San Francisco Beaches for Photo Shoots ~ Which Beach is the Best for You?

Here are the 10 beaches in San Francisco, and what kind of images you will be able to get if you do a photo shoot in each places!

In each of these beaches, I go over what kind of backdrops you can expect at these beaches, parking, ease of getting to the beach, and how crowded it can get. Each of these will make a difference in whether it’s suitable for a maternity shoot, shoot with little kids, couples, and more so I also provided my suggestions for each beach!

Let me know if you ever have any questions! Or you can always inquire about a session here, and we can go through the different options together.  If you want more information on these beaches and how to get to them on your own, go visit my family travel blog ~ Henry and Andrew’s Guide! Here, I show you where to park, how long it takes from parking to beach, whether there are bathrooms, how big the waves get, etc.

China Beach, San Francisco for Photo Shoots

What backdrops to expect: A pretty secluded, smaller beach with rock formations and small caves. Golden Gate Bridge. 100% of the time I have been there, it hasn’t been too foggy, luckily, or it just doesn’t get foggy there much?! Honestly, this is my favorite beach to come to with my family with 2 small toddlers. The beach itself isn’t that big, so you won’t be chasing them for miles and miles.

Parking: Small dedicated parking lot, which is not usually full unless it’s a gorgeous day on the weekend.

Crowds: Pretty secluded. The the golden hours, maybe 5-10 people at most on a normal day.

Ease of Getting There: Pretty easy! From the parking lot, you can either go down a ramp (wheelchair and stroller friendly) or down the steps. Probably a 3-5 minute walk down.

Best for: Families with toddlers who like to run around, couples, modest boudoir (clothing is technically not optional, but there are secluded coves that makes for a decently private shoot), couples, and maternity.

Not so great for: Reception is very spotty here, so if you need a lot of coordination among people, it’s not great. It’s also not best if someone wants the bridge really close or wants a vast big ocean/beach feel.

Aquatic Park, San Francisco for Photo Shoots

What backdrops to expect: Boats, Ghirardelli Square, green lawns, cable cars, steps, brave swimmers, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge afar.

Parking: Street or garage parking about 2 minute walk from the beach.

Crowds: Not bad, besides the tourists around. Crowded on a sunny day.

Ease of Getting There: Easy! There is limited street parking but also a lot of public transportation options as well as garage parking across the lawn and street.

Best for: Lifestyle family, traveler, and couples shoots with a fun twist.

Not so great for: Romantic or the “secluded” nature-inspired looks. Oh, and of course, not so great for boudoir. :)

If you want to check out some iPhone, non-edited images from this beach, I have some on my family travel page here.

Marshall’s Beach, San Francisco for Photo Shoots

What backdrops to expect: Closest view of the bridge from a beach in the city! There’s also a lot of cool rocks of all sizes, which makes it for a little more interesting backdrop. On the trail to get to the beach, there are wildflowers and tall grass. Breathtaking views from the trail as well with viewpoints along the way. Right by the Langdon Court Parking lot are tall trees and also an up-close view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Parking: Park either at Langdon Court Parking or at Baker Beach. There is usually plenty of parking at both, unless it’s a rare hot sunny day in San Francisco, then may get full.

Crowds: It’s not as crowded as Baker Beach, but on a nice day, you do have to wait around a couple of minutes sometimes if you don’t want to photo shop out people for hours later.

Ease of Getting There: You will need to hike down a pretty steep set of stairs and trail to get to the beach from either parking lot. I prefer the Langdon Court Parking lot and walk down on the Battery to Bluffs trail because it seems shorter, but you also could park closer to Baker Beach and make your way on the Batteries to Bluff Trail from that end. Google Maps shows a 7 minute walk, but it could be longer if you stopped to take in the views, or if you are with kids.

Best for: Couples, families with older kids or adventurous families, boudoir (because it’s a clothing optional beach).

Not so great for: Families with smaller kids that do not like to hike, maternity.

Ocean Beach, San Francisco for Photo Shoots

What backdrops to expect: Vast ocean (like miles and miles), rock formations, Cliff House, off-leash dogs, cave like structures at low tide, can walk close to Sutro Baths on super low tide, and graffiti walls. Oh and fog. Lots of fog (many days).

Parking: Lots, right off the beach.

Crowds: Can get crowded on a sunny day, but that’s rare. More people closer to the Cliff House/rock formations, but still easily avoidable.

Ease of Getting There: Easy! N Judah and buses run to the beach, and parking is right off the beach so easily accessible. There is small set of steps at some parts of the beach but that’s it.

Best for: Anyone and every genre except for boudoir (unless it’s a modest, clothed one)!

Not so great for: Kids who tend to try to jump into the water and parents who don’t want to chase them too far. Those who want the Golden Gate Bridge in the back. Or who do not like dogs. There are a lot of off-leash dogs on this beach! This beach also tends to get foggy, so if someone wants to avoid that, this beach isn’t so great.

If you want to check out some iPhone, non-edited images from this beach, I have some on my family travel page here.

Baker Beach, San Francisco for Photo Shoots

What backdrops to expect: Vast beach with Golden Gate Bridge. There are also steps that are pretty, and the wooded area up top is also nice. It is a big beach, so you have a lot of space for walking (or running if you are running after your dog or kids!). The sand has a “black sand” look, which looks pretty cool.

Parking: Big dedicated parking lot, which is on the beach.

Crowds: It can get crowded, but it’s such a big beach, you can work around anyone to shoot. Also, many background people become like tiny ants, so it’s easy to Photoshop out later.

Ease of Getting There: Super easy. There’s a big parking lot, and the beach. Not much walking necessary.

Best for: Anyone and every type of shoot. The Northern end is clothing optional beach, so boudoir is totally ok (except it is one of the busier beach so those who are shy should opt for another beach more secluded).

Not so great for: Kids who tend to try to jump into the water and parents who don’t want to chase them too far. Also, the beach is gorgeous with the bridge in the back and the soft lighting it gets, but besides that, it lacks other details like rock formations.

Mile Rock Beach (Lands End), San Francisco for Photo Shoots

What backdrops to expect: Huge rock formations, rugged beach, gorgeous trail, Golden Gate Bridge from afar (or peek-a-boo view depending on the angle), waves crashing into the rock formations. Also close to the Labyrinth, and depending on where you park, you get to start at Sutro Baths area, the Lands End overlook, or Legion of Honor.

Parking: Far away, either at Lands End parking lots, or Legion of Honor parking lot.

Crowds: On the weekends especially, it could get crowded for how small this beach is.

Ease of Getting There: Pretty far. About 15-20 minute walk from any of the parking lots.

Best for: Dramatic shots with waves crashing in. Couples and families with a good baby carrier (under 2) or older kids. Branding and other portrait photos will be pretty cool here too.

Not so great for: Maternity - too many things you can trip on/steps! Toddlers who do not like to hike or with unstable feet. Boudoir - it’s not a nude beach and there’s no secluded areas to be private unless no one is at the beach. Kids around 2-3 years old who tend to be afraid of the ocean. The waves here are pretty big!

If you want to check out some iPhone, non-edited images from this beach, I have some on my family travel page here.

Crissy Field East Beach, San Francisco for Photo Shoots

What backdrops to expect: Pretty big beach with Golden Gate Bridge, rock wall and a building on the other side. Gentle waves.

Parking: Easy! A pretty big one right off the beach.

Crowds: Decently crowded on a nice day.

Ease of Getting There: Super easy. Parking lot right off the beach.

Best for: Family, friends and fun, simple shoots. Great beach to tack onto the Palace of Fine Arts because it’s the closest beach to that location.

Not so great for: Dramatic shots with waves and other elements.

Fort Funston Beach, San Francisco for Photo Shoots

What backdrops to expect: Gorgeous green flowers/coastal greenery on the side, big beach - connected to Ocean Beach. Off leash dogs. Tall cliffs.

Parking: Lots of parking but far away from the beach.

Crowds: Not too crowded.

Ease of Getting There: You will have to go down a pretty steep grade of beach sand from the parking lot and a little bit of hiking. Going down might be easy, but you need some strength to go back up!

Best for: Adventure hikers, dog lovers, and those who want a secluded feel.

Not so great for: Dramatic shots with waves and other elements. Families with babies because of how hard it is to get to - and it’s basically ocean beach, so might as well go there unless you really want that tall cliff feel.

If you want to check out some iPhone, non-edited images from this beach, I have some on my family travel page here.

West Crissy Field Beach (by the Warming Hut), San Francisco for Photo Shoots

What backdrops to expect: City skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, green grassy fields, and flat concrete slab (pictured) you can walk on at low tided.

Parking: About a 3-5 minute walk from the beach by the Warming Hut!

Crowds: The beach itself is usually not crowded. Might have to wait a minute or two to avoid people, but not bad.

Ease of Getting There: Super easy! Parking lot for the Warming Hut is right there, and rest is flat and easy to walk to.

Best for: Anyone, but great for tacking on to shooting by the rocky paths, and green grass with the bridge.

Not so great for: Those looking for sweeping ocean views. This beach is pretty small, and parts of it are not attractive, so areas to shoot are limited.

Wave Organ Beach, San Francisco for Photo Shoots

What backdrops to expect: Alcatraz, the wave organ, and the city skyline.

Parking: There’s some by the St. Francis Yacht Club, but besides that, East Beach Parking lot is the closest.

Crowds: Really depends. Not much, but it is such a small beach, it could seem like there are many. Most people come for the wave organ, and when they realize you can’t hear anything because of low tide, they don’t stick around for the “beach” part.

Ease of Getting There: Pretty easy. From either parking lot, it’s a flat surface (wheelchair and stroller friendly). Maybe about a 5-10 minute walk depending on where you are coming from.

Best for: Well thought out shoots timed with low tide. Besides that, it’s a great family beach or great for fun, lifestyle couples shoots.

Not so great for: Last minute shoots when it’s high tide. Boudoir. It’s a small beach with lots of people on land and on water (sailboats, kayaks, etc.)

Here’s a map of these beaches so if you want to choose based on location, here it is!

Are you thinking of going to these beaches on your own? Check out my post on more details about how to get to these beaches, parking, how high the waves get, how kid friendly they are, etc on my family travel blog ~ Henry and Andrew’s Guide!