In 2021, I ventured around the southern base of the Golden Gate Bridge to witness naval ships sail into San Francisco Bay. Same idea, different year, different location. This time, I walked to the middle of the bridge to observe the pageantry. Spoiler, fog socked in the bridge for the majority of the show. The fog hovered around the elevation of the road deck. Below that, it was nice and clear
As I stepped onto the bridge, the optimist in me kept reassuring me that it will all burn off in an hour or so. Throughout my walk, foghorns were blaring throughtout the morning. Only the east side of the bridge is open to the public.
This year, it would not have mattered but it would be nice to see the ships heading to the bridge from the west side. Making progress toward the south tower, looked back at Fort Point but it was shrouded in fog. It wasnt until I retreated to my car that it was clear enough to see from the road
From the southern anchorage to the southern tower is just over 1115 feet long
Its still a while before the ships sail underneath. Heading to the north tower to snaps some views of the city skyline
Distance between towers is approximately 4240 feet apart
Theres a vista point just past the north tower on the east side. Below is Fort Baker
Off to the side is Angel Island. There are trails and picnic grounds for day use. Im sure that the views from the peak would be great during the air show happening later in the day
Lime Point light house at the mouth of the bay just below the bridge
A test of the 30x optical zoom on my camera. This is angled northeast toward the Point Richmond area.
Full 30x zoom. There is available magnification with digital zoom but the results are usually less than satisfactory. Interstate 580 along the Richmond/San Rafael eastern landing has an area for oil tankers to unload
This was possibly the clearest it has been all morning. Unfortunately, the ships were nowhere near close to bein the bay at this time.
The ships rolled in as the fog rolled back in again at the same time. The first ship that came in was the USS Princeton (CG 59)
Second in line was USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49)
Bringing up the stern are USS Kansas City (LCS 22) followed by USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62)
USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) is the same class of missile destroyer as last year's John McCain (DDG 56) and David Shoup (DDG 86)
The USS Kansas City (LCS 22) is an Independence class littoral combat ship and has 3 hulls with an angled sided stealth design like the Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001) from 2021
Finally, the video
