Frank1 Loc: Shorewood, MN

I'm heading out to Downtown San Francisco for about a week of photography, reading, relaxing, site seeing etc. Would like to know the basics of where and what to expect. Plan on taking 28,50,and 75-300 lenses w/A77 Sony. I'm interested in people shots, sites, and architecture as well. Thank you in advance for any suggestions. Yes, I am now retired and trying to fill in my time enjoying life.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I like Fisherman's wharf, A trolley car ride, China Town, and a short trip to Yosemite.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

A short trip to Yosemite? Tilt

At this time of year? Tilt

Yosemite is fabulous but it's 165 miles each way, and we do have the occasional snow storm this year!

Photocraig

There are at least a few Photo books on SF telling you where to be and when to be there. There is almost always fog in the morning and usually coverage in the later afternoon. This is God's Softbox which extends great lighting for many hours. Be sure to take a couple of ferry rides, the most inexpensive way to get city scape views of the city, Alcatraz. Sausalito, Tiburon, Alameda and more. Enjoy an extremely photogenic city and enjoy North Beach for Italian flavored street scenes and FOOD. And Chinatown and Japan Town for a similar experience. Visit the Ansel Adams gallery of 4th (I believe) St.

The Transamerica Pyramid is certainly a mature image, but there's an angle and juxtaposition of its lines and surrounding and the sky that is awaiting YOUR eye. So too, the GG and both Bay Bridges, Fort Point, The Ferry Building, the Third Street Bridge and ATT Park and an entire career more.

Have fun, walk a lot, enjoy it all. And, watch your wallet--there are pick pockets there, too.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

He has plenty of time. He is retired. Snow scenes in Yosemite are awesome.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

It's San Francisco, expect anything and everything. I went there a couple of years ago and they had a nude parade. China town is interesting, Fisherman's Warf has great things to photograph and great food.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

He said about a week, a decent trip to Yosemite is at least three or four days and the roads can be a problem given the El Nino storms we have coming through.

I don't disagree with the sentiment, but it is important to know what you are getting into. You can have a few unseasonably gorgeously warm days as we have this week, in a week or two we could have major storms again, as we had a week or two ago with major blizzards in the Sierra including 100 mph winds on the ridge lines. Yosemite is not for the unprepared this winter.

Note the comment about 4 wheel drive AND chains...

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Nuff said.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

C'mon Peter, where's your adventuresome spirit?!?!
Today's modern automobiles equipped with a gps and the occupants wearing astronaut diapers, that is only a 3 hour drive each way!
And nothing is more amazing than a clearing storm in Yosemite in winter, just ask Ansel!!!! :lol:
SS

Frank1 Loc: Shorewood, MN

Thank you all, I have of course spent time on Google so I am aware of the touristy places thank you. I'm currently in MN so snowsemity is OUT. Adams gallery a big thank you, and wondered about a boat cruise or two. Nude parade??? Could I post on the Hog? Kidding. Walking tours and a boat ride, of course the museums, again, thank you all.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

That is of course three hours without our beloved traffic or bad weather to the entrance to Yosemite.

As for adventure, sure I'd load up the Uberu with skis and the whole shebang, but I'd be equipped to get there and back again even if I did get stuck in Yosemite or somewhere else for a while. Our OP is from Minnesota, so understands cold, but having the gear on a vacation trip is different. We don't want to add to the body count this winter!

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Nude parade is this Sunday: http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2016/02/09/nude-activist-organizing-valentines-nude-love-parade-in-san-francisco/

Guess you'll miss it! :lol:

You could consider a trip to Muir Woods (Redwood Grove)/ Muir Beach/Pelican Inn, and the Marin Headlands for great scenic views. Fort point is worth a visit. May need a rental vehicle. Book ahead for trip to Alcatraz...

The Arboretum in Golden Gate park can be pleasant on a warm afternoon, and Ocean Beach at hide tide with an El Nino swell, or the remains of Sutro Baths...

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

D

Ohhh, do you think the chill in the air will have any effect on the participants?!?! :lol:
SS

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

It could perk things up a bit! Or be a little bit of a downer for some, on the basis of it only sticks out 'cos it's too short to droop! :lol: :lol:

JosephSF Loc: Sonoma County CA

There are plenty of pikers on here that have been to San Francisco a time or two that will give you advice about taking pictures of Fisherman’s Wharf, The Pointy Building, GG Bridge, some random cable car (they are not called trolleys in SF) that lumbers up and down Powell or California Streets. If you really want to experience and capture the beauty and uniqueness of San Francisco I would offer a few hidden (or not hidden if you live here) gems that will make your trip a little more interesting than the fodder found in tourist guide books.

The Presidio – the home to sweeping vistas of the Pacific, the Marin Headlands, China Beach, the Battery Lincoln Park and the fabulous California Palace of the Legion of Honor. The famed photographer Chris Honeysett has captured some unbelievable images from this part of SF. You will never find urban beauty anywhere in the world better than this.

Land’s End, Ocean Beach and the Cliff House – Gorgeous Pacific Ocean views and long swaths of beautiful Pacific coast line, especially at sunset. The Sutro Bath ruins are special.

Golden Gate Park – Incredible richness for photography – The De Young Museum, Stowe Lake, The California Academy of Science, The Botanical Garden, the Conservatory of Flowers, and the Great Meadow are incredible phot ops just to name a few. You could spend days there. The Beach Chalet at Ocean Beach is super.

The Outer Richmond is truly a street photographer’s playground.

Haight-Ashbury – A blast of the past from the Summer of Love and counter culture epicenter from the 60’s. If you want to photograph people and street scenes, you could do worse.

Pacific Heights – Not only great views of the GG Bridge but some of the stateliest (expensive) real estate in the country. Gorgeous homes and parochial neighborhoods. Fun sidewalk cafes and haute couture boutiques.

The Mission – From Mission, Valencia and South Van Ness Avenue you will see a vibrant, diverse and colorful side of San Francisco. Although it is becoming a bit gentrified (along with Bernal Heights, Potrero Hill and Dogpatch) there are incredible street scenes and real world SF culture to capture.

Upper Market and Twin Peaks- Amazing, iconic vistas that are timeless and still used in ads and marketing to this very day. Just go up there and take a look at sunrise or sunset.

Noe Valley and The Castro – No place like it in the USA. A microcosm of what makes SF unique.

Marin County, Muir Woods, Bolinas Bay and Point Reyes – A short day trip to the most amazing area for natural beauty, farm-to table foods and great inns and restaurants. This area buts up to Sonoma and Napa county so world-class wines are in abundance. Plus no snow like Yosemite, which contrary to opinions stated is NO short trip.

Russian Hill – This seems obvious but take a long walk around the neighborhood. Stroll down to North Beach from there. A glass of Chianti and a bowl of pasta are well earned.

Just a few thoughts. Be bold and adventurous. You can follow the masses to Fisherman’s Wharf and the tourist traps or you can take a little initiative and effort and experience something very special.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Muir Woods from me. Don't miss it, close to SF. Go early morning, the light was amazing when I was there.