15 Aug Instagrammable SF – The Most Picturesque Spots in San Francisco

When you’re as beautiful as San Francisco, everyone wants to take your picture! With panoramic vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge, beautiful bridge-to-bridge Bay views that include Alcatraz, and iconic spots like Lombard Street, the murals of the Mission, and the Painted Ladies – it’s no wonder San Francisco is one of the most photogenic cities in the world.

San Francisco is also the birthplace of Instagram, so we asked ourselves: What are the best Instagram spots in San Francisco? Some are obvious, some are quirky, some are scenic – but all are uniquely San Francisco. We’ve created an Instagram tour of San Francisco that takes you on a morning waterfront walk and includes lunch at one of San Francisco’s best Chinese restaurants, and an afternoon in Chinatown and Union Square.

• Cupid’s Span (Embarcadero) – Located on the waterfront between Howard and Folsom, Cupid’s Span is an outdoor sculpture depicting Cupid’s bow and arrow embedded in the grass of Rincon Park. The sculpture was donated by Gap founders Donald and Doris Fisher and created by husband and wife artist team Coosje van Bruggen and Claes Oldenburg. The striking sculpture is made even more romantic and photogenic with views of the famous San Francisco Bay Bridge in the background.
• Pier 7 (Embarcadero) – Walk out to the end of Pier 7 and take in the beautiful views to the east of Treasure Island and the Bay Bridge. Then, turn around for a picture perfect shot of the iconic Transamerica pyramid. Pier 7 is located on San Francisco’s Embarcadero waterfront, just north of Pier 3. Insider’s tip to San Francisco’s waterfront – the odd-numbered piers are located to the north of the Bay Bridge, while the even-numbered piers are to the south.
• Umbrella Alley (Fisherman’s Wharf) – Located at 757 Beach Street in the heart of Fisherman’s Wharf, Umbrella Alley is a colorfully creative mural and street art destination. Umbrella Alley’s walls are covered with murals and art installations that are created by local artists, while overhead, a bursting display of colorful umbrellas and balloons is suspended from the rafters. Tag #umbrellaalleysf
• Coit Tower (Telegraph Hill) – Walk up Columbus Avenue to Greenwich, and make the climb up to Coit Tower to enjoy panoramic views. Built in 1933, Coit Tower was a gift to the City from Lillie Hitchcock Coit. The ground floor features 30+ fresco murals by local artists, and the top floor boasts stunning, bridge-to-bridge Bay views.

 

Columbus Tower — By Dllu – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

• Columbus Tower (North Beach) – Head south on Kearny to the intersection of Columbus, where you’ll find an outstanding shot of the distinctive Columbus Tower (also known as the Sentinel Building) with the Transamerica pyramid in the background. The distinctive copper-green Flatiron building straddles North Beach, Chinatown and the Financial District. It is home to Francis Ford Coppola’s American Zoetrope studio.
• Lunch at Z&Y – Walk up Jackson Street for lunch at Z&Y, widely considered to have the best Chinese food in San Francisco! Located in the heart of Chinatown, Z&Y is a family-owned award-winning restaurant serving authentic and delicious Sichuan food. Re-charge with their world-famous dumplings, Tea-Smoked Duck, signature Explosive Crispy Chicken, and dozens of other delicious options. See for yourself why Z&Y is a favorite San Francisco restaurant for locals and visitors!
• Red Lanterns & Dragon Gate – After lunch, take a stroll on Grant Avenue for great shots of the iconic Red Lanterns of Chinatown and the Dragon Gate. Installed over a decade ago, and renewed in 2023, Chinatown’s Red Lanterns represent love, hope and prosperity. The Dragon Gate, located at California Street, was completed in 1970 and is the “official” gateway to San Francisco’s historic Chinatown.
• Union Square – San Francisco’s high-end shopping and theatre district is home to several “Hearts of San Francisco” sculptures, including the iconic Tony Bennett heart “America’s Best City By the Bay” at the corner of Powell and Post Streets. You can also snap some great shots of the iconic cable cars heading up and down Powell Street.

Z & Y Restaurant

• Palace of Fine Arts (Marina) – The iconic Roman-style temple is a favorite proposal spot for couples! Built for the 1915 Pan-Pacific Exposition, the Palace of Fine Arts and surrounding garden is a stand-out photo spot.
• Painted Ladies (Alamo Square) – San Francisco’s most famous row of Victorian homes was made famous on TV’s Full House. Located on Steiner Street near Grove.
• California & Stockton (Nob Hill) – Look down from this spot, and you could capture 3 San Francisco icons in one shot: a steep hill, the Bay Bridge, and maybe even a cable car!
• Conservatory of Flowers, Japanese Tea Garden, Windmills (Golden Gate Park) – Golden Gate Park is home to several favorite spots for locals and for photographers. Spend a morning or afternoon exploring all this park has to offer.
• Mission District Murals (Mission) – The streets of the Mission are an outdoor art gallery, with vibrant murals adorning alleys and streets throughout. Start with the world-famous MaestraPeace Mural on the Women’s Building, and go from there!
• Tunnel Tops, Golden Gate Bridge Overlook (Presidio) – The Presidio of San Franciso offers loads of Instagrammable photo spots featuring panoramic views of the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s also a wonderful place to hike and explore.

Painted Ladies, Hayes Street, San Francisco

What will you need for your day of photography? Most importantly, be prepared for every type of weather! San Francisco can be warm, freezing, windy and misty all in the course of one hour. The weather can change from neighborhood to neighborhood. So, always bring a jacket just in case. Wear comfy shoes for walking. And, charge up your phone and bring a phone charger. Have fun!