Bay Area Photography Locations: Best SF Peninsula Spots
Bay Area photography locations offer everything from sandy beaches and towering redwood forests to colorful gardens, waterfront parks, and dramatic coastal cliffs. If you’re wondering where to take family pictures on the San Francisco Peninsula, this guide will help you find the location that best fits your family’s style, your children’s ages, and the experience you want to create.
As a photographer who specializes in Bay Area Family Photography, I’ve photographed hundreds of families throughout San Mateo County and the Peninsula. Below you’ll find my favorite locations, along with tips on parking, walking distance, toddler friendliness, the best season to visit, and what makes each spot unique.
Rather than choosing the most popular location, my goal is to help you choose the right one for your family. Whether you’re dreaming of a beach at sunset, peaceful redwoods, colorful gardens, or an open park where your children can run and play, these are the Bay Area family photo locations I recommend again and again.
Google Map of the Best Bay Area Photography Locations
Here is a custom map featuring the best Bay Area photography locations:
Choose The Perfect Bay Area Photography Locations
Browse the locations below to find the scenery you love most. Each location includes photos, quick highlights, and a link to its complete guide with even more tips and inspiration.
Best Beach Bay Area Photography Locations
The SF Peninsula is home to some of the most beautiful Bay Area photo spots, offering everything from quiet sandy beaches and dramatic ocean cliffs to coastal trails and windswept cypress trees. Whether you’re dreaming of playful family photos by the water or breathtaking sunset views, there’s a beach that fits your style.
When recommending beach locations, I think about more than the scenery. I also consider parking, walking distance, wind conditions, and how enjoyable the location will be for young children. A relaxed family almost always creates more meaningful photographs than one that’s tired from a long walk or battling strong coastal winds.
Manhattan Beach, Half Moon Bay
My Most Recommended Beach Bay Area Photo Spots
Manhattan Beach by Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay
If you’re looking for one beach that has it all, Manhattan Beach is my top recommendation. Tucked beneath the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay, this location offers incredible variety with coastal bluffs, the California Coastal Trail, and a beautiful sandy beach, all within a short walk.
Why you’ll love it
- Beautiful at sunset
- My favorite beach location on the SF Peninsula
- Beautiful year round
- Coastal bluffs, beach, and walking trails in one location
- Easy parking
- Short walk to the beach
- Plenty of room for children to explore
- Dog friendly
Mori Point, Pacifica
Mori Point is perfect for families who love dramatic coastal scenery. Rolling hills, rugged cliffs, and expansive ocean views create breathtaking portraits, especially during golden hour.
Why you’ll love it
- Moderate walking distance
- Dramatic coastal cliffs
- Wide open ocean views
- Beautiful sunset light
- Great for adventurous families
This unique location combines two completely different looks in one session. We’ll begin among the golden pampas grass before walking to the nearby beach for sunset portraits.
Why you’ll love it
- Beautiful during late summer and fall
- Pampas grass and beach in one session
- Incredible variety
- Easy parking
- Moderate walk
Best Redwood Bay Area Photography Locations
If you love towering trees, peaceful surroundings, and soft natural light, these Bay Area photo locations are some of my favorites on the SF Peninsula.
Redwood forests photograph beautifully throughout the year. The canopy naturally filters the sunlight, creating soft, flattering light that’s perfect for family portraits. They’re also noticeably cooler during the warmer months, making them a wonderful choice for summer sessions.
I often recommend forest locations for families with shy children because they feel calm and quiet. Without busy crowds or distractions, kids naturally slow down, explore, and settle into the experience.
Redwood Grove, Los Altos
My Favorite Redwood Bay Area Photo Spots
Redwood Grove Nature Preserve, Los Altos
Redwood Grove Nature Preserve is my favorite redwood location on the San Francisco Peninsula. Boardwalk trails beneath towering redwoods create a peaceful setting with soft, beautiful light throughout the year.
Why you’ll love it
- Beautiful year round
- My favorite redwood location
- Towering redwoods
- Boardwalk trails
- Beautiful filtered light
- Toddler friendly
- Wonderful for maternity and newborn family sessions
Best Park Bay Area Photography Locations
Laurelwood Park, San Mateo
Laurelwood Park is one of my favorite hidden gems on the San Francisco Peninsula. Peaceful forest trails, mature trees, and very few crowds create a relaxed setting where families can slow down, explore, and simply enjoy being together.
Why You’ll Love It
- Quiet, uncrowded forest setting
- Beautiful shade throughout the year
- Easy walking trails
- Toddler friendly
- Dog friendly
- Beautiful in every season
Seal Cove Cypress Grove, Moss Beach
Seal Cove Cypress Grove offers a unique combination of towering cypress trees and nearby coastal scenery. If you love both forest and ocean views, this location gives you beautiful variety without traveling between multiple spots.
Why You’ll Love It
- Peaceful atmosphere
- Forest and coastal scenery in one location
- Towering cypress trees
- Soft, filtered light
- Dog friendly
- Beautiful spring through fall
Best Garden Bay Area Photography Locations
The San Francisco Peninsula is home to some of the most versatile Bay Area photo spots for families. Unlike many beach locations, parks and gardens are often sheltered from the wind, easy to access, and offer a variety of backdrops within a short walk. They’re especially wonderful for toddlers, grandparents, and families who want a relaxed experience without traveling far between photo locations.
Many of these parks combine gardens, open lawns, mature trees, and walking paths, making it easy to create a gallery with lots of variety while keeping the session enjoyable for everyone.
Washington Park, Burlingame
My Most Recommended Garden Bay Area Photo Location
Rose Garden at Washington Park, Burlingame
If you’re unsure where to have your family photos taken, Washington Park is almost always my first recommendation. The rose garden, mature trees, and open lawns create timeless photographs while keeping the session relaxed and easy.
Why you’ll love it
- Beautiful in every season
- My most recommended park
- Beautiful rose garden
- Open grassy fields
- Mature trees
- Easy parking
- Short walk
- Excellent for toddlers
Gamble Garden, Palo Alto
Gamble Garden is one of the Peninsula’s most beautiful public gardens, filled with seasonal flowers, charming pathways, and a classic white gazebo. It’s especially lovely during spring and early summer when the gardens are in full bloom.
Why You’ll Love It
- Ideal for spring sessions
- Colorful seasonal flowers
- Charming garden pathways
- Beautiful white gazebo
- Easy parking
- Short walk
Filoli, Woodside
Filoli offers one of the most elegant settings on the San Francisco Peninsula, with beautifully manicured gardens, historic architecture, and breathtaking seasonal displays. It’s perfect for families looking for a refined, timeless backdrop.
Why You’ll Love It
- Entry fee required
- Elegant formal gardens
- Historic estate and architecture
- Beautiful in every season
- Wonderful for maternity sessions
- Wide variety of backdrops
Kohl Mansion, Burlingame
Kohl Mansion combines grand historic architecture with beautifully maintained gardens and expansive lawns. The timeless setting feels elegant while still giving children plenty of space to move naturally.
Why You’ll Love It
- Great for family and maternity sessions
- Historic mansion backdrop
- Beautiful gardens
- Open grassy lawns
- Easy parking
- Short walk
Leo Ryan Park, Foster City
Leo Ryan Park offers peaceful waterfront views, wide open lawns, and paved walking paths that are easy for families of all ages. The calm lagoon and beautiful evening light make it one of my favorite locations for grandparents and young children.
Why You’ll Love It
- Beautiful sunset reflections
- Beautiful waterfront views
- Flat, stroller friendly paths
- Easy parking
- Short walk
- Great for grandparents
Millbrae Meadows, Millbrae
Millbrae Meadows is a quiet neighborhood park with mature trees, open grassy fields, and beautiful evening light. It’s a wonderful option for families who want a relaxed session close to home.
Why You’ll Love It
- Beautiful golden hour light
- Open grassy fields
- Mature trees
- Easy parking
- Short walk
- Great for active toddlers
Pulgas Water Temple, Redwood City
Pulgas Water Temple offers timeless architecture, grand columns, and reflecting pools that create a classic and elegant setting. It’s perfect for families who love clean lines and a more formal look.
Why You’ll Love It
- Elegant, timeless style
- Beautiful historic architecture
- Reflecting pools
- Wide paved walkways
- Easy parking
- Short walk
Arizona Cactus Garden, Palo Alto
Arizona Cactus Garden is unlike anywhere else on the Peninsula. Sculptural cacti, desert plants, and clean architectural lines create a modern, minimalist look that’s perfect for families wanting something unique.
Why You’ll Love It
- Beautiful year round
- One of the most unique locations
- Desert-inspired landscape
- Sculptural cactus gardens
- Easy parking
- Short walk
Coyote Point Recreation Area, San Mateo
The eucalyptus grove at Coyote Point provides beautiful filtered light beneath tall trees while remaining just steps from the shoreline. It’s a wonderful choice for families who want both wooded portraits and waterfront views during the same session.
Why You’ll Love It
- Beautiful year round
- Eucalyptus forest and shoreline nearby
- Great variety in one session
- Easy parking
- Short walking distance
- Toddler friendly
Which Bay Area Photography Locations Are Best by Season?
Every season offers something beautiful across the San Francisco Peninsula.
Spring
Gardens come alive with colorful blooms at Washington Park, Gamble Garden, and Filoli.
Summer
Redwood forests provide cool shade while coastal beaches often enjoy soft marine layer light.
Fall
Warm evening light makes beaches, parks, and open fields especially beautiful for family portraits.
Winter
Green hills, dramatic skies, and fewer crowds create timeless photographs.
What Should You Wear for Your Photo Session?
The scenery you choose should guide your wardrobe. Soft, coordinated colors help your family stand out naturally while complementing the landscape.
If you’re planning your outfits, my guide to What to Wear for Family Photos shares my favorite color palettes, outfit ideas, and styling tips for every season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bay Area Photography Locations
Where are the best Bay Area Photography Locations on the SF Peninsula?
Some of my favorite Bay Area photography locations on the SF Peninsula include Washington Park in Burlingame, Manhattan Beach in Half Moon Bay, Redwood Grove Nature Preserve in Los Altos, Gamble Garden in Palo Alto, and Leo Ryan Park in Foster City. Each offers something different, so the best location depends on your family’s style, the ages of your children, and the type of experience you’re hoping to create.
Which beach is best for family photos?
My top recommendation is Manhattan Beach in Half Moon Bay. It offers incredible variety with sandy beaches, coastal bluffs, grassy overlooks, and the California Coastal Trail all within a short walk. Parking is easy, the scenery is beautiful year round, and it’s one of the most enjoyable beach locations for families with young children.
Where can I find redwood trees without a long hike?
Redwood Grove Nature Preserve in Los Altos is my favorite redwood location on the SF Peninsula. The boardwalk paths make it easy to explore without a strenuous hike, making it an excellent choice for families with toddlers, maternity sessions, and grandparents. Laurelwood Park in San Mateo is another beautiful option for families looking for a peaceful forest setting.
Which locations are easiest with toddlers?
Washington Park, Leo Ryan Park, Millbrae Meadows, and Redwood Grove Nature Preserve are some of the easiest locations for families with young children. They all offer convenient parking, short walking distances, and plenty of room for little ones to safely explore and play.
How do you help families choose the right location?
Every family is different, so I don’t recommend the same location to everyone. I’ll ask about your children’s ages, where you’re driving from, whether grandparents or your dog will be joining us, how much walking you’re comfortable with, and the overall look you’re hoping to achieve. From there, I’ll recommend the location that fits your family best, making the entire experience feel relaxed from the moment you arrive.
Ready to Book Your Session at One of These Bay Area Photography Locations?
Choosing from so many beautiful Bay Area photography locations can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to decide on your own. I’ll help you select the location that best fits your family, coordinate outfits, and guide you through a relaxed, enjoyable session from beginning to end.
If you’re ready to start planning, I’d love to help you create photographs that feel joyful, natural, and unmistakably like your family.
Welcome Friends, I'm Ellen
Photographer Serving the Bay Area Peninsula
I am a lifestyle and natural light photographer based in San Mateo County, serving families across the San Francisco Bay Area and Peninsula. I regularly photograph families in San Mateo, Burlingame, Palo Alto, Redwood City, and surrounding Peninsula communities.
I specialize in family, newborn, and maternity sessions that take place at home or outdoors, capturing genuine joy, connection, and beautifully candid moments.
Along with photography, I also offer cinematic highlight films to bring your family’s story to life in motion.
My sessions are fun, easy, and well guided. I use simple prompts and natural posing so you can relax, enjoy being together, and let me document the love and energy that make your family unique.
Photographer. Fitness lover. Wife. MOm. world traveler.
follow along @ellobelle.photography
+ Show / Hide Comments
Share to: