Whether it is the Arch of St. Louis, the Alamo in San Antonio, or the Space Needle in Seattle, very few iconic images compare with the glorious representation of a city than San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.
It is impossible to imagine San Francisco without thinking of its spectacular bridge. Regardless of the number of times I travel to San Fran, I am not satisfied until I drive over it or walk the span for breathtaking views of the city. Once the largest suspension bridge in the world, visitors can walk, bike, drive or ride over the two-mile platform that connects the city of San Francisco to Marin County.
It was an overcast day on my last visit, but I layered up and made sure I would be comfortable for a stroll across.
The Golden Gate Bridge was not named for its color but for the strait that it spans, Opening in May of 1937, this steel suspension bridges retains a main span measuring 4,200 feet.
As cars drove across the bridge during my walk, I could hear the whirring sound of the tires and the hollow thumps from the grates that offer views into the water below.
The men who designed the bridge were Joseph Strauss, Irving Morrow, and Charles Ellis. But it was Joseph Strauss, a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, who provided oversight for the day-to-day construction of the bridge beginning in January of 1933.
It is said that Strauss became fascinated by bridges during a hospitalization in Cincinnati. With a view of the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge from his hospital room, he would later be employed by a company that specialized in building them.
The view of the bridge from the southeast side visitor parking lot shows the roadway straight through to the other side. The visitor’s center, gardens and café are accessible from this lot and it is a great starting point for enjoying scenic overlooks and vistas.
The Golden Gate Bridge is open 24 hours a day and it is estimated that approximately 110,000 vehicles travel over the bridge on a daily basis. That does not include the 10,000 pedestrians and 6,000 cyclists that cross as well.
Tolls are only collected in one direction as you head into San Francisco from Marin County. There is a toll charge of $7.25 for 2 axles and motorcycles (as of this writing).
Enjoy the San Francisco rite of passage by walking or biking the Golden Gate Bridge and you will see San Francisco from a whole new perspective.
Have you visited San Francisco and was the Golden Gate Bridge on your itinerary? How did you cross it? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my short post about the Golden Gate Bridge! Wishing you many Happy Travels!
What to See and What to Do:
Golden Gate Bridge
P.O. Box 9000, Presidio Station
San Francisco, CA 94129-0601
Telephone: 877 229 8655 or 415 486 8655
- Admission Fee: Walk or bike the Golden Gate Bridge at no charge. There is a fee to travel by car, so check the website for the most recent information.
- Hours: The Golden Gate Bridge is open 24 hours, seven days a week.
- Amenities: Parking, welcome center, cafe, bookstore, historical site
- Scenic View: From several vantage points from the Golden Gate Bridge, explore the Pacific Ocean and surrounding mountains.
- Length of Visit: 1 – 5 hours depending on how you explore the park
- Tips for Your Visit: Access the bridge from both the north and south. Where comfortable shoes for walking across the bridge. The six lanes for cars is tight, so be mindful of other drivers and keep your eyes on the road.
Where to Stay:
Sheraton Palace Hotel, now The Palace Hotel
2 New Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Telephone: 415 512 1111
Where to Eat:
- Castagnola’s – The restaurant is known for its soups served in bread bowls. Select the clam chowder bread bowl or the lobster bisque bread bowl.
- Ghirardelli Chocolate Company – The world famous hot fudge sundae is the best seller.
Where to Drink:
- Iron Horse – Their signature drinks include the James Bond Martini, Goldfinger, Alice in Wonderland, Tiki Temple and Happy Fortune.
What to Read:
- Cool Grey City of Love by Gary Kamiya
- San Francisco Stories by Jack London
- Zodiac by Robert Graysmith
- Alcatraz-1259 by William Baker
Photo Guide for San Francisco:
- Aquatic Park is the best place to photograph San Francisco’s waterfront
- Broadway Street in North Beach for its neon signs and was formerly known as the area’s “red light district”
- Chinatown is absolutely amazing for taking photos of America’s oldest Chinatown.
- Coit Tower for 360 degree views of San Francisco and the harbor
- de Young Museum Observation Deck located at Golden Gate Park is perfect for panoramic photos of the city. Bypass the line to enter the museum to reach the Hamon Observation Tower to take your photos.
- Fort Point is a decommissioned military base on the waterfront which provides outstanding views of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge
- The Marin Headlands is one of the best places to photograph the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge
- Treasure Island for spectacular views of San Francisco’s skyline
- See the entire city of San Francisco from Twin Peaks
Following a zig-zag of streets, I continued strolling towards the shoreline where I arrived at Fisherman’s Wharf. I spent a few moments watching the street performers near Pier 39. Talented entertainers mesmerized their audience with magic tricks, feats of juggling and short stints at stand-up comedy. It was the first time I had ever seen a silver painted mime and was amazed at his talent of standing so still that I was convinced he was a statue. 
