An Alternate List of the Best San Francisco Instagram Spots: A Local’s Guide

Last Updated on February 19, 2020 by Paroma

San Francisco is only 49 square miles but is Instagrammable AF. There are so many Instagram worthy spots in the city and some of the best San Francisco Instagram spots are undoubtedly it’s most popular attractions. For example, if you Google “best Instagram spots in San Francisco“, you will come up with suggestions on the Golden Gate Bridge, the mosaic steps on 16th Street, Painted Ladies near Alamo Square, Palace of Fine arts, Sutro Baths, Presidio Beaches or Twin Peaks, from where you can get a breathtaking view of San Francisco. Although these are some of the most Instagrammable places in San Francisco, they have also kind of become staples and are same old, same old representatives of the city.

As someone living in the city for nearly eight years, here is my list of offbeat San Francisco attractions which also double up as solid SF Instagram gems, and reveal a lesser known side of my adopted home. Scroll down to see what they are and find these best Instagram worthy places in San Francisco compiled in one handy Google Map at the very end. Besides, there are also some insider tips and information on the best places to take pictures in San Francisco, based on my experience. So, without further ado, let’s get started on these (mostly) lesser known/talked about Instagrammable attractions in San Francisco to explode your social media feed with San Francisco’s secret Instagrammable spots!

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Note: All photos featured here are my own and shot using either my Canon DSLR Rebel Series or Sony Mirrorless cameras

Best San Francisco Instagram spots #1 Lyon Street Steps

Neighborhood: Pacific Heights

People go gaga over the super Instagrammable 16th street mosaic steps, but there are so many other flights of stairs in San Francisco that are equally beautiful, albeit in a different way. One of my favorite Instagram worthy spots in San Francisco is undoubtedly the Lyon Street steps that provide a panoramic view of the Palace of Fine Arts with the glistening waters of the Bay as a backdrop. Set in the posh neighborhood of Pacific Heights, it is also steps away from San Francisco’s Presidio, which is home to several beautiful hiking trails, beaches such as Baker and Marshall’s beach and the famous Inspiration point. Arrive early to avoid joggers and other avid tourists, though it is still a relatively way less visited spot in San Francisco compared to the 16th street steps.

Best Instagram worthy places in San Francisco #2 Carlos Santana Mural

Neighborhood: Mission

San Francisco’s Mission district is famous for it’s murals apart from being the Latino culture and gastronomic centerpoint of the city. Though most mural loving people rush to the famous Clarion Alley (one of the most Instagrammable spots in San Francisco) to see a bevy of murals (and you totally should), one on my favorites still remains the legendary guitarist Carlos Santana (who BTW lived in SF’s Mission) mural on 19th and Mission street. The mural is by San Francisco’s very own artist Mel Waters and you can read this excellent article on this iconic street art in San Francisco, which is a superb backdrop for your “gram”! Finally, before posting any of your Instagram worthy mural moment on social media (especially on a platform that you tend to monetize), read this information on Mural copyright and fair use.

Instagram worthy places in San Francisco #3. Cupid’s Span

Neighborhood: Embarcadero

It is very difficult to visit San Francisco and not fall in love with it. So it totally makes sense to have this giant bow and arrow sculpture aka Cupid’s Span on this list of best San Francisco Instagram spots where you should stand arms wide open and declare your love for my city. The sculpture overlooks the Bay with the city skyscrapers providing an excellent backdrop. The Ferry building of San Francisco is close by and is a must visit for it’s mega farmers’ market every Saturday from 11AM-2PM.

Instagrammable spots in San Francisco #4 Mt. Davidson park

Neighborhood: Near Twin Peaks

Although there are at least seven spots in San Francisco offering some of the best panoramic views of the city, those that are obtained from Mt. Davidson Park are a class apart. Perched at 928 feet and surrounded by greenery that is all misty and magical (thanks to our fog), the views from this park are hands down the best in the city. The cityscape offered here definitely is an Instagram keeper and is one of the best places to take pictures in San Francisco. This park is dog friendly, as are several others in the city.

Instagrammable places in San Francisco #5 Famous legs

Neighborhood: Haight

“Those famous legs” aka a pair of fishnet stocking clad legs wearing sexy red stilettos and dangling scandalously from the window of a Victorian house greets all those who care to stop by in the bustling iconic hippie neighborhood of Haight. Just stand beneath them or gape from a distance for your memorable San Francisco moment filled with sass and to add some sass to your Instafeed! While you are there, explore this vibrant and one of a kind San Francisco neighborhood (one of my favorites) for it’s murals, food and bars.

Instagrammable attractions in San Francisco #6 Land’s end Labyrinth

Neighborhood: Outer Richmond/ Land’s End

If you want that one Instagram worthy shot in San Francisco that sets your feed on fire, I have a whopper for you right here. Lands end labyrinth, tucked away in one corner of San Francisco’s Land’s end, is part a flight of fancy, part spiritual and a whole horse load of hiking and tenacity to get to.

Although there are several ways to get to this San Francisco Instagram spot, here is how (and the simplest way) to find it if you retrace my footsteps. Google directions to “Lands end lookout point” where the last stop (if you are driving) will be El Camino del Mar. Park at the main or side parking lots (USS San Francisco memorial parking lot) and go down a long flight of stairs to a paved landing. Turn right from there (towards Eagle’s point as shown on the sign) and keep on walking on the paved path (that soon becomes a trail) and follow directions to Mile Rock beach (a secret beach with gorgeous sunset). Take the first flight of steps down towards Mile Rock beach and then immediately turn right and take the leftmost fork of the trail (do not go down the second flight of stairs unless you want to go to the beach) to reach a huge jutting rock that overlooks the Lands end labyrinth, a circular structure made of concentric lanes of rocks lined neatly.

You can go further down to the actual labyrinth and get a gorgeous view of the Golden Gate bridge and the ocean, but for that iconic San Francisco Instagrammable shot, hike with a buddy who will take a photo from the said rock as you climb down for a 360 degree view. This place does get crowded afternoon onwards and so please come as early as possible. Be warmly clad as Lands end is very chilly and foggy in the morning.

San Francisco Instagram spots #7 Statue of Diana the Huntress

Neighborhood: Outer Richmond (Sutro heights park)

This is another of San Francisco’s Instagram worthy gems and is pretty closeby to Lands end, being located in the Sutro heights park. A statue of the Goddess Diana, associated with flora and fauna in Roman mythology, is located right here and makes for a very picturesque sight amidst the briar roses during summer. The statue is from the collections of Adolph Sutro, the owner of Sutro baths and San Francisco’s mayor who bought it in Europe. Besides the statue, Sutro heights park offers stunning views of San Francisco’s Ocean Beach and beautiful pastel colored hacienda style houses in the adjoining neighborhood, which are also very Instagram worthy.

San Francisco’s Instagram worthy spots #8 Chinese pavilion

Neighborhood: Richmond/Sunset (Golden Gate Park)

If you’ve had it with the crowds thronging our famous Chinatown, then how about the Chinese Pavilion at Stow Lake in the Golden Gate Park? This beautiful red and green Chinese pagoda, donated to San Francisco by sister city Taipei overlooks the serene lake and is close by to a beautiful waterfall. Added bonus: Stow lake picnic site is also dog friendly!

San Francisco’s Instagrammable places #9 Fay Park

Neighborhood: Russian Hill

Russian Hill is hands down my favorite San Francisco neighborhood and it is both a pity and relief to know that most tourists do not even explore this neighborhood beyond the super touristy Lombard street, which is great really because our favorite spots are all in this part of the city and we love that they are still undiscovered. Besides the stunning houses, beautiful (secret) lanes, zen gardens and jaw-dropping views of the city and Alcatraz, this neighborhood is also home to some of the best Instagram spots in San Francisco. Fay park on Leavenworth street is a small quiet park with beautiful white pagodas standing amidst a sea of beautiful blooms (roses, during summer) and makes for a great place for a romantic picnic. Park is open from 5Am-midnight and does not allow dogs. However, another beautiful park with breathtaking views of the Bay Bridge and TransAmerica Pyramid, is dog friendly and is none other than Ina Coolbrith Park, which is a dope San Francisco Instagram spot as well and is one of the best places to take pictures in San Francisco.

San Francisco’s hidden Instagram worthy gem #10 Diego Rivera Mural in SF Art Institute

Neighborhood: Russian Hill

I did save the best for the last for all your art lovers out there, who should promptly visit San Francisco to see Mexico’s famous muralist (arguably the best in the world) Diego Rivera’s murals which are tucked away in three different location in San Francisco and are the city’s best kept secrets. Of the three, this one created in 1931 and now residing in the SF Art Institute on 800 Chestnut street (open 11AM-5PM everyday to the public) is the most easily accessible one. Read this article by Culture trip on all three murals in San Francisco and how you can see them. After having seen the master muralist’s creation (hundred of frescos and murals in Mexico City) we were overwhelmed at the sight of this amazing piece of art right in our own city. If this is not the mother of all Instagram worthy spots in San Francisco, then I don’t know what is. This particular mural has Rivera featured in it as well (can you spot him with his easel?) and depicts the labor movement that goes into construction work, in sync with his political views.  Once you are done gaping at the sheer beauty of this majestic mural, stroll for some time in SF Art Institute’s courtyard which is beautiful as well. Plus, you get another Instagrammable backdrop of San Francisco (with the famous Coit Tower) when you climb up to the topmost level (see very first photo in this post).

That brings me to an end of this list of best San Francisco Instagram posts that are offbeat, sometimes overlooked, lesser known or at the very least, difficult to get to. The Google map showing locations of all the 10 Instagram worthy places in San Francisco is right below. This list is definitely not exhaustive, as there are several other offbeat, quirky Instagrammable places scattered in the city, such as the Yoda statue in Presidio, Cayuga park in Cayuga Terrace,  the Barbro Osher sculpture garden of  de Young museum, San Francisco public library and Wave Organ at the Exploratorium, to name a few more.

Best places for photos in San Francisco: Helpful tips

Finally, as promised, here are my tried and tested tips as a resident for some of the best places to take pictures in San Francisco.

a) San Francisco is notorious for it’s microclimates, i.e. patches of sun with lots of fog-laden zones, thanks to our faithful Karl the fog that rolls in without fail every evening. If you are planning to take photos of the Golden Gate Bridge, sunny afternoons (when the sky clears up between 11AM – 3PM) are your best bet, and you can get of the best views of the bridge from these locations. Read about the infamous San Francisco fog line to scout for sunny locations while in the city.

(Marshall’s beach, Presidio)

b) San Francisco’s best places for clicking a picture are not just confined to the touristy north-eastern quadrant of the city which is home to Union Square, Chinatown and the like. They definitely reside in the quintessential San Francisco neighborhoods such as Nob Hill, Telegraph Hill, NOPA, Russian Hill, Haight, Mission, Bernal Heights, North Beach and others, where you are less likely to be photobombed by strangers. Victorian houses and murals in the Mission, the colorful tilted houses of the Marina, the pastel haciendas of outer Sunset and outer Richmond, Japan Town’s Peace Plaza, the beaches and hiking trails in the Presidio, gorgeous views from Bernal Hill/Corona Heights park/Tank Hill/Kite Hill (basically many of our parks are also lookout points but be prepared to hike up) and the many attractions of our Golden Gate Park are great places for gorgeous clicks. The more you venture out of the touristy zones, the more satisfying your photography experience will be.

(Ina Coolbrith Park, Russian Hill)

c) Be prepared to walk quite a bit and that too on steep, sloping streets. Although you will get good photos, thanks to the elevation, lugging a heavy tripod is not such a great idea. You can read all about the best lookout points in San Francisco for panoramic views and coveted Instagram shots right here,which are all tried, hiked and tested by me.

(Mile Rock Beach, Lands End)

d) Like all other popular destinations, the earlier you go the better is definitely not a strategy that works for San Francisco, thanks to the fog. However, places like Palace of Fine Arts (especially the Rotunda) or Lyon street steps can be enjoyed minus the crowds if you arrive early.

(Russian Hill homes)

e) San Francisco is filled with tons of cute cafes and restaurants that are Instagrammable to boot! My favorites are the pineapple wallpaper at Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters in Cow Hollow, brunch with a view from Nob Hill’s Top of the Mark , pretty Flamencos outside of Media Noche in Mission and the interior murals at Cassava in Outer Richmond. No matter where you go, something picturesque and Instagram worthy will always greet you in San Francisco. Just be prepared with a camera, jacket and a smile!

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