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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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