Golden sess

If there’s one surf spot where photos are most likely to impress surfers and non-surfers, it is Fort Point.

The photogenic left-hand point break peels from just across the iconic masonry fortification located on the south side of the Golden Gate Bridge toward the local picnic spot.

The imposing, 1.70-mile (2.74-kilometer) long suspension bridge, opened in 1937, serves as the backdrop for a tricky yet highly sought-after novelty wave.

Fort Point only comes alive once in a while. It’s a rare and sensitive gem with many secrets and hidden dangers.

The place is fed by unique, angled swells from the Pacific Ocean’s Gulf of Farrallones, which must align with tides to deliver perfect surf.

On epic days, “The Fort” will provide a series of well-drawn wave lines that no surfer can resist.

There are several problems that are not immediately disclosed when you stand on the Crissy Field’s promenade.

The legendary San Francisco surf break has strong currents that can suck you all the way out of the gate.

Furthermore, the slippery rocks in the lineup and the shipping hazards make it an idyllic wave-riding arena for advanced and experienced surfers only.

On December 13, 2020, experienced bodyboarder and cherished San Francisco pie maker Haruwn Wesley died at Fort Point after hitting a large rock, becoming unconscious and submerging underwater.

The 64-year-old was riding double overhead waves, something he had been doing on the spot for decades.

Despite its unpredictability and rare nature, the funky Fort Point stays clean during large winter swells, south winds, and a low, rising tide.