Start with privacy tolerance.
A famous overlook may include tourists, runners, dogs, and other proposals. If being watched will change the experience, choose a quieter trail, neighborhood, home, or reserved space instead of hoping a public landmark becomes empty.
Match the location to the likely weather.
The coast can bring fog and wind while an inland park stays bright. Architecture can provide shelter but also crowds. Choose a location you still like in its ordinary conditions, then keep one nearby alternative.
Consider how a hidden photographer can work.
Open beaches require distance and a long lens; a compact garden may offer no plausible place to wait. Walk the approach mentally from parking to the proposal mark and remove any moment where the photographer would need to cross in front.
Let personal meaning outrank the landmark.
A corner store, first-date bar, shared route, or living room can produce a more specific story than a famous view. San Francisco will still appear through street light, weather, architecture, and movement.
