30 Best Photoshoot Locations in San Francisco
Isn’t San Francisco great? So how do you choose where to take your family photos?
There’s bridges, beautiful parks, lovely architecture, unique art. But having all these things in one city can make it hard. Especially when trying to figure out the best photoshoot locations in San Francisco.
So here it is, the top 30 photoshoot locations in San Francisco!
1. Sutro Height Parks
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No wind
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Not crowded
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Beautiful all year round
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A variety of different locations in one park
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Great view of the ocean
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Easy Parking
Great for: Family sessions, mini sessions, maternity sessions, milestone sessions in the first year, toddlers who like to run around.
2. Stow Lake
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Lots of variety
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Beautiful lake
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Paddle Boats!
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Your kid might want to go on a boat
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Somewhat crowded on weekends
Great for: Family sessions, mini sessions, maternity sessions, milestone sessions in the first year, toddlers who like to run around.
Not good for: If you are trying to avoid crowds on weekends.
3. Musical Concourse
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TONS of variety
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Not windy
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Iconicily San Francisco without any bridges
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Street parking (free) can get tricky after 10:00a on the weekends
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Paid Lot
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Can get crowded
Great for: Family sessions, mini sessions, maternity sessions, milestone sessions in the first year, weekday sessions, toddlers who like to run around.
Not good for: trying to avoid crowds on weekends
4. Koret Playground
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Lots of variety
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Carousel
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Cool playground
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Parking can be difficult after 10:00a on the weekend
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Somewhat crowded
Great for: Family sessions, mini sessions, maternity sessions, milestone sessions in the first year, weekday sessions, toddlers who like to run around.
Not good for: trying to avoid crowds on weekends, if your child gets easily distracted by playgrounds.
5. North Lake
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Super easy Parking
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Lots of variety
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Not windy
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Not crowded
Great for: Family sessions, mini sessions, maternity sessions, milestone sessions in the first year, weekday and weekend sessions, toddlers who like to run around.
Not good for: those who want more than nature in the photos
6. Legion of Honor
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Lots of variety
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There’s usually parking
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Can see the Golden Gate Bridge
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A mix of architecture and natural landscapes
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Can be windy
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Can get crowded
Great for: Family sessions, mini sessions, maternity sessions, milestone sessions in the first year, weekday sessions, toddlers who like to run around.
Not good for: trying to avoid crowds on weekends.
7. Stern Grove
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Beautiful location
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Not crowded
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Not windy
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Events take place here, so it might not be available
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A limited number of parking spots
Great for: Family sessions, maternity sessions, milestone sessions in the first year, weekday sessions.
Not good for: trying to avoid crowds on weekends
8. Metson Lake
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Easy street parking
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Never crowded
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No wind
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Great variety
Great for: Family sessions, mini sessions, maternity sessions, milestone sessions in the first year, weekend sessions.
Not good for: if you want more than just nature in the backdrop of your photos.
9. Baker Beach
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More places to take the photos besides just the beach
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Beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge
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Parking lot
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Can get very windy
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Not much shade
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Nude sunbathers
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Crowded
Great for: Family sessions, mini sessions, maternity sessions, milestone sessions in the first year, weekday sessions, getting the Golden Gate Bridge in the background of your photos.
Not good for: trying to avoid crowds on weekends, sessions that take place in the middle of the day.
10. Lands End
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Beautiful views
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Can see the Golden Gate Bridge
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Parking can be difficult
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Can get very windy
Great for: Family sessions, maternity sessions, milestone sessions in the first year, weekday and weekend sessions.
Not good for: those who don’t want to do a lot walking during their shoot.
11. Sutro Baths
- Beautiful and unique location
- Historical Site
- Good Variety
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Windy
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Parking can be tricky
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Potentially unsafe for young children
Great for: Family sessions, maternity sessions, weekday sessions, if you want a unique backdrop for your photos.
Not good for: Those who can’t go up and down stairs, people in high heels, toddlers who run around, babies.
12. The Warming Hut
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Beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge
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Good variety
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Can treat yourself to some hot cocoa after the shoot
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Paid Parking
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Windy
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Crowded
Great for: Family sessions, mini sessions, maternity sessions, weekday sessions.
Not good for: trying to avoid crowds on weekends, those trying to avoid wind.
13. Dolores Park
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Beautiful views of the city
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Good variety
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Fun playground
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Parking is hard to find especially later in the day
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Crowded
Great for: Family sessions, maternity sessions, milestone sessions in the first year, weekday sessions, toddlers who like to run around.
Not good for: trying to avoid crowds on weekends, kids who get easily distracted by playgrounds.
14. Lovers Lane
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Beautiful lighting
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Tall trees
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Not windy
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Parking can be tricky at times
Great for: Family sessions, mini sessions, maternity sessions, milestone sessions in the first year, weekday sessions, toddlers who like to run around.
Not good for: those who get frustrated when looking for parking.
15. Glen Canyon Park
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Easy Parking
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Good Variety
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Playground
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Not windy
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Can get crowded
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Nothing particularly unique about this location
Great for: Family sessions, milestone sessions in the first year, weekday and weekend sessions, toddlers who like to run around.
Not good for: kids who get easily distracted by playgrounds.
16. Conservatory of Flowers
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Good Variety
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Beautiful flowers all year round
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Parking is difficult on weekends
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JFK Drive is closed to cars on Sundays and Holidays
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Not a lot of shade
Great for: Family sessions, mini sessions, maternity sessions, milestone sessions in the first year, weekday sessions, people who love flowers.
Not good for: trying to avoid crowds on weekends, midday shoots.
17. Pine Lake
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Easy street parking
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Not crowded
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Not wind
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Dog walking area
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Walk down a slope to get there.
Great for: Family sessions, weekday and weekend sessions, toddlers who like to run around, sessions with dogs.
Not good for: those who don’t want to walk much during their session.
18. Crissy Field
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Easy parking (at Sports Basement)
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Beautiful view of the Golden Gate Bridge
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Some Variety
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Almost always windy
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Somewhat crowded
Great for: Family sessions, mini sessions, maternity sessions, weekday and weekend sessions, milestone sessions, toddlers who like to run around.
Not good for: Midday sessions.
19. The Dogpatch
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Unique urban location
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Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous
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Good Variety
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Parking can be tricky
Great for: Family sessions, maternity sessions, weekday and weekend sessions, those looking for an urban setting.
Not good for: toddlers who like to run around, mini sessions.
20. Alamo Square Park
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Great view of the Painted Ladies
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Good variety
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Recently redone
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Parking can be difficult
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Crowded, especially infant of the Painted Ladies
Great for: Family sessions, mini sessions, maternity sessions, milestone sessions in the first year, weekday sessions, toddlers who like to run around.
Not good for: trying to avoid crowds.
21. Old Speedway Meadow
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Super easy Parking
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Some of variety
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Not windy
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Not crowded
Great for: Family sessions, mini sessions, maternity sessions, milestone sessions in the first year, weekday and weekend sessions.
Not good for: people who don’t want to get their shoes wet, if you are ooking for tons of variety.
22. Lincoln Park Steps
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Beautiful tile work
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Unique location
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Easy Parking
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Not crowded
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Lacks variety
Great for: mini sessions.
Not good for: hour long sessions.
23. Bernal Heights Park
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Beautiful views
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A fair amount of variety
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Not very crowded
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Windy
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May have to walk a bit because of parking
Great for: Family sessions, mini sessions, maternity sessions, weekday sessions.
Not good for: trying to avoid crowds on weekends, trying to avoid wind.
24. Rincon Park
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The Cupid Span sculpture
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Great view of the Bay Bridge
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No shaded areas
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Not a lot of variety
Great for: mini sessions, milestone sessions in the first year, weekday sessions, toddlers who like to run around, if you want a mix of urban and nature.
Not good for: midday shoots.
25. Ferry Building
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Unique location
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Some Variety
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Easy to get to on the train
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Crowded on weekends
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Windy outside
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Parking can be difficult
Great for: Family sessions, mini sessions, maternity sessions, weekday sessions.
Not good for: trying to avoid crowds on weekends
26. Yerba Buena Gardens
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Urban Location
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Lots of variety
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Paid parking in garages
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Crowded
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Sometimes events happen there
Great for: Family sessions, mini sessions, maternity sessions, weekday sessions.
Not good for: trying to avoid crowds on weekends, toddlers who like to run around.
27. Billy Goat Hill
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Easy Parking
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Great views
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Not crowded
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Not a lot of variety
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Windy
Great for: mini sessions, maternity sessions, milestone sessions in the first year, weekday sessions.
Not good for: trying to avoid wind, if you want a lot of variety in the background of your photos.
28. Ocean Beach
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Not crowded
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Parking is easy
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Large beautiful beach
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Windy
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Cold
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Not a lot of variety
Great for: Family sessions, mini sessions, maternity sessions, milestone sessions in the first year, weekday and weekend sessions, toddlers who like to run around.
Not good for: trying to avoid wind.
29. Dutch Windmill
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Parking is easy
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Beautiful Tulips
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Not windy
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Tulips aren’t blooming all year round
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Not a lot of variety
Great for: mini sessions, milestone sessions in the first year, weekday and weekend sessions.
30. Palace of Fine Arts
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Beautiful location
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Lots of variety
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Super crowded with people taking photos
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Parking can be difficult (tip: I like to park near 3140 Lyon St. There’s usually plenty of street parking and it’s only a few minute walk)
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There will be strangers in the background of your photos
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People will stop to try to make your kid smile
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Strangers will interrupt your shoot
Great for: Family sessions, mini sessions, maternity sessions, milestone sessions in the first year, weekday sessions.
Not good for: trying to avoid crowds on weekends, toddlers who like to run around.
BONUS LOCATION: Lafayette Park
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Lots of variety
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Fun and photogenic playground
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Beautiful view of the Bay
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Parking is difficult
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Grassy areas are damp and muddy after it rains.
Great for: Family sessions, mini sessions, milestone sessions in the first year, weekday sessions.
Not good for: kids who get easily distracted by playgrounds.