BAY AREA URBAN LOCATIONS | Northern California Bay Area Photographers
- HKCREATE
- Aug 1, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 23
We LOVE being adventurous and going on urban photoshoots in the Bay Area! It expands our creativity and allows us to be artistic with our compositions. They're super fun, especially for portrait and couple sessions!
SANTANA ROW
San Jose, CA
Located in San Jose across from the Valley Fair shopping mall is the popular tourist and shopping mall, Santana Row. With it's little-Italy and Parisian feels, it's a great location for some adventurous, romantic photos!
PARKING
There is plenty of parking in the parking garages at Santana Row.
FEES
No entrance or parking fees!
RESTROOMS
There are available restrooms next to Cocola Bakery.
ACCESSIBILITY
It's easily accessible since it's mostly pavement and storefronts.
PETS
Pets are welcome!
DOWNSIDES
Because it's a popular tourist and shopping spot, it gets very crowded on weekends.
DOWNTOWN MOUNTAIN VIEW
Mountain View, CA
Downtown sessions are some of our favorite urban locations! Why? Because there's so much diversity and backdrops. Whether it's taking a photo in front of a cool-looking wall, or walking around in a neighborhood--get ready to be adventurous!
PARKING
There is free street parking at Pioneer Park, which is a short distance away from Downtown Mountain View. You can park along the street downtown, but there may be parking meters.
FEES
There are no fees!
ACCESSIBILITY
Fur babies are welcome, but because it's crowded and there are a lot of attractions,
they may be distracted during the session.
PETS
Fur babies are welcome!
DOWNSIDES
Because it's downtown it may be crowded on weekends.
DOWNTOWN REDWOOD CITY
Redwood City, CA
Downtown Redwood City has so many picturesque areas--whether it be the library, movie theater, or walls along the storefronts--this makes for a great urban location.
PARKING
There is meter parking along the street, or you can park in the downtown parking garage for a fee.
FEES
Parking costs, depending on which area you park at.
ACCESSIBILITY
It's very accessible and an easy walk around downtown!
PETS
Fur babies are welcome, but because it's crowded and there are a lot of attractions,
they may be distracted during the session.
DOWNSIDES
Because it's downtown it may be crowded on weekends.
DOWNTOWN SARATOGA
Saratoga, CA
Downtown Saratoga is a small quaint little area with charming boutiques and restaurants. With a variety of cool walls, benches, and buildings--it's a fun location to go to for an urban location!
PARKING
There is a small parking lot behind the stores along the street.
FEES
There are not parking fees.
ACCESSIBILITY
It's very accessible and an easy walk around downtown.
PETS
Fur babies are welcome, but because it tends to get populated they may be easily distracted.
DOWNSIDES
Because it's downtown it may be crowded on weekends.
DOWNTOWN MORGAN HILL
Morgan Hill, CA
With it's diverse storefronts and wide paved streets, downtown Morgan Hill is a great location that offers a sweet urban feel to any photoshoot. Prepare to be adventurous in finding unique areas to photograph and have fun while doing it!
LOCATION FEES
Public street parking and garage nearby.
Additional travel fee applies.
RESTROOMS
Public restrooms can be found at a nearby park at the end of 3rd St.
ACCESSIBILITY
Paved sidewalks and streets.
PETS
Outdoor dog friendly, but must be kept on a leash at all times.
DOWNSIDES
As it is a central shopping center for Morgan Hill with many eateries and stores, it can get very crowded as well as a lot of cars coming and going. We suggest a midweek shoot at this location for less foot traffic.
San Francisco City Hall is the seat of government for the City and County of San Francisco, California. Re-opened in 1915 in its open space area in the city's Civic Center, it is a Beaux-Arts monument to the City Beautiful movement that epitomized the high-minded American Renaissance of the 1880s to 1917. With it's marble halls and vaulted ceilings, intricate decorative elements throughout the building, this location provides a breathtaking backdrop!
PARKING
There is metered street parking as well parking garages nearby.
FEES
There are no entrance fees.
Parking fees apply.
RESTROOMS
Indoor Public Restrooms are located at specific areas.
ACCESSIBILITY
Marble flooring with elevator access to upper levels or towering staircases.
PETS
There are no pets allowed.
DOWNSIDES
As it is a public tourist stop, a working City Hall, and an elopement site, this location can get extremely crowded on weekends and later times. We suggest an early midweek morning for your session right at opening time for the best experience, light, and limited foot traffic.
For more photos from this location, check out our blog here!
ABOUT HK CREATE PHOTOGRAPHY
Located in the Bay Area in San Jose, California, HK Create is a sister photography duo who love connecting with people to capture lasting memories. Known for their joyful, candid, and creative photos, these natural light photographers want your experience to be more than just getting awesome photos, but aim for connection, interaction and authenticity in your photos, while embracing the joy and chaos that comes along with it!
Interested in booking a session with us? Click here!
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