Need some SAN Fran info

I'll be in SF next week for some training - first trip ever to the other coast. As such, the top item on my list to shoot is (drum roll) the GG Bridge. We'll be spending Sunday night at the Hilton at Fishermans Wharf and the rest of the week at the Hilton - Union Square.

I know that Sunday I'll be much closer walking wise to the bridge. While I want some during the day, I would like a couple nighttime shots of the bridge. Any suggestions in that area for such shots? Should safety be a concern?

No car, so either walking or cable car riding.

Before we get over to suggestions on Golden Gate bridge I have to ask, a) is it this upcoming weekend you are in town and b)how open minded are you? The reason I am asking is that the Folsom Street fair is this weekend.... it's quite..... interesting (in a San Francisco sort of way). Google it and if you are not too disturbed by what you see check it out.

Anyway, back to your OT. Walk from Pier 39 out towards the bridge. It is a really nice walk with plenty of good views on the way

http://maps.google.com …,0,,0,0&photoid​=po-485030

http://maps.google.com …,,0,0&photoid=p​o-30515039

http://maps.google.com …,,0,0&photoid=p​o-10280606

This place is on the other side of the bridge. There is a fun trail going down that way. This one is probably out of your way, but I still wanted to mention it in case you felt like it.

http://maps.google.com …,,0,0&photoid=p​o-10074356

The next ones does require you to either walk quite a bit or drive but does provide some awesome views

http://maps.google.com …,,0,0&photoid=p​o-12140841

http://maps.google.com …qG5w&cbp=11,94.​05,,0,6.33

If you end up walking over to the other side of the bridge consider continue walking down to the small nice town of Sausalito. It's 25 minutes walk past the bridge and provides a nice different view of the bay. There are two ferries going from there to either Ferry Building or Pier 39 which saves you the walk back.

Safety.... well... for all the time I have been walking around these areas in late afternoon/evening I rarely see any suspicious people, but that's not to say they couldn't show up your evening. I do believe the best night shots are from the other side of the bridge which as I said either requires quite a bit of walking or a drive.

Here are some pictures I took on a recent photocrawl with some locals

https://plus.google.co​m …lbums/565132956​9659272657

BrianS wrote in post #13137155
Here are some pictures I took on a recent photocrawl with some locals

https://plus.google.co​m …lbums/565132956​9659272657

How did you get to this spot? I will be going there for a wedding in November and am working on my "must see" list.

Love the scene shots in your image.

Kristy, I could be wrong, but I believe that is taken on the north side of the bridge at the viewing lot. Just a guess, but having been over there, I am pretty sure that's the location. I'm assuming you are asking about the first one that pops up.

Yeah, these are from the north side and not really easy to get to unless you have a car (not impossible, just impractical)

Thanks guys... We are going to get a room near Fisherman's Wharf... I found one that isn't too expensive.. we are trying to decide if we need a car in the city or just use public transportation. I have no idea what traffic and/or parking will be like down there.. but I do want the abilitly to drive to places that I cant' get to from other means...

So... living there..... do you think we can get around to places with a car, and use parking meters fairly easily? We will be in town on a Friday, and then again on Monday afternoon before our flight leaves in the evening.. In November.

Having just returned home from SF, I'll throw my $.02 in here. You can walk across the bridge at certain times of the day - I think it's 6am to 5pm or there abouts. This will not allow you the opportunity to walk the bridge for any night photography.

I did most of my shots from the Marine Center near the wharf or from Crissy field. While I did not get any slow SS for traffic, I did get sveral from both sites that are more than adequate for a first time to SF. Both areas can be walked to from the wharf and both walks are pretty safe.

As for transportation, you can take a cab from your hotel to the field or across the bridge. Crossing the bridge I would think will be expensive as you have to pay for the ride over there and for his time waiting while you get pics. If this is what you really want to do, rent a car. However, if you are willing to stay on the south end of the bridge and do some planning and walking, then no car is needed. I thought parking was pretty expensive, but I don't live in a big city, so I have nothing to really compare it to. Not to mention, where you park, you'll end u having to walk anyway. Also, walking provides some great views of the city that you might miss if you ride all over the place.

Just my opinions from a my recent trip sp take it for what it's worth to you.

BrianS wrote in post #13190825
Yeah, these are from the north side and not really easy to get to unless you have a car (not impossible, just impractical)

I like the shot of where you and the others are standing on what appears to be an island or just a little hill that goes out into the bay... Would be a perfect place for photos, I'm sure..

So maybe I need to get a car then... lol.. my sisters are going to hate me by the end of this. I think I will have to leave them somewhere drinking wine, will I mill around the city doing photos of stuff...

huntersdad wrote in post #13192934
Having just returned home from SF, I'll throw my $.02 in here. You can walk across the bridge at certain times of the day - I think it's 6am to 5pm or there abouts. This will not allow you the opportunity to walk the bridge for any night photography.

I did most of my shots from the Marine Center near the wharf or from Crissy field. While I did not get any slow SS for traffic, I did get sveral from both sites that are more than adequate for a first time to SF. Both areas can be walked to from the wharf and both walks are pretty safe.

As for transportation, you can take a cab from your hotel to the field or across the bridge. Crossing the bridge I would think will be expensive as you have to pay for the ride over there and for his time waiting while you get pics. If this is what you really want to do, rent a car. However, if you are willing to stay on the south end of the bridge and do some planning and walking, then no car is needed. I thought parking was pretty expensive, but I don't live in a big city, so I have nothing to really compare it to. Not to mention, where you park, you'll end u having to walk anyway. Also, walking provides some great views of the city that you might miss if you ride all over the place.

Just my opinions from a my recent trip sp take it for what it's worth to you.

Thanks again... the information is very useful. I will be tryingi to map it out in the next few weeks. Not going until November, but I know the time is going to fly by... Hopefully I can get some of that awesome looking fog in a few shots..

Here's some of mine from my trip (posted on the Urban forum):
https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1099711