BEST San Francisco Photo Spots
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What is the most beautiful city in the United States? Some say Chicago, Miami, or even New York, but when it comes to pure citywide beauty, it’s hard to find a place as picturesque as this one. From the stunning sights of the Golden Gate Bridge to the lush forests of Mt. Davidson, locations like these present an area of unrivaled wonder.
San Francisco photo spots not only showcase the brilliant beauty of the city but also show exactly why this place is one of a kind. It’s the variety of colors and vibrant details that make even the most mundane of sights pop into life. It’s the connection to the surrounding environments that elevates the manufactured structures as well as the natural formations. It’s the idea that everything in the city is designed to appear as spectacular as possible.
Keep reading to see all of the BEST SAN FRANCISCO PHOTO SPOTS!
1.) Russian Ridge Preserve
The Russian Ridge Preserve is a photographer’s dream. A place where waves of golden grass glisten in the Golden rays of the setting sun. Where fog rolls over distant mountains and a view that shines over the whole bay area. If you only have time for one of the San Francisco photo spots, make sure this is the one.
BEST TYPE OF PICTURE
– Landscape and Nature
BEST SPOT
– The Ridge Trail
BEST TIME
– Sunset, for perfect golden rays on the golden landscape
Pro tip- See our story on the Russian Ridge Preserve to learn everything about capturing the best picture possible!
2.) Andy Goldsworthy's Wood Line
One of the more unique San Francisco photo spots, Andy Goldsworthy’s Wood Line is a wooded escape from the city streets. Follow an abstract log line as it weaves through the trees in this location, which is perfect for capturing the variety of this great West Coast city.
BEST TYPE OF PICTURE
– Abstract and Nature
BEST SPOT
– The northern half looking uphill
BEST TIME
– Evening, for softer light poking through the trees
Pro tip- If you head west, there are many trails and outdoor attractions within the park.
3.) Battery Spencer
When you think of stunning Golden Gate Bridge photos, this is the spot. With a full view of the city, ocean waves, and soaring bridge, this San Francisco photo spot is everything you could ask for.
BEST TYPE OF PICTURE
– Travel and Architecture
BEST SPOT
– Near the lower lookout past the fence
BEST TIME
– Sunrise, to see soft light hitting the Golden Gate Bridge
Pro tip- You can find great photos along the chain link fence, but if you hop the fence and head down the cliffside, the pictures are even better.
4.) Mt Davidson
Mt. Davidson takes you away from the typical sights you would expect from the Bay Area and replaces them with a mystical wonderland similar to that of the Pacific Northwest. Walk through layers of fog and thick, green foliage as you scale the mountain to the highest point in the city.
BEST TYPE OF PICTURE
– Nature
BEST SPOT
– The western hiking trail
BEST TIME
– Sunrise, to capture the thick forest fog
Pro tip- Check the weather beforehand to make sure you are able to capture as much fog as possible. 🌫️
5.) Palace of Fine Arts
The Palace of Fine Arts is a place that stands out yet perfectly fits into the scenes of the city. Here, the tall and open pillars shooting above still pond waters encapsulate the beautiful and free-flowing vibes found within San Francisco and fully show what makes San Francisco photography so special.
BEST TYPE OF PICTURE
– Travel and Architecture
BEST SPOT
– Near the north entrance
BEST TIME
– Morning, to avoid the crowds
Pro tip- Under the open dome and along Baker Street are also great San Francisco photo spots.
6.) Painted Ladies
Sure, a row of houses may sound like an odd place to go for San Francisco photography, but this is no ordinary row. The Painted Ladies are a group of meticulously crafted, well kept, colorful houses perfectly presenting themselves for a top tier picture. Especially during a San Francisco sunset!
BEST TYPE OF PICTURE
– Urban and Architecture
BEST SPOT
– The southeast corner of Alamo Square
BEST TIME
– Sunset, for the perfect light fading along the houses
Pro tip- Explore as much of the Riverwalk as possible, as each area offers a wonderful view.
7.) Conservatory of Flowers
The best San Francisco photo spots can be large landscape shots covering wide views of the city. But in the case of the Conservatory of Flowers, they can also be the fine and intricate details of hundreds of unique plants inside the Conservatory of Flowers.
BEST TYPE OF PICTURE
– Flower and Plant
BEST SPOT
– In the Aquatic Plants room
BEST TIME
– Midday for clear views of the plants
Pro tip- The colorful and exotic plants also make for great macro photo opportunities. 🌺
8.) Cypress Tree Tunnel
Similar to the Dark Hedges in Northern Ireland, the Cypress Tree Tunnel is an eerily enchanting spot unlike any other around. Dozens of trees line a single road, completely blocking out the surroundings in a scenic and majestic way.
BEST TYPE OF PICTURE
– Nature
BEST SPOT
– The Southeast side of the tunnel
BEST TIME
– Early morning, for a darker path under the trees
Pro tip- The inside of the building also provides interesting scenes to capture.
9.) Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden
The United States isn’t exactly known for its Dutch style windmills, but the Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden changes that. The stone windmill is a great view on its own, and when you add in the fields of bright flowers, this San Francisco photo spot becomes one of the best!
BEST TYPE OF PICTURE
– Flower and Nature
BEST SPOT
– Near the Dutch windmill
BEST TIME
– Sunrise, to see the light cresting over the windmill
Pro tip- Head north to the Sutro Baths for another of the great San Francisco photo spots.
10.) Alcatraz
Alcatraz is a different San Francisco photo spot. Here you aren’t simply snapping off interesting looking pictures. You’re capturing shots that tell a story spanning over 100 impactful years.
BEST TYPE OF PICTURE
– Architecture and Travel
BEST SPOT
– The Garden
BEST TIME
– Morning, to escape the large crowds
Pro tip- Alcatraz is also a great location for pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge extending across the bay. 
11.) Golden Gate Bridge Overlook
The notorious Golden Gate Bridge is, of course, a must see in San Francisco, and this spot captures it perfectly. A delightful head on view, framed between 2 trees create a subtle yet gorgeous Golden Gate Bridge picture.
BEST TYPE OF PICTURE
– Abstract
BEST SPOT
– Between the 2 trees
BEST TIME
– Sunrise, to see the sun crest over the distant mountains.
Pro tip- Try to get here a little early because the small parking lot can fill up quite quickly.
12.) Lincoln Park Steps
Stairs aren’t usually something people think about when looking for San Francisco photo spots, but this vibrant display warrants the attention. Dozens of steps, each colored in a fabulously mesmerizing way.
BEST TYPE OF PICTURE
– Urban
BEST SPOT
– At the bottom of the steps
BEST TIME
– Midday, so there won’t be many shadows blocking the steps
Pro tip- Try to go during the week to have the steps all to yourself.
13.) Coit Tower
Not only is Coit Tower one of the best things to do, but the sky high vantage point makes this unique perspective one of the best photo spots in San Francisco. You can see over the whole city and Bay Area from atop this nearly century old tower.
BEST TYPE OF PICTURE
– Panorama and Cityscape
BEST SPOT
– At the top of the tower
BEST TIME
– Midday, for a clear view over the whole city
Pro tip- Be sure to bring a telephoto lens to capture all of the stunning city sights.
14.) Union Square
Sometimes, the best San Francisco photo spots can be the unexpected ones standing right in front of you. Found near the great restaurant Bini’s Kitchen, Union Square is a central hub for the people of Northeast San Francisco. Here, you can take in the surrounding city sights, capture busy street photos, and even some shots of palm trees and decorative floral arrangements.
BEST TYPE OF PICTURE
– Street and Urban
BEST SPOT
– The southwest corner
BEST TIME
– Morning, to see shadows cast from the surrounding buildings
Pro tip- This spot is also good for long exposure shots, blurring the pedestrians as they walk by.
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