Heading for San Fransisco area...

[Mac]

I just found out I will be traveling to the San Fransisco area next week for work. I will have plenty of time to get out for some shoots in the late afternoons/evenings...and I was wondering if anyone knows of any hidden gems to photograph. I am sure I will hit the big spots, but looking for anything not known to most tourists.

Thanks for any help! :D

[eddarr]

Don't forget the Presido, Arboretum, Zoo and Golden Gate Park .

[Vacation]

I just found out I will be traveling to the San Fransisco area next week for work. I will have plenty of time to get out for some shoots in the late afternoons/evenings...and I was wondering if anyone knows of any hidden gems to photograph. I am sure I will hit the big spots, but looking for anything not known to most tourists.

Thanks for any help! :D


Muir woods...However about 3 hours away is Avenue of the Giants...Google pictures for it.

It was one of the most amazing places I have ever been. It may not be everyones cup of tea and I had to drag my wife up there with only a 2 hour time limit to look.

Haha I got the last laugh we spent the whole day from sun up to dusk.

Also south of there is 17mile drive in Carmel. Big Sur or you could go Whale watching in Monterey.

There is always Yosemite. They have one day bus tours if you don't want to drive.

Sausalito is another place you may enjoy.

Pier 41 will give you some great Seal shots. Golden Gate Bridge and also Alcatraz.

Get shooting!!

[Vacation]

I just found out I will be traveling to the San Fransisco area next week for work. I will have plenty of time to get out for some shoots in the late afternoons/evenings...and I was wondering if anyone knows of any hidden gems to photograph. I am sure I will hit the big spots, but looking for anything not known to most tourists.

Thanks for any help! :D

Dont forget Napa!!

[ryant35]

If you go to the zoo, don't taunt the tigers.

17 Mile Drive is awesome!

Big Sur was on fire so I don't know how much is actually open and still intact.

[jamesdmo]

You can drive Highway 1 south from SF and see some outstanding coastline.

If you go past Half Moon Bay a ways, you can see elephant seals on the beach at Anno Nuevo State Park.

Santa Cruz is further on (total of about an hour and a half from SF). If you are interested in photographing surfers, try the point at Lighthouse State Park in Santa Cruz. You will be very close to some of them, with a view slightly above them. Very good opportunities for photos.

Another 45 minutes or so is Monterey and 17-mile drive. I was just there a few days ago. No issues with smoke at all.

Another idea - much closer to SF - is to go up to Grizzly Peak Dr. above Berkeley. It will provide great views of SF from there.

Also you might like to check out the "sunset cruise" at the Angel Island Ferry. Very mellow tour on the bay, usually with a close-up of Sausalito and interesting houseboats.

The short of it is that you really can't go wrong almost anywhere in the SF Bay Area. There are just so many things to see and photograph.

[shuut]

don't expect too many sea lions, I was there 2 weeks ago and there's a sign saying that it's breeding season and all the seal's gone south. I saw maybe like 3 of them at fisherman's wharf.

[GaryK]

I don't know what it is going to be like but there are about a dozen sailing ships coming into the city on Wednesday, July 23rd. I am planning to take the day off and see if I can get some good pictures. More info at www.festivalofsail.org.

[LW Dail]

I second jamesdmo -

Just finished a trip out there and never went to SFO except for the airport to pick up a colleague.

Last time we were there, went to San Fran and north. While beautiful and rugged, we felt the time was wasted.

Head south on Hwy 1 and don't stop until you have to turn around!

You'll be amazed how far you DON'T get, you'll stop every mile!

Look at costanoa.com if you can spend a night down there. We loved it - did a tent bungalow once and the lodge anohter. Not sure I'd recommend one over the other!

Have a ball - I'm just pea-green with envy!

[ben4633]

All of the above suggestions would provide for you some great shots. It really depends on how much time you have to spend. Two of my favorite places to take pictures are Treasure Island, and the Marin Headlands, both will provide for you great shots of the Golden Gate Bridge (marin headlands) and the Bay Bridge (treasure island). Just driving around the Marin headlands will give you various views of the GGB, also you can get some great sunsets on the nearby beaches...if the weather is good and the fog doesnt roll in. Would love to see what you come up with.

[Mac]

Thanks for all of the input. I will be able to get out around 4pm...so I will have a few hours a day to get some shots. And Friday will most likely be a short day, hoping to be out by noon. Just trying to put together a list of places to hit, and see what I can do. I am sure I will not get to everything, once I get to a place to shoot, I am not going to rush to the next...just want to take my time, enjoy the coast and get some good photos out of the trip...I will be indoors for the training during the day, so hopefully the weather will cooperate with me in the evenings... :D

[jraab22]

Its not a great time to photograph surfers in santa cruz. Waves are pathetic in the summer months so theres really not much going on at steamers lane.

[Cody21]

I live right outside the City... Gosh, there area sooo many things to shoot. With a couple of exceptions, many other provided suggestions OUTSIDE the City ... If you're only going to be in town a few days, just use the Public transportation system to get around INSIDE the City ... There are lots of cool areas for shots: down town China Town (very colorful and lots to see -- and eat), The Aberitom (suggested earlier), The old Baths at the Sea Cliffs are very cool, the Windmill at the Sea Cliffs, Golden Gate Bridge of course -- get up to the west side of HW1 though if you can, the Marina - which overlooks the GG Bridge & Alcatraz .... gosh, so much more... have fun .. oh, and bring a jacket !! The summer days are usually very cool due to the fog (which normally burns off by afternoon, but not always.)

[Mac]

Thanks for some more ideas for in town shooting. I will be in town for a 6 days, so I should find some time to get out on several days in a row. I figured I would be spending one or two evenings down along the shore near the GGB. I do want to hit Alcatraz...gotta do the tourist stuff while I am at it... :D.

I will keep working through the suggestions and build a list. Thanks again!!! :D