In San Francisco, it is all about the view. With the city’s hilly streets, towering cityscapes, paired with rugged shorelines, and iconic landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, there are endless possibilities for beautiful views. While most might think of just daytime to see these scenes, the night can bring about an entirely new perspective. Here are some of the best views of San Francisco at night that are worth staying up past your bedtime.
Pier 14
Keep walking south from Embarcadero, and you will eventually come across Pier 14. Offering some of the best views in the Bay Area, Pier 14 is filled with public artwork, open walkways, scenes of the Bay Bridge, and if you walk to the end, views of the San Francisco skyline. At night, the skyline twinkles with the lights from the pier, for a spectacular view.
Embarcadero
San Francisco’s Embarcadero is found along the city’s eastern shoreline. It runs from the Bay Bridge, down to Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf. While almost anywhere along the boulevard, visitors are met with fantastic views, during the day or at night. But at night, you will enjoy fewer crowds and a beautiful nightscape of San Francisco.
Golden Gate Bridge from Baker’s Beach
Most any vantage point of the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the best views of San Francisco at night. With the bridge’s lights that illuminate the colorful structure, piercing the sky above, it is truly a spectacular sight to see. This photo is taken at dusk at Baker’s Beach.
Adding in the third element of fog, the Golden Gate Bridge illuminates even more. As low hanging fog settles in and around the bridge, the bright lights shine through making this one of the most incredible views of San Francisco at night.
Treasure Island
Gain an entirely different perspective from San Francisco Bay’s Treasure Island. A great day trip from the city, Treasure Island is easy to get to for spending the day or the night. It offers some of the best views during the day, with the best views of the San Francisco skyline seen at night.
San Francisco City Hall
Every night San Francisco City Hall lights up, standing pridefully as one of the city’s most notable landmarks. Most nights, white lights brighten the building, but on certain holidays and events, different colors illuminate the building. In this photo, rainbow colors light up City Hall in honor of San Francisco Pride Week. During the holidays, green and red colors ascend the building to celebrate the season.
Painted Ladies
The Painted Ladies of Alamo Square are no doubt some of the most photographed and visited locations in the city. The colorful Victorian houses of “Postcard Row” are met with the downtown skyscrapers in the background, making for one fantastic viewpoint. But perhaps one of the best times to see the Painted Ladies is at dusk, not quite dark. As the sun sets and radiates an array of colors, the houses light up with beautiful pastel tones, with the twinkling lights of the city behind them. It is truly one of the best views of San Francisco at night.
Noe’s Nest
Another great way to enjoy the best views of San Francisco at night is from the comforts of your own room at Noe’s Nest. Nestled between Noe Valley and the Mission District, Noe’s Nest is a historic bed and breakfast offering charming rooms, daily breakfast, and beautiful views of the city. For some of the best views in the house book The View Room, Sheila’s Chapeau Room, or the Celebrity Suite. Other rooms, like the Garden Cabana, offer beautiful garden views for a more tranquil experience.
