Best Places to Propose in San Francisco

Don’t forget to BOOKMARK this page to revisit it in the future! I often get asked for recommendations for the best places to propose in San Francisco, and thought I would help you out! SF is one of the best places to have your marriage proposal in Northern California, offering many different scenic locations and iconic views to choose from. As a San Francisco native, I love exploring new places to shoot in the City, but also love revisiting familiar locations and welcome the challenge of giving my Couples unique and creative images. Whether you have lived in San Francisco for many years, or are traveling here for vacation, the list below will help introduce you to the best places to propose in San Francisco to help make your marriage proposal a success! 

I have listed them in order of popularity, ending with Napa Valley since wineries and vineyards are a popular choice for out of towners, and is relatively close to San Francisco. Whether you are looking for the best places to propose in San Francisco or just want to take photos, hopefully this blog will give you ideas where to start looking!

Baker Beach is the most common and one of the best places to propose in San Francisco. Unparalleled views of the Golden Gate Bridge and free easy parking make it an easy choice. FYI It is nude friendly closer to the Bridge but is never an issue.

Overcast Day Baker Beach Marriage Proposal Photos - Nick and Lexie - 6.1.19_4 web (1)
If the beach is crowded, the area above it offers a cleaner view of the Bridge (though not as nice a view)
baker beach marriage proposal with the guy wearing a blue jacket on his knee proposing to his girlfriend with the golden gate bridge in the background
Baker Beach marriage proposal with views of the Golden Gate Bridge second to none

The Palace of Fine Arts is the second most popular location for marriage proposals. The Dome, architecture, and the elegance of this location makes it ideal for a surprise engagement!

palace of fine arts marriage proposal with the girl covering her mouth as the guy proposes
Palace of Fine Arts marriage proposal
Palace of Fine Arts marriage proposal at night, with the guy on his knee and the girl covering her mouth in shock wearing black
Palace of Fine Arts evening marriage proposal

Lovers Lane

Lovers Lane is a hidden trail many people pass, since its nestled at the edge of the Presidio and is often overlooked as you managing the winding roads adjacent to Presidio Blvd. As the name implies, it is a romantic and secluded wooded location and offers enchanting light when the sun pokes through the trees. Add in the snake-like trail of logs, Lovers Lane provides an outdoor setting as one of the best places to propose in San Francisco!

lovers lane marriage proposal in san francisco guy on his knee while his girlfriend is on her knee reacting to the proposal in burgundy pants
Lovers Lane marriage proposal featured on HowTheyAsked
lovers lane marriage proposal with the snake of logs in the background
Lovers Lane marriage proposal

To narrow down locations for the 3.4 miles of Lands End, I’m going to separate it into 3 places – Sutro Baths, Point Lobos, and Lands End Labyrinth. All 3 are great locations to propose and cater to different crowds.

Sutro Baths is the area at the bottom of the Lands End Parking Lot, known for the ruins of the old swimming house.
Point Lobos offers a stand of trees in addition to the ocean view, and overlooks Sutro Baths from above.
Lands End Labyrinth is a few minutes drive from the other with a 20 minute hike. Because of the hike, it is the most isolate location amongst the three. 

sutro baths marriage proposal in san francisco on a sunny day
Sutro Baths marriage proposal
lands end point lobos marriage proposal at sunset with a guitarist singing in the background
Lands End above Sutro Baths (Point Lobos)
Lands End Labyrinth marriage proposal

Situated across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, Battery Spencer is the panoramic view one would see on a postcard at Pier 39 with its incomparable “eye level” view of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco in the background. It’s always crowded but rewards those who are patient. Outside of Baker Beach, this is one of the best places to propose in San Francisco showing off the Bridge.

Batter Spencer marriage proposal
battery spencer sunrise marriage proposal with the girl wearing a green shirt and the golden gate bridge in the background
Battery Spencer sunrise marriage proposal - featured on HowTheyAsked

Pier 7 is perfect for those who enjoy open skies, the high rise views of downtown SF, or the lesser photographed Bay Bridge. With its attractive wooden planks and row of street lights, I personally love the symmetry at Pier 7.

Pro tip : this area gets more sun compared to other parts of the City, so it is not uncommon to see blue skies around this area when others are overcast.

pier 7 marriage proposal with a girl in a red dress shocked as a guy in a blue suit is on his knee proposing with the ring
Pier 7 marriage proposal
pier 7 evening marriage proposal with a guy on his knee proposing to a girl wearing a red beanie and black jacket
Pier 7 evening marriage proposal

Golden Gate Park offers numerous locations to propose, but the most common ones are Stow Lake and the Japanese Tea Garden. Stow Lake is known for its mini waterfall and stone bridges that are popular backdrops for photos. The Japanese Tea Garden requires an entrance fee ($7-$10/person) but has a unique wheel bridge that everyone loves.

For nature lovers or those who take walks GGP is a great disguise for your marriage proposal!

Huntington Falls Proposal - Alvin + Ailsa 4.3.22_11 copy
Huntington Falls in the background
Japanese Tea Garden marriage proposal with a guy on his knee holding out a ring to a girl with gray gloves looking at the ring crying
Japanese Tea Garden marriage proposal

For those who enjoy a short easy hike, (20 – 3o mins downhill to the beach) Kirby Cove offers a secluded view of the Golden Gate Bridge. To be honest, there is nothing much to the beach aside from the Bridge view (they cut down the swing), but if you are wanting a more unique view of the Bridge this is the spot for you! I can honestly say its not one of my favorite locations to propose, but it’s completely your choice not mine!

kirby cove marriage proposal with a guy in a brown jacket on his knee holding a ring to his girlfriend who is wearing a black jacket and red beanie
Kirby Cove marriage proposal
kirby cove marriage proposal on a sunny day with a guy in a blue polo shirt on his knee holding a ring to his girlfriend
Kirby Cove proposal

Let’s be honest…ANY winery and vineyard in the Napa Valley region is going to offer a stunning view. Mountaints, fields of grapes, and plenty of green lend their beauty for your marriage proposal. A 45 – 60 minute drive from San Francisco, Napa is considered the more touristy city with more wineries to choose from, but locals tend to visit Sonoma to avoid larger crowds. I suppose this doesn’t count as one of the best places to propose in San Francisco, but you get the drift! 😀

Pro tip : contact the winery ahead of time to coordinate special services to make your marriage proposal even more special!

Gargiulo Vineyards marriage proposal in Napa with a guy on his knee holding a ring to a girl covering her mouth in white pants
Gargiulo Vineyards marriage proposal
Cline Cellars Marriage Proposal - Keenan and Kelsey - 9.29.20_5
Cline Cellars proposal

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