sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

I'm leaving for Napa and San Francisco soon. I would appreciated suggestions for places to photograph. I did buy the book what to Photograph in S.F., but would still appreciate input forum members.
Thanks

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Have fun in San Francisco, but save plenty of card space and battery power for the Napa Valley. You'll see some of the most beautiful vineyards, enchanting wineries and stunning architecture in the world - and all at the same time in some places.

Radioman Loc: Ontario Canada

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Don't forget the 'Cable-Cars'. Visit the cable-drive building, there are some interesting shots there too.

mikemilton

The sealions hang around the wharf at Scoma's (which I recommend btw) and just at the top of the lane is Blues and Lou's if you want to try shooting a session.

If you have time, take a drive down HWY1 and / or up to Muir Woods.

ejrmaine Loc: South Carolina

You'll be within an easy drive to Yosemite, if time allows. That's a great photo location.

oneavidman Loc: Hanover, MD

I used to live 25 miles from there and didn't visit as often as I would have liked. I was in high school so didn't get around too much.

I was out there 3 years ago visiting my brother and didn't see everything that I wanted to see. You are only an 2 hours away from Monterey and Carmel which is a beautiful place with the 17 mile drive and Pebble Beach. As someone else noted you are also 3 hours from Yosemite National Park. You can also visit Lake Tahoe as well if you have time.

While in SF make sure you get over to Sausalito which is just on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge. You should try to visit the house boats.. http://www.oursausalito.com/houseboats-in-sausalito.html

Of course you have to try and get the perfect view of the Golden Gate Bridge - http://blog.theeyegame.com/2010/01/26/photographers-guide-to-the-golden-gate-bridge-part-1-baker-beach-north/

Napa Valley is just a beautiful part of the country and one of the areas on my bucket list. http://www.napavalley.org/

I have posted some photos on Flickr from my trip...you can go to larrybowers.com and check them out.

Have fun and I hope to see some of your shots.

imntrt1 Loc: St. Louis

An often overlooked photo op near SF is the Point Rheys Lighthouse which is north a few miles. Take a Ferry ride to Sausalito and don't forget Alcatraz if at all possible (you can get advanced reservations online).

photog11 Loc: San Francisco

I love skyline photos. Don't forget to take a Bay tour by boat. Good skyline photos can also be had from Treasure Island, the Point Isabel dog park in Richmond, and from Sausalito.

Zenith701 Loc: Southern California

Go to Golden Gate State Park and the Japanese Tea Garden there. A very pretty place. I was going to attach a pic I took from there but can't figure out how. Anyway, have fun.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

So much to see & photo there I hope you have at least a week if not two.
Some of my suggestions for the Napa area
A day road trip thru the area with driving up the Silverado to Calastoga - and then back down hwy29 to Napa - this route takes you up the east side of the Napa Valley and back down the middle of it. Be sure to bring a swimming suit and stop at one of the Hot Springs Resorts - Indian Valley on the Northwestern edge of Calastoga is our favorite-
Early mornings often have many Hot Air balloons all over the valley.
Starting at the GG bridge - Marin Headlands from Saucalito take the right turn as you cross over the freeway - thru the "one lane tunnel" then follow the road back south from the beach as it gives the best photo ops of the coast back to GG, SF bay, SF & Alcatraz.
A trip up the coast on Hwy 1 to Point Rays light house is not just the LH but all the wonderful stuff along the way ( historical "Drakes Bay" is on the road out to the PRLH) go as far a Bodaga Bay then cross back east to hwy 12 back to Napa.

S.F. has so much it is best to use one of those tourist maps and pic the spots you want to visit & photo.
It is good that you are coming to SF now as the coastal fog is not so bad as we move into fall. DO NOT forget to take a good sweater or coat the SF area & coast can be very cold & windy while Napa will be nice & warm.
To quote Mark Twain " The coldest winter he ever experienced was a Summer In San Francisco"
Enjoy your trip to California
Harvey

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

I want to thank everyone to responded to me. I love this forum.
Sue

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Oh, I left out the "Wine Train" in Napa also - a great excursion & experience.

Herbnapa Loc: Napa, California

There's so much to shoot, and so little time to shoot it. Personally, I'd try to go to places I really want to see, and enjoy being there, and then taking some shots. Don't spread yourself too thin. October weather is great.

How soon are you coming? It's Fleet Week this week which climaxes Saturday and Sunday. There are also America's Cup Trials going on in the Bay. The Giants and A's are in the playoffs also, so there's going to be a lot of traffic.

I love to shoot in the Marin Headlands, the Point Bonita Lighthouse, Mount Tamalpais, Muir Woods, Point Reyes, the North Coast above Jenner. And it's fun just being there at the same time. A couple of three day drives...bliss.

Yosemite...WOW! Once in a lifetime type WOW! If you've got the time. There's been a Hantavirus scare, which has been blown out of proportion. You can stay outside the valley. I'm driving up to Lake Tahoe, and taking Hwy 395 south to enter Yosemite from the East before they close Tioga Pass.. Coincidentally, Mono Lake is located right on the way. Then up Tioga Pass to Tuolumne Meadows, then dropping down into the valley, Glacier Point. (Waterfalls in Yosemite are either dry or at low flow at the moment.)

Of course I live in Napa, and the "Crush" is on. The fun is doing the tourist stuff. Try the Wine Train. But I wouldn't spend too much time here because there's a lot more to see elsewhere. (Sorry Chamber of Commerce.) I think the vines are more interesting a couple of weeks after they've been picked. There aren't as many balloons as there used to be perhaps I just don't see them anymore).

Herbnapa Loc: Napa, California

By the way, check out Google Earth, and take a virtual tour of all of these places.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

The fall colors should be in full swing in the Sierras at that time - Interstate 80 over Donner Summit to Hwy 89 at Truckee - South on Hwy 89 up the Truckee river and around the west shore of Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay over look has a good pullout & parking - to hwy 50 & Hwy89 west 6 mi to Hwy 89 south - over Luther Pass - great photo ops in Aspen at the crest at Grass Lake ( can't miss this small lake in a big meadow on the right) to junction of Hwy89&Hwy 88 - you will be in the "Heart" of the Sierra Fall - go to the left no more than "1 mile" - a must go there place "Sorensons Resort" just park where you can & photo - then turn around and head west on hwy 88 - this is one of the most scenic routs in CA for the next 50miles - stay on #88 all the way to Hwy 12 & back to Napa.
Dang I wish my big computer was not in the "hospital" so I could ad photos to this tour. LOL
Harvey