If you’re planning a San Francisco air tour, there’s a fair chance you’ve wondered about the fog. It’s one of the city’s most famous features, so it’s a reasonable question. Here’s the short answer: most days are flyable, and your flight will go ahead as planned. And on the occasional day when conditions aren’t right, we’ll call you and find a new time.
Here’s how it works, so you know exactly what to expect.
Why San Francisco Has Fog
San Francisco’s fog comes from the Pacific. Warm inland air pulls cool, moist ocean air toward the coast, and that moisture settles as low clouds around the Golden Gate and the Bay. It’s most common in the summer, and it usually burns off by afternoon.
It’s also a big part of the city’s look. Plenty of guests love the moody, atmospheric view of the Golden Gate Bridge with fog rolling through, and a foggy morning can clear into a bright, sunny afternoon. In fact, the fog rolling over the Golden Gate is one of SF’s most iconic views!
Fog Doesn’t Automatically Mean a Canceled Flight
A little fog is not the same as a grounded flight. What matters is how low the clouds sit and how far we can see along your route. On many days, a hazy start doesn’t change anything, and conditions improve as the day goes on.
When conditions along the route aren’t suitable, we’d rather make the call ahead of time than have you show up and wait.
What Happens If We Need to Reschedule
If weather affects your flight, we call you. You won’t need to watch the forecast or guess whether your tour is still on. We’ll talk through your options and find a new time that works for you.
Weather changes are the exception, not the rule. Most guests never have to think about it.
How to Make the Day Easier
A few simple things help no matter what the weather does:
- Give us a phone number you’ll answer → Since we call to reschedule, the best thing you can do is make sure the number on your booking is correct and easy to reach on the day of your flight.
- Build in a little flexibility if you can → If you’re traveling for a few days, avoid booking your flight on the last possible one. That gives you room to move your tour if you need to.
- Think about the season → September through November brings some of the clearest, warmest days of the year. Summer mornings are the foggiest, and early flights don’t guarantee blue skies.
- Plan ahead for special occasions → For a proposal or an anniversary, leave yourself a little extra room in your schedule, especially outside the fall months. And even if you can’t fly (which is very rare), the team will still do their best to make your special occasion as special as possible.
Questions Before You Book?
If you have questions about the weather or the best time to fly, give us a call. We’re happy to talk through it with you.
Ready to See the Bay?
Every flight departs from the Mill Valley Seabase, just 10 minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge.
Book your aero adventure here or call 415-332-4843.