San Francisco - Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate
Bridge is perhaps San Francisco's most famous landmark, recognizable by almost
everyone.
The bridge opened
in 1937 and used for cars rides and tourist attraction, each year there are more
than 10 million visitors coming to see this engineering marvel.
During the last
25 years I saw the bridge countless time, the sight of it never gets old,
whenever I am driving, walking, biking or seeing the bridge from any viewpoint
I always think how amazing this view is.
Few Numbers:
The Bridge main
span of 4,200 feet (1,280 m), the height of it 2 towers are 746 feet (227 m), and
clearance above the bay water averages 220 feet (67 m).
The
1.7-mile-long suspended road hangs on two cables, each more than 7,000 feet in
length and containing 80,000 miles of wire.
Construction of
this large suspension bridge design began on January 5, 1933, and the grand
opening celebrations were held 4 years later, on May 27, 1937.
The Golden Gate
Bridge stands at the entrance to California's San Francisco Bay as a symbol of
American ingenuity and engineering.
Today, on top
of being at tourist attraction the bridge carries about 40 million vehicles a
year and it is a vital connecting element in San Francisco and Marin County transportation.
There are many
“elements” that transform this bridge into Iconic famous structure:
·
The connection across the bay and
the large opening between San Francisco Presidio and the hills of Marin County.
At the time it was built this was the largest suspension bridge in the world.
·
The suspension bridge with its
hanging cables has its unique fluidity wave shape that attracts the eye.
·
The GGB painted with International
Orange color. This color was chosen because it will both stand out and blend
with the Marin County hills on its north side and contrasted with the ocean, sky
and the fog that is here many days of the year.
·
We can also add to that list the
Fogy environment that add mystery to this bridge, sometime completely covering
the bridge, in other times only the towers upper section can be visible from
the hills …
·
At night the bridge orange color
together with the yellow road lamps create amazing view of “glow” over the
water.
You can walk/run
across the bridge on its bay side (east side) and bike on the other side facing
the ocean (west side).
Rollerblades,
skateboards, roller skates, and electronic scooters are not permitted on the
bridge.
Map of popular San Francisco city view points:
Important Note:
Dress warmly
and in layers, do not think that if it is summer and there is sun it is warm.
This is good advice
for anyone visiting San Francisco but especially correct for the Golden Gate
Bridge. It's colder on the bridge compared to the city because cool winds are
usually blowing from the cold ocean and the famous fog can cover the bridge and
create even colder temperatures.
Driving toll:
The Golden Gate
Bridge links the City of San Francisco with the County of Marin along U.S.
Route 101.
Drivers pay
tolls only in the southbound direction, on the south end of the bridge. There
is no stopping to pay tolls at this bridge.
Do expect some traffic
congestion before the bridge and at the at the toll plaza, especially on
weekends, and holidays.
One-Time
Payment: For rental cars you have 48 hours to pay a toll after crossing the
bridge, Payments can be made online:
https://www.bayareafastrak.org/en/tolls/one-time-payment.shtml
Parking near the bridge:
There are vista
points on both the north and south sides of the bridge. Both vista points have
parking lots, parking is extremely limited at the GGB.
At the south
parking lot, you can find the new Bridge Welcome Center, gift shop with some
educational displays about the bridge.
Map of parking location near the Golden Gate Bridge:
Important note:
GGB parking lots are closed to vehicles on weekends and holidays from 11AM to
5PM. This includes Vista Point at the north end and the Welcome Center and
Merchant Road lots at the south end.
When driving
north out of San Francisco on the 101 you can park at the very small parking
lot just before crossing the bright to the north (look for sign warns for the
last SF exit) or once you cross the bridge to the north side (take the first
exit) that has a larger but still crowded parking lot. After your stay here you
can still drive from the parking lot onto highway 101 north.
You can also drive
on Lincoln Boulevard from Presidio that will lead you to the south parking lot.
If you are
coming from the north, you can exit just before the bridge and park at Headlands
Parking (you need to walk under the bridge to the north Vista Point.
Once you cross
the bridge from the north take the first exit after the tollbooth to the right
and look for a parking lot.
As in any other
place in San Francisco do not leave valuables in your vehicle!
Although it is crowded
location with many people around so car brake in are less common here but if
you want to be extra safe with your belonging, one of your party will stay in
the car and wait to the others than he can go can enjoy the view.
Bike:
You can cross
the bridge with your bike.
There are
number of excellent bike paths that lead from the city to this area.
You can rent
bikes at several places near Fisherman's Wharf and several others tourist
locations.
You can also
ride your biking across the bridge all the way to Sausalito and take the ferry
back to the city.
My favorites GGB Viewing points:
There are many
viewing points to this amazing bridge and the view is always dependent on the
time of day and the weather, especially the fog conditions.
There are many
other locations where you can see the Golden Gate Bridge, including the north
side of the city but the below are my favorite’s locations.
I will list
below my recommendation locationsת not in specific order, any view of the Golden Gate Bridge is amazing view..
Viewing points North of the
bridge:
North Vista Point:
This is
probably the best bridge and San Francisco Skyline viewpoint.
When driving
north get off the bridge at the first exit, find parking space and walk to the
viewing deck.
Here you can
also see the Lonely Sailor Statue near the restrooms.
This location
is good at sunrise where the sun is rising over San Francisco or at sunset and
night where you can see the bridge yellow and orange lights on your right and
San Francisco on the other side of the bay.
Battery Spencer:
Another popular
viewing point is from this location.
It is located
above the bridge on a hill, so the view is to the bridge below and the inner
bay.
When it is
foggy you can see the bridge glow below in the fog where only the tips of the bridge
towers are rising above the fog layer.
To reach this
point you need to get off the 101 and drive into Marin Headlands on Counselman
Rd.
It is easy to
access this location when driving south and exit just before the bridge. Drive
up the road until you reach the small Battery Spencer parking lot, this parking
lot is usually always full.
If you do not
want to wait for empty spot you can also try to find parking along side the
road where it permitted.
You can also
reach this location from the side of Marin Headland. The one-way road will lead
you down across the hill edge to the Battery Spencer, you can fid many parking
spots along this one-way road.
Slackers Hill:
This is maybe
less popular (because it is not on the road) but not less impressive overlook.
When you are
driving up on the park road leading to the ridge you will reach a large
roundabout. You need to park your car on the roundabout parking lot (this will
be the first exit on your right).
From here walk
down the road to the marked road crossing, cross to the other side and climb
the steep up-hill 0.5-mile-long trail all the way to it end on the right side
of the ridge. The short steep climb worth it, from this high view location, you
can see 360 degrees view and you will be here with few other people or even by
yourself.
When looking
around you can see Mount Tam to the north, the beaches and rocky cliffs of the
Marin Headland Park to the west, the bay ocean opening, Golden Gate Bridge
below you, and the city of San Francisco on the other far side of the inner
bay.
Fun place to
spend the afternoon and sunset.
Make sure to
bring warm clothes with you. It can be very windy or foggy up here even in warm
summer days.
Cavallo Point:
Located below
the Bridge on it northeast side, you need to exit the first highway 101 exit
(after the viewpoint) in the direction of Sausalito and then take the first
turn right.
In this location
you can find Bay Area Discovery Museum and the upscale Cavallo Point Lodge. Drive
all the way to the end of Moore Rd, here you can look for parking on the side
of the road, from the pier you will have a nice view of the bridge and the city
across the bay.
Kirby Beach:
From here you
will have a unique view of the bridge. Located at the Marin Headlands Ocean
shore nested inside the rocky cliffs. You need to walk 1 mile (20-30 min) down
from Battery Spencer parking lot to the ocean on a dirt road. You need to climb
the way up when you are going back to your car.
This is a popular beach and people are even spending the night here at the camping site.
Viewing points South of the bridge:
South Golden Gate Overlook:
This overlook
is well-known for its direct line of view with the Golden Gate Bridge's twin
towers framed between two Cypress trees. It's a popular Instagram and wedding shoot
location. It is located just off Lincoln Boulevard not so far south from the
bridge exit and there is a nearby Langdon Court Parking lot. You can also spend
time here exploring the former military batteries (Battery Godfrey).
This is also
the start of the short but steep hike to Marshall's Beach.
Battery Marcus Miller:
This is one of
the popular high viewpoints on the south side of the bridge.
From here you
can frame the bridge between to large trees and see the lens crossing to the
other side.
There is a
parking (Langdon Court Parking) just south from this point.
You can walk
from here to Marshall beach below the cliff.
Marshall's Beach:
This is one of
my favorites locations for taking sunset and night pictures of the bridge.
You start your
hike down to the ocean from Langdon Court Parking (South Golden Gate Overlook).
Find the
Battery to Bluffs Trail at the south side of Langdon Court Parking, walk down
the trail and at the first official junction take the trail that is leading
down to the ocean level.
At the small Marshall's
Beach, you can have an amazing view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the best time
to visit here is at sunset and after dark where the bridge orange lights are
reflected by the water.
You can take
pictures of the first rock, the beach below or you can pass the rocks and walk
closer to the bridge.
Picture Gallery
Slackers Hill Viewing point:
Cavallo Point Viewing Point:
Marin Headlands - Golden Gate View Point:
North Viewing Point
Golden Gate Overlook, Presidio Battery West
Marshall's Beach
Golden Gate Bridge, North Vista Point
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