Mount Tamalpais State Park
Mount Tamalpais rises above Marin County with sweeping views that stretch from the Pacific Ocean to San Francisco Bay, often with a sea of fog pouring through the valleys below. The summit area and East Peak give you wide panoramic compositions, while the rocky outcroppings make excellent foreground elements against the layered hills and distant city skyline. Early morning is the prime time to visit, when fog fills the valleys and the peaks catch warm golden light above the clouds, creating that classic dramatic layered effect the mountain is known for. A wide angle lens works well for capturing the full sweep of the landscape, though a telephoto lets you compress the fog layers beautifully. Drive up to East Peak for the easiest access to high elevation views, arrive before sunrise to secure a good vantage point, and check fog forecasts in advance since conditions change quickly. (Mill Valley, California, United States)
