Best car photo spots in San Francisco Bay Area

Hand-picked spots in San Francisco Bay Area

Battery Spencer

Scenic & lakeside · Best: Sunrise

The Golden Gate Bridge filling the frame from the Marin Headlands. Small lot: go at sunrise.

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Treasure Island skyline

Skyline & city lights · Best: Blue hour

San Francisco skyline and the Bay Bridge from the Treasure Island waterfront lot.

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Twin Peaks

Scenic & lakeside · Best: Night

The whole city below from Christmas Tree Point's parking area.

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Painted Ladies

Historic · Best: Golden hour

Victorian row houses on Steiner St with the skyline behind them.

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Palace of Fine Arts

Historic · Best: Morning

Rotunda and lagoon with street parking along the loop.

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Fort Point

Bridges · Best: Sunset

Park almost directly under the Golden Gate Bridge's south tower.

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Lake Merritt

Scenic & lakeside · Best: Night

Oakland's lake ringed by the 'Necklace of Lights' at night.

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Sutro Baths

Scenic & lakeside · Best: Sunset

Ocean-edge ruins with a lot right above the cliffs.

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Murals and street art in San Francisco Bay Area

Murals are the most popular car photo backdrop. Pull up alongside the wall, keep the car parallel to it and shoot from a low angle so the art fills the frame behind the car.

More spots in San Francisco Bay Area

• Top of the Mark Skyline & city lights
• The View Lounge Skyline & city lights
• Bay Lights Viewpoint Skyline & city lights
• The Fillmore Neon & retro
• SFSU Observatory Scenic & lakeside
• Zellerbach Hall Neon & retro
• Toni Rembe Theater Neon & retro
• Elmwood Theatre Neon & retro
• Fairfax 5 Theaters Neon & retro
• Stanford Theater Neon & retro
• West Wind Solano Drive In Neon & retro
• Bayview Opera House Ruth Williams Memorial Theatre Neon & retro
• Amador Theater Neon & retro
• Orinda Theatre Neon & retro
• San Jose Control Tower Scenic & lakeside
• Paramount Theater Neon & retro
• Castro Theatre Neon & retro
• René C. Davidson Courthouse Historic
• Old Superior Courthouse Historic
• US Court of Appeals 9 Circuit Historic
• Inspiration Point Scenic & lakeside
• Point Bonita Viewpoint Scenic & lakeside
• Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point Scenic & lakeside
• Immigrant Point Overlook Scenic & lakeside
• Len Turner Memorial Vista Point Scenic & lakeside
• Planespotting location SFO Scenic & lakeside
• Muir Beach Overlook Scenic & lakeside
• Watertower View Scenic & lakeside
• Vista Point Scenic & lakeside
• Red Autumn Trees Formation Scenic & lakeside

Tips for car photos in San Francisco Bay Area

• Shoot at golden hour or blue hour. The hour after sunrise and around sunset gives soft light without harsh reflections; blue hour is best for skylines and neon.
• Go early on weekends. Popular mural walls and downtown streets are quiet before 9 AM, so you can park right in front.
• Respect the spot. Stay off private lots when asked, don't block traffic and keep the engine noise down in neighborhoods.
• Hide your plate if you want. Check your shot before you post it.