San Francisco

Mission District

The Mission is a distict in San Francisco which is known for its great burritos and lively streets. I lived there for a month which was incredible. Every night we would try a different burrito, taking Lime scooters up and down Valencia St and Mission St. In addition, Castro and Hayes Valley were walking distance, meaning that we could go to a different downtown whenever we wanted a change of pace. My favorite thing to do was to go to Dolores Park and sit and read, watching the many dogs run around.

Dolores Park

Dolores Park is one of my favorite parks in San Francisco. It's a famous park, not just because its lively but also because of the nearby restaurants and shops. I love to grab an ice cream cone from Bi-Rite Creamery and lay in the middle of the park and stare at the sky.

Even though Dolores Park is always filled with people, it is also a good way to escape daily life. I often get lost enjoying the sun and thinking, knowing that there are many people around me doing the same. It's a nice change of pace in the middle of a bustling city.

Clarion Alley

Clarion Alley is a famous alleyway lined with graffiti art and murals from street artists. The art is living, as every month there are new pieces and messages. There is also often a musician or band playing on the sidewalk, which becomes beautiful background music.

Its easy to miss this alley while walking down Valencia, so make an effort to find it and go through all the pictures. Every time in Mission, I find myself going down the entire alley to see the new peices and inspiring art.

Harrington Galleries

On Valencia Street is a beautiful furniture shop called Harrington Galleries. It has a huge selection of beautiful vintage furniture that brightens up whatever space it is placed in. Beyond just looking good, its a great way to find great furntiture sustainably and for a good price.

The store has an upstairs that I've previously used for photoshoots. They're not fond of photographers anymore, so make sure you ask for permission before doing this. Head to the back, and there is a small room on the right. In there, on your immediate right there is a set of stairs that leads to the second floor.

Once you get upstairs, you are greeted with a huge empty floor with a rustic feel. Light pours through the windows lined along the walls. If you catch golden hour, the room has an even warmer, rustic hue. Sometimes, there are antiques and props that you can use to shoot, such as a vintage camera and ladders. Other times I've gone, the entire floor was empty. Even without the props, the aesthetic of the building makes it easy to take pictures anywhere.