h2odog Loc: Brooklyn NY

I guess that it is never to early to plan for a vacation to a new place. My daughter and son-in-law recently moved to S.F. I have never visited California and plan to go there in early Spring of 2015 for about 7-10 days. Looking for a nice hotel or B&B, good food, interesting places to visit, and of course great "photo ops." Hope for some helpful advice from fellow Hoggers.

texasdan78070 Loc: Texas Hill Country

Google Pier 39. You can do most of what you listed there. It's a good start anyway. And don't forget to go down Lombard St. That's one thing you don't want to miss. Have your camera ready.
Enjoy your trip.

Dan

the hiker Loc: San Diego

dont know about where to stay but as for places to visit p/u the book PhotoSecrets San Francisco & Northern California by Andrew Hudson will give you all the information as to where to go what to see and places to shoot pictures. The book does list hotels ;shops;restaurants.its a great book and you can pick it up used for about $10.00.$17.00 new.have a great trip.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Hotels / Motels in city charge parking fees that can exceed the daily room cost - just be aware of all the hidden costs.

Google "What to photograph in San Francisco" and you will get many links for photo ops.

Super city - enjoy your stay...

Allen Hirsch Loc: Oakland, CA

What type of photography do you like to do?

Here's mostly night photography in SF - if any of it appeals to you, I can tell you where these were taken from:

http://allenh.zenfolio.com/p134521317

http://allenh.zenfolio.com/p472455820

http://allenh.zenfolio.com/p763187691

http://allenh.zenfolio.com/p364237260

Mmart0418 Loc: Orting, Washington

Being from NY, go to little Italy for a good Italian dinner. Baonecci Ristorante, Is a small place cozy food was delicious. Service was not great, but food was worth it. I was surprised to see a little Italian bakery that had wedding cookies took me back to memories of growing up in NY. Take a day to drive out to Sonoma or Napa Valley for some wine tasting. Napa is about an hour and a half from SF, a little further away than Sonoma. Leave in the morning have a nice breakfast on the way. In Napa there is a winery called Castillo de Amorosa, nice wine! I have been there twice and it is a castle so lovely.
Alcatraz is interesting too. Have fun, my daughter and her husband live in SF and I have been there about 4-5 times now.
Pier 39 is fun but very touristy and can be very crowded. But so many stores and shops and food. of course lots of places to take photos!

Allen Hirsch Loc: Oakland, CA

The only things worthy of spending time at Pier 39, IMO: the aquarium, the seals on the dock, and the view of Alcatraz from there - all three of those are photo-worthy.

Skip the touristy shops at Pier 39, unless that's something you enjoy when you travel.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

The best view of the Golden Gate bridge is from Hawk's Hill. Be sure to get good directions, because it's tricky to get there. You should stop at all of the pull overs, but the best shot of the bridge is from the lowest pullover. You have to hike up to the vantage point overlooking the bridge, but you'll get a fantastic view.

Also, be sure to go to the Muir Woods, just north of S.F. to see the giant redwoods. We also took photos of the official "painted ladies," but I actually found more colorful "painted ladies" in the Haight Ashbury district. Be sure to take the boat ride from Pier 39, you'll get some good photos of Alcatraz and also of the GG Bridge and of the SF to Oakland Bridge, with boats sailing in the bay. Also, somebody has already told you about driving down Lombard Street, the crookedest street in San Francisco. I got out to take a picture but it's busy and hard to dodge the cars. Also, take a drive down Taylor St. from top to bottom, pictured in Bullitt, with Steve McQueen's wild drive. There is a parking structure near Pier 39 that is a good place to park in. We parked on the top level, and it provides a good view of some of the buildings and residences of S.F. Have a great time. We were there when BART was on strike and it was difficult to find a parking place.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

One of these days when I'm in SF during the day I'm gonna take a lens with good bokeh and shoot at the Musee Mecanigue. I think it's at pier 45. ;-)
SS
PS, Are you into photography exhibits?

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Others are right. There are excellent books on photo opportunities in San Francisco. I don't live there, but visit often. One spot I never miss is Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill. The view is breathtaking (on a clear day); if it is foggy, a trip between Noon and 3:00PM can often net you a shot of the Golden Gate Bridge towers rising out of the fog. A lens of 200-300 will get you the entire curved block of Lombard Street (The Crookedest Street in the World). The "off-the-grid" wharves can get you some gritty shots not seen by ordinary tourists; BUT DO NOT GO ALONE! A cable car ride to the end of Hyde Street is mandatory, and if you imbibe, so is a visit to the near-by Buena Vista Cafe.

Warning: Do not be taken in by the high pressure sales staffs of camera stores on Jefferson or Bay Streets; these bloodthirsty creeps live on tourist gullibility and a fast sales pitch. No, you cannot buy a $12000 lens for $150.

Now, I have not been able the BayShore area for several years; too many contacts lately in the Haight. I hope the aforementioned attractions are still open. PM me if you get to Sacramento; I'll arrange a free tour of the California State Railroad Museum. Have fun.

jfn007 Loc: Close to the middle of nowhere.

A straight friend of mine went to San Francisco to photograph the recent Gay Pride Parade. While there he accidentally dropped his car keys. He said he kicked them all the way to Oakland before he would bend over and pick them up.

grandmadeb Loc: illinois, usa

I recently was in san Francisco for 2 weeks while my sister was in the hospital. stayed at a very cute Historic hotel. Nob Hill Hotel. this was 1/2 block from my sister's hospital. everyday, after making sure my sister was doing ok, I would walk somewhere. one day it was Lombard street. one day, the cable car museum, china town, financial district. parking is terrible and the prices to park are something. I took the train from Illinois and loved it. san Francisco is a beautiful city and very walkable. good public transportation. napa is ok but very expensive and geared for tourist. you will find loads of small winery's everywhere. you will love it. my family live in northern California now so they are always a big help when I visit. you will love it. deb

Chris F. Loc: San Francisco

Hi dog, check out Tripadvisor for both activities and places to stay. I live and work in the city now for 30 years. Feel free to PM me if you wish with any questions.

Chris

redhogbill Loc: antelope, calif

Alcatraz!!!!!!

http://www.alcatraztickets.com/

http://www.expedia.com/lx/?location=San%20Francisco%20(and%20vicinity),%20California,%20United%20States%20of%20America&mcicid=DSSem&semcid=33316-1&CityId=178305&kword=%20San_%20Francisco_%20Attractions!b.ZzZz.3350004357618.0.5358508542.scenic%20sites%20in%20san%20francisco.%20san_%20francisco_%20attractions&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=USA:ENG:USA_WEST:DL1:]:Test&utm_term=%20San%20%20Francisco%20%20Attractions

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=yosemite+scenic+wonders&qpvt=yosemite+scenic+wonders&FORM=IGRE

harasha

I have not lived in San Francisco since 1981. However, if memory serves me correctly, you will be there in the rainy season. That being said, for something a bit off the beaten path, you might try the neighborhood around the University of San Francisco. This is off the northeast corner of Golden Gate Park. The Church of St. Ignatius is impressive and if you walk towards Geary Blvd, you can check out Lone Mountain. The architecture of the former college sitting on top of this hill is really quite impressive.