Fourth Round: Alcatraz and Angel Island, Skylines

A visit to a city by the sea wouldn’t be complete without seeing it from the water. You can do this in San Francisco and even include one more sight: Alcatraz. Until 1963, this was the maximum security prison in the USA. Founded on the island in 1859 as a military fortification, the first prisoners moved into their cells in 1933, including such illustrious names as Al Capone, „Machinegun“ Kelly, or Robert Stroud, known from the movie „The Birdman„. Today, the remains, neglected over the years, are annexed to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The tour takes you through the main cell block, past the oldest operating lighthouse on the West Coast, to the outer prison yard on the north side of the island. Plan your visit for the last crossing of the day to enjoy natural lighting in the dark cell corridors (a single cell can only be illuminated by a flash of lightning), and to enjoy San Francisco’s skyline in the flatter afternoon light before returning. The Agave Trail on the southeast side of the island offers the best views of the city center opposite.

Alcatraz city cruises from Pier 33 can transport you to the island between 8:40 and 15:50, with tours typically lasting 3 hours. During the summer months, reserve the trip a day or two in advance, if at all possible, so as not to go empty-handed in the long line at the ticket window. From Thursday to Sunday, there are also special evening tours to „The Rock“ (2.5 hours, departure times change depending on the season). Since they include the sunset, they naturally offer the very best photo opportunities for skyline shots.

Another excursion option by boat is Angel Island. Protected from the cold winds of the Golden Gate by the Marin Peninsula, the island is located across from Sausalito in San Francisco Bay and is protected in its entirety as a state park. You can rent bicycles; there are hiking trails along the shore and up to 238 m (780 ft) high Mt Caroline Livermore; as well as swimming beaches and picnic areas. You can also camp here to admire San Francisco at night, barely 4 km (2.5 mi) away to the south. – A pleasure you are guaranteed to share with only a few visitors!

You can tell a city by its skyline, but where is the best place to see its silhouette?

Hawk Hill, Marin Headlands: The Golden Gate Bridge in front of the city. Magnificent in the late afternoon.

Alamo Square: the Victorian wooden houses of Postcard Row in front of the modern skyscraper silhouette. Shadelessly staged by the lower afternoon sun.

Twin Peaks: The best view from the south across the city to the Golden Gate. Worth the walk at any time on a clear day.

Telegraph Hill: In the evening, there is a very good view of the Financial District and the western part of the city around Lombard Street.

Pier 7: Good position for a morning overview from Embarcadero Center and Transamerica Pyramid.

Carnelian Room in the Bank of America Building: (California and Montgomery Streets) Spectacular view of the northeast neighborhoods between Transamerica Pyramid and Telegraph Hill from 232 m (760 ft) above the ground. The best time to view it is just before sunset on a cloudless day.

Berkeley and the view west: From Berkeley, you’ll enjoy a wonderful panoramic view across the Bay to San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Marin Headlands at sunrise and sunset. Good locations are the elevated Grizzly Peak Boulevard above the Berkeley University campus (via Highway 24 and Fish Ranch Road) and the Berkeley Marina for a sea-level view (via I-80 and Exit University Avenue or by ferry from the Ferry Building).

Of course, the Transamerica Pyramid, as the city’s tallest, most conspicuous, and most controversial structure, should not be overlooked here. The building rises 256 m (840 ft) above the Financial District at the southern end of Columbus Avenue. Right at the corner of Kearny and Columbus, you can see the striking green tower of the Columbus Tower contrasting with the angular top. The further you follow Columbus Avenue to the north, the more you can capture the full length and undistorted concrete needle in the picture. The corner of Columbus Avenue and Broadway is one of the best locations for this. The afternoon light strikes a fine balance between the bracing shadows in the foreground and the direct light on top. The corner of Powell and California Streets is nicely elevated to isolate the top and also get a cable car in the foreground. The last evening light on the top of the Transamerica Pyramid can be captured well from the cross streets below Coit Tower, for example, the Montgomery Steps (Montgomery corner Green Street). By the way: the windowless top is only for decoration!

Previous Motifs in San Francisco – Third Round: Golden Gate Park, Haight-Asbury, The Mission, Twin Peaks

Previous Motifs in San Francisco – Second Round: Presidio, Palace of Fine Arts, Pacific Heights, Alamo Square

Previous Intermediate: The Golden Gate Bridge

Previous Motifs in San Francisco – First Round: Union Square, Chinatown, Cable Car Barn, Lombard Street, Fisherman’s Wharf, Telegraph Hill

Previous Photo Tips USA – San Francisco (with maps)

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