Commercial Street Spiral Staircase Look Down

This location is on Commercial Street when it becomes a pathway that leads up to the One Embarcadero Center. Route yourself to where Commercial Street meets Sansome Street, you’ll see the pathway with an art piece, and just past it lies a stairway ramp. Walk up the ramp and you’ll find yourself upon this sprial staircase! I walked up the stairs and took a look down perspective. Alternatively, you can access the staircase from Battery street under the Commercial Street Bridge.

All months are suitable to photograph this spiral staircase.

Since this location is tightly squeezed between buildings, visit at mid-day when the light is directly above you. Try to catch a foggy day so you have softer light (vs. harsh highlights which are difficult to expose). If you happen to visit at night, it lights up, which offers a very different perspective. This area is particularly congested during the week, so you’re better off visiting on the weekend.

This is a business area so it can get congested; be patient and wait for that right moment.

I recommend using a wide-angle lens (24mm) to incorporate the winding staircase and leading lines into the globe structure at the base of stairs.

Turn on your camera’s live view mode so you can exend your arm for this look down composition. I held onto the banister to give myself more length.

Enjoy the Embarcadero Center with its varying options of food and shopping.