If you're looking for cool spots in San Francisco to take pictures, look no more! I'm a San Francisco photographer who shot 2000+ outdoor sessions all over the city, at every time of the day and year, so I know all the pros and cons. This is my list of top 5 Instagram Worthy spots in San Francisco.
Table of contents:
1. Legion of Honor
2. Marshall's Beach
3. Golden Gate Park
4. Palace of Fine Arts
5. Sutro Baths
Here are all the details you need to know before choosing your favorite spot to take photos in San Francisco.
Legion of Honor
elegant, luxurious, bright & airy vibes
If you're looking for classy photography place in San Francisco, this is the spot!
PROS
+ If you’re a classy person who likes to get dolled up, I can’t think of a more elegant and luxurious looking place in the Bay Area.
+ Light is amazing, especially in the morning near the columns, and you will look so beautiful!
+ If you’re all about the neutral tones & bright and airy aesthetic, this spot works well for you.
+ There’s plenty of free street parking around and the location is easily accessible. If you have a lot of equipment / props for your shoot, it's fairly easy to move things around. If your photoshoot is featuring kids, grandparents or people with disabilities, this location will work well for them.)
CONS
‑ There’s not much variety (which is fine if you’re doing 1 h session, but if you’re looking to do 2‑4 hour sessions, I would recommend adding a location nearby, like Sutro Baths).
‑ Legion of Honor closes at 4 or 5pm (depending on the season). If your Legion of Honor Photoshoot is later than that, bear in mind that you can get only outside shots (which is good for 30-45 minute sessions or if you don't care about the variety of backdrops).
PROS
+ If you’re a classy person who likes to get dolled up, I can’t think of a more elegant and luxurious looking place in the Bay Area.
+ Light is amazing, especially in the morning near the columns, and you will look so beautiful!
+ If you’re all about the neutral tones & bright and airy aesthetic, this spot works well for you.
+ There’s plenty of free street parking around and the location is easily accessible. If you have a lot of equipment / props for your shoot, it's fairly easy to move things around. If your photoshoot is featuring kids, grandparents or people with disabilities, this location will work well for them.)
CONS
‑ There’s not much variety (which is fine if you’re doing 1 h session, but if you’re looking to do 2‑4 hour sessions, I would recommend adding a location nearby, like Sutro Baths).
‑ Legion of Honor closes at 4 or 5pm (depending on the season). If your Legion of Honor Photoshoot is later than that, bear in mind that you can get only outside shots (which is good for 30-45 minute sessions or if you don't care about the variety of backdrops).
Marshall's Beach
best spot to get the iconic Golden Gate Bridge Photo
PROS
+ This is the closest point to the Golden Gate Bridge.
+ If it’s windy (and let’s be frank, that’s 50% of the time in SF), the wind is blowing in the “right” direction (away from your face, if having the bridge behind you), which can be a nice effect. It turns way better than “in your face” which would happen on Crissy Fields Beach.
+ Rocks are quite nice background as well.
+
CONS
+ If it’s windy (and let’s be frank, that’s 50% of the time in SF), the wind is blowing in the “right” direction (away from your face, if having the bridge behind you), which can be a nice effect. It turns way better than “in your face” which would happen on Crissy Fields Beach.
+ Rocks are quite nice background as well.
+
CONS
‑ Like any beach location, this spot looks best close to sunrise and sunset (unless it’s a cloudy day, then it works well anytime).
‑ Hard to access. It takes about 20 minutes to walk to the beach (the walk is really nice and there're a lot of good bridge spots on the way), so make sure to book enough time for your photoshoot. There’s a lot of sand and pebbles, so prep your shoes accordingly (heels can be tough). If Marshall's Beach photoshoot is too complicated for you, good alternative to this location is Baker's Beach, which is logistically easier.
‑ No bathrooms nearby. Pee at home.
‑ Hard to access. It takes about 20 minutes to walk to the beach (the walk is really nice and there're a lot of good bridge spots on the way), so make sure to book enough time for your photoshoot. There’s a lot of sand and pebbles, so prep your shoes accordingly (heels can be tough). If Marshall's Beach photoshoot is too complicated for you, good alternative to this location is Baker's Beach, which is logistically easier.
‑ No bathrooms nearby. Pee at home.
Golden Gate Park
green, flowery, nature vibes
If you're looking for Instagrammable nature spots in San Francisco, don't miss Golden Gate Park.
PROS
+ If you like your backdrop to be green and flowery, this is where you get green & flowery. There are so many amazing spots near to each other. If you love flowers, check out Conservatory of Flowers area. If you're into redwood trees, no need to go to Redwoods National Grove. There is two redwood areas near De Young museum. If you're doing a tropical fashion shoot, there are two spots in Botanical Garden that have exotic looking trees. If you want to have a desert vibe, there are two spots on Kennedy Drive with cactus area. If you love waterfalls, don't miss Strawberry Hill. If you want something oriental, check out Japanese Tea Garden and Chinese Pavilion. If you want to a Parisian / European feel to your gallery, Music Concord got it. Want a lake? There are 5 cool lakes. Want a windmill and tulips or just a field with dry grass? Golden Gate Park has it all.
+ Easy access. It’s mostly flat ground, so it can accommodate strollers, grandparents, people with disabilities… There are bathrooms on site, which can come in handy if you have an outfit change or your kid can’t hold it.
CONS
‑ During certain seasons, Park and Recreation Department removes the flowers so certain areas can look empty. If you're doing a Golden Gate Park photoshoot, scout your location a little bit in advance to make sure the flowers are still in bloom.
PROS
+ If you like your backdrop to be green and flowery, this is where you get green & flowery. There are so many amazing spots near to each other. If you love flowers, check out Conservatory of Flowers area. If you're into redwood trees, no need to go to Redwoods National Grove. There is two redwood areas near De Young museum. If you're doing a tropical fashion shoot, there are two spots in Botanical Garden that have exotic looking trees. If you want to have a desert vibe, there are two spots on Kennedy Drive with cactus area. If you love waterfalls, don't miss Strawberry Hill. If you want something oriental, check out Japanese Tea Garden and Chinese Pavilion. If you want to a Parisian / European feel to your gallery, Music Concord got it. Want a lake? There are 5 cool lakes. Want a windmill and tulips or just a field with dry grass? Golden Gate Park has it all.
+ Easy access. It’s mostly flat ground, so it can accommodate strollers, grandparents, people with disabilities… There are bathrooms on site, which can come in handy if you have an outfit change or your kid can’t hold it.
CONS
‑ During certain seasons, Park and Recreation Department removes the flowers so certain areas can look empty. If you're doing a Golden Gate Park photoshoot, scout your location a little bit in advance to make sure the flowers are still in bloom.
Palace of Fine Arts
colorful, monumental, Old World vibes
Palace of Fine Art is unique San Francisco photo spot because it has so many backdrops in one micro-location! Feels elegant, romantic, European.
PROS
+ There's huge variety of backdrops (from green/nature spots, to columns, water, bench, threes, San Francisco city/street vibe) which is great if you're looking to create a lot of assets for your brand. Every corner looks unique. Crissy Field East Beach beach, beautiful ocean and Golden Gate Bridge are 3 minutes on foot from the North Entrance to the Palace, so you can easily get the bridge pic as a part of your session.
+ Unlike most other location in the city, this place has amazing light any time of the day. There’s plenty of shade and different spots work best at different times of the day, so you can be flexible with your time. Very few places work well around noon, and Palace of Fine Arts is one of them.
+ There’s plenty of free street parking around and the location is easily accessible. If you have a lot of equipment / props for your shoot, it's fairly easy to move things around. If your photoshoot is featuring kids, grandparents or people with disabilities, this location will work well for them. The nearest bathroom is at Crissy Field East Beach, 3 minutes away from the north entrance of the Palace of Fine Arts.
CONS
‑ Everyone does Palace of Fine Arts photoshoot sooner or later, and it gets very crowded on weekends after 12pm. If you want to get wide shots, it's pretty impossible to avoid people in the background. If you can make it happen, book a shoot there on a weekday.
‑ If it’s a windy day, there’s a wind tunnel forming in the middle part of the Palace of Fine Arts. It's pretty uncomfortable and can mess up one's hairdo.
PROS
+ There's huge variety of backdrops (from green/nature spots, to columns, water, bench, threes, San Francisco city/street vibe) which is great if you're looking to create a lot of assets for your brand. Every corner looks unique. Crissy Field East Beach beach, beautiful ocean and Golden Gate Bridge are 3 minutes on foot from the North Entrance to the Palace, so you can easily get the bridge pic as a part of your session.
+ Unlike most other location in the city, this place has amazing light any time of the day. There’s plenty of shade and different spots work best at different times of the day, so you can be flexible with your time. Very few places work well around noon, and Palace of Fine Arts is one of them.
+ There’s plenty of free street parking around and the location is easily accessible. If you have a lot of equipment / props for your shoot, it's fairly easy to move things around. If your photoshoot is featuring kids, grandparents or people with disabilities, this location will work well for them. The nearest bathroom is at Crissy Field East Beach, 3 minutes away from the north entrance of the Palace of Fine Arts.
CONS
‑ Everyone does Palace of Fine Arts photoshoot sooner or later, and it gets very crowded on weekends after 12pm. If you want to get wide shots, it's pretty impossible to avoid people in the background. If you can make it happen, book a shoot there on a weekday.
‑ If it’s a windy day, there’s a wind tunnel forming in the middle part of the Palace of Fine Arts. It's pretty uncomfortable and can mess up one's hairdo.
Sutro Baths
ruins, beach and ocean vibes
Sutro Baths is the best place in San Francisco to have a sunrise or sunset photoshoot.
PROS
+ Timeless and beyond beautiful. And so much variety of backdrops! Bath ruins, beach, rocks, trees, grass… Lands End + Sutro Baths Historic Park are right nearby, so you can easily use those spots too if you’re looking to get more looks or do a longer session. If you're into bright & neutral aesthetic, this is the most instagrammable beach in San Francisco.
+ If you’re looking to get a romantic feel, you will love this location. Highly recommend for fashion, couple/engagement, maternity, personal branding and some family sessions.
+ Parking is right above the Sutro Baths area.
CONS
‑ It's a lottery to get good weather and light at this spot. There's no shade, so the light is only great if it's sunrise or sunset. Or if it's a cloudy day. Also, it's frequently windy and cold here. And if it’s windy, oh man. Bring an anchor so you don’t fly away.
‑ Rough terrain (a few steps too many). It’s not that hard to access, but this will be your workout for the day. If you have a kid in a stroller, or a grandpa with the cane, this spot is not for you.
‑ Cell signal is terrible. Whenever I'm doing a Sutro Baths photoshoot, I meet my clients at Lands End Parking Lot, before I lose the last signal mark.
I hope this was helpful for you. These are all very beautiful spots, and you can't go wrong with any of them. It all depends on what you want to accomplish. Another PRO tip - ask your photographer for advice on what time a day to book your photoshoot! When you're hiring a photographer, you're not paying only his/hers/theirs time, you're also paying for their experience. There are so many little details that go into having a fabulous experience, and while photographers (unfortunately) can't control the weather, they can give you tips on WHEN to shoot. Like in everything, in photography is also important to be at the right place at the right time. Happy shooting!
Captured by B