San Francisco trip: I'll be heading to San Francisco for a couple of days in September, and would like some input as to the not-to-miss photo ops. I've been there a couple of times...

GTinSoCal Loc: Palmdale, CA

I'll be heading to San Francisco for a couple of days in September, and would like some input as to the not-to-miss photo ops.

I've been there a couple of times, but haven't been for decades (really?! that long?! geez I'm getting less young :-) )

We are driving up from So Cal and want to have a bag full of filled CF cards when we get back (ok, I'll have CF she'll have SD)

Thanks in advance for your help!

GT

rlscholl Loc: California

It is sometimes useful to start at twin peaks to get an overall view of the city. Particularly if there is fog in some areas.

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

I bring a frying pan to wear in side the back side of my slacks and bring plenty of snack foods. Was there last year and will note that all there cooks have moved out of town, leaving just Chefs to man the kitchens. Other then ordering foods that have common names on the menus and recreated with who knows what in the kitchens by some Chef Ramsey drop out.

I would try and spend some time in the San Francisco Zoo. The gardens and Art museum's were very nice. Good for one day anyway.

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Spend a day on the Monterey Peninsula. There's enough to see & do that it would take a week. Seventeen Mile Drive in Pebble Beach; the Monterey Aquarium, Sunset Dr. in Pacific Grove, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Highway 1 down to Big Sur & beyond, Hurst Castle,& many more.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

What kinds of stuff do you prefer to shoot?
What lenses will you bring? ;-)
SS

cetaft Loc: The Big Apple

Me? The cable car rotary (turnaround), Alcatraz, the seals in the harbor, some of the many "twisty" streets, some of the older (restored) houses, some shots in the Castro district, some on top of the Mark, Muir Woods, Chinatown, etc. You really can't miss!

Enjoy!

(info good as of July, 2004, our most recent trip out there.) :-D

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

You could smoke a big fat one and drive up Lombard Street backwards.

Hmm, did that 35 years ago (give or take) and it was a stupid idea then too.

Fisherman's Wharf will have some good photo-ops and Alioto's has pretty good eats. If you find yourself on California Street and feel like Chinese, Louie's has Dim Sum to die for. The Walnut Shrimp is very tasty.

If you have money burning a hole in your pocket, Top of the Mark is a great way to spend way too much cash and leave hungry but it's very nicely arranged. Never did care much for 5-Star restaurants...

Some of the old Forts, (Funston for instance) might have some possibilities depending on the time of day. Chinatown was always fun.

It's been almost 10 years since I've had play time in "The City" but you can always drive around and see what you see. The widest part of San Francisco is only about 7 miles across so how lost can you get? If you have a Smart Phone, download an app called Scout. It has never steered me wrong.

bbrown5154 Loc: Baltimore, MD

Since most have given you good ideas inside the City I'm going to go a little outside.
Muir Woods is awesome and along the way Stinson Beach & Mt. Tamalpais State Park and Mill Valley are great.
Golden Gate Park
And my personal favorites. Point Reyes and any of the dozen or so, not crowded, beaches and coves along the way.
Have fun

steffro1 Loc: Murrells Inlet, SC

If your into Bird photography, try Marsh Walk Park if you get as far down as San Carlos. It is on the Bay, so it is marsh land. Lots of Shovelers and Black-necked Stilts and a few Avocets last time i was there.

GTinSoCal Loc: Palmdale, CA

Thanks everybody!

Some really great ideas.

SS - I really enjoy long exposure/night photography.
I'll be bringing most of my equipment (much to the chagrin of the economy rental :-) )
I'll have 2 camera bodies (5dMKII & 50d)
100 f2.8 macro, 100-400L, 24-70 f2.8, ef-s 17-85

I was actually considering Lombard St, Maybe do that as a passenger after a couple glasses of wine...

Thanks again everybody!

GT

cetaft Loc: The Big Apple

After a couple of glasses of wine, you may feel like walking down Lombard Street! :)

streetmarty Loc: Brockton, Ma

GTinSoCal wrote:

I'll be heading to San Francisco for a couple of days in September, and would like some input as to the not-to-miss photo ops.

I've been there a couple of times, but haven't been for decades (really?! that long?! geez I'm getting less young :-) )

We are driving up from So Cal and want to have a bag full of filled CF cards when we get back (ok, I'll have CF she'll have SD)

Thanks in advance for your help!

GT

Here is a picture I took last year of St. Peter and Paul's Church on Filbert in the early morning from Washington Square. From there just walk up the street to Coit Tower, from there you get pictures of many things in all directions. The tower itself, Treasure Island, the Golden Gate Bridge in the morning with the sun coming up and the fog lifting, or at night if the moon is out. Also if you do any street shooting you don't want to miss Haight-Ashbury. it's like walking into a time tunnel. Have fun.

St Peter and St Pual's 666 Filbert St

palladin188

Go to google and put in "Top 10 photographic places in San Francisco" and start there. I lived in the bay area for 35 years and know where to go but this is much easier to follow...and they have good suggestions. Best wishes on shooting there.

bsmith52 Loc: Northeast Alabama

You do know 2 days is not enough in SF?! I'm sure you know, but to state the obvious place. Cross the GG bridge, get off on Alexander Ave exit and find your way back up the mountain. First to Battery Spencer and then all the way to the top at Hawk Hill. These are where all the postcard shots are taken looking down on the Golden Gate.

SF is my favorite and, IMHO, the most beautiful city in America. You could spend a month between Hearst Castle and Sausalito and still run out time photographing the area. I would be a little jealous but am header there for a week next spring. Enjoy!

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

nicksr1125 wrote:

Spend a day on the Monterey Peninsula. There's enough to see & do that it would take a week. Seventeen Mile Drive in Pebble Beach; the Monterey Aquarium, Sunset Dr. in Pacific Grove, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Highway 1 down to Big Sur & beyond, Hurst Castle,& many more.

The one most photogenic place on the Monterey Peninsula is Point Lobos. Someone called it the most beautiful meeting of land and sea in the world. Edward Weston shot some of his greatest photos there.