Baker Beach
Baker Beach gives you one of the most dramatic foreground-to-landmark compositions in San Francisco, with the Golden Gate Bridge looming large to the north while rugged cliffs frame the scene behind you. Walk toward the northern end of the beach to get closest to the bridge and use the wet sand at low tide to capture reflections, or position yourself at the waterline to include crashing waves as a dynamic foreground element. A medium telephoto lens in the 70-200mm range helps compress the distance and make the bridge feel massive against the hills of Marin. Early morning is ideal for soft, directional light and minimal crowds, while fog rolling through the bridge towers adds atmosphere that is hard to find anywhere else. Parking is available at the end of Gibson Road and the beach is a short walk from the lot. Note that the northern stretch is an unofficial clothing-optional area. (San Francisco, California, United States)
