Discover Millbrae
8 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Downtown Millbrae String Lights
The intersection at Magnolia Avenue in downtown Millbrae features crisscrossing overhead string lights that provide excellent leading lines and ambient illumination. It is a solid location for urban night photography, street scenes, and automotive shoots when traffic is light.
Richmond Hill
Small hilltop viewpoint above Millbrae offering wide panoramas of the Bay, San Francisco skyline, and aircraft approach paths near SFO. Best at sunrise or golden-hour sunset for warm light; coastal fog can add mood. Short walk from street parking on Berkshire Dr; accessible paths, no entry fee. Weekdays have fewer people; small picnic area but limited facilities.
Millbrae Train Museum
Small, volunteer-run railway museum featuring vintage locomotives, cabooses and rolling stock parked near Millbrae Station. Great for close-up detail shots of metal textures, period lettering, and compositions that juxtapose historic cars with modern transit. Best light is golden hour for warm highlights; overcast days emphasize rust and patina. On-site viewing is largely outdoors and easily accessible from street/parking; check museum volunteer hours before planning interior access. Weekdays or
Central Park
Small but scenic municipal park with a central lagoon, tree-lined paths, lawns and seasonal plantings—good for intimate landscapes, water reflections and birdlife. No entry fee; accessible paths and nearby parking along Lincoln Circle and side streets. Best at golden hour for warm light and low crowds; weekdays and early mornings give the clearest shots. Spring and fall add color; winter can bring migratory waterfowl.
Josephine Waugh - Soroptimist Park
Small community park with open lawns, mature trees, walking paths and benches — ideal for intimate landscape, environmental portrait and golden‑hour shots. Easy, free access off Hillcrest Blvd; short walk from Millbrae Transit Center (Caltrain/BART). No entry fees. Best at sunrise/sunset for warm light and long shadows; weekdays or early mornings for few people. Weather is mild; bring a polarizer for glare on wet grass or after rain.
Lion Bill Mitchell Park
Small community park in Millbrae with a distinctive lion sculpture, open lawns, walking paths and bay/airport sightlines. Good for intimate sculpture studies, environmental portraits, golden-hour vistas and casual landscape frames. No entry fee; street parking is typical. Best at sunrise or late afternoon for warm light and fewer visitors; weekdays are quieter. Paths are mostly accessible—bring a polarizer for glare if shooting toward the bay.
Mosta Grove
Mosta Grove is a small, tree-lined public green near Millbrae Ave offering mature oaks, shaded paths and open lawns—good for intimate nature and neighborhood scenes, portraits, and seasonal light through foliage. Best at golden hour or overcast days for even light; early weekdays have minimal foot traffic. Easily accessible by car with street parking and short walk from Millbrae transit; no entry fee. Compact size makes quick visits practical; respect local residents and keep gear unobtrusive.
Millbrae Meadows Park
A small neighborhood meadow with open grass, walking paths and views toward the Bay and hills—good for wide, minimalist landscapes, cloudscapes, and casual lifestyle/park scenes. No entry fee; accessible on foot or by short street parking; small lots nearby. Best light is golden hour (sunrise or sunset) and late afternoon; weekdays are quieter. Easy to combine with nearby coastal shoots in Millbrae and Burlingame.