Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 5; Flight Crew Total 137; Flight Crew Type 135
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors
I was on a Bay tour of the Golden Gate Bridge area. Upon completion of the tour; I flew eastbound toward Berkeley at 1500 feet. When north of the Alcatraz; I suddenly saw another C172 flying westbound at the same altitude in a path that is about 500 feet north of me. Flying in opposite direction meant very little time to react; and I quickly banked right to give us some more distance. There was also a TFR in San Francisco; so I was careful to stay north of Alcatraz to not violate the TFR. I was on flight following with Norcal but did not receive advisory from ATC about that traffic; and do not think the other aircraft was on frequency. I felt the encounter was a bit too close for comfort. Some reflection in hindsight: do [a] better job in visually scanning for traffic; do not assume other VFR guys are on frequency or ATC will always advise traffic; be extra cautious at sightseeing hotspots; especially when there is TFR that might 'funnel' traffic; do not back myself into a corner against the TFR or Bravo boundaries.
C172 pilot reported an airborne conflict with an opposite direction C172 in the vicinity of Alcatraz Island.