The Golden Gate Bridge trades its postcard sunshine for dramatic clouds, cold light and a decidedly less golden mood over San Francisco Bay.
San Francisco promised me the Golden Gate, but on that particular day it delivered almost every possible shade of grey.
I photographed the bridge from Golden Gate Overlook in the Presidio, watching its International Orange towers disappear into a heavy, restless sky. The cold light, turbulent water and layers of cloud created a much more dramatic scene than the classic postcard view.
Despite its name, the Golden Gate Bridge has never been gold. Its distinctive colour is officially known as International Orange, while “Golden Gate” refers to the strait connecting San Francisco Bay with the Pacific Ocean.
Perhaps the bridge was not especially golden that day, but the weather gave it something better: character. The clouds softened the distant landscape, the wind marked the surface of the water and the famous structure seemed to stretch directly into the approaching storm.
Not every icon needs sunshine to look impressive. Some simply prefer a little drama.- Date
- 2026-01-01