View of the Golden Gate Bridge from the Marin Headlands
Symbol of the city, the tallest suspension bridge in the world (67 metres)is not just an engineering marvel and a vital transit route. It is also the best place to take a jaw-dropping photo of the city. It is best to take it by taxi or car heading north, and then exit at the first junction on the right. The vision that awaits you is unparalleled.
The bridge can also covered on foot and not only by motor vehicles. Pedestrians can walk on the eastern sidewalk of the bridge. You can just park near the bridge and walk over it, but there are also some nice paths leading to the bridge that are worth doing. The bridge is open to pedestrians daily from 5 am- 6.30 pm.
The Golden Gate Bridge is not gold. It is so called because it crosses what is called the Golden Gate Strait, a three-mile long, one-mile wide body of water that connects the Pacific Ocean to San Francisco Bay.
How to best experience Golden Gate?
Discover tickets, tours, and activities for Golden Gate through these providers:
Best Golden Gate Tours
San Francisco Bay Sunset Cruise by Luxury Catamaran
/5Enjoy a relaxing cruise on a luxury catamaran while the sun sets over San Francisco Bay. Sail past the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island.
As low as
€73.54
on GetYourGuide.com
San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge Catamaran Cruise
/5Take in views of San Francisco's iconic skyline, Alcatraz Island, and the Golden Gate Bridge like never before on this 1.5-hour catamaran adventure. Feel the wind in your hair and enjoy the ocean air as you look for sea lions lounging in the bay.
As low as
€58.83
on GetYourGuide.com
San Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise
/5Sail along San Francisco's breathtaking waterfront, under the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, and around notorious Alcatraz Island. Discover San Francisco's history via an award-winning audio commentary, available in 16 languages.
As low as
€38.01
on GetYourGuide.com
San Francisco: 1-Hour Bay Cruise by Boat
/5Cruise along San Francisco’s waterfront and relive the 150 years of history. Sail underneath the Golden Gate Bridge, get an up-close look at Alcatraz and gaze at the beautiful San Francisco skyline.
As low as
€33.34
on GetYourGuide.com
What is the Golden Gate Bridge?
The Golden Gate is a strait on the west coast of North America that connects San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean. It is defined by the headlands of the San Francisco Peninsula and the Marin Peninsula, and, since 1937, has been spanned by the Golden Gate Bridge. The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world (2.7 kilometres). Above all, it’s the most treasured and representative symbol of the city of San Francisco.
When and why was the Golden Gate Bridge built?
Before the bridge was built, the only way of crossing the San Francisco Bay was by ferry, so in the 20th century, the bay was obstructed with the large number of ferries that went back and forth. The solution came when the engineer and bridge builder Joseph Strauss in 1917 became persuaded of the need to build a bridge across the bay. After years of difficulties in its construction, the Golden Gate Bridge was inaugurated in the year 1937.
Why is the Golden Gate Bridge orange?
The colour of the bridge is a shade of orange called international orange. It was chosen since the steel was brought with an orange coating to prevent corrosion and therefore during construction the inhabitants got used to seeing it in that colour. It was also chosen on the advice of architect Irving Morrow because it matches the natural colours of the surroundings and because it makes the structure more visible in the fog. Before it had been thought of in various colours, even the defense wanted the bridge to be coloured black and yellow as a great signal to allow ships to see it easily even in the fog. In the end, the international orange made it possible to reconcile the aesthetic and practical needs of the structure.
General informations
Useful information for your visit to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Location
The Golden Gate Bridge is located between San Francisco and Marin County.
Where to see the Golden Gate
The Golden Gate Bridge can be seen from dozens of places, but the best place to go is Vista Point H. Dana Bowers (also known as “Vista Point”). This has other attractions on top of providing privileged views of the bridge, the city of San Francisco and the bay, including:
- Blue Star Memorial Highway: a tribute to the United States Armed Forces.
- The Lone Sailor Memorial: a statue dedicated to the Navy, the Coast Guard and the Merchant Navy.
- Compass Rose: commonly known as the “Wind Rose,” is a figure displaying the direction of the cardinal points.
To get to Vista Point H. Dana Bowers you just have to cross the Golden Gate Bridge in a northerly direction.
Another option to see the bridge is to take a boat ride or cruise and sail under the landmark.
Attractions nearby
- Legion of Honor (4.3 km)
- Sausalito (4.5 km)
- Alcatraz (5 km)
- Fillmore Street (5.1 km)
- De Young Museum (5.3 km)
More top sights in San Francisco:
