SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

GT, a couple of long night exposures. Trying not to double up on what's already been posted.
Maybe we could go on a night safari if you are interested?!
There's more in SF at night, than in the day!! :lol:
SS

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Newsbob Loc: SF Bay Area

That last photo of the Bay Bridge reminded me: you definitely want to see the light show at night from the north side of the Bay Bridge. It's constantly changing. Lots of fun, and you can see if from lots of places (as long as you are on the north side).

philo Loc: philo, ca

Don't forget the Golden Gate Bridge. You can get some great shots from the sf side of the bridge. While then head down to Fort Point for some other views. If the Fort is open it is worth the visit.
Beware.............the traffic sucks.

silveragemarvel Loc: Keller, Texas

I was born and raised in SF and I tend to take the local great scenery for granted. If you like birds try the Audubon Canyon Ranch in Marin County. Some spectacular views of the Bay is from the East Bay Hills above Berkeley. The Oakland Bay Bridge (Oakland side) has a brand new suspension span (replaced the old cantilever section) - you should get great views as there is a path for pedestrians and bicyclists. Did anyone mention the Marin Headlands? You can get views of SF from a very different perspective there.

Raman Loc: Walnut Creek, CA

I recommend a shot of California Street looking uptwon with a beautiful view of step cable car tracks in middle of the road. Night time shot of Western span of the Bay Bridge with LED lighting. Another interesting opportunity would be a walk on Eastern Span of new Bay Bridge with view of the San Francisco and East bay as well as precariously jutting out partial spans of old bridge being demolished. Good luck.

GTinSoCal Loc: Palmdale, CA

SS - I'm definitely up for a Night Safari!
:-)
#2 looks like the road up to Twin Peaks looks like fun

Great ideas - I looked up the light show on the bay bridge - very cool!!!

GT

stumbo Loc: Prescott, AZ

There's a wealth of information from many here on the forum that they have recommended to you. My recommendation would be for you to go online and do your research there first. I have an excellent book titled "San Francisco and Northern California (The Best Sights & How to Photograph Them)" I bought on Amazon.Com. It is well put together and gives you information as to what to photograph, where it is and how to get there, and what time of day is best to photograph it. i.e. Golden Gate Bridge, The City, etc. It's a little pricy but well worth it. And I've lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for the past 53 years and know all of these sights first hand. A few of my favorite are The Marin Headlands (Hawk Hill and Kirby Cove), Pull out off the Golden Gate Bridge to the right when heading to Marin County, Treasure Island, especially at night, to shoot The City and the Bay Bridge, Crissy Field to shoot The Golden Gate Bridge, Baker Beach, and so on.

Deecee

I live close to San Francisco and I always love to go there for photos. As mentioned by others, go to the Marin Headlands, which is the first exit off the Golden Gate bridge heading north on 101. The parking lot on the right will take you to good spot to take pictures of the Golden Gate bridge from below. If you go left, the first parking lot gives a fantastic view of the bridge looking over San Francisco. If the follow the road farther, there are some old WWII batteries and a light house.

One of my favorite places to go is downtown among all the high rises on Market St. It's best just to take BART, parking is expensive and hard to come by. Lots of photo ops especially if you are lucky enough to get a sunny day.

Alcatraz Island is a great place to visit, just be sure to buy tickets on line ahead of time, they sell out fast. And of course Pier 39 is great to visit, but not so much a place for photos.

Across the Bay Bridge is Treasure Island, a great place to get photos of both the Bay Bridge and San Francisco.

If you want to get away from it all, Point Reyes National Seashore is about 45 minutes north of San Francisco. There are miles and miles of some of the most beautiful beaches in Northern California. Check the weather before you go, a lot of time the coast is fogged in this time of year

Good luck, and keep an eye on your camera gear at ALL times....

Newsbob Loc: SF Bay Area

I disagree. The yacht harbor at Pier 39 is usually overrun with hundreds of sea lions, making for great photos, especially if you have a nice telephoto. It's a bit stinky from the sea lions' fish breath. There's a live webcam feed at: http://www.pier39.com/home/the-sea-lion-story/sea-lion-webcam-2/ so you can judge for yourself.

Other than that, Pier 39 is an expensive tourist trap, and parking is terrible.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Hmmmm, my office smells exactly like that, and I don't even own a sea lion!! :lol:
Hmmmmm!!
SS

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

GT, I'm game if you're up for it. Just PM me if you are.
BUT(yes, there's always a big BUT)this shoot would be NO knife-fight. It would have rules, but only three.
Rule #1, we start shooting when the sun goes down.
Rule #2, can't stop shooting till the sun comes back up!!
Rule #3, see rules #1 and #2!! :lol:
SS

the hiker Loc: San Diego

one of the best books out there is Photosecreats;San Francisco & Northern California by Andrew Hudson .check it out.$17.00 new.it will give you all the Information you need about the whole area. Have a great trip.

Robeng Loc: California

GT,

If you're primary focus is San Francisco, I would consider the Palace of Fine Arts, Baker's Beach, Cavello Point or Marin Headlands. Otherwise there are some great photo ops along the coastline.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

make sure you have your camera set up for up and down hill shots.

GTinSoCal Loc: Palmdale, CA

Thank you EVERYBODY!
WOW
Great insight, just what I was hoping for.

The "plan" is to take I-5 up, spend a few days, then take the coast back. That way we'll have a chance for sunset shots along the coast.

I just ordered the book from Amazon, $.01 plus $3.99 shipping
:-)
Should be here next week!

GT