Golden Glow

A slightly filtered view of the Golden Gate, with the polarizer bringing out the colors of the sky and the bridge basking in the afternoon sunlight.

Blue Angels, Golden Gate

They’re considered to be the highlight of San Francisco’s Fleet Week air show: the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy’s elite flight demonstration squadron. And while I’m not a big fan of military displays, the pilots’ precision and command of their planes certainly demand respect. On top of that, it’s a very photogenic show - if, naturally, rather risky. 23 pilots have lost their lives in 54 accidents since 1946.

 Four of the Fab Six flying in formation...

...before one of many break-ups.

“Fat Albert”, the C130 Hercules transport plane that announces the Angels’ arrival at the beginning of each show. Here on approach and over the San Francisco Bay.

Ferry Tale

Once upon a time I took a ferry just like this one, and you wouldn’t believe what an incredible sunset I saw over the Golden Gate Bridge. Well, maybe you would. Here it is...

The Gate to the World

It’s a fairly safe bet that this ship passing underneath the Golden Gate Bridge picked up its cargo at the Port of Oakland, across the Bay. San Francisco’s lesser known, not-quite-as-pretty twin city handles 99 percent of all containers coming to and from Northern California by sea. The port has ten container terminals and is the fourth busiest in the U.S.

And while that’s certainly impressive, the prettier picture (sorry, Oakland) is still the passage through the gate to the world...

Silver Sailor

Sure, they call it the Golden Gate – but at times, it can seem as if the San Francisco Bay were filled with precious metal of a different kind...

Hovermaster

The fog is back, and Baker Beach probably looks as forlorn today as it did on the grey day of spring when I saw this seagull hovering over a stretch of sand, suspended in the air near the Golden Gate Bridge.

The Gate Rocks!

One of the best spots to enjoy the view of the Golden Gate is at the foot of the bridge, right next to Fort Point - slightly off the beaten tourist path, but well worth the mini detour.

Sunset Cruise

Team Canoe meets ocean liner at the Golden Gate: While some people need to put a lot of effort into getting ahead, others cruise along, enjoying the view from the sun deck. (And as I’m not one of the lucky ones, there was not much going on here for a while – too many deadlines to meet.)

Ferry Fly-by

There’s more to see on San Francisco Bay than just The Bridge...

The View from Sausalito

On a clear day, you can look all across the Bay, and if you catch the right spot there can be something poetic about the view of San Francisco, as seen from Sausalito.

Fort Mason Sunset

Originally a Spanish military outpost on the Golden Gate, Fort Mason is now a hub for the arts: music, theatre, films, and much more. Plenty of good food, too – and a great place to watch the sun set over the bridge...

Uf Widerluege!

Golden Gate Flowers

I was looking for a good spot to take Fleet Week pictures when I saw these flowers lying on a picnic table with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Seemed like an appropriate photo for February 14th, Valentine’s Day.

Truly A Golden Gate

While New Orleans and Indianapolis were duking it out at the Super Bowl, the Golden Gate was bathing in all its sunny glory. It looked something like this.

Welcome to the Golden Gate

Here’s what it looks like to approach the Golden Gate by sea. I was treated to this view when I got a ride on the Frauscher 757 St. Tropez, the world’s first motoryacht with a hybrid engine. See more here and there’s a video, too, if you like (with German soundtrack).