A Foggy Coastal Hike Before a Flight

A classic Bay Area summer day on the coast in early August. The fog was thick and persistent, creating a muted, quiet atmosphere for a hike along the cliffs. From the trail, I could just make out a small town and a pier through the haze, with waves breaking on the long, dark sand beach below.

The path hugged the edge of the rugged coastline, winding along the dry, grassy bluffs. Looking down, I could see small, secluded coves where the water, even on a gray day, had a surprising blue-green color. It felt vast and empty out on the headlands, with just the sound of the ocean and the wind.

It was a good, grounding walk to take in one last dose of Northern California scenery. The day ended with a sharp contrast: leaving the cool, damp coast and heading to the airport. I watched the sun set over the tarmac from the terminal window, waiting for a flight out. From gray fog to a warm, golden evening.