billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Tripadvisor.com
And, be aware of the cities problem with the homeless near the city center.

LSVFDAC

The Presidio has a pet cemetery. It was fascinating to see it when I was there last. It has all the pets that passed while the owners were serving there many years ago.

Fotomacher Loc: Toronto

Hawk Hill lookout on the north side of the GG bridge On a clear day, you can see forever but there are not very many clear days!

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repleo Loc: Boston

If you are planning on doing a lot of walking in the city - you will whether you plan for it or not - be aware of the topography. Two locations may look like they are only four blacks apart, but that could be two blocks vertical and two blocks back down. Going downhill on some of those hills is tougher on your knees that going up.

Naptown Gaijin

The Presidio has some great spots to shoot the GG Bridge. Also check out Lombard Street, Telegraph Hill, Nob Hill, The Wharf, and Ghiardelli square.

Do NOT go into the Tenderloin, the Mission district, Potrero Hill, Haight-Ashbury, or Hunters Point.

philo Loc: philo, ca

I would really love to see pictures of your Turkey GR. I love Turkey and when I was there i saw lots of cats, but few dogs.
Be careful in the heart of SF. Some part have become 3rd world streets. There is lots to see and do without going into downtown. The Palace of fine Art is close to where you are staying. If you walk around by yourself it's a good idea to have your dog.

Silversleuth Loc: San Francisco Bay Area

As a resident of SF, one word of advice for your visit here, NEVER leave anything in your parked car. We experience about 85 to 100 car break-in's every day. It is a beautiful city with plenty to photograph. Favorites include Chinatown along Grant Avenue, Hyde Street Pier if you like old sailing ships, Lands End walk along the sea coast near the Cliff House, Twin Peaks for a commanding view of the whole city, Pier 39 for touristy people photos and the sea lion colony on adjoining piers.

Have a great visit, it's a street photographers paradise.

::Ed::

photoam Loc: Fergus Falls, MN

When you get to the City, PARK THE CAR!!!!
Most hotels have a front desk tear off map showing the City and with blowups of popular areas. These maps have bus, trolley, and BART routes marked. You can easily see that you are at the Presidio and, for instance, want to go to Union Square in the heart of downtown. Oh, bus lines #’s, say, 1, 7, and 19 run near the Presidio. Oh, the #19 goes to Union Square. During the day most busses run every 4-10 mins. Less in eves, and many not after 11-12. (I’m guessing at numbers).
Or, at many tourist and post card shops they have on the stand outside small fold up maps of the City, featuring transit lines, color coded. The reds run every 4 mins. The blues every 6 mins. The greens every 8 mins. Etc.
Or, stop at the large SF Tourist Bureau which is downstairs at Hallidie Plaza. This is at the Powell St BART station, Market and Powell, 2 blocks from Union Square. They also give and sell maps and have more tourist brochures than you could ever want.
Never drive in SF. Bad traffic. One way streets. Parking is Very expensive IF you can find any.
Things not to miss:
Market Street from Powell St to the Embarcadero.
The Ferry Building on the Embarcadero.
Coit Tower above North Beach.
North Beach. Walk along till you find an Italian restaurant, bakery, or gelato shop that appeals.
China Town.
Grace Cathedral. The lobby of the Fairmont Hotel across the Street. The Mark Hopkins Hôtel next door. Maybe have a drink in the rooftop bars in each of them.
Golden Gate Park. Especially the Cal. Academy of Sciences Aquarium. The deYoung Museum (Calif anf Asian stuff).
Take a bus or Lyft to the Palace of the Legion of Honor on a hill overlooking the G. G. Bridge. This is now paired with the deYoung. It houses all the European art. 70 years ago I was entranced by the armored men and horses. Unfortunately they no longer display much armor.
The fancy shops around Union Aquare and down Post St. Gucci. Tiffany.
Bathrooms are hard to find. Remember Macy’s basement.
The beach along the Great Highway. Hawaii is the next land to the West. Go in the water if you have your wetsuit.
Food: cioppino (Italian? fish stew) and a crab Louie.
Walk.
Smell the salt air.
Dress in layers. Cold moist breeze right off the Pacific. SF can be the coldest place in the US. My mom said SF is the only place you can wear a fur coat in the summer-and need it.
I grew up in Berkeley but have lived in rural Minnesota since age 30.

photoam Loc: Fergus Falls, MN

A few years ago I saw a homeless guy squat over a newspaper right on the sidewalk. Yup, that’s what he was doing. Right there. He had 2 garbage bags full of his possessions in the doorway

pendennis

I was out there on business a number of years ago, so things have changed, a lot.

I thought Fort Story, just east of the Golden Gate Bridge was a beautiful view of the bridge. I happened to catch a lot of waves breaking onto the sea wall. I happened to catch the skyline from Hawk Hill on a clear day. We caught the Transamerica Building on a clear day, and got some great wide angle shots. I also got some great views of Coit Tower at high noon. Lombardy Street is also a nice view. China Town is a real treat. Scoma's Fisherman's Wharf restaurant had great food; one had the best lobster ravioli ever.

Just one other piece of advice - Just because everyone and their mother have taken pictures of all the sights, keep in mind - You haven't. Enjoy!

Golden Rule Loc: Washington State

Thank you everyone for your great advice! We will choose a few of the spots one of the days and a few for the second day. We chose the Lodge at the Presidio for the lovely views and walking around the grounds. I have wanted to visit SF and picking up our new rescue Golden to add to our other Golden will be icing on the cake.

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

I took a day trip to SF three years ago while visiting my grandson and his parents. The Presidio is a great starting place for photography. You will get some great shots of the Golden Gate Bridge. I would suggest getting a good map of SF and find China Beach; it's near the south end of Route 1 as you enter the city. After leaving the Presidio, we parked at the Yacht Basin (it was free parking during the week at that time) and walked to Fisherman's Wharf. There were countless photo opportunities along the way, including Alcatraz.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

There are a couple places people have mentioned which require advance reservations. The first is Alcatraz. I had family visit me and tried to get last minute tickets and it was sold out. The other I don't know if it has already mentioned is Muir Woods, North of the BB Bridge. It has limited parking and advance tickets are required. They are considering requiring advance tickets for the crooked block of Lombard St.

bsmith52 Loc: Northeast Alabama

I 2nd the view at Hawk Hill, the Marin Headlands Vista Pointe on Google maps. I never tire of the view there.

Be sure to lock all valuables in the trunk. SF is not the safest place for tourists as it once was. Such a shame, America's most beautiful and scenic city. (Imho)

mymike Loc: Tucson, AZ

Hello, I toured with a professional photographer: Doc Miles Photography (doc@docmiles.com). This was a combination birthday and Father's day gift from my family. He picked me up at the Ferry Building (we stayed in Oakland) and he drove me to different sites and I got some amazing photos. Here is a list of the places we went: Palace of Fine Arts Lat 37.8020306, Long 122.4487233; Fort Baker - Moore Road Lat 37.831348, Long 122.478383; Pier 14 Embarcadero SF Lat 37.793079; Point Bonita Lighthouse Marin Headlands Lat 37.816370 Long 122.529333; Fort Point the Presidio Lat 37.809999 Long 122.476458; Marshall's Beach Lat 37.8016521 Long 122.4820718; Calhoun Terrace Lat 37.8008328 Long 122.4057244; Presidio National Cemetery Overlook Lat 37.797777 Long 122.464848. It took about 4 hours and we were constantly on the move..no breaks. He drove to each site, we set up - he gave suggestions on camera settings, he provided a tripod for evening shots. And I got great photos/memories.