Crissy Field

Crissy Field has grassy areas for picnics, a beautiful view overlooking the bridge, sandy beaches nearby (usually with lots of dogs) and some nice white/brick walls to use as backdrops. Parking is free on weekdays and after 5/6 PM on weekends. 

Crissy Field Beach

This area has a sandy beach and some fun docks to explore. This is a great location for right at sunset since it is so open. 

fort Point

Right underneath the bridge, a bit more urban with cement, brick, but a really awesome close up view of the bridge. 

Warming hut area

Near the Crissy Field warming hut are views of the bridge, access to the grassy areas and a few beaches, and some cement structures and docks to explore around. A good central location with views of the bridge, parts tend to be busier than some of the other locations!

Lover's Lane

Lover's Lane is a beautiful, foresty area in the Presidio that offers a lot of shade and usually has some beautiful brown and green tones. This is a great option if you need to shoot in the morning or a little earlier in the evening to get softer light. Looks INCREDIBLE and super soft and even on cloudy days.

This area can be very busy on weekends, and is a super popular photography spot, so we may have to wait our turn for the middle view of the lane if there are other photographers present.

Baker Beach

Baker Beach is the famous beach overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. This area also has some fun cement structures to explore, lots of plant/greenery areas, and beautiful rocks to climb around on. This is another location that can get super packed on weekends, so beware of that! I almost always find parking nearby and it is free. This location does require a good amount of walking through sand though! 

Battery Godfrey (Over the Golden Gate)

This area, which over looks the Golden Gate Bridge, is an old battery, meaning there are some awesome cement structures to explore. These are only a small walk from some pretty views overlooking the Golden Gate. At certain times of year, the foliage is super pretty too. 

Plus, I can almost always find parking at the lot nearby! (And it's free!)

Marshall Beach

Let me start by saying that it is a 0.7 mile hike down to this beach along stairs (which means yes there is a fun staircase waiting when we go back up!) It's beautiful and rocky and has a great view of the Golden Gate. If you’re down for a hike, this is a great spot though it is popular for photographers. Keep in mind that tide levels effect the amount of beach around, but there are always rocks to climb around on even if the sand is washed in by the tide!

Palace of Fine Arts

Palace of Fine Arts (POFA) can be a very pretty backdrop, but is probably one of the most popular locations on this list. This location is definitely not the best if you're shy. Since it's such a small area, it can stay very busy. But it is very beautiful and romantic, usually great if you’re planning a second more intimate location too!  

Other Areas in the Presidio

The Presidio has so many great locations. There are brick backdrops, beautiful groves of trees, cute walkways with off-white walls, staircases leading through greenery and up close to the bridge. If any of this interest you, please let me know and we can stop by one of these places during our session. These make for great second locations to add in variety to a shoot.

Golden Gate Park

So many beautiful spots in Golden Gate Park - greenhouses, gardens, forests, lakes, rowboats, and so on! A lot of hidden gems, but I’ll post a few of my favorite below!

Stow Lake

Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park has lots of greenery, cool stone bridges, and even a waterfall (like what??). There’s a boathouse to rent paddle or row boats as well. Though be prepared, this can be pretty logistically challenging since we’re a bit limited with out posing and it’s hard work to row a boat!

Redwood Grove

& Music Concourse

Next to the Music Concourse (Flip for more images) and the Academy of Sciences. Lots of trails to explore back here!

Other Areas in GGP

Golden Gate Park is huge so there’s lots of spots to explore. If you know spots or trails I don’t or just want to explore, we can totally do that! I always love to explore!

-Conservatory of Flowers (inside is a greenhouse!), outside is beautiful too!

-Rose Garden (not always in bloom but super pretty when it is!

-Shakespeare Garden (closes early, but a great midday location)

-Tons of Greenery

-Fun Lakes with cool gems like pillared benches and so on!

Sutro Baths 

Sutro Baths is one of my absolute FAVORITE locations. Within walking distance, you can find trees, beautiful cliff views, a lovely sandy beach, and the bath area. While this area can get busy, especially right around the baths, there are a lot of niches to explore for wide variety of backgrounds in a short amount of time.

Parking can be busy, but there's usually parking right below near Ocean Beach. There is a lot of walking at this location though, and a giant staircase, so just a heads up!

Ocean Beach ( + Sand Dunes)

Ocean Beach is a long stretch of beach starting at Sutro Baths. It's a beautiful beach, and farther down there are some cool sand dune areas to explore. Parking usually isn't a problem, though since it's open, the beach is best at sunset! 

Legion of Honor

Out front of the Legion of Honor museum has some beautiful architecture that makes for an excellent backdrop. You can even see the Golden Gate (though small). Parking can be tough, but usually manageable.  Plus, it's a 10 minute drive from Sutro Baths! It does close at 5pm though, so it's better in fall/winter during after the time change. 

Fort Funston

Fort Funston, located near Lake Merced in South SF, is one of the least busy locations on the list. With beautiful coastal lookouts, grassy/sandy areas with lots of foliage on top, and a beautiful beach down some (unfortunately steep) stairs. Plus, there's always a lot of people walking their dogs and paragliding in the area, which is pretty cool to see. 

Parking is never a problem here.

Bernal Heights

Bernal Heights is a grassy hill that overlooks the city. This location is great on overcast days or right around sunset. It does require a little bit of hiking on dirt trails, but there is a swing. It stays pretty busy, but if you want to get pictures on the swing, we can make it happen!

Gray Whale Cove State Beach

Gray Whale Cove State Beach is a beautiful beach in Pacifica. Located along the highway, it normally isn't too busy, minus the occasional bonfire party. It has beautiful backdrops, rock formations, and a fun staircase that is really pretty around sunset. The tide does get pretty high during sunset, and these aren't the kind of calm waves you really want to be splashing around in, but it is a super beautiful beach.

Montara Beach

Located just South of Gray Whale Cove & Devil's Slide, this is a gorgeous beach off the side of Highway 1! 

Devil's Slide Trail

I normally suggest this as a first location before Gray Whale Cove, since the two are so close to each other. While this is not a great location if you are scared of heights, the cliff areas make for beautiful backdrops of the sea and the surrounding mountains. There is also a trail nearby to walk down and explore a bit. 

Parking is fairly open, just be sure to take all valuables with you to prevent break-ins.

Near Point Bonita Lighthouse

Nearby Point Bonita Lighthouse are some abandoned batteries that are fun to climb around and explore, there are beautiful coastal views (again if you are not afraid of heights), and Rodeo Beach - just below the lighthouse - can be really fun to walk around and explore. This area is not usually as busy as some of the SF Locations.

Battery Spencer

Battery Spencer is a beautiful backdrop overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge from the north side and has some fun cement structures to explore, and they just restructured parking so it’s easier to access. This can be a pretty busy overlook, usually great for part of a session!

Rodeo Beach

Rodeo Beach is one of my favorite beaches. It has beautiful sandy beaches with rocks in the background and beautiful cliffs on either side. Again, since this is open, it is best at sunrise or sunset. 

Stinson Beach

While Stinson Beach is quite the drive, it's definitely a fun trip out and has beautiful areas to explore and lifeguard towers to climb (though the sings may protest!) Down the beach are some beautiful rocks to climb around on for a rockier beach vibe. (Fun fact - Zeke & I did our engagement photos here!!) Busier during summer, but usually great over winter or late in the day.

Muir Woods

I’d seem crazy if Muir Woods wasn’t on my list and it can be a really beautiful place, but is honestly one of my least favorite redwood spots. Parking reservations are required, trails are busy, it tends to be pretty dark, and there’s a lot of areas blocked off to protect the park (which is great, but challenging for photos!) If you’re considering redwoods, consider heading to Oakland for some beautiful forests! :)

Muir Beach

Just a few minutes down the road from Muir Woods, Muir Beach has sand, rocks, and trails to explore. Super beautiful, but usually pretty windy! 

Steep Ravine

While Steep Ravine is an awesome hike, there's a shorter (flatter) half-mile hike through the woods right nearby that leads out to some beautiful open hill-tops. This is one hike that is better done in the afternoon since the light is pretty shining through the trees.  

Mt. Tamalpais

While it is a bit of a drive, if you head up Mt. Tam, there are tons of rolling hills and grassy fields that make a beautiful backdrop. A new favorite!!

Highway 1 - Between Muir Beach & Stinson

If you just want to wander, sometimes taking the drive along highway 1 can be a great adventure!! Lots of pretty pull offs with views of the water to explore.