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Most Instagrammable Spots In The SF Bay Area
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by San Francisco Bucket List
Not to pull rank on other cities—but Instagram was invented in SF for a reason 😉 There’s something unique and gorgeous in practically every corner of the foggy city.
From hidden gems, angelic interiors and must-see landmarks, here’s a (barely contained) list of 20 of our favorite stops for the perfect shot:
"Lover's Lane" and Woodline
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To clarify: Lover’s Lane is a 0.6 mile paved pathway (named for when soldiers in the ‘50s would take the path to visit their sweethearts) in Presidio Park. Wood Line is the twisting lumbar eco-installation pictured above, just off to the side of Lover’s Lane. You’ll frequently hear both names to describe the spot. Whatever you call it, the serpentine lumbar trail beautifully mixes man-made art and nature.
Where: Presidio Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94129
Marin Headlands
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The Marin Headlands is the hilly peninsula on the border of Marin County and San Francisco, offering several trails that lead to magical views of the Golden Gate Bridge (plus plenty of other wonders, like the Point Bonita Lighthouse). For arguably the best view of the bridge, check out Hawk Hill at the top of Conzelman Road.
Where: Marin Headlands Visitor Center at 948, Fort Barry, Sausalito, CA 94965
Pulgas Water Temple
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Don't go chasing Waterfalls Temples – unless it happens to be the stunning, hidden Pulgas Water Temple in Redwood City. Designed in the Beaux Arts style with architecture reflecting that of the ancient Greeks and Romans, this hidden gem has a history dating back far before the days of selfies – to the early 1900s. If you want to grab the perfect shot, you can visit the Temple on weekdays Monday through Friday, from 9AM to 3:30PM.
Where: 56 Cañada Road, Redwood City, CA 94062
Leo's Oyster Bar
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Described by the owners as a “breezy slightly tropical ‘50s feel” decor, this seafood establishment in the FiDi is the lushious interior spot that will brighten up your gallery–save for the island vacation bill.
Where: Leo’s Oyster Bar at 568 Sacramento Street, CA 94111
Love+Propaganda
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The entire interior of L+P is visual heaven—thanks to its stunning neoclassical decor, walls of mirrors and art, and most popular of all: decorative neon signs. There’s one that even says “F**k Social Media, I’m Dope in Real Life,” if you feel like being cheeky.
Where: Love + Propaganda 85 Campton Pl, San Francisco, CA 94108
Land's End Labyrinth
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While you’re at the Sutro Baths, look just to your left for the forest-enclosed Land’s End seaside trail. The trail alone offers majestic cliffside views of the GG Bridge across the ocean, however, the hidden gem is the rock labyrinth just off one of the side paths.
Where: Park in the Land’s End/Sutro Baths lot at 680 Point Lobos Ave. Then follow this guide.
Villon
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Tucked inside the Proper Hotel, the all-day restaurant and lounge bar Villon’s richly colored, chic interior is begging to grace your feed. Awarded one of the Most Beautiful New Restaurant by SF Eater in 2017, we personally think it continues to reign supreme.
Where: The Proper Hotel at 1100 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Grace Cathedral
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No matter your religious preferences, the Grace Cathedral is an architectural marvel to behold. While it does hold Episcopalian mass, it's also a center for inclusivity and arts, hosting events such as yoga classes, a Carnival party, and Movement festivals. With two labyrinths, massive stained glass windows and murals, ornate “doors of paradise,” towers to climb and rotating art installations, the only hard part will be choosing what to post.
Where: Grace Cathedral at 1100 California St, San Francisco, CA 94108
Home Coffee Roasters SF
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Where would Instagram be without coffee pics? This small chain of roasters (now up to three locations in SF) makes some of the most beautiful lattes in the US, according to Insider. This includes technicolor swans, ombre leaves, and adorable cartoon characters.
Where: Home Coffee Roasters 1222 Noriega St, San Francisco, CA 94122
Conservatory of Flowers
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The Conservatory of Flowers is a magically designed greenhouse/botanical garden that houses rare and exotic plants in GG Park. The magnificent glass Victorian dome has multiple diverse rooms with pools of water, endangered plants, koi fish and overhanging foliage to capture the beauty of.
Where: Conservatory of Flowers at 100 John F Kennedy Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118
Mission Street Art (The Women's Building)
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Richly colored murals with meaning line the streets of the Mission District. We love the towering figures on the Women’s Building, a community center founded by women and queer folks as a safe space for immigrants, gender diversities, all races and all religious affiliations. It features feminine icons from history and fiction, and the names of more than 600 women written in calligraphy.
Where: Women’s Building at 3543 18th St #8, San Francisco, CA 94110
Lombard Street
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Proclaimed as the “crookedest street in the world,” Lombard street was built with 8 hairpin turns to handle its 27-degree angle. And if building around steep terrain isn’t peak SF, we don’t know what is. Get an incredible shot at the bottom looking up, or enjoy the wider view from the top looking out onto the San Francisco Bay, Coit Tower and Bay Bridge.
Where: Lombard St, San Francisco, CA 94133
Bernal Heights Swing
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A dreamy hilltop swing seemingly soaring over the city skyline and both bridges? An Instagram must. To reach the swing, you’ll want to head to Bernal Heights Park. There's a 10 minute walk up a small incline to the top, and be ready for some wind.
Where: Bernal Heights Park at 3400-3416 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94110
The GC Lounge at the Palace Hotel
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A mere 10 minute stroll from Union Square lies the iconic Palace Hotel, with an elegant fine-dining restaurant, and a luxurious lounge in an ornate atrium with a stained-glass dome.
Where: The Palace Hotel at 2 New Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94105
Painted Ladies
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The famous “Painted Ladies of San Francisco," otherwise known as “Postcard Row," are a line of brightly colored Victorian houses located across from scenic Alamo Square. A quintessential shot of the architecture that SF is famous for.
Where: Steiner St &, Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94117
Mr. Holmes Bakehouse
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We love when creative spots get the viral attention they deserve. The tiny Tenderloin bakery rose to insta-fame with the invention of the “cruffin” (a cream-filled croissant and muffin mix), and for their pillowy donuts with rotating, out-of-the-box flavors (passionfruit donuts, anyone?). Pick a pastry and pose in front of their signature fuschia sign for the full effect.
Where: Mr. Holmes Bakehouse 1042 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Lincoln Park Steps
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The countless instagram-worthy stairs in SF are impossible to choose between. But the relatively new Lincoln steps (2007), which were tiled in mesmerizing bright tropical colors and offer views of the Salesforce Tower at the top, are a great start.
Where: 32nd Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121
Media Noche
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A brightly lit, mint and white picturesque haven selling cuban sandwiches? Yes please. Even the bathroom is, shall we say, totally bananas.
Where: Media Noche at 3465 19th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Downtown China
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We’re going to go out on a limb here—and say Chinatown is arguably the most prime insta district in SF. With swinging red lanterns, Bruce Lee murals, the famous Dragon Gate, and so much more—we recommend a full walking tour to pick your favorite shot.
Where: Dragon’s Gate at Bush St, Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108
Tonga Room and Hurricane Bar
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Located at the bottom of the Fairmont San Francisco, the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar has enchanted guests with its sprawling tropical design since 1915—complete with a simulated rainstorm and a live band on the “island” in the middle of the water.
Where: Fairmont Hotel at 950 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94108
Rodeo Beach
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There’s so many ways to take in the Golden Gate Bridge, but we’ll end on our personal favorite: the beautiful, crescent-shaped Rodeo Beach, just three miles north of the city. Sheltered by cliffs and bounded by a lagoon, it offers good picnic sites and is covered in unique red and green pebbles.
Where: 1049 Mitchell Rd Sausalito, CA 94965
(Cover photo courtesy of LocalWiki SF)
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