This list is a mile wide and an inch deep. I go into much more detail about select groups of locations in other posts, like the ones listed below. But the Bay Area is expansive and the list of locations I love or am excited to explore is long. This roundup list includes a brief intro to each.
I have organized this list in multiple ways so that you can quickly find the information you are looking for. They are grouped in these four ways – region, vibe, accessibility, and crowds.
Navigate quickly with the dropdowns below.
And if you are looking for more detailed regional information, here are a few other great resources –
By Region
I have broken this post into four regions – North & East Bay, Marin Headlands, San Francisco, and a handful from points farther flung.
By Vibe
We have very distinct environments in the Bay Area. If you have a sense of what you want your photos to feel like and need inspiration, this is the place to start.
Accessibility
This is meant to give you a sense of how easy or hard it is to reach a location. Remember that beaches are tough for wheelchairs even if the “access” is good. “Adventures” are typically longer walks, steeper trails, or locations that just feel more remote. Also, I am basing these details on my memory, so please double-check for wheelchair access before making plans!
Crowds
A select group of locations on either end of the business spectrum. Avoid the “busiest” places on weekends, especially in the afternoon. Consider a “most quiet” spot if your family likes a sense of privacy and space.
The Whole List
(in no particular order)
Kehoe Beach
Kehoe Beach is a hidden gem in the Point Reyes National Seashore. Just an easy, 0.6 mile walk, this slice of Pacific paradise is nestled between a creek to the south and towering sandstone bluffs to the north. Kehoe is a place to get away from it all, to find some adventure.
Learn more about Kehoe beach in this article about Marin locations.
Roy’s Redwoods
Roy’s Redwoods is located in the San Geronimo Valley of West Marin. It is a small redwood grove, but an incredibly picturesque one with classic Marin oak hills surrounding it. After a makeover in the Fall of 2024, there are now elevated wooden paths, adventure trails where you traverse fallen trees, and even an area for kids to build structures from branches on the forest floor. This is a favorite summertime photo session location since it provides shade and beautiful light well after sunrise or before sunset.
Click for a Roy’s Redwoods + San Geronimo Commons session gallery.
Ring Mountain
If you are looking for classic California hills, look no further. There are trails that lead from every direction toward the top of the hill, where you will find open space and sky, scattered oak groves, and beautiful grey boulders. From the top of the hill, you have a nearly panoramic Bay Area vista – from the Golden Gate Bridge to the iconic Mt. Tamalpais skyline.
Check out this Ring Mountain session gallery.
Bolinas Beach
A tidal inlet, Mt. Tam backdrop, dark sand, and sea cliffs. There’s water and wildlife everywhere, and the beach is dog-friendly. I want to take pictures of more families at Bolinas. There’s one big caveat – the tide has to be really low, otherwise there’s no beach!
Dickson Ranch
This location is only for families who are comfortable around horses. Dickson Ranch is a classic West Marin sort of place – expect oak trees and willows and funky buildings and a vintage vehicle rusting away in every shady corner. And horses, of course. Lots of horses. For families who love horses, Dickson offers a beautiful setting and welcomes anyone who wants to ramble around and enjoy the place.
Here’s a gallery from Dickson Ranch.
Mt. Tamalpais
Mt. Tam offers a huge variety of environments – rolling hills, deep redwood forests, iconic vistas – all within a relatively small area. It is also one of the few Bay Area locations typically above the coastal fog, making it a great photo session location for families that are looking for sunshine.
Check out this Mt. Tam Session Gallery & Location Guide.
Crissy Field Beach
Crissy Field is a big place with a lot to offer. One of my favorite hidden nooks is called Copper’s Corner, where you find towering Monterey Cypress right up against the beach. Watch the sun set behind the Golden Gate Bridge while the kids or dogs play at the water’s edge!
Check out this Crissy Field photo gallery.
Cavallo Point
Known to most parents for the Bay Area Discover Museum, it is a favorite of mine for photo sessions. The only problem is there are too many options and the spaces are huge. It is also worth noting that the coastal areas are a little underutilized and can feel rough around the edges. I love that about the place, but thought I should warn you 🙂
Check out this Cavallo Point photo gallery.
Rodeo Beach
The sheer awesomeness of Rodeo Beach can easily be overshadowed by its status as Mill Valley’s backyard beach. But there is a wetland, open headlands, and forested trails all within five minutes of the beach parking lot – a legitimately stunning location in its own right!
A foggy newborn session at Rodeo Beach.
South Rodeo Beach
This little cove feels vastly more isolated and rugged than the main Rodeo Beach. At high tide the only access is via a 1/4 mile trail, which starts at the Battery Alexander parking area. At low tide you can walk along the san from the north beach. For those wanting a beach that feels off-the-beaten-path, and a place where the Marin Headlands drop dramatically to the sand, this one’s for you.
A Battery Alexander + South Rodeo Beach gallery.
Battery Alexander
It seems there are endless old military batteries to explore in the Marin Headlands. But photographically speaking, Battery Alexander is one of my favorites. It is quiet, a short walk from the parking area, and sits on a picturesque hilltop with the flanks of Mt. Tamalpais dropping dramatically to the Pacific in the behind.
A Battery Alexander + South Rodeo Beach gallery.
Muir Woods
Marin’s Muir Woods is world famous for good reason. Nestled in a tight canyon with a beautiful creek, the setting for these towering coast redwoods is right out of a fairytale. But with fame comes crowds, so it is best to avoid peak hours. Reservations are required.
Learn more about Muir Woods in my Marin location guide.
Bon Tempe Lake (near fairfax)
I recently discovered this incredible Marin location, and it feels too good to be true – a beautiful blue lake, access to the shoreline, open oak forest with perfect sunset light…all right next to a parking area! About 15 minutes from Fairfax, we had the place to ourselves on a weekday afternoon.
A Fairfax Lakes session gallery.
Samuel P Taylor State Park
Think redwoods! This extensive park is nestled in a tight canyon along a creek. My favorite thing to do at Samuel P. Taylor is camp (yes, I love to photograph family camping trips 🙂 but there are also ample day use areas.
Tennessee Valley Trailhead
For Mill Valley families looking for an easy roadside family session location, Tennessee Valley checks all of the boxes. The drive is quick, there are open spaces and shaded nooks, and everything is a short walk from the parking area. This is a natural choice with little kids.
You can also get more adventurous and hike to the beach!
Presidio Wood Line
Lover’s Lane Trail is a 0.6 mile path through the Presidio of San Francisco. Along the trail is Andy Goldsworthy’s famous Wood Line, a life-sized sculpture – felled logs creating an aesthetic path through an ethereal, towering eucalyptus grove.
Here’s my full Lover’s Lane location guide.
San Francisco conservatory of Flowers
The Conservatory of Flowers is unique to this list because it is mostly indoors. This is the best spot I know of for a rainy day in San Francisco. The spaces are tight, so weekdays and mornings are best for photography. It is warm inside, so dress appropriately. And note that green clothing will blend in, while red will stand out.
Marshall’s Beach
Marshall’s is the closest beach to the Golden Gate Bridge, as well as one of the most stunning places to view sunsets in the city. The golden sand juxtaposed against the deep blue Pacific, the tree-topped sea cliffs, and the dark boulders scattered along the shoreline create a breathtaking environment.
But like the best things in life, Marshall’s requires some effort. Expect a 15 minute hike down a steep but well maintained trail. Oh and only go at low tide – at low tide there in no beach!
Here’s a fun sunset gallery from Marshall’s Beach.
Are you the one who always takes the pictures?
You deserve to be in photos with your family
Battery Mendell & Point Bonita
The most variety of any Marin Headland location – craggy ocean views, rolling green hills, iconic naval ruins – if you’re up for some walking. When I bring families or couples out here, we plan to keep moving and exploring, capturing unique compositions at every stop.
Thornton Beach & Bluffs
Fort Funston’s overshadowed sibling. Aesthetically, it is similar but the place feels weirdly off-the-beaten-track. You can find plenty of solitude here no matter the day of the week. I suggest photos at Thornton only for the more mobile families, as a fair amount of walking is required. And if you are hoping to access the beach, expect steep, sandy, and poorly maintained trails.
Here’s a sunset session gallery from Thornton Beach.
Stow Lake & Strawberry Hill
A large area with incredible variety. The lake feels like some storybook blend of an English pond and a West Coast forest. Expect stone bridges & row boats juxtaposed with Monterey Cypress & Redwoods. There is even an extensive, meandering manmade waterfall. Pick a small zone for your photo session so you don’t feel overwhelmed!
Here are more photos from Stow Lake and Strawberry Hill.
Battery Yates
One of the most singular and spectacular Golden Gate Bridge views out there. Not a great place for little kids due to steep stairs, cliff edges, and the battery itself.
My other favorite Golden Gate Bridge views.
Alta Plaza Park
Right in the middle of Pacific Heights, just a block from the famous Fillmore Street, Alta Plaza is the quintessential San Francisco city park. There is a playground and tennis courts, but also rolling green lawns, towering Monterey Cypress, and panoramic views from Alcatraz to the hills of Buena Vista. It’s ideal for a photo session that pairs an urban stroll with a beautiful green space.
Here’s a session gallery from Alta Plaza.
Lake Merced
San Francisco’s Lake Merced is extensive, with walking paths, boat houses, and even a golf course scattered around its edges. Most of the spaces aren’t spectacular for photography, but this little corner features great sunset light and a bridge with gorgeous lake views.
Here’s a full family session from Lake Merced.
Fort Point
Historic, aesthetic, and located underneath the Golden Gate Bridge, this is one of my favorite spots in San Francisco. The opportunities for unique lighting and composition inside abound. And the views of the Bay from on top are incredible. Kids of all ages will love this place, as there is plenty of space to run around, museums with fun naval displays, and endless hidden corners to be explored.
Palace of Fine Arts
The Palace of Fine Arts was built to look like a decaying ruin of ancient Rome. Soaring columns and arches flanked by redwoods and a quiet duck pond. Sunshine beams in through the unique geometric architecture during all hours of the morning and afternoon, creating an ever-changing pattern of light. This feels like the natural edge of elegance…a grand ruin in decay.
My other favorite maternity session locations in the Bay Area.
Baker Beach
A classic spot for a San Francisco beach photoshoot, both at sunrise and sunset. To the south, the Land’s End seacliffs create a stunning backdrop, and to the north is the Golden Gate Bridge. Within close proximity, you find sun-dappled forest, a historical military outpost, nearly a mile of beach, and beautiful rock formations.
Learn more with my complete Baker Beach location guide.
China Beach
Similar to Baker Beach but smaller, China Beach is best during afternoon light and really comes to life on a low tide, when you can explore the rocky coves and tide pools on either end of the main beach. China Beach is also often better than Baker Beach for wading and playing in the ocean, but please use caution and know your limits! Expect a 5-10 minute walk down a steep hill.
Mile Rock Beach
Mile Rock is a welcome respite from the city bustle. With a minimum 1-mile roundtrip walk and a steep and sandy staircase down to the beach, you rarely see more than a few people on the beach. With rocky headlands on all sides, driftwood strewn about, and very few buildings visible from the beach, it has a wild feel. This is another beach best visited at low tide.
You’ll find the best trailhead with my Land’s End location guide.
Land’s End
San Francisco’s Lands End is an icon. Nestled along the rugged coastline of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, this breathtaking location offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and iconic vistas. From panoramas of the Pacific Ocean to enchanting trails through cypress forests, Lands End provides a variety of environments to inspire creativity. There’s also a world famous view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Here’s my Land’s End photoshoot location guide.
Sutro Baths
World famous location for about any type of photoshoot, and it is especially popular for couples, engagement, and family photo sessions. Nestled along the rugged coastline of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, this historic site offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and unique architectural forms. From the dramatic cliffside views to the atmospheric ruins, Sutro Baths provides a variety of backdrops and compositions that inspire creativity.
Check out my Sutro Baths photoshoot location guide.
Steep Ravine
I am waiting for one of you to book a Steep Ravine cabin, bring your family, and hire me to document it. Steep Ravine is my favorite overnight in the Bay Area, and is perfect for adventurous families. The cabins are in one of the most stunning locations around, and the creekside trail follows a picturesque creek through dense forest. Oh, and Stinson Beach is nearby.
Kirby Cove
Again, I have camped here but never had a photo session. This place is unreal! From the beach, you feel like you can touch the Golden Gate Bridge. Walk just two minutes back up the trail and you might be in a forested canyon of Big Sur. The variety here is ideal for photography. But note that it loses light long before sunset.
Here are my favorite Golden Gate Bridge beach views.
Sutro Heights
Highly underrated, sometimes Sutro Heights Park feels like my personal secret photography spot. But it isn’t secret at all, it just happens to be overshadowed by the famous Lands End and Sutro Baths across Point Lobos Avenue.
The “secret sunset pad” at Sutro Heights.
Kelly’s Cove
Generally referred to as the “north end,” this is Outer Richmond’s slice of oceanfront. This zone has a more urban feel, with a paved beachfront promenade, lots of (often very cool) graffiti, and a huge expanse of popular firepits and volleyball nets. Kelly’s Cove abuts the spectacular cliffs and rocky outcroppings of Lands End. The rocky sandstone cliffs add incredible composition on sunny days, and texture and scale in the fog.
Ocean Beach
Ocean Beach is where San Francisco meets the Pacific Ocean, where urban energy meets wild natural forces. Depending on which part of this four mile stretch you choose to visit, your experience can vary widely from a quiet afternoon at Sunset Dunes Park to a crowded city vibe near the bonfire pits and volleyball games. The weather out here is equally variable, which adds to the mystique.
Here’s my complete Ocean Beach photoshoot location guide. I also
Fort Funston
Fort Funston is a hidden gem for coastal photoshoots near San Francisco. Nestled along the rugged shoreline just south of Ocean Beach, this southernmost stretch of the Golden Gate National Recreation area is known for its intricate sandstone cliffs, secluded beach, and expansive ocean view. Fort Funston is also an extremely popular area for dog owners and dog walkers, so it is best for those comfortable around pets.
Here’s a guide to Fort Funston photos.
SF Botanical Gardens
Encompassing 55 acres and 10 geographic ecosystems, you will find everything from spacious lawns to deep redwood forest. As a family photographer, the San Francisco Botanical Gardens never let me down. No matter the weather, the time of day, or the mood of the kids I’m photographing, we can always find a space or an activity to help us make artful and meaningful pictures.
My SF Botanical Gardens photoshoot location guide.
Gray Whale Cove
Gray Whale Cove marks a complete shift in the coastline. To me, it is the first point to the south where I feel like I am completely out of the San Francisco environs. Tucked into a canyon with a creek, a short but steep trail brings you to a white sand beach with stunning blue water. Expect crowded weekend afternoons and empty weekday mornings.
Check out this Gray Whale Cove vacation session.
McLaren Park
On the east side of San Francisco, McLaren gets more sunshing than most of the city. It also has a huge variety of environments in a small space, making it really fun for kids as there are unlimited places to explore. There’s a substantial redwood grove, multiple eucalyptus stands, a pond where dogs can swim, the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, as well as open-sky golden grass fields. There’s even a city skyline view! Here’s a session gallery from McLaren Park.
Montara Beach
Big and broad with clean white sand and coastal bluffs. There’s open space on every side and the water is often clear and blue. The sunset view is unbeatable. Bonus – it’s dog friendly!
Check out this secret elopement spot near Montara Beach!
College of Marin (Indian Valley Campus)
If you live in Novato, the College of Marin is an accessible and low-key photo session location. With lots of parking and multiple locations, this is a great option for extended families and those with multiple little kids. Expect scattered oak habitat with patches of open grass and small hills.
Joaquin Miller Regional Park
Close to Oakland and Berkeley, this East Bay gem has two distinct environments – dry oak forest and dense redwoods.
Point Reyes – Limantour Beach
I grew up in the Virgin Islands and on a sunny day with light winds there is nowhere that reminds me of home more than Limantour. The sand is coarse and white, and the ocean is an unexpected Caribbean shade of blue. Limatour is remote – follow a windy road from Point Reyes Station, then a walking path to the beach. Stop at Inverness Park Market for my favorite breakfast sandwich on the way :).
Point Reyes – Pebble & Shell Beaches
My family loves these beaches I am here to convince you to join me for my first photo session here. Two of the many beaches tucked into the west shore of Tomales Bay, Pebble Beach is unique for the aesthetic creek that here meets the ocean, and Shell Beach is a favorite for swimming. On warm days high tide will creep in over the hot sand making for the warmest ocean water I know of for swimming! Both are a bit of a hike, with Pebble being especially off the beaten path.
