As social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and VSCO have become increasingly popular among teens over the years, new trends have also emerged. From cohesive Instagram feeds to a new emphasis on candids and color schemes, these standards have transformed social media into more than just a way to share glimpses of your life.

In a predominantly urban area like the Bay Area, it can be hard to diversify the content you share with your followers. So, here are 10 local places to visit to spice up your social media feeds.

San Ramon Valley

1. Old Dougherty Road Trail – Located at the roundabout connecting Stoneleaf Road and Ivy Leaf Spring Road, Old Dougherty Road is a closed off road that now serves as a popular trail for San Ramon residents. Overlooking a ridge, it’s home to some of the best sunset-viewing areas in the neighborhood as well as a plethora of roaming wildlife, ranging from deer to rabbits. The open sky and the mountains in the background create a perfect location for sunset and golden hour pictures.                                                                                                                                                                                                   
2. Bollinger Canyon Fountain – San Ramon’s man-made waterfall off of Bollinger Canyon Road is one of the most popular attractions for families and teens in the area. A cement pathway curves from a small columned structure to a bridge perched in front of the fountain. Though mainly used for professional photoshoots, such as prom and graduation pictures, it’s also a great area to incorporate nature into your feed without leaving San Ramon’s suburban environment.                                                                                                                                                                                                 
3. The Golden Skate – Over the last year, the retro aesthetic has been one of the most sought after trends on social media, and The Golden Skate is the perfect recreational space to pursue this. Its colorful interior and disco lighting is a great opportunity to introduce muted colors into your feed while also creating an ideal environment for candids instead of sticking with the usual posed photography that is often featured on social media.

Bay Area

1. Pulgas Water Temple – Inspired by Roman and Greek architecture, the Pulgas Water Temple is a simple yet breathtaking structure. The Temple, a ring of columns mounted on a raised platform, is accentuated by the bright blue reflective pool that lies in front of it. A row of cypress trees border the two sides of the pool, immediately drawing your eyes to the structure and its pristine reflection on the water. If you want bright and colorful photos in a grand location, this is the place to visit.
2. Palace of Fine Arts – If you’re in search of a regal location, nothing compares to San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts. Lying on the edge of an artificial lagoon, this Roman architecture-inspired rotunda is characterized with shrubbery sprouting between the columns, a nod towards Rome’s ancient ruins. Whether you highlight the intricate architecture (the neutral colors of the rotunda and the columns are a great way to stick to the current trend of minimalistic Instagram profiles) or use the location as a breathtaking backdrop (the green undertones in the lagoon pair perfectly with the greenery in the Palace and are perfect for subtly adding color to your feed), this attraction is a great way to spice up your social media feeds and serve as an alternative to the usual urban and suburban Bay Area photo locations.
3. Mission District Murals – San Francisco’s Mission District is home to some of the most vibrant and well-known murals in the Bay Area. Filled with spirit and serving as an artistic documentation of the city’s rich history and culture, it’s a great place to appreciate the work of local artists and to take pictures to introduce bright pops of color into your feed. A must-see sight is the Women’s Building, a non-profit community center on the corner of 18th Street and Lapidge Street. Its exterior is covered by a mural, MaestraPeace, a depiction of notable feminists as well.
4. Santana Row – Located in West San Jose, Santana Row is a popular attraction among people of all ages and lifestyles. The bustling pedestrian-only streets, abstract murals and colorful greenery can all serve as backdrops for candid day-time pictures; in comparison, the warm lighting and the plethora of restaurants providing both indoor and outdoor seating create the perfect ambiance for a “night out” post. The downtown aesthetic of Santana Row paired with its reputation for being a great place to go out with your friends makes it a must-see location.
5. Bridgeway Promenade – The Bridgeway Promenade is home to some of Sausalito’s best restaurants and scenic views. Along the edge of the Bay’s coast runs a cement trail where visitors can stroll as the waves hit the rocks that line the edge. If you’re looking for candid, breezy photos with scenic backdrops of the San Francisco skyline or the edge of Sausalito’s hillside, this is a great location. Alternatively, if you want to capture the ambiance of the city’s restaurants and bright, colorful architecture, the streets that run parallel to the trail are great options.                                                                                                                                                                                                
6. Legion of Honor Art Museum – Museum photoshoots are now one of the most popular social media trends: they’re minimalistic, often have neutral backdrops (except for the occasional bursts of colors in the art pieces) and provide a leisure environment to capture candid moments. The Legion of Honor Art Museum, which is based off of Paris’s Palais de la Légion d’honneur, features a selection of European art and sculptures in both grand rooms decked in gold decor and rooms with colorful walls to accentuate the featured pieces. The variety makes it a perfect photo location for people of all aesthetics, whether you’re aspiring to capture minimalistic pictures (the white and gold color schemes of the rooms introduce a slight hint of color while still maintaining the formal ambiance) or colorful aesthetics (the colorful rooms are great ways to brighten up your feed and serve as an alternative from the usual outdoor locations).                        The Legion of Honor isn’t simply a museum; its outer appearance is inspired by classic European architecture, featuring Roman columns, European art engraved into the walls and a pristine pool that lies in front of the structure. It’s an ideal location to capture photographs in a neutral-colored, bright lit space with a more grand, formal aesthetic than the interior.
7. Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit (limited time) – Since its debut in San Francisco, the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit has been one of the most popular attractions among the Bay Area teen population. Its modern take on museum exhibits includes a digital art experience where Van Gogh’s pieces are projected onto the panels of the walls and on the floor, creating the feeling that visitors are in the artwork rather than just simply admiring it. The muted colors and streaky style of the artwork are ideal for highlighting the beauty of the pieces and introducing color into your feed without distracting your followers from the main focus: you.

Whether you’re aspiring to build a neutral yet cohesive feed or a bright, colorful one, these places are great for introducing unique elements into your social media accounts.

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