The Oakland Bay Bridge, also known as the Bay Bridge, connects Oakland to San Francisco and is one of the most iconic landmarks in the Bay Area. While the Golden Gate Bridge gets all of the attention, the Bay Bridge offers a different perspective of the city and is worth a visit.
The Oakland Bay Bridge from Pier 14 on the City side just after sunset
One of the best ways to see the Bay Bridge is from Treasure Island, which is located in the middle of San Francisco Bay. From here, you can capture stunning photographs of the bridge and the skyline in the background. If you have a drone, you can also get some great aerial shots of the bridge.
The City from Treasure Island on a foggy night in November.
Another great spot to see the Bay Bridge is from the Ferry Building, which is located on the Embarcadero in San Francisco. From here, you can catch a ferry to Oakland and enjoy the views of the bridge from the water. You can also walk along the Embarcadero and find several spots to take pictures of the bridge.
The Bay Bridge lights up at night with a stunning light show called the Bay Lights. This is a must-see for anyone visiting the Bay Area. The lights are installed on the suspension cables of the bridge and create a beautiful display of over 25,000 LEDs that are programmed to create different patterns and designs.
Moonrise over The Bay Bridge
Additionally, the bridge offers stunning views of the San Francisco skyline and the surrounding Bay. Whether you're walking, biking, or driving across, it's definitely worth taking the time to appreciate the beauty of this iconic bridge.
If you are a photographer, your best bet is sunrise or sunset. Public transportation in the Bay Area is first-rate. I have found Pier 14 to offer great viewpoints of both the bridge and the city.
Overall, the Oakland Bay Bridge is a stunning landmark that is worth exploring and capturing through your camera lens. Just be sure to arrive early, plan your transportation, and have fun with your photography!
Tourists, amateur or professional photographers can take advantage of different weather conditions and lighting to get creative and unique shots of the Oakland Bay Bridge. For instance, during sunrise or sunset, the bridge takes on a completely different look and feel, with warm light casting a golden glow across the structure.
By far, this is my favorite image of the Bay Bridge
If you would like to view more of my photography or purchase any of my images as wall art, I have included a link to my San Francisco collection on Fine Art America Page. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy the photography.