The Most Instagram-able Spots in San Francisco

It’s no secret that San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. As a photographer, I am constantly looking for the next best spot, or some fun hidden gem I’ve never been to before. I have rounded up my top 16 BEST spots to take photos in San Francisco. Enjoy!

#16 Green doors at Palace of Fine Arts

Found at the Palace of Fine Arts, these green doors are just BEGGING for you to use them as a backdrop. Plus, the whole area is beautiful in general, so there are lots of great spots to capture your next viral photo.

#15: Chambers SF

Chambers Eat + Drink is one of my faveeee brunch spots in San Francisco. The food is to DIE for, and the restaurant is so cute. Don’t be deterred by the neighborhood it’s in, just get inside and get to brunching (highly recommend the Souffle Pancake OMG).

#14: Lloyd Lake, Golden Gate Park

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Golden Gate Park is full of many hidden gems. So many, that I haven’t even seen all of this park! If you’re looking for a good place to go (that nobody has ever heard of!) check out Lloyd Lake. Easy to get to and easy to park. Take the dogs to this one!

#13: Great Meadow Park at Fort Mason

Fort Mason is located in the Marina District of SF (AKA the cutest neighborhood ever). On one side, you get great views of the Golden Gate. On the other, the city. Pack a picnic on a warm day and enjoy!

#12: The Dorian

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Another fun brunch spot, also in the Marina! Great food and beautiful decor! Plus, there’s a fun photobooth in the restaurant that you can use for free (it creates a giphy and sends it to your email!). Double Instagram Heaven.

#11: Ina Coolbrith Park

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A hidden park in Nob Hill, this spot is a local’s fave, and the view can’t be beat.

#10: Pier 7

Arguably the best pier to take some cute pics. Go at a time that won’t be as busy (i.e. middle of the work day) and enjoy the views!

#9: Anthony Goldberg’s Woodline, Presidio

The Presidio is such a pretty place to shoot, but it can be hard to find the perfect spot. This is such a beautiful place, and secret enough to not attract crowds. Plus, there’s a special parking lot, so no stressing about finding a place to park!

#8: Le Maison

This cute little cafe is home to some of the most beautiful murals in SF. There are a couple different locations, but all are cute. Enjoy a pastry and a cup of coffee for ultimate ‘grammer’s delight.

#7: Bernal Heights Park

Bernal Heights Park has one of the best views in the city! Plus, you’ll mostly find locals walking their dogs here, so no need to worry about crowds!

#6: Legion of Honor

The Legion of Honor is a museum, yes, but it is also home to one of the best spots for photographers (my friend took her wedding photos here!). Located at one end of Land’s End, this museum boasts some beautiful views (especially at sunset, and especially especially in the fog!).

#5: Sutro Baths/ Lands End

At the other end of Land’s End, you will find the Sutro Baths. This used to be a public bathhouse way back when, and now it’s the perfect place to take dramatic photos with your loved one. I recommend wearing a flowy, red dress, and enjoying this gorgeous spot!

#4: Fort Funston

I like to call this place “Puppy Heaven” because it is easily the most dog-friendly beach in the area. I skip the beach and enjoy the sweeping views from the cliffs. If you’re lucky, you’ll also see some hang-gliders heading out over the waves.

#3: Mt Davidson

Another incredible view of the city is at Mount Davidson. A short walk up (like 5 minutes, trust me), and you’ll be at this spot. Definitely the perfect view of San Francisco!

#2: Moraga Steps

Also known as the tiled steps, this is one of the best spots for your next Insta post. This can get crowded, so try to go at a time when most people won’t be around (also middle of a work day!). Local’s Hint: Go all the way up the stairs, then cross the road and go up even further for another dramatic view of SF. Here you will find Grandview Park, or Turtle Hill as the local’s call it.

#1: Marshall’s Beach

My favorite spot in SF because you get everything in one- a beautiful beach, the Golden Gate Bridge, whale watching, and even nudists (gotta get the whole experience, ya know?). Yes, this nude beach boasts on the best views in San Francisco. Fun Fact: my boyfriend took me here to watch the sunset on our first trip to SF together. Was romantic as hell.

That’s it! Top 16 (in my humble opinion). Did you take any pictures in these spots? Tag @harpergreylifestyle on Instagram and let me know you tried these places!

Fort Bragg City Guide

This past weekend, I explored a coastal Californian town for the first time. One of the least talked about NorCal towns, I wanted to put together a guide for other first timers so that you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the beauty of this cozy little hippie town.

Where is Fort Bragg, California?

Fort Bragg is part of Mendocino County, about 3 hours north of San Francisco.

Why should I visit?

Fort Bragg is a quaint, coastal town in the middle of Mendocino County. This means gorgeous coastal regions, and incredible forests. You haven’t truly experienced Northern California until you’ve been to the coastal redwoods. Here’s your chance! Beyond that, Fort Bragg boasts delicious food, fun activities, and cute bed and breakfasts for a fun getaway.

Where Should I Stay?

There are many wonderful places to stay in Fort Bragg. Whether you opt for a beautiful coastal hotel, or a quaint bed and breakfast, you can’t go wrong.

If you’re looking for a hotel, try either the Little River Inn, or the North Cliff Hotel. Both are a little pricier, but so worth it (private hot tub, HELLO). We also saw some cottages at Point Cabrillo, and they look darling.

Trying to save some money? Go the Airbnb/ Bed & Breakfast Route. Keep in mind, this is a place where you will actually want to stay in a cozy little shack. So don’t be deterred!

We stayed in two Airbnbs (John forgot to book only one for our whole stay, so we got to experience two different ones!). Our first night, we definitely experienced a more ‘roughing it’ vibe. Let’s call this glamping! We stayed on a beautiful farm-like property with many little nooks to explore. It was rainy, cozy, and muddy! We warmed up in the main farmhouse, and retired to our little shanty to sleep. It was tiny, but warm (which was all that really mattered).

The next day, we moved to a much larger space that was in town. This was an amazing location, because we could walk to most of the restaurants and shops. Plus, this room was divine. Although we found it on Airbnb, it did have a very Bed & Breakfast feel (minus the breakfast). We loved the fireplace and the large, cozy bed. Would totally stay here again, and you should too!

John hanging out in the Atrium Airbnb

Most places in this area are dog friendly, so bring the pooch!

Where Should I Eat?

Perhaps most important are the meals, duhh! We had some amazing food on this trip, all booked by John (thanks babe!).

For breakfast, you HAVE to eat at Eggheads. This tiny restaurant is Wizard of Oz themed, and has an incredible amount of yummy egg dishes. You 10000% must try one of their three hollandaise sauces, which they make from scratch in the kitchen (regular, champagne, and tequila lime A MUST). If you are a crab lover, they also offer quite a few egg dishes with fresh, real crab. Not an egg lover? There’s also an amazing menu of non-egg dishes. Something for everyone!

For our nicer dinners, we went down to Mendocino. We found the cutest dinner spot, called Ledford House, right on the bluffs. They have live jazz every night, and the decor is amazzzze!

One of my other faves in Fort Bragg proper, was Headlands Coffee shop. We stopped in for a quick snack, and enjoyed some great company and fun live music! I tried one of their fresh fruit smoothies, which was delish. Go for it, you won’t regret it!

What Should I Do?

Be prepared to get outside and adventure. This area is so incredibly beautiful, you won’t want to stay inside!

Glass Beach– This is an absolute MUST if you are visiting this area, and it’s definitely what Fort Bragg is known for. This gorgeous beach was once a dumping ground for tons of trash, but the sea turned the trash into beautiful sea glass. The beach is now covered in sea glass, and it’s quite a site to see. Plus, this beach is situated at the base of MacKerricher State Park, so there’s even more than just the beach to explore. We loved the beautiful views and the tide pools!

Point Cabrillo Light House– One of the most beautiful light houses I have ever seen. Seriously. Only a half mile walk down the road (there is parking at the end for handicap!), you will stumble upon the lighthouse situated on the bluffs. We saw whales here, enjoyed running around with the pups, and got a bit of exercise as well. A fun place, even for the locals who just want to take a nice walk.

The Lighthouse at Point Cabrillo

Pit Stop on the way to the Lighthouse

MacKerricher State Park– Check out this beautiful state park, just 5 minutes north of Glass Beach! They have a boardwalk that takes you around the bluffs. A gorgeous view and a super easy walk.

Shopping- Both Mendocino and Fort Bragg have some cute shops, not to miss! Each town has a little garden shop that we enjoyed (I’m crazy about garden shops and can’t NOT go in). Explore the shops around these areas (hard to miss). I found some cute and pretty inexpensive pieces.

At the Mendocino Garden shop in a coat I found for $30!

A Little Extra…

Driving to Fort Bragg? (I hope you are… It would be hard to get around without a car!). Just off of Highway 128 is Anderson Valley, the unknown Napa, as I like to call it. Off of this road, you will find TONS of wineries. We had no idea that this was such a fun wine area (which is crazy because we love wine helloooo). Skip touristy Napa and go winery hopping in Anderson Valley! We absolutely loved Toulouse Winery. The views are amazing, but the wine is even better. Plus, tasting are very inexpensive here ($5-$10 pp). Plan a stop on the way to or from Fort Bragg and enjoy!

On the road to Fort Bragg- pull over and smell the redwoods!

Yes- you’ll be driving down this very road!

Enjoy your trip!!