When we think about travel, we usually imagine somewhere far from home—far away destinations, bustling markets, white-sand beaches. But sometimes, the greatest adventure is being a tourist in your own city.
Being a tourist in your own city isn’t just about saving money. It’s about reawakening your sense of wonder. As someone who has been fortunate enough to live in three incredible cities— San Diego, San Francisco, and Sydney—I’ve come to learn that the joy of discovery isn’t reserved for faraway places. It can happen right here, at home.
San Diego: Rediscovering the Hometown I Once Took for Granted
Let’s start where I began. I was born and raised in San Diego, in my opinion, one of the most picturesque cities in America, with its beaches, palm trees, and sunsets that sparkle. But, like many locals, I didn’t fully appreciate what was in front of me. I was too busy growing up, going to school, and focusing on life’s next chapter to stop and soak it all in.
Only after I moved away did I realize what I’d missed. It was during return visits that I finally saw San Diego for what it is: a photographer’s playground. I found myself chasing golden hour at Sunset Cliffs, capturing the intricacies and hidden details of Balboa Park, and marvelling at the pastel glow of La Jolla Cove at dusk. It was all right there, always had been. I just needed to look at it like I hadn’t live there.
Suggested Activities and Photo Spots:
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Balboa Park: More than just museums, the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, lily ponds, and rotating art installations make it a dream for photographers.
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Sunset Cliffs Natural Park: Arrive 30 minutes before sunset to capture the changing light and dramatic seascapes.
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La Jolla Cove: Visit at sunrise to photograph seals, kayakers, and mirror-like water under golden skies.
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Old Town San Diego: Great for capturing texture—weathered wood, old signage, vibrant Mexican tiles, and lively street performers.
Pro Tip: Petco Park and the San Diego Padres is always a good night out. Win or lose, craft beer and great (Mexican!) food FTW. #LFGSD!
San Francisco: The City I Lived In But Didn’t Fully See
From 2000 to 2007, I called San Francisco home. A city of sweeping vistas, moody fog, and postcard-perfect scenes around every corner, it’s almost criminal how little I explored it while I lived there. Sure, I crossed the Golden Gate Bridge plenty of times, but did I linger there for that perfect fog roll shot? Nope. Did I wander the colourful alleys of the Mission with my camera or climb Coit Tower just to soak in the view? Coit? No, and I was too busy shuffling from class to class as I attended to the Academy of Art University to give the Mission the attention it deserved.
Oddly enough, it was either before I moved there (as a wide-eyed visitor) or after I’d left (nostalgic) that I truly appreciated the city’s magic. The lesson? Living in a city doesn’t mean you see it. Familiarity can make you blind to beauty. But photography—and a tourist’s curiosity—can snap you out of that routine.
Suggested Activities and Photo Spots:
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Golden Gate Bridge from Battery Spencer: Yes, it’s cliché—but there’s a reason.
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Alamo Square & the Painted Ladies: Iconic and surprisingly peaceful early in the morning. The city skyline makes a perfect backdrop.
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The Mission District: A photographer’s candy store—colourful murals, lively street life, and textures galore.
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Land’s End Trail: Hike for epic coastal views and a lesser-known angle on the Golden Gate.
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Ferry Building & Embarcadero: Great for food, people-watching, and waterfront compositions.
Pro Tip: Ride a cable car—not for the transportation, but for the street-level perspective you’d otherwise miss. It’s like slow-motion sightseeing.
Sydney: Where I Learned to Be Present
Then came 2007. I moved to Sydney, Australia, and something changed. Maybe it was because I was a foreigner this time, or because friends and family constantly visited, turning me into an unofficial tour guide. Whatever it was, I started seeing the city with fresh eyes—not just once, but again and again.
Suddenly, I was chasing sunrises at Bondi with my tripod, snapping long exposures of the Opera House from Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, and discovering secret ocean pools that weren’t in any guidebooks. I started appreciating Sydney not just as a place I lived, but as a place worth exploring. Worth photographing. Worth getting lost in.
Visitors reminded me how awe-inspiring the Harbour Bridge looks lit up at night or how magical a ferry ride to Manly can feel at golden hour. They pulled me out of routine and reminded me that magic doesn’t always require a passport.
Suggested Activities and Photo Spots:
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Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk: Bring your wide-angle lens—this walk is a gift that keeps on giving, especially around sunrise.
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Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout: A cheaper alternative to the Bridge Climb, but just as photogenic.
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Royal Botanic Garden: One of the best vantage points for Opera House and Harbour Bridge shots with floral foregrounds.
Pro Tip: Ride the ferry to Manly at sunset. The water, skyline, and golden light make it one of the most peaceful and photogenic commutes on the planet – if you time it right.
Final Thoughts: Being a tourist in your own city
San Diego reminded me that you can outgrow a place before you understand it. San Francisco showed me that even a world-class city can become invisible if you let it. Sydney taught me that seeing your home through a traveller’s eyes turns the everyday into something extraordinary.
The truth is: every city has magic. You just need to pay attention. So whether you’re snapping a sunset at your neighbourhood park or discovering a quirky laneway café with the perfect shaft of light—be a tourist. Be curious. Be camera-ready.
Because sometimes, the most extraordinary places… are hiding right in front of us.
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