San Francisco's Instagram Perfect Spots
- Helen
- Dec 10, 2018
- 5 min read
Updated: May 26, 2019
San Francisco is a diverse and spectacular metropolis. The ability to capture photographs worthy of the best travel Instagram account lie throughout the city.
City skyscraper buildings, the Golden Gate Bridge, beaches, parks and hilly streets with spectacular views are some of the well known images of San Francisco. In addition to this the city has a history of being the setting of the 1967 Summer of Love and it's hippy legacy lives on.
The rebuilding of San Francisco after earthquake and fire destroyed much of the area in 1906, gives architecture throughout the city of a stunning art-deco design.
Diverse cultures live together in the neighbourhoods of San Francisco with each bringing their own unique details to the facades of the streets.
So... San Francisco could be seen as a photographer's / Instagrammer's paradise - no matter your interests, you will not tire of capturing amazing images!
But where to start and what are some of the best photo spots in San Francisco to seek out?
San Francisco's Most Instagram Perfect Spots!
Alamo Square
One of the more iconic images of San Francisco is the stunning row of painted houses on Alamo Square a short distance from the heart of the city centre.
The houses here are all in a range of pastel colours each with their unique art-deco features.
A hilltop setting gives a backdrop view of the skyline of the downtown city, which adds to the images you can achieve.
Alamo Square itself has a raised park in the centre so that you can climb up the paths opposite the houses to gain great shots of them and views from various angles!
While in Alamo Square, also take a stroll around the rest of the square. The houses here are all unique in their architecture and equally beautiful!
If you love pretty art deco homes then Alamo Square will serve you well and keep your Instagram followers happy.
The Mosaic Steps
Set within residential neighbourhoods in the Golden Gate Heights area of San Francisco are two sets of colourful and creative mosaic steps.
The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps were created in 2003 up the 163 steps on Moraga Street and provide a 'sea to stars' theme as you travel up them.
The Hidden Garden Steps, also on 16th Avenue were installed ten years later and depict flowers, butterflies and mushrooms in a great array of colours upon the 148 steps here.
Both steps are equally Instagrammable and unique.
The only problem you might have is finding a time when the steps are quiet enough to be able to get your shots without other visitors in the way doing the same!
Upper Haight Street
As mentioned above, San Francisco was the centre of the 1967 hippy movement that became the Summer of Love when 500,000 flower children hit the city seeking free love!
The legacy of this free and colourful movement lives on in San Francisco and no where more so than in the Haight-Ashbury district with Upper Haight Street being a focal point.
Here you will find brightly coloured and psychedelically decorated shop fronts and murals, with a strong hippy culture among the community.
For colourful, interesting and just a bit zany images for your Instagram account, Haight Street is the place to go!
Clarion Alley
When street art and murals are key to your photography passion or Instagram images then look no further than Clarion Alley in San Francisco.
Clarion Alley can be found within the Mission District of the city, known for being the Hispanic neighbourhood. This part of the city is already an explosion of colour with vibrant shops and restaurants offering Mexican and South American fare. However, the Mission also offers a large amount of street art, predominantly with a social or political message.
Murals are found in various parts of the neighbourhood but Clarion Alley is worth a visit. This long alley-way is adorned with art of various forms to the walls on both sides (and the ground!). The artworks change frequently as the artists paint over one another's work but no matter when you go you will find fascinating and poignant creations worth capturing for your Instagram audience!
The Palace of Fine Arts
Within the Marina district of the city can be found The Palace of Fine Arts, a neo-classical monument built to reflect the grandeur of Roman ruins.
Originally built as a temporary structure for the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition within the city, The Palace of Fine Arts remained intact and in the 1960s was restored and strengthened to ensure it lives on in its splendour today.
Set upon a lake and with columns, archways and an impressive rotunda roof, the structure here allows for beautiful images evoking magnificence, splendour and romance.
Japanese Tea Garden
Found within Golden Gate Park (see previous post) lies the Japanese Tea Garden.
As you step into the garden here you would be forgiven for thinking you have walked directly into Japan itself.
An Instagrammer's paradise, the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco provides opportunities to capture images of waterfalls, ponds and other water features as well as oriental plants and flowers alongside hidden pagodas, bridges and ornaments.
The Palace Hotel
When grandeur and rich decoration make you snap happy then The Palace Hotel in the heart of downtown San Francisco is the place to be!
Rebuilt in 1909 following earthquake and fire, the hotel offers grand decoration throughout with gold gilt edging, chandeliers, marble floors and exquisite art...
Don't worry if you cannot afford to book into the hotel to capture images of the interior (I certainly could not!)... Just pop in for a peruse and discreetly snap their beautiful passageways, lobby and lounge - you won't be disappointed!
The Golden Gate Bridge
A post about the perfect Instagram spots of San Francisco could not be left without including the city's most iconic landmark, the Golden Gate Bridge!
In and around the city you will find various points at which to capture great shots of the bridge (weather dependent!)...
You can capture good images of the bridge from the entrance (gate) to the bridge itself (if you are about to walk or cycle across) or from the north side of the bridge it is worth heading to viewing locations including Battery Spencer or Hawk Hill.
From the city, other great views of the bridge are gained from Lands End, Chrissy Field or climbing up to the hilltops behind Fort Mason or to Coit Tower.
Ghiradelli Square (by night!)
If you enjoy ice cream and chocolate then San Francisco has offerings of both as the birthplace of family chocolate manufacturer Ghiradelli.
Ghiradelli Square was originally the site of the main manufacturing buildings for the business. The square today houses Ghiradelli chocolate shops and cafes selling all the ice cream and chocolate confectionery you could want.
Above the Square is a large 'Ghiradelli' sign, which when lit at night adds magic to the area..
Get your camera ready capturing images of the beautiful night time lights in and around the Square and then make your Instagram audience jealous with some shots of the impressive ice cream sundaes you order before you devour!
Above are a selection of the best photo spots for Instagram images that San Francisco has to offer, although there are certainly more besides!
If you have been to San Francisco and have thoughts on anything you would add here then please share it below.....
Happy Snapping and Instagramming!
Oh, and if you do enjoy travel and taking great photos, why not check out my post on the best Instagram spots of Paris too!
Follow me and my travels on Instagram at: @nomadwithanotebook
**To make my travels possible and affordable I do so through international house-sitting, using both Trusted Housesitters and Kiwi Housesitters**
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