Airforce Throughway view of Mount Tamalpais Fog

I took this photograph from Airforce Throughway. It’s at the top of Mountain Top Trail in Mount Tamalpais. I faced west towards the rolling hills, and if you’re lucky, you’ll see fog! I used my GPS to route myself to the Mountain Home Inn on Panoramic Drive. Keep driving past it and you will pass the gate into Tamalpais Park. When the road splits (at a parking lot) go to the right towards the Mountain Theater. Soon there will be a sign for the Department of Transportation FAA parking lot on the left. You cannot park in the lot but you can park just outside the lot off of the main road. Walk around the gate to the left, up Mountain Top Trail. Stay to the right on the road beyond the gate when it splits. At the top you will see the old remains of a structural foundation — possibly military. Find your perfect spot to photograph from! You can also drive up to the destination.

The best months for fog in the Bay Area are in summer, of course! This type of fog is created with certain conditions that generally occur in the warmer months (unfortunately it’s not an every day thing). Chilly and breezy when you are in it, but if you can get above it, the views are incredible.

I prefer visiting this location after it warms up for the day. At sunset this type of fog tends to come in from the west. Enjoy watching the flow of fog and seeing the sun dip behind the rolling hills (or beneath the fog).

Remember, the flow of fog at this altitude is not an everyday thing. Sometimes this location is clear, and sometimes it is socked in. This particular day was a summer day and being above the fog was warm and calm. It is a magical thing to just see and experience, even if you don't take pictures!

I faced west for the featured photo. If you face east, on a clear day you’ll have great views of San Francisco and Oakland.

I recommend using a zoom lens (80mm) to emphasize the foreground of the trees below.

I used a Lee Neutral Density 0.9 Filter Graduated Soft and did a long exposure to achieve a desirable texture of the fog.

I would allow a day or two just to explore this area, because there are fantastic hikes on the Muir Beach trails nearby and Stinson Beach isn't much further down the road either!