Passenger Trains > Fog and Its Absence in San Francisco

Never underestimate the fog. In some areas of San Francisco, such as the Sunset district, you probably already know this. For outlanders like me it's good to access the excellent https://fog.today/ website to make sure the sun is shining before making a trip there. I did that today hoping to take some sunset pictures and was not disappointed--thanks to that website. 

This is on Judah St. where MUNI's N Judah terminates down by Ocean Beach. Say what you want about San Francisco, many of it's neighborhood names are highly descriptive and helpful to tourists and out-of-towner types. 

Sunset was around 7pm and was forecast to occur a bit north of the line of Judah St. if it were extended to the horizon. These photos prove the forecast was correct.  

These photos are all down at 46th Ave. 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/28/24 20:45 by phthithu.

---

---

---

This line terminates down at the end of this street with a turnaround loop. 

---

---

---

Sort of tricky editing these photos. The second one is no editing just sharpening. Probably fine. Anyways it's a fun way to enjoy the sunset as long as you don't get hit by a car driven by one of these crazy San Francisco drivers. And when you're standing between the setting sun and one of those aforementioned drivers you're sort of making yourself invisible to them in some cases. 

---

---

---

Very nice set. Well done.

Bob

Posted from Android

Nice set of sunset photos, Parker. I thought perhaps you were up to shoot the L Taraval, but I see that isn't resuming service after the major rehabilitation work until today.

Great photos. Nothing like being at the right place at the right time.
Thanks for posting.
Regards, Jim Evans

Crazy San Francisco drivers? lol. I just spent two weeks there and they are downright respectful compared to drivers in my hometown Chicago.

Posted from iPhone

Beautiful images all.  Your homework and prep paid off very well.  All IOTD worthy.

Nice Images!  Actually, I've found the fog to be an aid to photography after dark on these Muni cars! =)

Cheers,
Harry

Jonny_Chi Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Crazy San Francisco drivers? lol. I just spent
> two weeks there and they are downright respectful
> compared to drivers in my hometown Chicago.

I remember driving IN New York City many years ago, and unlike San Francisco, my mind had to anticipate as many things as possible in order to avoid "confrontation." Chicago wasn't as bad.

Besides, San Francisco driving gets worse when wealth-seeking carpet baggers come to the city to show off their self-importance. They should be in the process of leaving, so hopefully "native" San Franciscans (who haven't left yet) can bring sanity back to the streets again.

phthithu Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is on Judah St. where MUNI's N Judah
> terminates down by Ocean Beach. Say what you want
> about San Francisco, many of it's neighborhood
> names are highly descriptive and helpful to
> tourists and out-of-towner types. 

Love the silhouette on #2. Beautiful shots, and not just #2.

The names of streets and locations have historical meanings, too, and that's part of the fun in visiting "Baghdad-by-the-Bay."
 

> Jonny_Chi Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Crazy San Francisco drivers? lol. I just spent
> > two weeks there and they are downright
> respectful
> > compared to drivers in my hometown Chicago.
>


Most auto drivers out on the "Avenues" as the calmer suburban-esque West Side of San Francisco is called tend to be rather courteous when it comes to 4-way stop sign intersections out here. More often than not, the driver already at the intersection first waves whoever else through first before proceeding themselves.  That's pretty darn nice in my book.  Of course then, there are also those that love to roll through a stop sign, especially on RH turns.. so it's a balance.   As far as light rail photography, It's always a bit safer to be on a pedestrian island to frame your shot.  Never know who is driving down the street but otherwise daydreaming or distracted.


An Inbound N Judah approaches its stop at 34th Avenue on 24 September 2024.  Car 2023 is one of at least three Siemens LRVs wearing a full wrap for Lufthansa Airlines.  If you look carefully, there's another Inbound N following just a few blocks away in the distance.

Cheers,
Harry
 



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 09/28/24 12:12 by tracktime.

---

Awesome photos.  I took a joyride once on the N-Line to Sunset Beach about 10 years ago, but it was mid-day and it didn't dawn on me it would be a great spot for sunset pictures - but I guess it's in the name of the beach for a reason.

Rich

I was thinking about going out today to Taraval St. or Judah maybe and try to find some better locations based on what I learned yesterday--try to find crossovers and flat sections higher up the hill from the beach. But here's the fog situation as of this afternoon--pretty much a no go. In fact, probably good fog type conditions that Tracktime posted about for some after dark shots. Weather report said to expect misty condensation which might wet the pavement which would be even cooler. 

I guess catching the spring equinox is the better time on these lines. Shouldn't be foggy then. March 18-28 around there. I have to put that on the calendar. 

---

Thank you for sharing these amazing photos. I rode the N Judah line in its entirety back in April and then went to the beach. Really enjoyed seeing the different neighborhoods the route goes through.

Posted from Android

Love the pictures, what a fantastic series.  It's amazing to me how many different tools there are now to help figure out where the sun is setting, what the fog conditions are like, etc.  

Took the afternoon of work and hopped on the N out to the beach one day when I was first working in The City years ago.  Was a great use of an afternoon off, and I thought it was pretty cool to take the train to the beach.  Didn't stay too long, and SF doesn't really have "swimming" beaches, but it was still better than being at work!

Nathan

How nice it is to read so many nice comments about San Francisco, a beautiful City.  And I find that car drivers there do,  on the whole, follow the rules.   By the way, on your next visit, be sure to ride the J line.

Spectacular stuff. Thanks for posting. I wish I could take pictures like that. Bill Webb

Very nice work!

Lance

Very enjoyable pictures!

Larry