San Francisco Sightseeing: One Day Photo Tour

I started my photo journey a little before noon at Twin Peaks for a supreme view of the Golden Gate Bridge which stands majestically to the left, the city, Oakland and the rest of the mighty Bay to the right.

One of the best things you’ll find in the Bay is the street art, particularly in San Francisco and Oakland. Haight-Ashbury District is a great place to soak up some public art and will greet you with its happening vibe. The tourist business may have replaced the Haight’s rebellious counterculture of the 60’s, but it still makes for a good afternoon walk.

Another spot with great art and the buzz of busy humans is the Mission District.

From here the route will take us through the heart of SOMA (South Market) and CBD (Community Benefit District). There are numerous shopping options and high-end restaurants here. But you won't be sorry about ditching them once you face the Embarcadero, Telegraph Hill or walk around Chinatown or gape at Transamerica Pyramid.

It would be almost time for sunset when we reach here. If it is so, it means we are on schedule. Like me, you may have a good fortune of catching a local fisherman at work trying to nab some dinner for the evening. Don't miss the chance of snapping the Golden Gate Bridge from Baker's Beach. It was truly a quintessential moment for me. The beach is a place to socialize with the plenty of fellow tourists or locals, giving you enough space to enjoy at the same time.

Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge at night will be one of the highlights of this trip. Take the first exit after the bridge on the right, cross back under it and follow the road up the hill for several fantastic vantage points of the bridge. Park the car before the roundabout and track the bright light from downtown until you see the Transamerica Pyramid framed by the bridge. On the way back down, stop at the Battery Spencer. It is a perfect place to get out and walk towards the cliff and try and click some shots before you bid goodbye to the city. Travel Tip- The bridge us free to leave the city, but costs 6 bucks to come back in.

San Francisco, a major metropolis in California, is one of the most visited cities in the world. The diversity this city has to offer is palpable. There is so much to discover beyond the sights well broadcasted to us. All it needs is your participation. From hilly terrain to bone chilling fog, to a fine lineup of scenic beauties, San Francisco never ceases to take your breath away. This eclectic city is self contained with its ethnic and cultural prosperity. It’s a charming piece of heaven with skyrocketing rents! A trip to West Coast can be somewhat expensive. But if you wish to capture more in a short time without ending up with an almost empty wallet, San Francisco is your place to be. Meager resources on hand already? You need not worry. Capture the best of San Francisco in a single day. Make the most of this ephemeral trip. Welcome to San Francisco!

The best part of this trip is that you can explore the city from any which way you desire. But this itinerary will help you from the start to the end point, so you can reach these places at the right time to capture the best view. This trip is a guide to the places to see in San Francisco in just a day. Get in your car and follow it as per your ease. If you don’t have a car, the Bay has a supreme (by American standards) transport system called The Bart, which should be able to transport you to most places for reasonable costs. I started my photo journey from soaking in the great panorama of Twin Peaks and moved further along to a more artsy vista of Haight-Ashbury District and Mission District. These places do not usually feature on many itineraries. It's quite a shame!

After scurrying trough the art alleys, now is the time to gaze at all those city attractions enlisted on every travel Bible there is. Continue the trip with the city’s iconic sights like Transamerica Pyramid. If we have enough time to make it down to Baker’s Beach by sunset, there would be nothing like it. 

The gentle glow spreading across the horizon is a sight worth beholding. As the darkness breaks in, cross the eternal Golden Gate Bridge. Stop at the Battery Spencer and snap the classic view of the bridge under the watch of the radiant sky.

Be a drifting small part of this dauntingly large city, even though for just a day. You will be heading home with a unique collection of phenomenal pictures of the this memorable city.