — showing what a claimant can really do.
- Workers’ comp fraud — comparing a claimant’s real activity to reported restrictions.
- Employee theft — documenting internal theft and misconduct before you act.
Law Firm Cases
- Records research — public and court records research to support your case.
- Evasive subpoena service — skip-tracing and service for hard-to-serve subjects.
- Witness statements — finding and interviewing the people who saw what happened.
- Surveillance — surveillance your client’s case can stand on.
- Evidence gathering — facts collected to evidentiary standards.
- Court testimony — our investigators testify to what they observed.
What Sets Our San Francisco Investigators Apart
Not every San Francisco private investigator specializes in surveillance. Here is what makes Bear Witness different.
Direct Access to Your Investigator
We limit our caseload, so you talk to the investigator working your case — not a call center.
Licensed & Veteran-Owned
California PI License #18755, veteran-owned and operated, held to the standards set by BSIS.
Surveillance Specialists
Surveillance has been our focus since 1996. It is not a side service — it is what we do best.
Available 24/7
Nights, weekends, holidays — we work when your subject is active.
Statewide Coverage
From San Francisco to the rest of California, we follow subjects wherever the case leads.
Honest Results
If nothing is going on, we tell you. A clear answer is the goal, not more billable hours.
What Our Clients Say
Real reviews from Bear Witness clients across California.
“Thanks for the great investigation. This was my first time hiring a private investigator and you guys really made it a positive experience. The surveillance video and information your company obtained really helped me out in making a tough decision. I appreciate all your hard work and personal attention.”
“I first consulted with a few other investigation companies in the area, yet I remained skeptical about their service. But, after I talked over my case with James, I was pleased with the high levels of confidence and experience he conveyed. In the end, I am glad I chose Bear Witness to perform my surveillance investigation. Thanks for the video your company obtained. It was eye-opening.”
“Thank you for getting me the information I needed to make a smart life-altering decision. I had a weird feeling my fiance was seeing another woman. But, your company got me the hard proof. And you got it fast. Many thanks to your private investigators! You saved me from making a big mistake.”
Names and/or locations altered for client privacy. Read more client reviews →
Where San Francisco Cases Are Heard
San Francisco is the San Francisco County seat, so the main Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco facilities are close by.
If your San Francisco matter ends up in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco, documentation quality decides whether the evidence helps. We keep chain-of-custody records and write reports in plain chronological order.
About 62% of San Francisco households rent, and renters move more often — so for process serving and people-location work, we verify a subject’s current address before the first attempt.
Also Serving Near San Francisco
If your subject lives in San Francisco but works or travels elsewhere, that’s routine. Nearby areas include:
Straight-line distances from San Francisco.
Working With a San Francisco Private Investigator, Step by Step
- 1
Call Us
A short, private conversation about your situation, with no obligation.
- 2
Strategy
We decide when and where surveillance in and around San Francisco is most likely to answer your question.
- 3
Fieldwork
One investigator handles your case from start to finish.
- 4
Results
Documented findings in plain language — including a clear “nothing found” when that is the truth.
San Francisco Private Investigator FAQs
Do you also cover Bolinas and Stinson Beach?
Yes. Bolinas is about 22 miles from San Francisco and Stinson Beach about 24 miles, and both are part of our regular coverage in Northern California.
What does a private investigator in San Francisco do?
We document facts for personal, family law, business, and legal cases — most often through surveillance, along with background research, people location, witness statements, and process serving.
Do you specialize in surveillance?
Yes. Surveillance has been Bear Witness’s specialty since 1996, and it is part of nearly every case we handle in San Francisco and across California.
Can you help find a runaway or missing person?
Yes. We use people-location and investigative techniques to find family members and others who have left or lost touch.
Can you document cohabitation for a spousal support case?
Yes. Under California Family Code section 4323, a supported spouse living with a partner can create a presumption of decreased need for support. We document cohabitation for you and your attorney.
How is a San Francisco investigation priced?
Surveillance is billed by time. After a free consultation, you get a written estimate before any billable work begins.
Is surveillance legal in San Francisco?
Yes, when done correctly. California allows observation in public places where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. Our investigators do not trespass, use hidden vehicle trackers, or record private conversations.
Is everything I tell you confidential?
Yes. Your case is handled by your assigned investigator and never discussed with anyone outside the firm.
Can you serve someone who is avoiding service?
Yes. We locate the person first, then time service attempts around when they are actually there, and document service for the court.
Every case starts with a free, confidential consultation. Call 1(877)PROOF-24/7 to speak with a licensed investigator about your San Francisco case.