Today I dive into a topic I’m both passionate about and constantly learning more about! Which GREAT San Francisco portrait locations are NEAR San Francisco City Hall?
I’m not talking about the building itself – but outdoor locations around the City of San Francisco! I am looking at locations that are both practical in their proximity to San Francisco City Hall and their beauty for wedding photos.
You know how it is – you want to keep coverage time to a minimum, but still get awesome pictures.
Whether it comes down to saving money or time, I got you! Don’t want to spend 3 – 4 hours on your big day just doing pictures? No worries! Many of these can be added on to your base package with me and we can keep total coverage time to 2.5 hours on your big day.
Even if you’re not really thinking about portrait locations near City Hall I highly recommend you take a peek! You never know what other locations might spring to mind.
No problem! Whether you’re eloping or a Bay Area local, you probably know about the most famous spots. Among them, the Golden Gate Bridge, Legion of Honor, Palace of Fine Arts and the many windswept beach locations!
However, some of those awesome portrait locations can take 30+ minutes. Plus traffic and parking. After the 2 hours we’ll need to allocate to pictures at City Hall, that will mean a minimum of 3 hours coverage time. Phew!
So without further ado, my 10 favorite photo locations near San Francisco City Hall!*
They’re either places I’ve photographed at or bucket list spots. If you’re interested in figuring out which one makes sense for your unique wedding day, please reach out!
Every photo spot on this list is less than 3 miles from San Francisco City Hall!
Wondering how to get around on your SF City Hall wedding day? I have you covered!
Want more info about a San Francisco City Hall wedding photographer? If you want a photographer who can make beautiful memories at your SF City Hall wedding day, I can’t wait to hear from you!
View all on map:
Table of Contents
1. Painted Ladies & Alamo Square Park
Painted Ladies – Alamo Square Park. | Photo by Dawid Bilski Photography
Distance from City Hall: 1 mile, about 7 mins drive time
What does this location offer? One of the most photographed locations in San Francisco, Alamo Square’s famous “postcard row” at Hayes and Steiner Streets is a visual treat. A tight, escalating formation of Victorian houses is back-dropped by downtown skyscrapers, providing a stunning contrast.
What to put into Google Maps (click link to open in Maps): The Painted Ladies, Steiner St &, Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94117
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2. Corona Heights Park
Couple’s photography at Corona Heights Park | Photos by Zoe Larkin Photography
Distance from City Hall: 1.9 miles, about 12 mins drive time
What does this location offer? Corona Heights Park is a craggy outcropping featuring beautiful red rocks, like something from Arizona or Utah! It affords beautiful views over the City and is, as you’d expect, very windy up there. The hike is mild considering the elevation.
What to put into Google Maps (click link to open in Maps): Roosevelt Way & Museum Way, San Francisco, CA 94114
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3. Mission Dolores Park
Couple at the top of the hill in Dolores Park | Photo by Zoe Larkin Photography
Distance from City Hall: 1.8 miles, around 12 mins drive time
What does this location offer? Here you’ll find lush green lawns shaded by tall palm trees, winding paths all flanked by Victorian houses and the Muni stop at the far end. It affords beautiful views of the City and takes about 5-7 minutes of walking to reach the highest point in the park.
What to put into Google Maps (click link to open in Maps): Mission Dolores Park Dolores St &, 19th St
Top tip – As this is my favorite location, I’ve a separate guide dedicated exclusively to Mission SF photo locations!
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4. Mission District Street Art
Clarion Alley street art in the heart of the Mission District | Photos by Zoe Larkin Photography
Distance from City Hall: 1.3 miles, around 10 mins drive time
What does this location offer? A pedestrian-friendly street that is a virtual outdoor art gallery full of vibrant murals, featuring themes ranging from cultural heritage to social-political statements. A chill vibe great for colorful pictures, that sometimes takes a bit of waiting for tour groups to clear.
What to put into Google Maps (click link to open in Maps): Clarion Alley Street Art, 90 Clarion Alley, San Francisco, CA 94110
Balmy Alley in the 24th St Mission area | Photos by Zoe Larkin Photography
Or try (above):
Balmy Alley, 50 Balmy St, San Francisco, CA 94110 – 2.2 miles, around 13 mins drive time
Top tip – As this is my favorite location, I’ve a separate guide dedicated exclusively to Mission SF photo locations!
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5. Pier 7
Pier 7 is a perfect spot for photos after your City Hall wedding or for your engagement | Photos by Hillary Jeanne Photography
Distance from City Hall: 2.6 miles, around 18 mins drive time
What does this location offer? A simple wooden pier frequented by fishermen and photographers alike, it offers respite from the busy Embarcadero and opportunities for capturing the Transamerica Pyramid right above you, antique lampposts, and lots of pleasing symmetry!
What to put into Google Maps (click link to open in Maps): Pier 7, San Francisco, CA 94105
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6. Downtown – Cable Car Turnaround
Downtown cable car turnaround at Powell St | Photos by Zoe Larkin Photography
Distance from City Hall: 2 miles, around 12 mins drive time or take BART
What does this location offer? A busy and bustling area in the heart of San Francisco’s shopping district, this is where the historic cable cars are turned around by hand. As this is the holding spot for the cable cars, a friendly guard may well allow you to hop on your own cable car for some pics.
What to put into Google Maps (click link to open in Maps): Cable Car Turnaround Powell St., Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94102
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7. Ferry Building
Outside the Ferry Building on San Francisco’s Embarcadero | Photos by Zoe Larkin Photography
Distance from City Hall: 3.1 miles, around 16 mins drive time – or take BART or the cute little Muni streetcar
What does this location offer? This building is both a thriving artisanal marketplace and a terminal for ferries that travel across the San Francisco Bay. It’s a vibrant area with cars and the Muni cards from all over the world speeding down the Embarcadero. The building itself has a beautiful Beaux Arts style.
What to put into Google Maps (click link to open in Maps): Ferry Building, 1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94111
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8. Haight Ashbury
Haight Ashbury – storefronts, street-art and lots of urban touches | Photos by Amina Ford Photography
Distance from City Hall: 2 miles, about 12 mins drive time
What does this location offer? This neighborhood is known for having been the birthplace of the hippie counterculture of the 1960s and is synonymous with the Summer of Love. Today it boasts unusual boutiques, many of a spiritual bent. Expect local color, street art, murals and quirky window displays.
What to put into Google Maps (click link to open in Maps): 1439 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117
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9. Chinatown
Chinatown, San Francisco, full of color and life | Photo by Nakai Photography
Distance from City Hall: 1.8 miles, about 9 mins drive time
What does this location offer? San Francisco Chinatown is the largest Chinatown outside of Asia as well as the oldest Chinatown in North America. Expect to see Chinese produce galore, shops, restaurants, beautiful street decorations and lots of color, fun and life all with a Chinese flavor.
What to put into Google Maps (click link to open in Maps): Dragon’s Gate, Bush St, Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108
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10. Lyon Street Steps
Top of the Lyon Street Steps, Pacific Heights | Photo by Gladys Jem Photography
Distance from City Hall: 2.7 miles, about 14 mins drive time
What does this location offer? This is a pretty 288-step, two-block long, hidden staircase with amazing views over the Palace of Fine Arts Dome and the blue San Francisco Bay. We, of course, want to be at the top! It has an elegant, old-world feel with its manicured hedges. Expect to pause for runners now and then.
What to put into Google Maps (click link to open in Maps): Lyon Street Steps, 2990-2996 Lyon St & Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94115
Though I didn’t hit Lyon Street Steps, I recently forayed into Pacific Heights for this cool engagement shoot! We hit some different, super pretty locations with that gorgeous, iconic San Francisco Victorian mansion look!
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11. Bonus location: Potrero Hill
Potrero Hill famous portrait location on Wisconsin and 20th St | Photo by Zoe Larkin Photography
Distance from City Hall: 2 miles, about 12 mins drive time
What does this location offer? This spot has views over the San Francisco skyline and due to being on the crest of the hill looks like you’re floating! It takes about 5 minutes to get pictures here. We are standing in the middle of a busy traffic intersection at Wisconsin & 20th so it isn’t a place to linger!
What to put into Google Maps (click link to open in Maps): Wisconsin St & 20th St, San Francisco, CA 94107
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Please note
*I’ve included a worst-case scenario estimate for travel time, but it’s still worth checking before you go. Distances are approximate, as Google Maps always routes depending on traffic.
If taking BART, Muni or your own car, travel time may vary considerably. Photography is literally about light (‘drawing with light’) and the photos you’ll see online are ones where the light from the sun was at a specific angle with perfect weather conditions. When I’m considering a location, light is my top concern.
If you’d like to get specific suggestions for what works at the specific time of day you’ll do your wedding portraits, please get in touch. I’ve limited this list of portrait locations to those very near City Hall but I also have a San Francisco-wide photo locations list linked below.
That concludes my list of photo locations near San Francisco City Hall!
Be sure to check out my guide to getting married at City Hall, linked below!
Always up to date, my guide takes you through it step by step and is the planning resource you’ve been looking for. Find out more about my San Francisco City Hall wedding photography services here.
If you’re considering going for a meal or reception right after your SF City Hall wedding, I’ve created a guide to my 12 favorite hippest spots that welcome City Hall couples and their guests.
When you choose me as your San Francisco City Hall wedding photographer I will help you with everything you need to know about the process of getting married at City Hall as well as help preparing for your photos and with understanding the entire process of what happens before, during and after your SF City Hall wedding day!
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