Spotting SFO

[jhud922]

I may try to spot at SFO next week sometime. Couple questions and I will reference this spotting guide - https://www.spotterguide.net/planesp...isco-sfo-ksfo/

1. Spot #1 at Waterfront/Bayfront Park - will 500-600mm be enough? What about heat haze?
2. I asked about the spot #5, the parking garage. I was told they don't let people spot from there apparently anymore. However they recommended the Sky Terrace - https://www.flysfo.com/skyterrace. Has anyone spotted from here before? It says open air, is that true? are the views good? How is the heat haze?
3. Are there any other good spots that I should consider?

[A7-BAJ]

Hi, Spotted at SFO before, but not a local.
1. 5-600 on APS-C is fine for Bayfront, especially with heavies are 350-500 usually. Heat haze shouldn't be an issue this late in the year w/ sfo weather
2. Westfield garage is a staff garage, so it is off limits unfortunately, and I wouldn't recommend attempting. They don't issue permits either. I attempted to go up but was sent off by security within a few minutes, and the place has cameras everywhere. Skyterrace is decent, heat haze isn't much an issue except from APU's but you are shooting through heavy glass and the hours are limited so its not the best spot. If you have a good camera and can burst your shutter, the T2 AirTrain station is good, although heat haze is an issue and a lot of foreground clutter here.

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10353993 - Skyterrace
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10677656 - T2 AirTrain, however it was 90 degrees (33 C) that day, so heat haze was much more an issue.
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10551547 - Westfield Garage

[jhud922]

Hi, Spotted at SFO before, but not a local.
1. 5-600 on APS-C is fine for Bayfront, especially with heavies are 350-500 usually. Heat haze shouldn't be an issue this late in the year w/ sfo weather
2. Westfield garage is a staff garage, so it is off limits unfortunately, and I wouldn't recommend attempting. They don't issue permits either. I attempted to go up but was sent off by security within a few minutes, and the place has cameras everywhere. Skyterrace is decent, heat haze isn't much an issue except from APU's but you are shooting through heavy glass and the hours are limited so its not the best spot. If you have a good camera and can burst your shutter, the T2 AirTrain station is good, although heat haze is an issue and a lot of foreground clutter here.

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10353993 - Skyterrace
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10677656 - T2 AirTrain, however it was 90 degrees (33 C) that day, so heat haze was much more an issue.
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10551547 - Westfield Garage

Thanks!

Looks like Bayfront it is, maybe try AirTrain in the afternoon depending on weather.

[MarkLawrence]

A couple of shots from Sky Terrace - it is shooting through glass so being flush to it is important.

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10222168

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10222120

[jhud922]

What about the rental car center near the end of 28L?

[A7-BAJ]

High security presence. Maybe okay to get one aircraft and get out, but you will inevitably be asked to leave.