If you are searching for the best 8 Bay Area locations for engagement photos, you have come to the right place. The San Francisco Bay Area is one of the most photogenic regions in the entire country, and after years of photographing couples across the area, I have found my absolute favorites. From neoclassical temples and historic estates to wild coastlines and hidden gardens, each of these spots has something completely unique to offer.

A few of these locations can even be paired together in a single session, giving you two completely different looks without driving across the Bay. I have included my insider tips on how to make that work. These are my top 8 Bay Area locations for engagement photos, chosen after years of shooting across the region. Read on and find the backdrop that speaks to you, then let’s make it happen.

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The 8 Bay Area Locations for Engagement

1. Pulgas Water Temple, Redwood City

The Pulgas Water Temple is one of my most asked about locations, and for good reason! This stunning neoclassical structure features grand columns and a serene reflecting pool that looks like it belongs somewhere in ancient Rome. It is completely unexpected for the Bay Area, hidden in plain sight off a quiet road in Redwood City, and that surprise factor is exactly what makes photos here so memorable.

The symmetry of the columns creates naturally beautiful compositions, and the reflecting pool adds a layer of magic that is truly one of a kind. This is not a mainstream engagement spot, which means your photos will stand out from everything else on Pinterest and Instagram. It’s giving “Pride & Prejudice” in the best way!

Location: Redwood City, CA

Permit Required?: Check with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, as requirements can vary. However, I have never seen anyone there to stop all of the shoots that take place.

Best Time of Day: Depending on the season. Spring/Summer late morning to early afternoon for even light on the columns. Fall/ Winter, sunset to get that perfect golden glow behind the columns.

Best Season: Spring and fall. Avoid midday in the summer heat. However, the park closes at 5pm, so the Fall/Spring season is the best because the sunsets by 5pm.

* This location is architectural and dramatic. Lean into it with elevated, polished outfits.

* The reflecting pool at the base of the columns is the hero shot. Plan your session around it.

Photographer Tip: This is the perfect first stop for your session. Start here in your first outfit, then buy a ticket to Filoli just down the road for a completely different look in outfit number two.

2. Filoli House and Garden, Woodside

Filoli is one of the most breathtaking engagement photo locations in all of Northern California. This 16-acre historic estate features manicured formal gardens, reflecting pools, archways draped in climbing roses, wisteria tunnels, and a stunning manor house that looks like it was pulled straight from the English countryside.

The variety of backdrops within a single property is unmatched anywhere in the Bay Area. You could spend an entire session here and never run out of gorgeous settings. Every season brings something different: spring blooms, warm fall foliage, soft winter light. No matter when you visit, Filoli delivers.

Location: Woodside, CA

Permit Required?: Yes. Contact Filoli directly at filoli.org for commercial photography permits.

Best Time of Day: Morning for soft, even light in the formal gardens

Best Season: Spring for roses and wisteria in bloom. Fall for golden light and foliage. However, the park closes at 5pm, so the Fall/Spring season is the best because the sunsets by 5pm.

* This is the spot for romantic, garden-party, editorial-style photos.

* Permits are competitive. Book as early as possible.

3. Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco

The Palace of Fine Arts is one of San Francisco’s most iconic landmarks, and it is an absolutely stunning backdrop for engagement photos. The grand rotunda, ornate columns, and serene lagoon create a setting that feels both grand and intimately romantic at the same time. Regardless of what the rest of your session looks like, the Palace always delivers something timeless.

Golden hour here is particularly magical. The warm light hits the dome and columns in a way that makes everything glow, and the lagoon reflections add a dreamy layer to any photo.

Location: San Francisco, CA (Marina District)

Permit Required?: No permit required for portrait sessions

Best Time of Day: Golden hour for warm, glowing light on the rotunda

Best Season: Year-round. Fog can actually add a moody, romantic atmosphere.

* Elegant outfits photograph beautifully against the architecture here.

* Weekday mornings tend to be much quieter than weekends.

Photographer Tip: Start your session here in your first outfit. Crissy Fields East Beach is just across the street, making it incredibly easy to change into a second look for a completely different backdrop. Two locations, one session, zero extra driving.

4. Crissy Fields East Beach, San Francisco

Crissy Fields East Beach is one of those locations that has it all: the Golden Gate Bridge in the background, open sky, crashing waves, and that unmistakable San Francisco light that photographers dream about. It is wide open and windswept, which gives photos an energy and freedom that feels completely different from the elegance of the Palace of Fine Arts just across the street.

This is also a fantastic location for couples who want something a little more relaxed and playful. Running on the beach, laughing in the wind, watching the sun drop behind the bridge. These are the kinds of real, joyful moments that make engagement photos feel alive.

Location: San Francisco, CA (Presidio)

Permit Required?: No permit required for portrait sessions

Best Time of Day: Sunset for the Golden Gate Bridge silhouettes

Best Season: End of September to Mid-November. Summer sadly deals with heavy fog.

* Wear layers. It gets windy and cool fast once the sun drops.

* Casual, relaxed outfits suit this location perfectly for your second look.

5. Shark Fin Cove, Davenport

Shark Fin Cove is one of the most dramatic coastline locations I have ever photographed at. Named for the distinctive shark-fin-shaped rock that rises from the water, this rugged stretch of the Santa Cruz coast offers towering cliffs, crashing waves, sea stacks, and the kind of wild, cinematic beauty that makes you forget you are in California and feel like you are somewhere on the coast of Ireland.

This location takes a little more effort to get to, involving a short hike down from the road. But the payoff is absolutely worth it. If you and your partner are adventurous, outdoorsy, and want photos that feel genuinely dramatic and different, Shark Fin Cove is your place.

Location: Davenport, CA (between Santa Cruz and San Francisco)

Permit Required?: No

Best Time of Day: Golden hour and sunset for the most dramatic light on the cliffs

Best Season: Spring through fall. Check surf conditions before visiting. End of September to Mid-November. Summer sometimes deals with heavy fog.

* Wear comfortable shoes for the hike down. Leave the heels for another location.

* The light here at golden hour is extraordinary. Do not arrive late.

6. Stanford Arizona Cacti Garden, Stanford

This one surprises almost everyone who sees it for the first time. The Stanford Arizona Cacti Garden is a stunning and completely unexpected collection of towering cacti and succulents set against the beautiful sandstone architecture of Stanford University. It looks like nothing else in the Bay Area, and photos here have a warm, sculptural, almost otherworldly quality that is genuinely unlike any other location on this list.

It is also wonderfully accessible and free to visit, with no permits required. If you are looking for something creative and visually striking that will stop people mid-scroll on Pinterest, this is it.

Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA

Permit Required?: No for small portrait sessions

Best Time of Day: Late morning or golden hour for warm light on the sandstone

Best Season: Year-round. The garden looks beautiful in every season.

* Warm earth tones, terracotta, and rust colors photograph beautifully here.

* Combine this with Enid Pearson-Arastradero Preserve nearby for two very different looks in one afternoon.

7. Enid Pearson-Arastradero Preserve, Palo Alto

Arastradero Preserve is one of those hidden gems that locals love and visitors rarely discover. This open space preserve on the edge of Palo Alto offers rolling oak-studded hills, open meadows, and a peaceful pond that reflects the sky on still mornings. In spring the hills turn a vivid green. In summer and fall they glow golden in the late afternoon light.

It has a very similar feel to the rolling hills of the South Bay, but with the added charm of the pond and the mature oak trees that frame so many beautiful shots. This is a wonderful choice for couples who love the outdoors and want something natural, unhurried, and genuinely beautiful.

Location: Palo Alto, CA

Permit Required?: No for small portrait sessions

Best Time of Day: Golden hour for the best light on the hills and pond

Best Season: Spring for green hills and wildflowers. Fall for warm golden tones.

* This is one of the most underrated engagement locations in the South Bay area. Take advantage of the lack of crowds.

* The pond is especially beautiful on calm mornings when the reflections are clear.

8. Perrucci Family Winery

I saved the most special one for last. The Perrucci Family Winery is my family’s vineyard, and it is the only location on this list that you will not find by searching Google (yes you can Google it for wine tastings, however not as an “engagement location”). That exclusivity only it makes it that much more special! Rows of vines, rustic barns, golden afternoon light filtering through the leaves, and the kind of warmth and character that only comes from a place with real history and meaning behind it.

I offer sessions here for select clients, and every single time, the photos are some of my absolute favorites. There is something about a vineyard at golden hour that brings out the most genuine, relaxed, joyful version of every couple I have ever photographed there. It is intimate, it is beautiful, and it is completely exclusive.

Availability: Select dates. Reach out to inquire about availability.

Permit Required?: Not applicable. Private property.

Best Time of Day: Golden hour without question

Best Season: This is a short season venue. May & June is beautiful because the leaves are lush an have fully grown back. Once the grapes start to grow, we net until Harvest. The real magic is after harvest, when the leaves start to change in October to early November. This place is truly worth the wait!

* This location is one of a kind. If you are interested, reach out early because dates fill up quickly.

* Relaxed, romantic outfits work beautifully here. Think flowy fabrics and warm tones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we shoot at two locations in one session?

Absolutely, and I actually recommend it for couples who want two completely different looks — that’s why I love so many of these 8 Bay Area locations for engagement photos. Pulgas Water Temple and Filoli are just minutes apart and pair perfectly together. The Palace of Fine Arts and Crissy Field East Beach are literally across the street from each other. Two locations, two outfits, one unforgettable session.

Do any of these locations require permits?

Filoli requires a commercial photography permit, which you book through their website. Pulgas Water Temple has variable requirements depending on the time and group size, so I recommend checking with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. All other locations on this list are free and open to the public for portrait sessions. When you book with me, I walk you through everything.

What should we wear?

I send every client a personalized style guide after booking. The short version: choose colors that complement the landscape, prioritize comfort so you feel like yourselves, and avoid busy patterns. If you are doing two locations, plan one elevated outfit and one more relaxed look. I am always happy to give specific outfit feedback before your session.

How far in advance should I book?

I recommend reaching out at least 2 to 3 months ahead, especially if you have a specific date or location in mind. The Perrucci Family Winery in particular has very limited availability, so the sooner you reach out the better.

Do you travel outside the Bay Area for engagement sessions?

Yes! I am a destination photographer and available for travel worldwide. If you have a dream location in mind, I would love to hear about it.

Let’s Find Your Perfect Location

Whether you choose one or two of these 8 Bay Area locations for engagement photos, I’d love to be your photographer! I would love to help you choose the right spot and create photos that feel completely and authentically you. Get in touch and let’s start planning.

Inquire About Your Engagement Session

info@paulinaperrucci.com  |  paulinaperrucci.com