Bay Area photo session locations
The right location gives us a place to move, play, explore, and create photos that feel like you. Whether you picture your family running along the beach, wandering beneath the trees, or surrounded by the energy of the city, the Bay Area gives us plenty of options.
I’ve only called the Bay Area home for a short time, so this list is always growing. I have places I love, places I’m excited to photograph, and plenty more I haven’t discovered yet.
Have a spot you love? Tell me about it!
I’m always up for exploring somewhere new, whether it’s a favorite family trail, a beach you keep coming back to, a neighborhood you love, or a place that means something to you.
Use this guide as a starting point. We can choose one of these locations, or we can find somewhere that feels a little more like yours.
Find a location by area
Want to keep your session close to home or explore somewhere new? Start with the part of the Bay Area that works best for you. Some locations take us a little farther from home, but the setting may be exactly what you have in mind.
East Bay
Parks, open hills, tree-lined trails, waterfront views, and urban spaces throughout Berkeley, Oakland, and the surrounding communities.
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Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park and Joaquin Miller Park: Oakland; towering redwoods and forest trails.
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Tilden Regional Park: Berkeley; meadows, trails, trees, hills, and several distinct areas.
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Albany Bulb: Albany; waterfront, beach, wild grasses, art, and San Francisco views.
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Berkeley Rose Garden and Codornices Park: Berkeley; roses, stonework, trees, paths, and greenery.
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Piedmont Park: Piedmont; mature trees, lawns, redwoods, and an easy-to-navigate setting.
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Lake Merritt: Oakland; water, palms, gardens, city views, and a more urban Oakland feel.
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Lake Chabot Regional Park: Castro Valley; meadows, trails, trees, hills, and several distinct areas.
San Francisco
Beaches, city streets, architecture, parks, coastal overlooks, and some of the Bay Area’s most recognizable views.
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Baker Beach: beach, cliffs, ocean, and Golden Gate Bridge views.
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Crissy Field: beach, grass, waterfront, and Golden Gate Bridge views.
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Lands End: coastal trails, cypress trees, cliffs, and ocean views.
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Sutro Baths: ruins, cliffs, rocks, water, and a rugged coastal look.
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Palace of Fine Arts: columns, architecture, lagoon, and greenery.
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Golden Gate Park: gardens, meadows, trees, paths, and architectural options.
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Lovers’ Lane and Presidio: eucalyptus trees, wooded paths, and softer greenery.
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Legion of Honor area: classical architecture, columns, trees, and nearby coastal scenery.
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Embarcadero: waterfront, piers, city architecture, and Bay Bridge views.
Marin
Open landscapes, beaches, redwoods, rolling hills, and rugged coastline just across the Golden Gate.
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Marin Headlands: hills, ocean, cliffs, trails, and Golden Gate Bridge views.
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Rodeo Beach: dark pebbly beach, cliffs, ocean, and rugged coastline.
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Muir Beach Overlook: cliffs and expansive Pacific views.
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Stinson Beach: broad sandy beach with hills rising behind it.
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China Camp State Park: shoreline, oak woodland, trails, and historic structures.
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Marin County Civic Center: mid-century architecture, curved lines, arches, blue roofs, and landscaped grounds.
Think about accessibility
A beautiful location also needs to work for the all people coming with you.
Plan for walking distance, terrain, parking, strollers, mobility needs, and how much exploring you want to do during your session.
Have specific mobility or accessibility needs? Let me know before we choose a location so we can make sure it works for everyone.
Find a location by setting
Sometimes you don’t know where you want to go, but you do have an idea of what you want it to look like.
Beach
Bare feet, open skies, movement, water, and plenty of room for kids to explore.
Coast
Cliffs, trails, wind, rocky shorelines, and landscapes with a little more drama.
Forest
Tall trees, filtered light, winding trails, and plenty of green.
Park
Grass, trees, pathways, and space for families to move and play.
Rolling hills
Golden grass, oak trees, open landscapes, and seasonal changes throughout the year.
Urban
City streets, colorful walls, interesting buildings, stairs, textures, and clean architectural lines.
Don't forget about the crowds
Some of the Bay Area’s most recognizable locations are also some of its busiest. The day of the week, time of day, season, and weather can make a big difference.
These spots can be busy, particularly on weekends. We can choose our timing carefully or embrace a location where there is more activity around us.