The Bridge
Everyone who comes to San Francisco wants to see the Golden Gate Bridge. It defines the city. It defines America, it defines California and the west. Even with all the overcrowding and selfie-stick influencers of TikTok the area surrounding the Bridge remains stunningly pretty. Weather: the water, the wind and the earth controls the area. People seem insignificant there. I am seeing the Golden Gate Bridge for the last 25 years. Except the years of Covid, I have probably visited the bridge every year, if not a few times in a year, but the place never lose it’s charm!
Today the cloud is just about 100 ft above the sea level with high winds. In fact I have heard that it’s been like this for a few days. People can’t see the bridge at all! Well you guys can. Below is a picture from a different trip when there was not a single spec of cloud!
But today when I looked at this, especially with Fort point, it seems to me like a ghost bridge to nowhere! More on that later.
Originating from Spanish rule, the promontory known as Punta del Cantil Blanco was fortified in 1794 as Castillo de San Joaquín to defend the entrance to San Francisco Bay.
Amid the 1849 Gold Rush, the U.S. recognized San Francisco’s strategic importance. Between 1853 and 1861, engineers built Fort Point using robust Third System masonry design—the only such fort west of the Mississippi—with triple-tiered casemates and thick walls meant to repel naval attacks.
Advances in artillery rendered brick forts outdated and, over time, Fort Point was gradually decommissioned. It saw intermittent use as barracks, training facility, and even a detention site during WWI, before eventually supporting anti-submarine defenses in WWII. There is more to the submarine story but that will require a different post!
But today as I was looking at Fort Point I was thinking about Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo. In the dramatic scene, Madeleine leaps into San Francisco Bay from the edge of Fort Point, but the actual jump was performed by stunt double Polly Burson onto a suspended parachute over the water. Kim Novak did not make that leap herself. I remember the build up into the scene and the jump made Scotty believe that Madeleine was “real”. It was such an iconic scene! In my mind that made Fort Point immortal to film lovers.
There is a nice trail that goes down from the Golden Gate Bridge to right down to the San Francisco Bay. It takes you down to the Warming Hut. It is aptly named! Now it is a cafe and a national park services gift shop.
It used to be century-old U.S. Army Engineer storehouse that’s been repurposed for public enjoyment. It is really cold and windy there by the bay almost always. So it is always nice to step inside a get a cup of coffee and browse at a few books.
It is charming inside and lot of people like to hang out here.
Just outside the trail continues towards Crissy Field. The U.S. Army established Crissy Field as Air Service Coast Defense Station—the first such station on the west coast. It became a hub of aviation innovation, serving as a launch site for pioneering flights like the transcontinental dawn-to-dusk journey and early Hawaiian attempts.
Today, the area is revitalized and its 100-acre area is part of National park services public land, featuring grassy airfield zones, dunes, marshes, a bay promenade, and ecological habitat—now seamlessly blending recreation with conservation. It became a flagship example of urban ecological restoration.
Up the trail is the key spot for the iconic panorama for the city of San Francisco!
If you look carefully you can see a lot of the major landmarks of the city. Also notice how low the clouds can be above water and the city can be in the sun! It’s amazing!
This post has been shared on Reddit by @edeyglezsosa through the HivePosh initiative.
I heard you could surf under it..I learnt this not long ago and it blew my mind
. Check out this video from this search, golden gate bridge surf https://share.google/LzWiK73zMIz0lTCEB
Yeah. If you see my clear day picture, you can see significant surf at Ft point. You get the right conditions in winter typically.
That's my elementary notebook cover .
Which picture?
The golden gate bridge thats remind me of my elementary notebooks
Nice! I haven’t exactly seen these notebooks before. Did you go to school in California?
Your last picture in the coffee shop, I love the way the guy in the corner is looking at the woman. He looks so fascinated with whatever she is saying. That's a great picture.
Have you seen the bridge from the Sausalito side? If you go where the Children's Discovery Museum is, there are fantastic views of the bridge from down where the Yacht Club is located.
Yes. I have been to Sausalito. A few to
times. Many years ago my wife and I even walked across the bridge to there and took the ferry back! That was 10 miles of walk!
Yes, I noticed that in the coffee shop, I won't judge, but dating after a certain age requires care! ;) You know what I mean :)
That must have been a beautiful walk. Did you take many pictures on your walk across the bridge?
Good point about the dating :-) Fortunately, I've been happily married for many years and don't have to worry about the dating scene any more.
The way you describe the movie scene, for a moment I felt I am watching it in real....clouds just add a new dimension to the bridge...there are so many historical aspect attached to these architecture... which are hard to built in current time.
Vertigo is one of my most favorite movies. Not only it was way ahead of its time in cinematography, but also the way to highlighted San Francisco and surrounding area is unique I think. Below is a still from the movie that you can compare where Scotty is rescuing Madeleine…….
You made me to search this movie online....hope I get a fine print for a late night show😉 tonite
Will be a treat! Let me know how it goes. Even better write a post about it :)
Sure, found the link for the movie...hope to keep myself awake till late for the movie.
https://share.google/AUUihye5wOM6kugWK
Beautiful place. I feel like I was there myself now, I went into the hut to drink coffee and chose the book Plant Words.
Thank you. In that case I feel like I have done something worthwhile.
Nice blog about San Francisco—the bridge that's most often hidden in the clouds!
I was lucky enough to see it once, and it was such a memorable trip (2009). 🌁😊
You should write about that trip. Find the pictures and share :)
When I'm loking on the photos when Golden Gate hides in clouds reminds me bridge which was built in Vladivostok city. It connects mainland with island and also likes to hide in fog.
Don't have photos right now under my hands but it can be easily found in free sources. As example this one photo
Yes, this is common and very familiar in San Francisco. The atmospheric phenomenon is called Advection Fog. You can read more about it here:
https://baynature.org/article/fog-and-redwoods-demystifying-the-mist/
It is a beautiful bridge, but I don't think it had the same impact for me when I saw it since we have the Mackinac Bridge where I live. I'm obviously biased, but it's hard to beat that five mile span across the straits! I do love the rich history of the Golden Gate and the surrounding area. You captured it well!
I never been, but just googled it. It's pretty. I haven't traveled in Michigan much. UPN Michigan is something I always wanted to visit!
It's a beautiful area. If you like the water it's a definite must. The Great Lakes give you the feel of the ocean without the salt water or deadly animals. It doesn't have the elevation of some states, but you'd probably love some of the geology. Google Petoskey Stones, and Yooperlites sometimes when you have a chance. Plus the copper mining history of the Keweenaw Peninsula is always exciting.
That one I don't have to google, I already know. In fact I have them. An office colleague is from Michigan and she brought me some. They are beautiful!
They are Devonian Corals, did you know that? :)
I didn't know that! It's crazy just how many of them there are. When you polish them up they look really awesome too. I still have a rock tumbler stored in my garage somewhere.
The Golden Gate bridge is something I knew about in a novel, albeit being fantasy there was a lot of fictional lore concerning it.
With the way the clouds cover the bridge now, I half believe some of them 😂😂...
Incase you're wondering the novel was The Alchemist by Michael Scott..
Quite a nice book
One of my favorite fantasy series! My older daughter is also crazy about it. We visited Mt Tamalpais together as the area was mentioned in detail in that book and also in Percy Jackson!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Alchemyst:_The_Secrets_of_the_Immortal_Nicholas_Flamel
Ohhhh
I'm so jealous 😭😭😭
That's pretty low level, never saw something like that.
Yes, it is called advection fog/cloud.
I love fog. The calmness it brings. Everything seems still. Yes, you can't see the landmarks, but you can't see humans, either. It has its own kind of beauty in it.
That area does look more and more appealing with each post you write. I like the preservation/recreation concept. We didn't study SF in University, but we there are similar concepts in Germany. In the north, we have a lot of birding areas. My grandfather turned an Island in Czaplinek, Poland, into a natural reserve with paths and huts for observation. It's good to see that it can work, humans and nature together. Up to a certain point, of course. But these days, I take what I can get.
Me too, as you can probably tell. I love what they have done to this area. It takes a lot of work.
Very interesting post, I have been to San Francisco four or five times but have never visited the Golden Gate Bridge area.
That is surprising! Was it business trip? In that case that can happen.
Crazy to think the number of person that did a picture and might have someone jumping from the bridge on the picture
Oh! Numerous people have done that. In fact it is so common that there is a Wikipedia page for that! City has done many preventative measures. There are high railings and continuous netting under the bridge now.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicides_at_the_Golden_Gate_Bridge
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Its really looks amazing ,have not seen a bridge like this before and am not sure we have this type of bridge in my state except in Lagos which have not gone to. Thanks for sharing.
Power up some hive and do not take all rewards out. Your KE ratio is 102! That is obnoxiously high.
Have forgotten how to convert HBD to HIVE so I can powerup and also is it good to make my earning on post to 100% Hp
Hey @azircon!
Here is a !PIZZA for you 🍕
No pizza needed :)
Just a simple comment is adequate. Thank you for the visit. That is very kind of you.
PS. I have the pizza token muted. I think it's just spam :)
oh no :(
I just bough so many pizzas & stacked.
Now, I am in list of highest stacked pizza guy and andd ....
a big face palm
Pizza is a witness so my assumption was ...
Any way. Sorry for talking too much about pizza. let's talk about your post.
Your post reminded me of Golden Gate Bridge Screensaver of Apple TV.
I used to simply start screen savers & keep watching them.
All drone long footages
Over Sahara desert, over golden gate.
Those photos of Golden Gate bridge took me to that past time.
Now I no longer use apple tv, it's very old :(
No worries! :) it's not your fault!
Most hive engines tokens became spam, especially the ones that revolve around curation reward at hive (aren't they all?).
Yeah. I remember that screensaver. Apple is based not far from here. By the way, you know this already I am sure, but half the city is Indian :) At least it seems that way :)
I heard about that "Indian City" in New Jersey
San Francisco too - that's new to me
via Inbox
Love how you captured the ghostly vibe of the bridge in the fog.💓
Power up some hive. Your KE ratio is above 5! Get it down to 1.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful experience. Your description of the Golden Gate Bridge and its surroundings, especially in specific weather conditions, was really interesting.
Power up some hive. Your KE ratio is more than 12!
"I didn't understand, dear friend, which part you are talking about!!? Is it possible for you to guide me more!!??"
Please read this post and other posts that are linked in that post
https://peakd.com/hive-180505/@azircon/ke-ratio-a-personal-perspective
😍
Wow amazing! Seeing the bridge in fog like that almost looks like a scene from the movies. It definitely gives a mysterious vibe. I can also imagine that it would be a little nerve-wracking to drive across in that kind of condition.
Improve your KE ratio please by powering up some hive. It is currently at greater than 9.
Nice, it all looks very interesting, many things to do and to see !
The bridge? hmmm is already lost😁
I have a certain liking for the fog is like surreal and reminds me of the aliens kind of atmosphere so post apocalyptic
oh wow that bridge is so tall😱