BAY AREA URBAN LOCATIONS GUIDE in Northern California by Bay Area Photographers HKCreate
- Aug 1, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 22
We absolutely enjoy being adventurous and embarking on urban photoshoots in the Bay Area! These experiences enhance our creativity and give us the opportunity to be artistic with our compositions. They're incredibly enjoyable, particularly for portrait and couple sessions! From San Jose and San Mateo to San Francisco, we've listed our favorite urban locations below. If you're seeking a fun and uniquely styled HKCreate photoshoot in the Bay Area and need a guide to help you choose what location to you have your photoshoot, this is the perfect guide for you!
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 SAN MATEO
San Mateo, CA
Downtown San Mateo, California
380 1st Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94401
Our niece was all about that city vibe for her senior graduation pics, so we hit up Downtown San Mateo in Northern California. It totally blew us away! The place is packed with cool storefronts, brick buildings, and loads of colorful backdrops, making it an awesome spot for snapping some fun and creative shots. We wrapped up her photoshoot at Somi Somi, where they serve the most amazing frozen yogurt!
Located at the heart of San Mateo, Downtown San Mateo can get pretty busy on weekends and weekday evenings. We'd recommend planning your HKCreate Bay Area shoot on a weekday to dodge the crowds and keep your photos distraction-free. If you're after a fun, lively, and urban-style photoshoot, follow this About the Location Guide and this spot is just what you need!
LOCATION FEES
Monday-Saturday Parking is $1.25 per hour before 6pm.
Parking is free Sundays, holidays, and daily after 6pm.
Additional travel fees for HKCreate apply.
RESTROOMS
Portable restrooms are available for public use.
ACCESSIBILITY
The area is easily accessible with sidewalk, brick and paved areas.
PETS
Pets are allowed in public areas but not inside stores or restaurants.
DOWNSIDES
Since it's a small area, it tends to get pretty packed on weekends and weekday nights, which can limit your photo options. It's a good idea to plan your photoshoot on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
Click here to book a photo session with us, we'd love to work with you!
Redwood City, CA
PULGAS WATER TEMPLE
56 Cañada Road in Redwood City, California, 94062
The Pulgas Water Temple, situated adjacent to the Filoli Historic House and Gardens, is a Beaux-Arts style monument in Redwood City, California. It commemorates the 1934 completion of the Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct, which transports water 160 miles from the Sierra Nevada to the Bay Area. The temple boasts a circular design with Corinthian columns and includes a reflecting pool, making it a serene public park and a favored location for weddings. It is a popular hotspot for a variety of photo sessions, especially senior grad photoshoots.
LOCATION FEES
Entrance is free
Parking is free but limited
Additional travel fees for HKCreate apply.
HOURS & PARKING
The Temple grounds and parking lot are open Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm.
The parking lot is closed Saturdays, Sundays, and federally observed holidays. Hikers and bikers may access the grounds through the pedestrian gate 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The grounds are also closed to the public during Saturday wedding ceremonies, April through October.
RESTROOMS
Portable restrooms are available for public use.
ACCESSIBILITY
The entrance to the location is flat, with paved paths.
PETS
No pets are allowed on the premises.
DOWNSIDES
Because of its popularity, it can get crowded due to limited parking. It is also not an ideal location for weekends, as it is open to wedding ceremonies. We recommend planning your photoshoot on a weekday.
DOWNTOWN MOUNTAIN VIEW
Mountain View, CA
Downtown Mountain View
500 Castro St, Mountain View, CA 94041
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!
Click here to book a photo session with us, we'd love to work with you!
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