Best Photography Spots in the San Francisco Bay Area
Are you wondering what would be a perfect location for your next family or maternity photography session? If so, then look no further. With over ten years of experience in photographing all over the San Francisco Bay Area, I will use my expertise to guide you in choosing the right destination. There are so many gorgeous photography-worthy locations in and around San Francisco which makes it even more difficult to decide. I narrowed it down to ten spots and did my best to describe each location, taking into consideration all the pros and cons.
Back in 2018, I wrote my first blog post which highlighted ten of my favorite photo location in the San Francisco Bay Area. Well, it’s been over two years and I’ve decided that it’s time to release an updated list of my all-time favorite locations to photograph maternity and family sessions. This time, I am narrowing my scope and focusing solely on San Francisco and the East Bay. I live in the East Bay and most of my clients are either local or live in the city of San Francisco, so it makes sense for me to highlight locations that I visit the most frequently.
There are many factors to consider when choosing the location. Some of those are: urban or nature, iconic views or hidden gems, touristy and crowded or secluded, rough terrain or a well-maintained garden, adventurous or more contained. Each family is different and so the final choice will vary as well. For example, if your family has three young children, you should probably stay away from the ruined walls of Sutro Baths. If you are sensitive to cold, I would avoid Lands End at certain times of year because the chilly wind can be brutal at times. If you want to show off your one-year old’s first steps, you should consider a location that is flat and safe such as the well-maintained grounds of the San Francisco Botanical Garden. Most folks who are not professional photographers don’t necessarily think of all these factors and details that can either break or make a successful session. You are making a big investment in the photography session, it would be a shame if you miss the mark on your choice of location. Here is the updated list of my favorite locations and I hope it helps you. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. I am happy to help.
The San Francisco Botanical Garden
It took me about ten years of photographing portraits and weddings to finally schedule a family session at the San Francisco Botanical Garden. I often photographed in the nearby vicinity, but somehow I never actually ventured inside this beautiful space. Finally, one of my favorite regular clients suggested we shoot here and I was excited to try it out. I think I previously hesitated about choosing the Botanical Garden because I assumed that I would need a special photography permit to shoot here, but that was not the case at all. All that is necessary is a small entrance fee, but if you are a San Francisco resident, it’s FREE.
The San Francisco Botanical Garden is located in the Golden Gate Park. It covers 55 acres and it features about 9,000 different plants from all around the world. What does that mean for our shoot? Well, once we go through the entrance we can pick a beautiful setting from many different regions of the world. We can either choose a succulent garden, a lush tropical setting amongst the palm trees (my favorite), or we can even take a walk through a Redwood grove, as well as so much more. The garden is well maintained with wide paths, which are great for families with small children.
The Sutro Baths and Lands End, San Francisco
Two for one! These two gorgeous locations are very different one another, yet they are close enough to combine into one amazing photo destination. If you’ve never been to the Sutro Baths and Lands End, you are really missing out.
Historically. the Sutro Baths was a massive public bathhouse containing seven swimming pools accommodating 10,000 people at one time. It was an amazing architectural feat for its time. Today, the Sutro Baths is an abandoned ruin situated in the most scenic part of San Francisco’s coast. It provides a stunning setting for photography with cliffs and the pacific ocean in the background. It is quite a popular spot nowadays, especially for wedding and Instagram influencer photography shoots and as such it gets very crowded. The walls of the ruin are narrow, which makes it unsafe for family shoots and can make even adults a little queasy. On the other hand, the Sutro Baths’ ruin is perfect for those with an adventurous spirit. When the tide is just right, a sliver of gorgeous beach appears, giving my clients and I a great bonus location to end our sessions. It is not easy to approach the beach because of the steep hill, but I’ve done it with my maternity clients and it turned out just fine. The difficulty level of this location is high, but the results are worth the trouble. To see more images from this location click here.
Lands End is located just north of the Sutro Baths. In fact, you can access the trails from the same parking lot. It is a wooded area comprised of majestic cypress and eucalyptus trees. The trees are tall and curved with the force of the wind, creating a visually stunning backdrop for photos. The light filters through the trees in just the right way, enhancing the magic of nature. Two things to keep in mind when planning a shoot here are your clothes and hairstyle. The weather can be unpredictable, often with strong winds and fog. I always suggest that my clients be ready with layers and carefully plan a hairstyle that can sustain strong winds. To see more images from this location click here.
The UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley
Botanical Gardens are gorgeous so its only fitting that I have two on my list. The UC Botanical Garden in Berkeley is unique and situated in the Berkeley Hills. It has a huge variety of plants from many different climates. My most favorite is the majestic Redwood Grove. It’s soaring trees tower over meandering trails and create a fairytale scene.
No special photography permits are required. However, to photograph in the Redwood Grove, we would need to make sure there are no special events planned for that day.
Old Borges Ranch and Shell Ridge Open Space, Walnut Creek
An oldie, but a goodie. If you asked me what photoshoot location I have frequented the most, regardless of the season, I would not hesitate before responding, “It’s Old Borges Ranch! My old stomping grounds.” This location is perfect for all kinds of photoshoots, but it is absolutely the best for families. Old Borges Ranch is a historic ranch located in the foothills of Mount Diablo. It has barn structures, antique farm equipment, old tractor machinery scattered about, a manual water pump, and a number of farm animals. Kids can touch and climb on almost everything, explore and pet animals, and best of all, it’s FREE. Another great thing about Borges Ranch is that it is attached to the Shell Ridge Open Space. We can easily get on a trail and walk over to some of the most beautiful towering old oak trees. The surrounding hills of Shell Ridge and Mount Diablo are an excellent backdrop, especially during the golden hour. To see more images from this location, click here and here.
Andy Goldsworthy’s Wood Line, The Presidio of San Francisco
Many folk have walked the Lover’s Lane path in the Presidio without realizing that they are just a few feet away from a famous art sculpture. Spanning more then 1,200 feet in length, Wood Line was created by one of the world’s most renowned artists, Andy Goldsworthy. It is his second art piece in the Presidio area. The first sculpture named the Spire (also located in a beautiful area for photos) draws the eye upward while Wood Line keeps the eye firmly on the ground. The Wood Line is located within the eucalyptus grove and it’s made up of eucalyptus branches that connect and zig zag in a curvy fashion down the slope. Children in particular love balancing on it. This makes a great location for both families and expectant parents alike. This area is unique and interesting, and easily accessible to everyone.
The Ferry Building and Pier 7, San Francisco
If you are looking for more of an urban vibe with iconic San Francisco skyline views and high energy, I would recommend going to the Ferry Building and Pier 7 area. The Ferry Building is a famous historic landmark that draws crowds of tourists each day. In front of the building, vintage streetcars from various world cities whizz by while skateboarders and street performers gather. If its not too crowded, I usually position my clients in front of a streetcar which makes for a uniquely San Francisco image. All around, it is just such a fun location.
Pier 7 is a great spot in itself. It’s a very long pier that offers stunning views in each direction. My favorite view from here is the San Francisco skyline as the sun makes its way down behind the buildings. I would not recommend this location to a family with more than one small child. It would be way too hectic and keeping everyone safe could be a task that could overshadow our goal of creating special moments. Another drawback is avoiding people. There is a good chance you may end up with random strangers in your photos.
Point Pinole Regional Shoreline, Richmond
I consider myself very outdoorsy. If I am not working and it’s a beautiful day, I am out hiking, biking, adventuring and exploring. I’ve been to many open spaces and parks around the Bay Area, but for some reason (maybe because it’s hidden behind a busy highway in Richmond), it took me a while to discover the natural splendor of Point Pinole and now it’s probably my most favorite spot for me and my family. It’s vast. With its many trails, beaches, eucalyptus-shaded allies, rolling grasslands, and beautiful Bay views, it is one of those places that keeps you coming back and discovering new amazing parts each time. My favorite areas for photos in this park are the eucalyptus grove, grassy areas, and the coastal shoreline. It’s very accessible, flat and, as such, a great place for families of all sizes and ages. If you don’t decide to have a shoot here, it is still worthwhile to visit.
Crissy Field, San Francisco
Another favorite amongst local Bay Area photographers is Crissy Field. Its proximity and views of the Golden Gate Bridge are simply unbeatable. Crissy Field is easy to get to for families of every size. What makes it special to me is that it offers a variety of scenery. There is a large open green field and easy access to the beach. However, a major drawback to this location is that it's super popular, not only with photographers but also with every tourist who visits San Francisco. To fully enjoy it and get stunning shots, I would strongly suggest going either early in the morning or late afternoon on a weekday. To see more images from this location, click here.
East Bay Open Spaces
How awesome it is to be surrounded by vast open spaces and regional parks! East Bay open spaces are some of the most gorgeous locations for photography sessions. These open space parks are scattered throughout the entire Bay Area and are surprisingly very easy to access. It’s hard to believe that in such a populated area we have these vast open spaces at our disposal, but we do, and they make for great photo locations. I live in Walnut Creek and we have a few in just a 5 mile radius. One of the main things to remember is that timing is key for sessions in the open spaces. For the sessions to work out, the timing must be perfect. The best natural light is in the late afternoon (closer to sunset). The creamy and soft natural light produced at this time of day when the sun sets behind the hills is termed the “golden hour.” Keep in mind that these locations may require some walking on uneven terrain, or uphill for the views.
If you are not sure where to photograph your next family session, you don’t need to look far. Regional open spaces are a perfect choice for you and your family. To see more images from these locations click here.
China Beach, San Francisco
I would say that China Beach is the most intimate beach in San Francisco. It’s more secluded than Baker Beach and Crissy Field since it is not really known to tourists. It’s mostly locals who go here, which is great. It still has a nice view of the Golden Gate Bridge, although in the fog it can disappear. Personally, I love it because it has rock formations and cliffs which add to dramatic feel of the photos, especially on a foggy day. It’s great for both maternity and family sessions.
Bonus: Conservatory of Flowers, San Francisco
This one is a tough one. I say tough, because of the uncertainty of being able to actually get in and shoot. I included it in my list despite this hurdle because it is so beautiful inside. This is a great photo location spot for when it is rainy in San Francisco. It doesn’t happen very often, but when it does, we (photographers) usually scramble to find covered locations. Your best shot to get into the Conservatory is on the weekday during the time when it’s not busy. Another tip is: don’t try to be sneaky when you shoot here, but respectfully ask for permission in the front. The people who work at the Conservatory are wonderful. This is not a good place to bring a big family to. It is not spacious and the paths are narrow.
BOJANA KORACH IS A PUBLISHED LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHER SPECIALIZING IN NEWBORN, FAMILY & CHILD PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HER PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES.