I’m Cass, a family and newborn photographer based in San Anselmo, Marin County. I’ve photographed hundreds of sessions across Marin (from the golden ridgelines of Tennessee Valley to the black-sand drama of Rodeo Beach) and I’ve developed strong opinions about which locations work best for which kinds of sessions, at which times of year.
This is my honest guide to the best photography locations in Marin County. Not a generic listicle. A local’s perspective, with practical notes on light, parking, and what each spot does well.
Tennessee Valley Trail, Mill Valley
Best for: Families, maternity, engagement
Best season: Year-round, especially late spring through fall
Golden hour: Excellent (the hills glow amber and honey in the hour before sunset)
Tennessee Valley is one of the most reliably stunning locations in Marin. The trail opens onto rolling golden hills with dramatic sky and enough topographic variety that we can move through several completely different-feeling backgrounds in a single session. In late spring, the hills are green and dotted with wildflowers. By summer and fall, they turn that iconic California gold.
There’s almost always good light here because you’re shooting into open sky rather than a canopy. The trail is wide enough that we’re not in anyone’s way, and there’s easy paid parking at the trailhead.
For maternity sessions, the combination of open sky and organic landscape is extraordinary. See what to wear for Marin County sessions to make the most of this backdrop.
Old Mill Park, Mill Valley
Best for: Families with kids, newborn lifestyle sessions (if you’re nearby), couples
Best season: Year-round (the redwood canopy keeps the light even)
Golden hour: Less relevant (filtered light all day is the appeal)
Old Mill Park has a particular kind of magic: filtered green light through towering redwoods, a small creek, a historic mill wheel, and soft ground cover that photographs beautifully. It’s one of the few locations in Marin where you don’t need golden hour (the canopy diffuses the light naturally and creates a soft, lush, almost otherworldly quality at any time of day).
It’s also extremely accessible, with easy parking and a flat walking path that works well for families with strollers or young kids who aren’t up for a hike.
Ring Mountain, Tiburon
Best for: Maternity, families, couples
Best season: Spring (wildflowers) and fall (golden light)
Golden hour: Exceptional Bay views catch the last light beautifully
Ring Mountain offers something unusual: sweeping views across the Bay toward San Francisco and the East Bay, with open rocky outcroppings and grassy hillsides. In spring, the entire slope fills with wildflowers (purple brodea, orange poppies, golden mule ears). The session possibilities are different every month.
This location involves more of a hike than some others (plan for 15–20 minutes of walking to reach the best spots). Worth it.
Rodeo Beach, Marin Headlands
Best for: Maternity, couples, editorial-style family sessions
Best season: Fall and winter for moody drama; summer for fog aesthetic
Golden hour: Moody and dramatic (the black sand and dark cliffs amplify the light)
Rodeo Beach is unlike anywhere else in the Bay Area. The sand is black (from chert and serpentine rock), the cliffs are dark and craggy, and the light has a quality that ranges from cinematic moody to golden-warm depending on the season and time. It’s dramatic by nature.
This isn’t the spot for bright, airy family photos. It’s for sessions that can handle a little visual weight. Maternity sessions here are some of my favorites. Deep, saturated colors and natural fabrics photograph best here.
Baker Beach, San Francisco
Best for: Families, maternity, anyone who wants the Golden Gate
Best season: Summer (fog burns off in the afternoon) and fall
Golden hour: The Golden Gate Bridge in warm late-afternoon light (enough said)
Baker Beach needs no explanation for the backdrop. But it does require planning (specifically, around the fog). Foggy Baker Beach is soft, diffused, and cinematic. Sunny Baker Beach is golden and warm. Both are beautiful. See the dedicated Baker Beach outfit guide for exactly what to wear in both conditions.
Note that Baker Beach fills up on weekends. For sessions, I typically recommend late afternoon slots (4–6pm in summer) when the day-trippers are heading home and the light is at its best.
A Hidden Gem in San Rafael
I also shoot regularly at a lesser-known hilltop open space about 5 minutes from downtown San Rafael. Golden rolling hills, eucalyptus groves, Bay views, and almost no crowds. I write about it more in this post about San Rafael photography locations. I keep the exact address offline to help preserve it.
What Location Is Right for My Session?
There’s no single best location. It depends on your session type, the look you’re going for, and the time of year. Here’s a quick guide:
- You want golden, warm, open hillside light: Tennessee Valley, Ring Mountain, the San Rafael hidden gem
- You want lush, soft, shaded forest light: Old Mill Park
- You want dramatic coastal energy: Rodeo Beach, Baker Beach
- You want iconic Bay Area landmark: Baker Beach
- You have very young kids or a stroller: Old Mill Park, Baker Beach (flat and accessible)
Not sure which is right for you? Get in touch and I’ll make a recommendation based on your session type and the time of year you’re booking.
For more on booking and pricing, see the complete guide to mini sessions in Marin County. Ready to reserve your spot? Book your session here.