Discover Menlo Park
3 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
El Palo Alto Park
Small riverside park centered on the historic El Palo Alto redwood — a photogenic coastal redwood with exposed roots, creek reflections and urban backdrop. Best at golden hour or after rain for rich greens; weekday mornings have fewer visitors. Easy street parking and no entry fee; paths are wheelchair accessible. Cultural landmark (city namesake) adds storytelling value for portraits or documentary frames.
Fremont Park
Small, tree‑lined municipal park in downtown Menlo Park offering lawns, mature trees, paved paths and seasonal plantings—good for intimate urban nature shots, environmental portraits and candid community scenes. Visit at golden hour or overcast afternoons for soft light; weekdays and early mornings avoid families and dog-walkers. Street parking and short walks from downtown; no entry fee and accessible paths make gear transport easy. Special for its quiet, local character and compositional tree-
849 Cambridge Avenue
Quiet residential block in central Menlo Park offering classic Californian suburban architecture, tree-lined streets and clean lines for composition. Best for exterior architectural and street scenes at golden hour when warm light filters through oaks. Public street access only — respect private property and do not enter homes. Street parking is generally available; downtown Menlo Park and Caltrain are a short walk away. Weekday mornings are least busy; spring and fall give the nicest foliage.