Trip to San Fran

[moomin]

Hey everybody,

In a few weeks Im off on Holiday and am lucky enough to be heading to San Fran. I was just wondering if you guys could give me some tips on what to see and photograph, where to go, and if I should consider picking up a new lense or laptop / netbook.

So we have the trip split into 3 dollops, some time in the city, then out to yosemate and then wine country.

Im travelling from the uk BTW so the exchange rate isnt great at the moment.

thanks
dan

[ngwillym]

spent a couple of days there last year so:-
the standards - Golden Gate, Bay Bridge, Pier 39, the trams - try taking pics wihile riding one!
Its worth taking the trip to Alcatraz

If you've got a car the head over the Bay Bridge to Berkley etc. also take a drive out to the Pacific coast. aA little further out is a Navy museum - over the Bay bridge.

hope this helps



city Hall photographs quite well

[mtd885]

Wow right in my bailiwick! Night time is the right time in SF, don't forget that!. Head up to twin peaks and take some great shots overlooking the City. It's THE PLACE to get a panorama shot of the whole Bay area. Muir woods and Mt Tam are beautiful and from atop the mountain you can get phenomenal shots of SF as well. With 7 hills there are too many vistas to mention them all. Alcatraz tour is well worth it also some great shots of the City from the Bay. The districts, Chinatown is a color filled busy place to get some incredible people shots. The assortment of edibles in some of those shops make for pics to talk about. North Beach; Stop at Cafe Trieste at Green/Grant where a lot of Photo schools stop in to check out the photos and talk photography (best coffee in town). North Beach itself with Coit Tower (a great story) and Broadway make for some shots. Don't forget the churches Peter N Paul where Joe and Marilyn were married and St Francis of Assisi's Shrine across from the Cafe. The Flat iron buildings and Transamerica Pyramid make for nice composition. Make sure you get a pic of the Flat Iron that houses Francis Ford Coppolas restaurant on Columbus Ave--A CLASSIC...have fun!

[nowonder]

If you have a good low-light lens, Alcatraz at night is a blast. It is more expensive, but it includes more than the normal tour. Get tickets NOW, they well out well in advance.
--nw

[teedlepeep]

I have to ask ... is Alcatraz haunted ??

[nowonder]

Originally Posted by teedlepeep

I have to ask ... is Alcatraz haunted ??

Well, I didn't see any ghosts... And the park rangers didn't tell any ghost stories.

But the night tour did get to see the hospital section that is normally closed during the day... uber creepy.

--nw

[teedlepeep]

I watch a paranormal show and they frequently have old prisons and hospitals on. I figured if any were it was The Rock The med lab does look creepy as hell. Imagine having to be there instead of just visiting !

[save_alkaline]

it is 'supposedly' haunted. i hope i'm not breaking any rules by adding this link but it has a lot of interesting information on both the history and haunting of alcatraz. if it breaks the rules, please delete it and accepts my apologies.

http://www.prairieghosts.com/gpalcatraz.html


have fun in san fran. i haven't been there yet but i look forward to doing so.

[Rolling Stone]

Along with mtd885 picks' here are a few more. Haight/Ashbury for colorful victorians and being next to Golden Gate Park could take you many photo ops. Like Japanese Tea Garden and many others. Fishermans wharf for the colorful fishing boats and seals. The surrounding Embarcadaro area. SoMo for urban shots. BOTH ends of the Golden Gate Bridge. In the middle of the Bay Bridge, take the Treasure Island/Yerba Buena Island exit. You'll get some fantastic San Fran cityscape shots from T.I.. In between San Fran and the wine country sits Marin County. Try to check out Sausalito, Mill Valley and Tiburon. Muir Woods is a big stop for photographers. You MUST get a sunset shot atop Mt. Tam! Napa Valley and Sonoma Are great relaxing places to shoot. You will, of course you wish you had more time for your trip. It's a beautiful area. You will have fun.

[m.c.adams]

At the north end of the bridge is the exit for the Marin Highlands. You can drive up there and their is plenty of places to pull over and get great shots of the bridge.
Mark