Why Does San Francisco Get So Foggy?

We’ve all heard the cliché: ‘The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.’ While Mark Twain may not have actually said this, the quote certainly rings true to anyone who has experienced the San Francisco climate. While visitors tend to assume that since San Francisco is in California, the weather will be warm, they are often faced with a rude awakening when they find themselves shivering in summer clothes under the city’s notoriously fog-filled sky.
One of the most common questions asked by visitors is what causes this unique fog. The answer is fairly simple. The Northern California climate gets very hot, especially in the summer, creating a low-pressure zone. San Francisco, on the other hand, is surrounded by water on three sides. The hot air rises, creating a vacuum for the cold, high-pressure, moisture-filled ocean air to rush in – hence, the fog.

San Francisco has a well-documented history of affection toward its notorious fog, dubbing the phenomenon Karl. Karl the Fog has become a beloved character in the city’s day-to-day activities, with a personality displayed on his various social media accounts including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Locals love to interact with Karl, arguing with him over days of teeth-rattling cold, or begging him to return from vacation during heat waves.

http://instagram.com/p/vNNQYqgML3/

If you want to embrace Karl in the ways that locals do, we’ve got you covered with some of the best ways to experience his majesty. In the morning, wander through some of the most iconic destinations in the city while they are shrouded in fog. You can walk across the Golden Gate Bridge or the Golden Gate Promenade, or visit Crissy Field, the Marina Green, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Alternately, experience the fog from up high, try going for a hike in Sutro Forest, which will transport you into a magical, ethereal experience. You can also head out of the city to the Marin Headlands for a hike that will give you a view of the city fog from outside.

A more extravagant way to experience the fog is to drink it in the form of a $43 fog martini served at Epic Steak on the Embarcadero. To be specific, the Fog Point Martini is made with Hangar Point’s Fog Point vodka, which is made with Bay Area fog. The Hangar Point vodka itself is sold in bottles for $125 each, and the martini contains three ounces of it. If you’d prefer, you can purchase an ounce of Fog Point alone at Epic Steak for $23.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.