PearlyGates Loc: All over but live in Denver

As you can see by everyones reply there are tons of things to see and do. here are a few pics that I took while there last year on a business trip.

ken4peace

I am very familiar with both places and have been visiting them for many years. It helps to live within a few hours drive. Picture opportunities are everywhere in both places. I will give some ideas, but it will only scratch the surface. Since you are going to be in the Fisherman's Wharf area which is a fun tourist trap, watch your wallet, I would do the Blue and Gold or Red and White Bay Cruise. It will give you perspective from the water and really is good. Definitely go to Alcatraz it is fascinating and you will have great picture opportunities. There is an area where the fishing boats are at the wharf where there are seals on the floating docks and this makes for great pictures. Of course the cable car, and wonderful Golden Gate Park is a must see. The Japanese Tea Garden is very nice and many picture opportunities, all of the flowers should be in bloom. For eating I like Fisherman's Grotto at the wharf. They use to have surly waiters in days of old which was part of the atmosphere, but that is no longer the case. All of the restaurants will be pricey for dinner so just treat yourself. Your time is limited so get an overview for your next visit and don't forget to get a picture of the Golden Gate Bridge and if possible walk out at least midway on it. Coit Tower is great at night. Try some night shots from there.

Monterey is all about the ocean and its wildlife. Take a drive down Highway 1 to Big Sur lots of picture opportunities. In Pacific Grove which is next to Monterey there is an old Masonic Cemetery which have deer which are fun to take pictures of. Get a lunch at a Deli at one of the markets and have lunch on the beach. Great eating in Monterey be sure to have some clam chowder. Of course Pebble Beach is there. Be sure to do the 17 mile drive and stop at the loan Cypress Tree. It is worth the entrance fee. The Omelet House is great for breakfast.

Have a great trip looking forward to seeing your pictures.

Fstop12 Loc: Kentucky

Shame on you AVarley. I hope they have a strong heart. LOL!

Curtis Thomson

If you'd like to indulge in some good old fashioned street photography, try the cable car turnaround at Powell and Market. You'll find lots of interesting characters for your SF backdrop. Walk up Powell to Union Square, over to Stockton and through the tunnel to Chinatown. Great shots in Portsmouth Square, right next to the Trans America Tower. Get your exercise and some great shots at the same time.

When you're in Monterey, check out Moss Landing which is a short drive away. There is a PG&E power station at this location. There is also a major bird sanctuary.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I was up there in February and didn't take many pictures of the city becuase I took a bunch last time I was there. But the city is beautiful and there are many different aspects to it.

I went to all the Elephant Seal sanctuarys to see them mating and see the Wienners. Mating season is over now, but there's always a few yearling seals hanging around molting or resting or healing from shark attack. Point Reyes National Sea Shore is amazing and Año Nuevo State Park is too. When in Monterey stop and see the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It's amazing and is one of the best if not the best in the country. Have fun.

AVarley Loc: Central Valley, California

hee hee hee ;-)

ciscaw

There are all kinds of photo opportunities along the waterfront and downtown SF depending upon your interest. The ferry building has neat views, fun food photo opportunities from the different food stalls. The cannery, and of course the iconic cable cars are in the area you are staying.
There are also lots of people shots everywhere in San Francisco.

Have fun and enjoy

Jerry1940 Loc: Born in OH live in CA

My favorite is the Golden Gate national Recreation Area. You will find Photo opts back across the Bridge into SF. Don't forget some warm clothes. The fog and wind can be brutal.

vicksart Loc: Novato, CA -earthquake country

Everyone mentioned lots of great photo ops in and near SF. I read through the messages quickly and didn't see Pt. Lobos on the list. It's also a great place to check out. It's a quick drive down Hwy. 1 from Monterrey. You'll pass the town of Carmel - be sure to try to visit there as well - great photo ops in town and places to eat. Hope you get lots of sunny weather while you're here. Fog along the coast is quite common. Enjoy!

jpy56 Loc: Las Vegas, NV

Like many have said...photo ops are all over the place. But, you also have to EAT.
Be sure to go to Tommy's Joint....the BEST Corned Beef and Pastrami I have ever had.
And, it's an old place, so take your camera.

silveragemarvel Loc: Keller, Texas

Be ready for the different life styles in SF. Monterey has the Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, Point Lobos and the 17 Mile scenic drive (see world famous Cypress tree). Carmel you have the Peeble Beach Golf course, the quaint town itself. Further north is Napa Valley (for wine tasting) which is a whole day trip by itself. You have to spend more time in the area!

CocoaRoger Loc: Cocoa Florida

I lived in the Bay Area 44 years before moving to boring Florida a couple years ago. All of the place previously mentioned are WONDERFUL! There are NO shortage of places to go and things to see and photograph. Most definitely try to get in as much as you may comfortably be able to. But be advised there is waaaaayyyy too much to see in such a short time so weigh your interests carefully. I would google as much as I could before hand so get busy!! :-) Ok, that being said besides the typical tourist type locations I would also recommend driving up to the top of Mount Tamalpias which will be the big mountain on the Marin county side of the Golden Gate Bridge. You can drive right up to the peak and get out and walk the trail around the peak and get wonderful views of the entire SF Bay area. Practice stitching photos beforehand because you'll want to try to capture the wide views. Also keep in mind that the fog tends to come in in the late afternoon and often through the Golden Gate bridge and that in itself can make for some great shots depending on sun angle and your location. Another often missed location is Muir Woods, it's a wonderful off the main path where you can venture into a huge Redwood tree forest. They may not be as large as the Sequoias but if you've never seen them up close and in person they are awesome, particularly if you enjoy nature photography. Another place is Sausalito. While you may not really be impressed with it from the City's point of view, if you drive across the GG Bridge to Sausalito and drive along the main road through downtown which follows the bay there are tons of wonderful views looking back. Also this is a particularly beautiful view looking back just after sunset and the buildings are all still lit up but the sky and bay are darkened! Theres one other off the main track that many tourists don't visit and this was mentioned in another post---the Marin Headlands. You can literally drive up and get out of your car and walk out and photograph the City (never EVER call it Frisco!! It is San Francisco or ''the City'') ;-) The preferred term being ''the City''. I will attach a couple captures of what I'm talking about. In the wide view you can see the GG bridge and the city of Sausalito and it's main road ''Bridgeway''. Also a great place for dining! Restaurants right on the water. In the closer view you can again see the GG bridge as a reference point. There's a vista point visible just on the north end of the bridge to get photos. But do yourself a big favor! Get back on northbound 101 and take that first exit ''Alexander'' and go back under the highway (left) but just before you get on the onramp southbound over the bridge again go to the right on Conzelman Rd. and drive up to Battery Spencer, it's a wide spot on the right hand side of the road. It's an old WW 2 artillary battery location. Park and get out and walk out toward the Bridge. You will find yourself with the most beautiful view of the City and bay from ABOVE the Golden Gate Bridge and through the towers looking back. You have seen this view many times on tv and on commercials. It is FANTASTIC. I would recommend it again at dusk but with your severely limited time that may not be possible. Alcatraz was mentioned but keep in mind that needs reservations, often weeks ahead of time. But... you CAN take a Bay Cruise which I would also recommend. Its a couple hours and takes you out past Alcatraz, and out under the Golden Gate Bridge and back. Obviously while out on the water you'll have great opportunities and views-depending on the weather. Speaking of weather...as we locals know that many tourists don't...the weather can change dramatically and quickly. While the locals are used to it most tourists don't so keep in mind if it's sunny and warm when you go out, within minutes or locale it can get quite chilly and foggy and windy so be prepared with some kind of sweater within reach! And if you do get out on the bay etc... make sure you have a jacket. Just because the locals look warm out your hotel or car window doesn't mean you will be! You would need AT LEAST a week to just get the many local locations and that would be working sunup to midnight so you won't have time to do or get everything so that's why I say research and prioritize what you want. Remember the weather may not cooperate so if 'today' the weather is clear, that might be a good time to get the vista type pictures because in a couple hours, or tomorrow it could be covered in fog so take what you can get when you can get it cause there's no guarantee tomorrow will be clear and sunny. Also regarding fog, it is usually very low hung so just because from the City the Bridge is in fog you may still be able to get great shots from above such as the aformentioned Battery Spencer or the top of Mt. Tam. Also keep in mind that while you might be in the middle of fog that doesn't mean a short drive won't take you out from under. The fog in the summer tends to be quite localized. It's a running joke that it can be cold and foggy in SF yet get on the GG bridge or the Bay bridge and within a few miles it's sunny and 85 degrees. Any of us locals would be more than happy I'm sure to advise you privately as well.

AVarley Loc: Central Valley, California

I second that! We stayed at the Omni just below there on the cable car line.
Rode it to the top of the hill, walked left a few blocks and found Tommy's Joint.

CocoaRoger Loc: Cocoa Florida

All very good locations! I thought about mentioning Napa as well. With his limited time though I let it slide. I just moved here from 15 years in Sonoma and I second the Monterey Bay Aquarium as well!! That being said Sausalito has a Bay model for viewing as well and that would make interesting information for a tourist but with such limited time would probably skip that.

CocoaRoger Loc: Cocoa Florida

I just went to google images and typed in ''san francisco'' and there are tons of beautiful photos with great ideas, such as setting up with a slow shutter speed of traffic over the various bridges or at different times of days and types or weather etc... I would do that as well for any locations you expect to visit. I recently traveled through half of China and did months and months of reading and researching and asking in forums and felt ready for what to see and what to expect. While I was fairly well prepared it wasn't until after I returned and started reading and researching some of the places I visited that I discovered ''damn I was right there and missed that?!!'' haha That's why I say read, get the typical tourist brochures, google anything and everything, use google images for whatever looks interesting, and most importantly try to talk to people who have either been where you want to go, or live there and forums are a GREAT method! I've never been to Denver and if I went I would do my research and discover things to photo or see but imagine as a resident how much more you know and could show me that aren't in the typical brochures?! Personally I would skip Pier 39, it's a tourist ripoff. That's where you can buy all of your expensive crappy SF ashtrays or coffee cups and all of that kind of thing made in China or India at exhorbitant prices.