Are you looking for the best places to take pictures in San Francisco? If so, keep reading!
If you’re looking to discover some seriously scenic places in San Francisco, this list will give you a good place to start with all the best places to take pictures in San Francisco!
Beautiful places in San Francisco aren’t hard to come by – the city is beautiful and full of so many diverse neighbourhoods, parks and coastlines.
Here are my favourite picks of the best places to take pictures in San Francisco… So get your camera ready!
Painted ladies
Some of the most famous buildings in San Francisco are actually residential houses! The Painted Ladies (located in Alamo Square) are beautiful to take pictures of. You have the towering skyscrapers in the distance too behind the houses too – making it an epic city scape.
Angel Island
First on my list of best places to take pictures in San Francisco is Angel Island (you can book your ferry tickets here). This is basically the west coast’s Ellis Island, and has processed more than a million immigrants during its life.
Now, though, it’s become a state park where you could camp overnight to catch beautiful views of the sun rising over the city, and 360 degree views of the skyline.
Baker Beach
Baker Beach is my next suggestion on my list of best places to take pictures in San Francisco.
Whilst it might not always be sweet California Sunshine in San Fran, they do have one of the most iconic feats of engineering: the Golden Gate Bridge. Pop here for a view of the bridge as you’ve not quite seen it before!
Hayward Japanese Gardens
Next on my list of best places to take pictures in San Francisco… A tiny slice of peace and tranquility, with central themes of water, stone, fish and flowers, you’re likely to feel transported to a far of land, and maybe even a time that feels forgotten.
It’s a short trip away from the centre of the city in nearby Hayward, but definitely worth it.
Clarion Alley
Top of the list for any art lover, or anyone who just loves looking at beautiful things, Clarion Alley is a huge gallery for street artists. If you love art or street art, this is definitely one of the best places to take pictures in San Francisco!
With murals adorning every wall, and interlocking or overlapping each other this is definitely one for the insta. Be sure to be mindful of artists at work when taking the trip, though!
If you want an expert to guide you around the area, you can combine a tour of Clarion Alley with a food tour of the mission district – it’s the perfect way to explore Clarion Alley, take loads of photos and taste some of the city’s best food too (book tickets here).
Fort Point
Fort Point is the next place on my list of the best places to take pictures in San Francisco. Long before the Golden Gate Bridge was built, Fort Point defended the bay from invasion.
A beautiful piece of history, and right by the bridge itself (with incredible photo opportunities, see the photo below!) – Fort Point packs two punches for photos to make your friends at home jealous.
Chinatown
For pictures that are full of the colour, intensity, and bustle of a metropolis, China Town is the place to go. Get snaps of the street decor, or fresh food in the windows, or tourists pointing at things. It’s definitely worth taking your camera out for a spin.
If you love Chinese food, then a great way to explore the area is via a food tour! Your tour guide will show you all the best places in Chinatown, and show you all the best places to eat too.
You’ll get to sample loads of food from lots of different vendors and restaurants – it’s amazing! Book tickets by clicking here.
Ocean Beach
One of the best places to snap candids, as there’s almost always someone making s’mores over a bonfire on the sand.
The beach itself is stunning, and if you want some cute snaps of you and your pals having the best time, this picturesque stretch of sand is the place to get them.
Telegraph Hill
Topped by the stunning art-deco Coit Tower, and with some spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge the Bay Area, and San Francisco’s Hilly skyline, the view from the top really is a sight to behold!
Cable Cars
The Powell Hyde line has some stellar views of Alcatraz, San Francisco Bay, Coit Tower and Nob Hill.
Not only that, but the cars themselves are such a San Franciscan Icon that you’ll have to snap a photo of it once you’ve hopped off, too! It’s an amazing place to take pictures in San Francisco.
Twin Peaks
The last place on my list of the best places to take pictures in San Francisco is Twin Peaks. No, not those twin peaks; you won’t find Laura Palmer here!
These are probably San Fran’s most famous hills, and from the top you can see why. Offering unparalleled views of the city, including all its major landmarks from Golden Gate Bridge, to Alcatraz – if you only get one stop to get a shot of the skyline; make it this one.
I hope you’ve found this list of the best places to take pictures in San Francisco useful! Any visit to the city that includes any of these beautiful places will be a great one!
Great post. All picture are fabulous taken by you.