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DPChallenge Forums >> Out and About >> Traveling to San Jose/San Francisco
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04/28/2007 03:25:48 PM · #1
Will be leaving for a 10 day trip a week today. First five days will be in San Jose without a car.
Last five days we have a convertible on reserve and will be staying at Oyster Bay.
Any suggestions for must see locations?

Planning on Alcatraz (evening tour), Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, San Jose flea market, wine country.
Where are scenic accessible locations to photograph the Golden Gate Bridge?

Any tips on traveling with a DSLR? Haven't flown in years and this will be the first flight with my Canon 20D and lenses.
I remember flying with my Epson - had to make sure the thing was charged so security could see it worked.


04/30/2007 08:54:26 PM · #2
Bump!
04/30/2007 09:19:54 PM · #3
Never heard of an Oyster Bay in San Francisco. There's one over by Hayward. What city are you staying in?

Golden Gate is visible from many areas. There are viewing areas at both ends of the bridge. Chrissy Field in San Francisco is a popular area to get shots of the bridge and bay as is Fort Point which is below the bridge on the San Francisco side. The Marin Headlands, which is easily accessible from the freeway exit just after the northern viewing area, offers great views.
04/30/2007 09:27:52 PM · #4
Hi! I'm in San Francisco for the week, I am also looking for best spots to photograph the Golden Gate, I only hope I can find some nice spot and some nice foggy afternoon (I don't know wich is best, early in the morning or late in the afternoon). Thanks to TechnoShroom for advise, anyone else? I just need to get that killer shot!

Thank you!
04/30/2007 09:35:13 PM · #5
Morning has the light on the Bay side of the bridge. Nice for photographing from Chrissy Field, Fort Baker, and Fort Point. Late afternoon and evening the light is on the ocean side of the bridge so if you want light hitting the bridge you'll want to find someplace in the Marin Headlands, Baker Beach, or the like. Night is good all over because you'll be shooting the lighting of the bridge itself.

Message edited by author 2007-04-30 21:38:10.
04/30/2007 09:58:18 PM · #6
Thanks for the replies & tips.

Sorry for the error - we are staying at Oyster Point (not Oyster Bay).
Will be keeping these tips handy so we can find the access points.
04/30/2007 10:40:48 PM · #7
Oyster Point makes more sense. That's in the city of South San Francisco. A world away from the East Bay and much, much closer to San Francisco.

Since you're in a convertible I can't think of anything better than some long drives along the coast and through the Santa Cruz Mountains. I'd say from your accommodations hop on 101 heading south, take 380 west to 280 south and continue until you reach 92 west. 92 crosses the Crystal Springs Reservoir and heads over the Santa Cruz Mountains on its way to Half Moon Bay. At the top of the mountain you have a choice of turning left onto 35 (Skyline Blvd.) or continuing on to Half Moon Bay and the coast. Either is a fine choice. The intersection is in a chaparral area but if you turn on to 35 it will quickly give way to redwood forest.

There are many nice places to eat in the area. On 35 I like The Mountain House. A lot of people really like the Bella Vista but I prefer The Mountain House, especially when they have ostrich on the menu.

In Half Moon Bay I like the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company. It's not fancy but the food and beer are good. They have a fine patio with fire pits which is a good place to wind down the day. The Moss Beach Distillery also has a great patio and is a wonderful place to have some wine and wind down but the food isn't so great. Cetrella is consistently good as is Mezza Luna.

If you drive south down the coast you can catch a lot of coastal scenery and then drive up into the mountains and take 35 back to 92 catching the forest views. (Most of the roads that head inland from the coast will eventually hit 35.)

04/30/2007 10:51:11 PM · #8
check your email, sent you some tips as well.

Message edited by author 2007-04-30 22:59:01.
04/30/2007 10:56:24 PM · #9
I also like taking pictures of the SF skyline at sunrise or sunset from Treasure Island, which is the mid-point of the Bay Bridge. Just be sure to turn around and come back into the city since the part of the bridge that collapsed yesterday is on the Oakland side.

You can also get nice panoramic shots of the city from on top of Twin Peaks. Just bring warm clothes and a tripod since it's always cold and very windy up there.

A very popular place to shoot the Golden Gate Bridge is from the turnout just to the right on the north side of the bridge, or on the hill to the west (left) of the bridge. You can get there by taking the first exit past the bridge and then turning left to go up the hill.
04/30/2007 11:00:13 PM · #10
You're lucky it's warm this week, hopefully it still will be when you're in SF. Same places that Techo mentioned, but Pier 39 and Chinatown are really close together and very fun, half moon bay is good but it depends on the day. I really recommend the San Francisco Zoo, it has great exhibits and it is literally across the street from ocean beach. There is also a fun little aquarium at Pier 39 which is nice. If you're going to eat there go to Neptune's, but I'm warning you now, they are expensive. Hope you have a fun trip!
04/30/2007 11:28:09 PM · #11
A lot of people have covered some of the good areas to shoot the bridge and other nice spots in and around San Francisco. Most of my portfolio was shot in San Francisco or the surrounding areas. Take a look at some of the image and if you see anything that you would like to know where it is or how to get there, feel free to PM me.

Have a great time! This is a fantastic area to live and photograph. The weather has indeed been beautiful as well.

If you go down to Chinatown or North Beach, do yourself a favor and eat at House of Nanking (you can search for it on Citysearch).

Message edited by author 2007-04-30 23:28:55.
05/01/2007 07:03:13 PM · #12
Thanks again for all the suggestions!!
I'm looking forward to our trip.

Anyone have tips or hints for traveling with a DSLR? Do I need to know anything special?
05/01/2007 07:58:38 PM · #13
Originally posted by AutumnCat:

Anyone have tips or hints for traveling with a DSLR? Do I need to know anything special?


I'd plan on having it as carry-on. Other than that check your airline's website for their requirements.
05/07/2007 03:02:42 PM · #14
Originally posted by AutumnCat:

Thanks again for all the suggestions!!
I'm looking forward to our trip.

Anyone have tips or hints for traveling with a DSLR? Do I need to know anything special?


Keep it close and don't leave it in the car.
05/07/2007 04:35:46 PM · #15
You will have a great time with all of San Francisco's many sights when you get up to Oyster Bay. But while in San Jose no one mentioned Winchester House located there.

It is an interesting photo op of an odd place. Winchester House was built by the heir to the Winchester rifle fortune. She was very much into the occult and used the money from that fortune to add onto a house in San Jose for some 40 years. She believed by doing so it would ward off all the evil spirits of those killed by guns made by her husband and that she'd live forever. She hired carpenters to build onto the house according to plans she got during nightly seances. That work proceeded every day until her death.

To say the least, the results are odd and have been featured on TV programs for many years.

It is worth a visit, even if you don't take pictures.
05/07/2007 11:38:22 PM · #16
Originally posted by AutumnCat:

Last five days we have a convertible on reserve and will be staying at Oyster Bay.


If you miss Yosemite in a convertible, global warming will surely happen, crime will rage rampant in the streets, and you will die poorer in your experience of this glorious world.

Go to Yosemite!
05/07/2007 11:47:38 PM · #17
Originally posted by stdavidson:

But while in San Jose no one mentioned Winchester House located there. ... It is worth a visit, even if you don't take pictures.


I'd agree with you but with the current weather that place will be like an oven even on the night tour. No AC, no ventilation, it's just stifling. If it were 20° cooler I would say go for it but given the heat one would be doing theirself a favor by skipping it.
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