Photographing San Francisco-the first post in my ongoing series of places to take photos. While this series is geared towards people who like taking pictures, its also great for people who are just looking for new places to check out in the city.
San Francisco is one of the most photographed cities in the world. There are many beautiful and unique places inside and just outside of this city that you would be very hard pressed even as a local to visit them all. These are just a few of my favorite places. Lets get started.
CORONA HEIGHTS-UPPER TERRACE, Roosevelt Ave & Museum Way, 1 Fairbanks Street, San Francisco, California 94114
Corona Heights-one of my favorite places is this not very well known hill located in the upper terrace residential area. After ascending the wooden steps of the large hill, the view, a sweeping panorama of the city and the Bay, comes at you all at once. Even though I’ve been there many times, it always takes my breath away (probably the steps do that) not very many people know of this place, so save a few other people who are most likely locals themselves, you’ll be the only one there.
GRAND HYATT, UNION SQUARE, TOP FLOOR. 345 Stockton Street, San Francisco, CA
The Grand Hyatt was one of the first top floor views I ever saw of San Francisco and is one of the best. Just walk into the building and hit the top floor. Getting out of the elevator you’ll see a restaurant with a piano up front, just go to the right as soon as you walk down the couple of steps and enter the door to your right. You will be led to a room with large windows from which you will see views like these. Even cooler-walk through the next pair of doors and you will be greeted by another set of windows looking towards the south, on a clear day you can see the buildings making up downtown San Jose, pretty cool right? I love this place, I hope you will too.
THE EMBARCADERO-McCovey Cove, PIER 7 & 14
I love the Embarcadero. It’s funny to think that most of it was dominated by a multi story freeway until the 90s
These three places are go to areas for me whenever I’m around the Embarcadero. My suggestion, come here either at dawn or sunset.
YERBA BUENA ISLAND, THE BIG ROCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BAY NEXT TO TREASURE ISLAND
We aren’t talking about the flat land known as Treasure Island. We are talking about the big rock that the Bay Bridge goes through. You must get to the top. Here is how you get here:Take the exit as though you were going to Treasure Island. Once you have exited off of the bridge, take the first right. It is located just before you reach the Treasure Island Parking Lot. It comes up quickly so look for it. The name of the street is Macalla Road. Drive up this street until you are to take a horseshoe like turn onto Yerba Buena Drive. once on it, take the second left (in other words, dont take a left on to Forest, take a left on the road after it) Continue on the road until you reach the top. You will know you are there when you see the Old Coast Guard Tower.
SUTRO HEIGHTS PARK, Point Lobos, San Francisco, CA 94121
Located just above the Cliff House, Sutro Heights is a park that overlooks Ocean Beach. It is the former estate of San Francisco Mayor Adolph Sutro ( Also named for the mayor, Sutro Tower) If you are ever looking for a place to host some outdoorsy event, then this is the place. Its also pretty gorgeous at night. I would watch out for bums though, quite a few live in the groves from what I remember.
Well, thats what I got for now. There is plenty more to come. Hope you have enjoyed this list. And please, if you have any suggestions yourself, send them my way! I would be glad to check them out as soon as I am back in the area. Questions or feedback is great too.