San Francisco photo shoot

[bob_johnson35]

<p>I am heading to San Francisco in a few weeks and will be in the area for 7 nights. We want a few nights in the wine country and probably the remainder in the central city. Right now I am thinking about 5 days in SF. I've never been in this area before. My main interest is fine art architectural detail, ethnic neighborhoods, water front, and street photography. Would appreciate your input on not-to-miss areas to cover. </p>

[david_henderson]

<p>Picking up on "waterfront" I like Fort Mason and Pier 7, both at sunrise.</p><div></div>

[Mattman944]

Lots of opportunities in SF. Get a muni pass, it is good for the local buses and the cable cars. I liked Alamo square

(Victorian row houses), Union square (architecture & street), & Jackson square.

[Spearhead]

<p>Alcatraz is the one tourist site I recommend to everyone visiting. It's amazing. You should get a reservation for the first boat out, as there will be far fewer people on the island. Because you can come back on any boat, it tends to get pretty crowded by mid to late morning at this time of year.</p>

<p>The Mission District is one of the most interesting parts of town for some of what you have mentioned. There is a lot of beautiful mural work on the walls, a lot of local feeling, the Mission itself (called Mission Dolores), interesting alleys, and lots of people on the street. You need to use some care, it's also got gangs and it's probably best to keep your camera down if you are around 16th and Mission. The restaurants are great.</p>

<p>One area visitors never go to is the Inner Richmond. It's dominated by Chinese shops, but it's not touristy like Chinatown. Very different.</p>

<p>For some classic San Francisco architecture, the Presidio area is pretty cool. The Pyramid (Financial District) is always interesting, there are a hundred places to shoot from. There are great views of the Bay from the top of the hills towards the west. There are terrific views of the city from Potrero Hill, and an <a href="http://spirer.com/images/sanfran.jpg">unusual view from Portola Avenue</a>, which has a "vista" pulloff that visitors rarely see. You probably need a car to get there, unlike most places in San Francisco. <a href="http://spirer.com/sutro/slides/sutropano.jpg">Sutro Baths </a>is out where the ocean meets the Bay and has some ruins from an old and large building with swimming pools.</p>

<p>Also, it's summer in San Francisco, bring a hoodie and a jacket. Otherwise, you will be wearing a "I heart San Francisco" sweatshirt that you had to buy after you got here.</p>

[goldbergbarry]

<p>Just got back from San Francisco - absolutely loved it. I cannot wait until I can come back. And like Jeff said, it is chilly there so bring sweatshirts. During the day, the high was about 55 degrees.</p>

<p>You should also try to make it out to Muir Woods while you are there. It is just over the Golden Gate Bridge and it is just amazing. Check out TripAdvisor for tons of great tips of what to see. <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g60713-i30-San_Francisco_California.html">http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g60713-i30-San_Francisco_California.html</a></p>

<p> </p>

[bob_johnson35]

<p>Thanks everyone for all the really interesting info. Great image, David -- I like it very much. I forgot about tripadvisor we've used it in the past with good results. I was wondering about the 5 days we plan on in the city, but it looks from your input we won't have trouble filling that up. </p>

[harry_neuwirth1]

<p>Enjoy the trip. We have our share of quirky architecture and design and I think the advice you were given is great. Don't miss the camera obscura at point lobos or the church of saint john coltrane. Muir Woods in August is packed, but if you drive a few miles up to ridgecrest or east peak you'll get the views and shake the crowds.</p>

[Mattman944]

I did a virtual tour using google earth before I went. People have posted hundreds of images of SF.

[Spearhead]

<p>I've been looking for my photo of the city from Potrero Hill, depending on weather, it is one of the best views of the city. I had to pull this off my Facebook page, so it's not the best quality...</p><div></div>

[Spearhead]

<p>And to give you a current weather report, here is a photo I took with my phone earlier this week while waiting for the bus at around 9:30 in the morning.</p><div></div>

[bob_johnson35]

<p>What a great view from Potrero Hill. Likewise, I think the fog will be an asset if I can find the right composition.</p>

[goldbergbarry]

<p>Just leave your umbrella home.</p>

<p>Being from NJ, my wife brought an umbrella just in case it rains only to be told that it is the dry season and the next time it rains should be around Thanksgiving. Unbelievable. </p>

 

[Monophoto]

<p>Our son lives in Mountain View, so we get out to the Bay Area about once a year. Great photographic opportunities:</p>

<p>Alcatraz (book a reservation for the first boat)<br>

Fort Point (Friday through Sunday only)<br>

Fort Mason<br>

Ferry Building<br>

Palace of the Legion of Honor<br>

Lands End/Sutro Park and ruins<br>

China Beach<br>

Blue Bottle Coffee (good coffee, and neat place to photograph)<br>

Golden Gate Park (Arboretum, Japanese Garden)<br>

Marin Headlands (old military installations)<br>

Sausalito<br>

Point Reyes Lighthouse<br>

Muir Woods<br>

Angel Island</p>

<p>In Wine Country -visit wineries, taste wine, eat great meals<br>

Bale Gristmill<br>

Castello di Amoroso<br>

Chateau Monteleone</p>

<p>South Bay -<br>

Sanford University Campus & Cantor Museum<br>

Lick Observatory<br>

Testarossa Winery (Los Gatos)<br>

Alviso Marina<br>

Carmel Mission<br>

Point Lobos State Park (be there when it opens at 8am - it gets crowded, and they limit the number cars allowed in)</p>

 

[User_2000406]

<blockquote>Being from NJ, my wife brought an umbrella just in case it rains only to be told that it is the dry season and the next time it rains should be around Thanksgiving. Unbelievable.</blockquote>

<p>Well, it'll probably rain a few times in September or October, but November is usually the first heavy month of the rainy season and those rains tend to start early in the month. </p>

[spencer_chrouser]

<p>I'll be going to San Francisco myself in a week or two and here's some of my ideas while I'm there. Perhaps something that interests you as well.</p>

<p>Golden Gate Bridge<br /> -on the bride<br /> -from fort point<br /> -from baker beach<br /> -from marin headlands<br /> - spot south of the bridge where you can get out of your <br /> car and shoot straight on at the bridge</p>

<p>Alcatraz</p>

<p>Twin Peaks</p>

<p>Mandarin Hotel<br /> -from the cat walk</p>

<p>China town</p>

<p>Fisherman's Wharf<br /> -For the best pictures of the fishing boats, get off the main street. Go through the double doors between Alioto's and Fisherman's Grotto on Taylor Street (says Passage Way to the boats) and walk around to find your favorite shot.</p>

<p>Japanese Tea Garden</p>

<p>Pier 7 Waterfront</p>

<p>USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier<br /> -Alameda Point San Francisco Bay: Mon - Sun 10 a.m - 5 p.m</p>

<p>Muir Woods</p>

[robert_k1]

<p>Since you'll have a week in SF, I would suggest starting with the 49-Mile Scenic Drive, which includes most of the "must see" locations. Then return to the spots that interest you.</p>

<p>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/49-Mile_Scenic_Drive</p>

<p>When I took the Nikon School class in SF, the instructor said, "If you can't take a good photograph in SF, you won't be able to anywhere else." There is some truth to that.</p>

[frank_b._baiamonte]

<p>We really liked the Asian Art Museum. I think the building was the old Post Office (someone local can correct me please if I've got it wrong).</p>

<p><img src="http://frankbaiamonte.smugmug.com/Travel/San-Francisco-Weekend-July/IMGP4091/561515066_5d5v5-L.jpg" alt="" width="402" height="600" /></p>

<p>Also, if you get a chance, walk across the Golden Gate Bridge (there are parking lots at either end).</p>

 

[ameen_belbahri]

<p>Because I work in the area, I often find myself shooting in the financial district around the Embarcadero center. There is some really interesting dramatic lighting to be found in the early evening caused by the sun reflecting off of the tall buildings.<br>

<br /> If you have any interest in folk art, there's a neat inner city park called Cayuga Park that few natives even know about that you might have fun shooting at. It's filled with dozens of wooden totems carved by an old Filipino man who was the caretaker of the park for years.<br>

<br /> For unique waterfront views, I would check out the area called the Dogpatch along third street south of AT&T park. It isn't exactly scenic, as it's a mainly industrial area with lots of warehouses, but there are some interesting sights to be had. It is also kind of isolated, so I wouldn't go there at night. I would also avoid going too far south into the Hunter's Point area.<br>

<br /> The Palace of Fine Arts is touristy, but genuinely very beautiful. Make sure you go inside and check out the dome and explore- don't just take pictures from across the water.<br>

<br /> If you go to Coit Tower don't drive, walk up there. Take the Filbert Steps from the east side. You'll see some cool views and feel a sense of accomplishment when you make it up to the top.<br>

<br /> They've already been mentioned, but I'd also like to suggest Sutro baths and the homes immediately surrounding Alamo Square Park.</p>

[Spearhead]

<p>Ameen raises a great point - Dogpatch is another place you won't find in the guide books and has some great places to shoot. Industrial architecture, dock scenes, etc. Despite how it looks, it's very safe. The photo below was taken along the waterfront in Dogpatch. Not my kind of photo, but I happened to take it.</p>

<p>A lot of the suggestions above are no different than what a guide book will give you. Over-visited and over-photographed. Some, like Fisherman's Wharf, define the meaning of "tourist trap." Every city on the water has a place like it. Look for places like Ameen recommends or what I've suggested above. You generally won't find tons of tourists.<br>

<P><center><img src="http://spirer.com/images/sfmorning1.jpg" alt="" /><br>

<em>Dogpatch Water Scene, Copyright 2009 Jeff Spirer</em></p></center></p>

[dianedh]

<p>I'm jealous....SF is one of my favorite cities. Don't miss the Palace of Fine Arts in the Marina District. We'll expect to see all the pictures when you get back!</p>

 

[arie_vandervelden1]

<p>Skip Fisherman's Wharf. Tourist trap.<br>

Chinatown is okay but overrated. Mostly a tourist trap.<br>

Do take a cable car - touristy and expensive but fun. I had fun taking panning shots of the streetcars at dusk.<br>

I liked Mission district and the Castro. Interesting shops, nice houses, interesting people on the street.<br>

Haight is nice too. Don't expect hippies at Haight+Ashbury, just a few tacky souvenir shops. But away from this corner it's a nice neighborhood with nice shops and beautiful Victorian houses.<br>

As for architecture, there's one Frank Lloyd Wright building downtown that's worth seeking out.</p>

[jennifer_henry]

<p>I can't add to everyone else's good suggestions for San Francisco. In wine country, I've visited many wineries and most have been great, but there are some that are more picturesque than others if you want to get some good photo opportunities in addition to tasting. October is a terrific time to visit - it's usually harvest time and there is so much color. </p>

<p>Some of my favorite wineries from a photographic point of view were Chateau Montelena, Chateau St. Jean and Sterling. Also nice and near St. Jean are Kunde Estate and St. Francis. Hop Kiln and Rocchioli in the Russian River Valley were also in a picturesque area.</p>

<p>If you take a tour at one or two places you gain lots of info. and more photo opps. Schramsberg had a great tour including the caves. Benziger is biodynamic and has a tour geared to that aspect of wine. Also, Cakebread had a wonderful wine and food pairing (you need to reserve ahead of time) when I was there a few years ago.</p>

[jaybee]

<p>Jeff's right about booking for early in the morning. Book in advance, too, because they frequently sell out. There are night-time tours on Thursday through Monday, if I remember correctly. We didn't get to go at night, but I've heard it's a wonderful experience.</p>

<p>Trattoria Contadina has some of the best Italian food my wife and I have ever eaten. It's at the corner of Union and Mason.</p>