5 Unique San Francisco Bay Area Photoshoot Locations
If you’re planning an engagement session or photoshoot in San Francisco Bay Area, here are some of my very favorite spots for the occasion! Having been born and raised in the area I take pride in knowing the city well. San Francisco is full of some of the most incredible hidden spots, gorgeous architecture, and unique history.
The Palace of Fine Arts
This list won’t have many major icons, but this spot is too good not to be number one. The Palace may not fall under ‘unique’ in the sense of rare or unknown, but it is certainly a marvelous staple of our city! I feel like I could only ever book photoshoots here and still find something new and wonderful to capture. A major bonus is that the Crissy Fields beach is only a 4 minute walk across the street! This spot has a stunning view of the Golden Gate at sunset, so you’re really getting two spots in one!
Plan ahead! This location can get packed on weekends. Either visit on a weekday or be ready to be patient to get the shot.
2. Mount Diablo Hills
Just a short drive outside of the city is the gorgeous Mount Diablo range. These spots can’t be missed during springtime, with blooming poppies and mustard flowers. The range has so many great spots with amazing sunsets in Lafayette, Walnut Creek, and Danville.
3. Golden Gate Bridge Viewpoints
You can’t miss visiting the San Francisco area without taking a gander at our lovely red bridge! There are so many awesome spots to see it, on both the San Francisco and Sausalito side. Bakers Beach, Crissy Field, and Fort Point are well visited on the city side. If you’d like to drive across our big red icon, Battery Spencer, Fort Baker, and Slacker’s Hill are worth the visit!
Don’t forget the seasons! Keep in mind summertime is incredible foggy in the city! The best time to actually see the bridge is during the fall.
4. The County Fair
The Bay Area has some of the most vibrant and unique county fairs I’ve seen. They are usually set up in the summer, (perfect for those with fall weddings!) however the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk offers these fun colors and attractions all year round. As long as you aren’t shy about having a photoshoot in front of other guests, these images will be unforgettable!
Like most locations, the fair will definitely be packed with school groups and families. It’s best to be flexible and go where the wind takes you for locations like this.
5. Filoli Historic Gardens
The Filoli Estate used to be quite the hidden gem, but has been exploding in popularity the past year after they opened the historic home for photoshoots! The home was also used as a filming location for many nostalgic movies like George of the Jungle and the Joy Luck Club. Its definitely not one to miss, as something blooms in the gardens year round! Spring is especially stunning with fluffy pink magnolia blooms, fragrant wisteria, and clouds of daffodils.
No two photoshoots here are ever the same!
Bonus: The Fairmont Hotel Penthouse
If you can afford the $25,000 a night price tag, the Fairmont Hotel is the most incredible (and exclusive) spot for any photoshoot. This one might be more of a day dream than actual reality, but I fell in love with this spot the moment I laid eyes on it. So much history is within these walls, from endless piano nights with Elton John, the signing of the united nations treaties, and supposedly Marilyn Monroe escaping through the hidden doorway in the library! Truly a once-in-a-lifetime spot!
Can’t afford the penthouse? Luckily visiting the Fairmont Gardens are free! After enjoying the gorgeous staircase and lobby, take a right past the concierge desk and follow the hall to the big glass doors. Here you will find one of my favorite gardens in San Francisco!
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