Golden Gate Bridge, best sunset and sunrise spots?

[blueaerodynamique]

I am going to SF mid September this year. I have two sunrises and two sunsets (it's how all photographers view their trips yes?).  I would love to come  home with a good shot of the bridge, I don't care if it has been done before, I haven't done it.

I thought of the 2 sunrises at Horseshoe bay and on the jetty by Crissy field. For the sunsets, I'd thought of the Marin Headlands and also either Battery Boudelle or Godfrey.

Does anyone have any better ideas? Will these locations be ok?

Many thanks

[Hans Kruse]

One spot is here http://maps.google.com/maps?q=37.827938,-122.481873&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=23.875,57.630033&num=1&t=h&z=16 where I took this picture

back in October 2003 at sunrise.

[Lonnie Utah]

Surf over to http://www.newschoolofphotography.com and send MoLs (Jeff Swanson) an PM.  He lives there and can give you some good direction.

Here's his site...
http://www.interfacingnature.com/

[nightfire]

One spot is here

Wow! What a shot!

[blueaerodynamique]

Thank you all for your replies.
Nightfire, your link doesn't seem to be working for me.
Hkruse, What a lovely shot. I neglected to say that we had been to SF last June and that was one place we went to, a great location. Thank you.
Lonnie, I have had  quick look at the site and it looks very good. When I get a moment to register I will go and ask the necessary questions.

[nightfire]

Nightfire, your link doesn't seem to be working for me.

No link included. Just a comment on hkruse's shot!

[Hans Kruse]

Wow! What a shot!

Thanks very much I was an amazing morning. I had been driving up from San Jose and only saw that it was overcast, so pleasantly surprised I was when I dived out from the clouds at the viewpoint

[Hans Kruse]

Thank you all for your replies.
Nightfire, your link doesn't seem to be working for me.
Hkruse, What a lovely shot. I neglected to say that we had been to SF last June and that was one place we went to, a great location. Thank you.
Lonnie, I have had  quick look at the site and it looks very good. When I get a moment to register I will go and ask the necessary questions.

Thanks I also went further to the west from that spot so that I could see various combinations of the bridge with SFO behind it. I tried various other spots but they were the ones that I felt worked best.

[mahera]

Hello,

There is another good place and easy to reach.

Horseshoe Bay as you mentioned but instead for sunrise I went  for the sunset.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=golden+gate+brdg&hl=en&ll=37.833938,-122.476315&spn=0.008423,0.019205&sll=38.359965,-88.203735&sspn=0.562107,1.229095&t=h&z=16

I took this shot right after the sun was gone.
iso 400 and a 20 seconds exposure.

I just found out you have to be logged in to see the picture.

Anyway, I think it turned out quite well.


Rainer

[blueaerodynamique]

Thank you, your picture certainly has turned out ok. It has given me cause for thought. Last year I noticed that the sunrise came from the Horseshoe Bay side hence my thoughts to go there for sunrise. I want to go to the Marin Headlands and also to Baker Beach. Am I right in thinking that the latter two would be better in the afternoons? I was wondering about Crissy Field for one of my morning shoots. I wish I had longer than two full days 

Thank you for your help.

[dreed]

I am going to SF mid September this year. I have two sunrises and two sunsets (it's how all photographers view their trips yes?).  I would love to come  home with a good shot of the bridge, I don't care if it has been done before, I haven't done it.

I thought of the 2 sunrises at Horseshoe bay and on the jetty by Crissy field. For the sunsets, I'd thought of the Marin Headlands and also either Battery Boudelle or Godfrey.

Does anyone have any better ideas? Will these locations be ok?

Whether or not they will be ok will be entirely up to the weather. It is quite common for the Golden Gate Bridge (and San Francisco) to be under a sea of fog by mid to late afternoon and remain that way until morning. In fact my advice would be to try and make plans on the assumption that it will be fogged in and change them if it is not. The fog problem is well evidenced by the morning shot from October earlier in this thread.

Or to put it differently, you shouldn't go to San Francisco in summer and expect to be able to see the Golden Gate Bridge after lunch time. It might happen, but it's not a safe money bet.

[blueaerodynamique]

Thanks Dreed. Yes, I am hoping that there isn't going to be too much fog, but I wouldn't mind some. I understand that September is one of the months with the least fog. Thank you.

[dreed]

Thanks Dreed. Yes, I am hoping that there isn't going to be too much fog, but I wouldn't mind some. I understand that September is one of the months with the least fog. Thank you.

I hope that isn't the advice that caused you to choose September.

The "fog and rain free" period starts in late September and extends through into October. Whilst there is no fog from November through to April, there's always the chance of rain. Well, except for years like 2011, when it the rain has come back when it wasn't supposed to!

Before late September/October, it is touch and go and really depends on the weather at the time.

The weather pattern that causes the fog usually commences around mid to late April and continues until it starts to break up around the equinox in September and is usually gone by the start of October.

When you get there, this link might help you:
SF Fog Forecast

[blueaerodynamique]

Thanks Dreed,

No, we are coming in September as that is when my Stepdaughter gets married at the Valley of Fire. The thought that there was less fog then was a plus. Don't get me wrong, I think that the GG bridge and fog just go together so I'm not adverse to some of the stuff. :-)  We came in June last year and didn't see the GG bridge until later on the second day, despite having travelled across it a few times. Thanks for the link, I'll make good use of that. I think that we'll just have to take our chances.

[ReedWagner]

If you walk or drive along el camino del mar in the sea cliff neighborhood there are a few great views.  One of my personal favorites is at Lands End in golden gate park - its tucked away and gets some interesting angles on the bridge that are often missed.

[blueaerodynamique]

Thank you Reed, your response was in the nick of time so to speak :-) We are in Vegas at the moment and our flight to SF is first thing in the morning.
I will look into your suggestions on the map.

[Rocco Penny]

I think it's closed today,
but Molinari's delicatessen out on Columbus,
a short drive to the GGNRA
go to Land's End
walk the trails to the east.
Alternate any dim sum on Clement, we treat it like brunch here-
Short drive to the GGNRA above Fort Point
walk Northwest.
Many people that will be pretty accommodating regarding your gear and set-up-
don't expect to have any spots to yourself today-tomorrow will be better off the hubs
One of the prettiest shots is from the Eastbay
Go to Emeryville or the Berkeley Marina for sunrise.
Or Treasure Island has a Vista Point as well with iconic views of the bridge.
Close isn't always the best shot.
Yeah dim sum, lands end, short hike to above and east of the GG
if you're there and the fog is a bother,
wait it out.
Morning fog and overcast is normal.
Yesterday the sun was out.
The day before not at all all day.
Today looks clear from my window, but it's just after 6 so no guarantees although today looks gorgeous from here.
Pretty colors sunrise.
Sunsets have been nice too when the overcast is gone.
I disagree with the assessment that mornings are fog free and then it moves in.
Opposite really most of the time we get partial clearing it happens as the day wears on.
The marine inversion in fact takes heat inland to really be in full effect.
I has been here and there, but more nice days lately than anything.

[Mukamo99]

Really nice pictures ;-)

[Rocco Penny]

dying to know.,
how was your trip to SF?
Did you enjoy yourself?
Wasn't the weather just terrific?!!!
Another day of clear skies and a perfect 68.5*f
Did you get to eat something good?
OK just wondering
thank you