5 Iconic San Francisco Spots For A Romantic Destination Marriage Proposal, According To Photographers

From the Golden Gate Bridge's world famous views to the cable cars and Lombard Street, the crookedest street in the world, San Francisco, California, has no shortage of beautiful scenery. If you're looking to put a ring on it during your vacation to the City by the Bay, you have some pretty great spots to choose from. 

Unfortunately, not every place is created equal when it comes to a picturesque romantic setting. Whether you're looking for a particularly pretty place that exudes romance or you simply want to have a delightfully beautiful memory to look back on, San Francisco is chock-full of stunning landscapes.

To find the most beautiful proposal spots, we sought out the recommendations of professional photographers from in and around San Francisco, including those who specialize in proposal photos, to narrow it down to five romantic destinations in the city. Each of these places is a uniquely San Francisco spot that's guaranteed to provide the perfect backdrop for popping the question.

One of San Francisco's most unique attractions is the Sutro Baths. In the Outer Richmond neighborhood near Ocean Beach, it was originally built in the 1890s as a series of swimming pools right on the water. Over the years, the facility fell out of fashion and into disrepair, but it's now a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Visitors can walk out along the foundations of the pools and the seawall to enjoy views out over the Pacific.

The Sutro Baths have a secluded feel despite being less than 30 minutes from the city center, which also means that you can celebrate with a lovely dinner right after your proposal. Based at the bottom of the Land's End cliffs, this location feels extra private.

A Tale Ahead photography says that this is their "most popular spot for engagement photos." It's no wonder why with the backdrop of the ocean and cliffs and pretty golden hour light. The last hour of the day before sunset, as the light reflects on the water, is one of the best times to snap pictures, according to IQphoto.

Crissy Field was once a military base, but now it's part of a national park with some fantastic Golden Gate Bridge views. Natalie of Nat Donlan Photography loves this location for a proposal because, "It's just steps from the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, never too crowded, and you've got options. You get to either hit the beach or wander the wide open lawns. It's the kind of dreamy backdrop that always delivers." via a post on Instagram.

She's not alone. Sophia Jensen Photography is another fan of Crissy Field for proposals and pointed out that there's free parking nearby and rarely crowded. So, all you have to do is stroll along the beach to find a quiet place where you won't be interrupted. If you want to linger there after the proposal, it's also a great place for a picnic. It can be one you bring yourself or one that you have a photographer, like A Tale Ahead, set up for you.

One of the best things about San Francisco is that the weather is typically mellow enough that you can visit any time of year and have an outdoor proposal. However, it can also be chilly, windy, and foggy any time, especially at locations like Sutro Baths and Crissy Field. Make sure that you and your beloved are wearing enough layers to actually enjoy your big moment.

If you want a more polished background for your San Francisco engagement, consider the Palace of Fine Arts in the Marina District. The lovely manicured grounds feature a famous rotunda and lagoon, popular spots for all things romantic, from proposals to marriages.

The stately rotunda with its tall columns was first built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, giving European flair to any proposal without having to book a flight for Rome or Paris. "The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco is undoubtedly one of the most enchanting settings for marriage proposals," says IQphoto. With the location's popularity, there might be photoshoots happening nearby, so you may have to be flexible with your timing and exact location for the proposal. Thankfully, you'll have 17 acres to explore. 

The 0.6-mile-long Lovers Lane trail in San Francisco's Presidio Park takes you through MacArthur Meadow, where soldiers were once stationed in the 19th century. They used this shortcut to get back into town, finding an easier way to reach their lovers. A romantic spot makes for a great start to any proposal, but if you make a half-block detour from Lovers Lane, you'll find Andy Goldsworthy's Wood Line. A 1,200-foot-long undulating sculpture made from eucalyptus branches, you can walk next to or on top of the sculpture, and the path is lined with living eucalyptus trees.

"The great thing about this spot is that it has a beautiful forest feel yet is sparse enough to let lots of beautiful light filter in through the trees," says A Tale Ahead. "The best time of day to come here is early in the morning, both because it will be emptier and quieter, and also because the light is better here early in the day due to its orientation." Finding a relatively quiet escape like this, where you feel like you're immersed in nature, can give the two of you a chance to feel connected. 

If you want to be surrounded by flowers and lush greenery when you get engaged, but you don't want to spend extra money on a florist, head to the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park. It's the "oldest public wood-and-glass conservatory in North America," per Gardens of Golden Gate Park. Inside, you can find all kinds of elaborate tropical displays with enough hidden corners and benches to find a private moment together. It's truly like stepping into a different world and offers a magical place to pop the question.

Bryan Power Photography outlined the three main reasons that this is a fantastic spot for a romantic San Francisco proposal: "It's drop-dead gorgeous inside and out... It feels private, especially if you plan for an early opening hour (trust me, it's worth the alarm clock). It's weatherproof... the conservatory's tropical environment is always cozy and photogenic."

The grounds of the Conservatory of Flowers are also a good option, particularly in spring. Other potential proposal spots in Golden Gate Park include Stow Lake. According to SF Proposals, it's "...known for its mini waterfall and stone bridges that are popular backdrops for photos."

In narrowing down the best places in San Francisco for a romantic proposal, we researched locations that were recommended by San Francisco's professional photographers. Considering that their career is based on having an eye for beautiful backdrops, we leaned on their expertise. We also considered the places where couples would have the most amount of privacy, which is why the Golden Gate Bridge and the iconic Painted Ladies didn't make the list. Even if you're not getting engagement photos, all of these spots are guaranteed to be romantic and beautiful.