Where to see Golden Gate Henge

Emanuel Luo | Staff

Many popular locations in and around UC Berkeley’s campus offer views of the Golden Gate Bridge, yet what is less well known is that some of these vantage points occasionally offer an opportunity to see what some call “Golden Gate Henge.” This phenomenon occurs when the sun sets between the bridge’s two towers, a sight unique to the northeastern coast of San Francisco and the East Bay.

Golden Gate Henge happens due to the Earth’s tilted axis, which causes the sun’s rising and setting points to drift north during the spring and south during the fall. This means that the sun only aligns with the bridge for a limited portion of the year — roughly mid-September to mid-March.

The Daily Californian created an interactive site which highlights a collection of locations and times where one can catch the Golden Gate Henge phenomenon. The map uses solar position calculations to estimate when the event can be seen at a given time of year.

Check out the interactive map

If you’re feeling adventurous and would like to find your own secret spot to see Golden Gate Henge, you can use the slider to select any date in the year and view a shaded area indicating where the phenomenon is visible. Even though some locations may be within the shaded area, the sunset may be obstructed by landmarks such as hills, trees and buildings. Consulting street view imagery can help ensure there is a clear view of the bridge. Note that between mid-March and mid-September, Golden Gate Henge does not occur.

Weather conditions are equally important. High clouds enhance the sunset, while low-level clouds are more likely to block the sun entirely. Marine layers off the coast are very common in the Bay Area and can block the sun before it can be level with the bridge. For more details on how to use the interactive site, click on the button marked “click here for help using this site.” Happy sunset hunting — we hope this helps you catch your own Golden Gate Henge!

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