Best classic places spots hotspots sites sights views photo locations to photograph for photography with maps tips ideas composition postcard photos cool beautiful pictures
Grand Prize in the National Self-Published Book Awards
Benjamin Franklin Award for Best First Book
Best Travel Guide, Benjamin Franklin Awards finalist
“Impressive in its presentation and abundance of material.”
— National Geographic Traveler
“PhotoSecrets books are an invaluable resource for photographers.”
— Nikon School of Photography
“One of the best travel photography books we’ve ever seen.”
— Minolta
“Guides you to the most visually distinctive places to explore with your camera.”
— Outdoor Photographer
“This could be one of the most needed travel books ever published!”
— San Francisco Bay Guardian
“The most useful travel guides for anyone with a camera.”
— Shutterbug’s Outdoor and Nature Photography
“Takes the guesswork out of shooting.”
— American Way (American Airlines magazine)
PhotoSecrets Golden Gate Bridge, first published September 14, 2017. This version output April 21, 2018.
Curated, coded and designed by Andrew Hudson. Copyright © Andrew Hudson for PhotoSecrets (Photo Tour Books, Inc.). Photos, text and maps copyrights are listed in the credits section.
“‘And what is the use of a book,’ thought Alice ‘without pictures or conversations?’”
— Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll
Thank you to the many talented photographers that generously made their photos available. Photos distributed by the following:
Text copyright of Wikipedia editors and contributors. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA).
Map data from OpenStreetMap and its contributors. Open data licensed under the Open Data Commons Open Database License (ODbL).
Cover image by Somchaij/Shutterstock.
Back cover image by .
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any way without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner(s) and the publisher of this book.
The information provided within this book is for general informational purposes only. Some information may be inadvertently incorrect, or may be incorrect in the source material, or may have changed since publication, this includes GPS coordinates, addresses, location titles, descriptions, Web links, and photo credits. Use with caution; do not photograph from roads or other dangerous places or when trespassing, even if GPS coordinates and/or maps indicate so; beware of moving vehicles; obey laws. The publisher and author cannot accept responsibility for any consequences arising from the use of this book. There are no representations or warranties, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the information, products, services, images, or graphics contained in this book for any purpose. Any use of this information is at your own risk.
For corrections, please send an email.
A great travel photograph, like a great news photograph, requires you to be in the right place at the right time to capture that special moment. Professional photographers have a short-hand phrase for this: “F8 and be there.”
There are countless books that can help you with photographic technique, the “F8” portion of that equation. But until now, there’s been little help for the other, more critical portion of that equation, the “be there” part. To find the right spot, you had to expend lots of time and shoe leather to wander around, track down every potential viewpoint, and essentially re-invent the wheel.
In my career as a professional travel photographer, well over half my time on location is spent seeking out the good angles. Andrew Hudson’s PhotoSecrets does all that legwork for you, so you can spend your time photographing instead of wandering about. It’s like having a professional location scout in your camera bag. I wish I had one of these books for every city I photograph on assignment.
PhotoSecrets can help you capture the most beautiful sights with a minimum of hassle and a maximum of enjoyment. So grab your camera, find your favorite PhotoSecrets spots, and “be there!”
Bob Krist has photographed assignments for National Geographic, National Geographic Traveler, Travel/Holiday, Smithsonian, and Islands. He won “Travel photographer of the Year” from the Society of American Travel Writers in 1994, 2007, and 2008.
For National Geographic, Bob has led round-the-world tours and a traveling lecture series. His book In Tuscany with Frances Mayes spent a month on The New York Times’ bestseller list and his how-to book Spirit of Place was hailed by American Photographer magazine as “the best book about travel photography we’ve ever read.”
The parents of three sons, Bob and his wife live in New Hope, Pennsylvania.
Thank you for reading PhotoSecrets. As a fellow fan of travel and photography, I hope this guide will help you quickly find the most visually stunning places, and come home with equally stunning photographs.
PhotoSecrets is designed to show you all the best sights. Flick through, see the classic shots, and use them as a departure point for your own creations. Get ideas for composition and interesting viewpoints. See what piques your interest. Know what to shoot, where to stand, when to go, and why it’s interesting. Now you can spend less time researching and more time photographing.
The idea for PhotoSecrets came during a trip to Thailand, when I tried to find the exotic beach used in the James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun. None of the guidebooks I had showed a picture, so I thought a guidebook of postcard photos would be useful for us photographers. Twenty-plus years later, you have this guide. Thanks!
Now, start exploring — and take lots of photos!
Originally an engineer, Andrew Hudson started PhotoSecrets in 1995. His first book won the Benjamin Franklin Award for Best First Book and his second won the Grand Prize in the National Self-Published Book Awards.
Andrew has published 38 nationally-distributed photography books. He has photographed assignments for Macy’s, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Men’s Health and Seventeen, and been a location scout for Nikon. His photos and articles have appeared in Alaska Airlines, National Geographic Traveler, Shutterbug Outdoor and Nature photography, Where, and Woman’s World.
Andrew has a degree in Computer Engineering from Manchester University and a certificate in copyright law from Harvard Law School. Born in Redditch, England, he lives with his wife, two kids, and two chocolate Labs, in San Diego, California.
At a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Golden Gate Bridge |
| Address: | Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco CA 94129 |
| Carries: | 6 lanes of US 101 plus two pedestrian/bike lanes |
| Crosses: | Golden Gate, a narrow entrance to SF Bay |
| Connects: | San Francisco and Marin County |
| Location: | California, USA |
| Material: | Steel |
| Length: | 2.7 km ( 1.7 miles) |
| Height: | 227 m (746 feet |
| Designers: | Joseph Strauss, Irving Morrow, and Charles Ellis |
| Opened: | 1937 |
| Award: | California Historical Landmark |
| GPS: | 37.818172, -122.478378 |
| Far: | 7 km (4 miles) from downtown San Francisco |
The most photographed bridge in the world is the icon of San Francisco, USA.
Photographer: Jessicakirsh
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
Where the bike path (Coastal Trail) meets the sidewalk.
| Addr: | Where: | 37.808155 -122.476322 | |
| When: | Anytime | Look: | North ↑ |
| Far: | 1.07 km (0.67 miles) |
Photographer: Meg Chang
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
| Addr: | Battery East Trail, San Francisco, CA | Where: | 37.808694 -122.475609 |
| When: | Morning | Look: | North-northwest ↑ |
| Far: | 1.03 km (0.64 miles) |
Photographer: Joel Bez
Year: 2006.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Joseph B Strauss (1870-1938) was the Golden Gate Bridge engineer; this view has changed since redevelopment.
| Addr: | Where: | 37.807317 -122.474476 | |
| When: | Anytime | Look: | North-northwest ↑ |
| Far: | 0.79 km (0.49 miles) |
Photographer: David Ball
Year: 2007.
Source: Wikipedia
License: Any use with attribution.
A 36-inch-wide (93 cm) cross-section of the cable, containing 27,572 wires.
| Addr: | Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA | Where: | 37.807853 -122.474657 |
| What: | Exhibit | When: | Anytime |
Photographer: Luke Fretwell
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Golden Gate Bridge sign.
| Addr: | Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center, San Francisco, CA | Where: | 37.807601 -122.474674 |
| What: | Sign | When: | Morning |
| Look: | Northwest ↖ | Far: | 16 m (52 feet) |
Photographer: Vicente Villamón
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
A classic view from underneath.
| Addr: | Fort Point, Presidio, San Francisco, CA | Where: | 37.810632 -122.476476 |
| What: | Views | When: | Morning |
| Look: | North-northwest ↑ | Far: | 390 m (1290 feet) |
| Wik: |
Photographer: Charles Fosterwhite Photography
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Fort Point.
| Addr: | Fort Point, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA | Where: | 37.810776 -122.476696 |
| What: | Lighthouse | When: | Morning |
| Look: | Southwest ↙ | Far: | 60 m (180 feet) |
Photographer: Peter and Michelle S
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Photographer: Kevin Cole
Year: 2010.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY 2.
| Addr: | Fort Point, San Francisco, CA | Where: | 37.810508 -122.476886 |
| What: | Corridors | When: | Anytime |
Photographer: Somchaij
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
Views from water level.
Photographer: Pung
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
| Addr: | Marine Drive, Fort Point, The Presidio, San Francisco, CA | Where: | 37.80903 -122.473279 |
| When: | Anytime | Look: | Northwest ↖ |
| Far: | 0.69 km (0.43 miles) |
Photographer: Salim Virji
Year: 2005.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
| Addr: | Marine Drive, Fort Point, The Presidio, San Francisco, CA | Where: | 37.809106 -122.475028 |
| When: | Morning | Look: | North-northwest ↑ |
| Far: | 1.00 km (0.62 miles) |
Photographer: Joseph Sohm
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
Photographer: David Ball
Year: 2006.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: EpicStockMedia
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
| Addr: | Bike Trail, San Francisco, CA | Where: | 37.807783 -122.472639 |
| When: | Morning | Look: | North-northwest ↑ |
| Far: | 1.21 km (0.75 miles) |
Photographer: Will Elder
Year: 2008.
Source: Wikipedia
License: Public domain as created by the United States Government.
Taken from near Stillwell Hall.
| Addr: | Where: | 37.8035793 -122.466379 | |
| When: | Morning | Look: | North-northwest ↑ |
| Far: | 2.68 km (1.66 miles) | Wik: |
Photographer: Nicolas Lannuzel
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
Gulf of the Farallones Visitor Center.
| Addr: | 991 Marine Dr, San Francisco CA 94129 | Where: | 37.80463 -122.466574 |
| When: | Morning | Look: | Northwest ↖ |
| Far: | 1.84 km (1.15 miles) |
Photographer: Don Ramey Logan
Year: 2015.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY 4.
| Addr: | Alcatraz Island, San Francisco CA 94133 | Where: | 37.8265777 -122.4235428 |
| When: | Anytime | Look: | West ← |
| Far: | 4.90 km (3.04 miles) |
Photographer: Nate Bolt
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
A distant view.
| Addr: | Crissy Field, San Francisco, CA | Where: | 37.8041667 -122.4597222 |
| When: | Morning | Look: | Northwest ↖ |
| Far: | 2.35 km (1.46 miles) | Wik: |
Photographer: David Ohmer
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Grass and trees frame a view of the Golden Gate Bridge, from the 17th hole.
| Addr: | 300 34th Ave, San Francisco CA 94121 | Where: | 37.786439 -122.496834 |
| When: | Afternoon | Look: | North-northeast ↑ |
| Far: | 3.48 km (2.16 miles) |
Photographer: Nicki Dugan Pogue
Year: 2009.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
Photographer: Andrew Zarivny
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
Photographer: Can Balcioglu
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
Photographer: Ryanjwilmot
Year: 2014.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 4.
Photographer: Andrew Johnson
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
| Addr: | Where: | 37.798967 -122.480521 | |
| When: | Anytime |
Photographer: Songquan Deng
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
A romantic western view with a sandy beach.
Photographer: Nickolay Stanev
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
Photographer: Jamie Beverly
Year: 2009.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
| Addr: | Battery Godfrey, Langdon Court, San Francisco CA 94129 | Where: | 37.8041094 -122.4776121 |
| When: | Morning | Look: | North ↑ |
| Far: | 1.11 km (0.69 miles) |
Photographer: Jérôme Decq
Year: 2006.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Photographer: Matt Biddulph
Year: 2013.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
| Addr: | Golden Gate Overlook, Langdon Court, San Francisco CA 94129 | Where: | 37.8040583 -122.4767138 |
| When: | Morning | Look: | North ↑ |
| Far: | 1.52 km (0.95 miles) |
Photographer: Alan Levine
Year: 2008.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
A view.
| Addr: | Battery Boutelle, Fort Winfield Scott, San Francisco CA 94129 | Where: | 37.8047867 -122.4771347 |
| When: | Morning | Look: | North ↑ |
| Far: | 1.03 km (0.64 miles) |
Photographer: Leaflet
Year: 2009.
Source: Wikipedia
License: Released by author into the public domain.
| Addr: | Point Lobos, Coastal Trail, Lands End, San Francisco, CA | Where: | 37.783791 -122.509242 |
| When: | Afternoon | Look: | Northeast ↗ |
| Far: | 4.34 km (2.70 miles) |
Photographer: Screaming Monkey
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
Use the walkway to reach a tower.
| Addr: | Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA | Where: | 37.814119 -122.478091 |
| When: | Anytime |
Photographer: Dawn Endico
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
Use the walkway to reach a tower.
| Addr: | Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA | Where: | 37.814119 -122.478091 |
| When: | Anytime |
Photographer: Anthony Quintano
Year: 2014.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Photographer: Wa17gs
Year: 2014.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 4.
Taken from a boat.
| Addr: | San Francisco Bay, San Francisco, CA | Where: | 37.813213 -122.478595 |
| When: | Afternoon | Look: | North-northeast ↑ |
| Far: | 160 m (520 feet) |
Photographer: Vince Smith
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Building under Golden Gate Bridge.
| Addr: | Sausalito, Marin, CA | Where: | 37.824438 -122.479014 |
| What: | Building | When: | Afternoon |
| Look: | North-northeast ↑ | Far: | 130 m (410 feet) |
Photographer: Weegee010
Year: 2014.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 4.
| Addr: | Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA | Where: | 37.820963 -122.478684 |
| When: | Morning | Look: | North ↑ |
| Far: | 0.50 km (0.31 miles) |
Photographer: Daniel Ramirez
Year: 2009.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
A lesser-known view with a pointed rock called Needles in the foreground.
| Addr: | Where: | 37.831692 -122.477764 | |
| When: | Morning | Look: | South ↓ |
| Far: | 0.70 km (0.44 miles) |
Photographer: David Wiley
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
| Addr: | Presidio Yacht Club, Fort Baker, Sausalito, CA | Where: | 37.832802 -122.473698 |
| When: | Morning | Look: | South-southwest ↓ |
| Far: | 1.30 km (0.80 miles) |
Photographer: Apun Hiran
Year: 2012.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Golden Gate Bridge.
| Addr: | Fort Baker, Sasualito, CA | Where: | 37.833991 -122.4761164 |
| When: | Morning | Look: | South ↓ |
| Far: | 1.42 km (0.88 miles) | AKA: | Horse Shoe Bay |
Photographer: Hitchster
Year: 2009.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Travis Marina and Horseshoe Cove.
| Addr: | Fort Baker, Sommerville Rd, Sausalito, CA | Where: | 37.833446 -122.47447 |
| When: | Anytime | Look: | South ↓ |
| Far: | 1.80 km (1.12 miles) |
Photographer: John Kim
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Photographer: Flickrcomphotostaylar
Year: 2008.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY 2.
From Chapel Steps Trail.
| Addr: | Fort Baker, Sausalito CA 94965 | Where: | 37.8397254 -122.4785528 |
| When: | Anytime |
Photographer: Frank Schulenburg
Year: 2012.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
| Addr: | 601 Murray Cir, Sausalito CA 94965 | Where: | 37.837513 -122.479164 |
| What: | Restaurant | When: | Anytime |
| AKA: | Farley Bar |
Photographer: Billy7944
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
A view from the north side.
Photographer: Antti T Nissinen
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Photographer: Bill Ebbesen
Year: 2010.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY 2.
| Addr: | Vista Point, Marin, California | Where: | 37.8322267 -122.4799959 |
| When: | Afternoon | Look: | South ↓ |
| Far: | 0.75 km (0.47 miles) |
Photographer: Marcin Wichary
Year: 2008.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
A 1987 (2002 replica) bronze tribute to all the personnel of the sea services.
| Addr: | Where: | 37.832531 -122.479658 | |
| What: | Statue | When: | Morning |
| Look: | West-northwest ← | Far: | 24 m (79 feet) |
| Wik: |
Photographer: Vacclav
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
The signature shot of San Francisco.
Photographer: Mike Johnston
Year: 2003.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Photographer: Pal Teravagimov
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
Photographer: David Ohmer
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Photographer: James Voves
Year: 2011.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
Photographer: Ventdusud
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
Photographer: Runner310
Year: 2009.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY 2.
Photographer: Daniel Schwen
Year: 2004.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Marvin Soriano
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY 2.
A classic postcard view.
Photographer: Franco Folini
Year: 2009.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
Photographer: Steinway
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
A classic postcard view.
Photographer: Dirk Beyer
Year: 2004.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Matt Biddulph
Year: 2013.
Source: Flickr
License: CC-BY-SA 2.
Photographer: Can Balcioglu
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
Photographer: Javarman
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
Another great view.
Photographer: Andrew Zarivny
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
Photographer: Can Balcioglu
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
Photographer: Andrew Zarivny
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
Photographer: Brocken Inaglory
Year: 2009.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Kropic1
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
| Addr: | Conzelman Road, Sausalito CA 94965 | Where: | 37.830654 -122.497762 |
| What: | Views | When: | Afternoon |
| Look: | East-southeast → | Far: | 1.73 km (1.07 miles) |
Photographer: Paul H
Year: 205.
Source: Wikipedia
License: Released by author into the public domain.
The classic panoramic view.
Photographer: Radoslaw Lecyk
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
Hike or bike to the highest overlook.
Photographer: Frank Schulenburg
Year: 2013.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY-SA 3.
Photographer: Lorcel
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
Photographer: Radoslaw Lecyk
Source: Shutterstock
License: Shutterstock standard license.
Photographer: Agunther
Year: 2009.
Source: Wikipedia
License: CC-BY 3.
Thank you to the many wonderful people and companies that made their work available to use in this guide.
Photo key: Tap the camera icon to see the photo. The two letters reference the distributor and license. Key for distributors: f:Flickr; s:Shutterstock; w:Wikipedia. Key for license: a:CC-BY-SA; b:CC-BY; h:Shutterstock standard; m:public domain.
Cover image by .Agunther ( sh); Can Balcioglu ( wa); David Ball ( fa); Jamie Beverly ( wa); Dirk Beyer ( fb); Joel Bez ( fa); Matt Biddulph ( fb); Billy7944 ( fa); Nate Bolt ( fb); Meg Chang ( wb); Kevin Cole ( fb); Jérôme Decq ( sh); Songquan Deng ( wb); Bill Ebbesen ( wm); Will Elder ( fa); Dawn Endico ( sh); EpicStockMedia ( wb); Flickrcomphotostaylar ( fa); Franco Folini ( fb); Charles Fosterwhite Photography ( fb); Luke Fretwell ( wm); Paul H ( fb); Apun Hiran ( fb); Hitchster ( wa); Brocken Inaglory ( sh); Javarman ( sh); Jessicakirsh ( fb); Andrew Johnson ( fb); Mike Johnston ( fb); John Kim ( sh); Kropic1 ( fa); Nicolas Lannuzel ( wm); Leaflet ( sh); Radoslaw Lecyk ( fb); Alan Levine ( wb); Don Ramey Logan ( sh); Lorcel ( fa); Screaming Monkey ( fb); Antti T Nissinen ( fb); David Ohmer ( fa); Nicki Dugan Pogue ( sh); Pung ( fb); Anthony Quintano ( fb); Daniel Ramirez ( wb); Runner310 ( wa); Ryanjwilmot ( fb); Peter and Michelle S ( wa); Frank Schulenburg ( wa); Daniel Schwen ( fb); Vince Smith ( sh); Joseph Sohm ( sh); Somchaij ( fb); Marvin Soriano ( sh); Nickolay Stanev ( sh); Steinway ( sh); Pal Teravagimov ( sh); Vacclav ( sh); Ventdusud ( fa); Vicente Villamón ( fa); Salim Virji ( fb); James Voves ( wa); Wa17gs ( wa); Weegee010 ( fb); Marcin Wichary ( fb); David Wiley ( sh); Andrew Zarivny ( sh). Some text adapted from Wikipedia and its contributors where noted by the URL path in the “Wik” table field, used and modified under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC-BY-SA) license. Map data from OpenStreetMap and its contributors, used under the Open Data Commons Open Database License (ODbL).