The Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937 and still looks modern. Its color, a red-orange called International Orange, was chosen partly so the bridge would stand out in fog, and fog is the first thing to plan around: on a summer morning the towers can vanish completely and reappear an hour later.
Walking or cycling across
The bridge is a little under two miles long, so walking across and back takes about two hours with stops. Pedestrians use the east sidewalk, on the bay side, which also has the better view of the city. Cyclists share the sidewalks depending on the day and time, so follow the signs at each end. Start from the Welcome Center on the San Francisco side, where there are restrooms and a café, and turn back at the Vista Point on the Marin side if you do not want to go further.
It is loud and windy in the middle of the span. Hold on to hats and phones, and dress for weather ten degrees colder than downtown.
The best viewpoints
- Battery Spencer, just across the bridge in Marin: the classic postcard view, looking down on the north tower with the city behind it.
- Crissy Field in the Presidio: a flat bayside walk with the bridge growing in front of you.
- Fort Point, directly under the southern end: the bridge's steel from below, with waves breaking on the seawall.
- Baker Beach and the Lands End trail: the ocean side, best at sunset.
Driving and tolls
Driving across is free northbound. Southbound into the city there is a toll, collected electronically only, with no cash booths; rental cars usually bill it to you later with a fee. Parking at the Welcome Center fills early on weekends, so arrive before ten or come by bus.
Fitting it into a trip
The bridge pairs naturally with the Presidio and, if you keep going north, with Sausalito and the redwoods; see Muir Woods and Sausalito. On a first visit, put it on the clearest afternoon of your stay rather than the first morning.
A short history
For decades, engineers said the Golden Gate could not be bridged: the strait is deep, the currents fierce, the winds strong and the fog constant. Chief engineer Joseph Strauss pushed the project through in the 1920s and 30s, with much of the elegant final design owed to engineers Charles Ellis and Leon Moisseiff and to architect Irving Morrow, who chose the color and the Art Deco detail on the towers. Construction began in 1933 and the bridge opened in May 1937, first to pedestrians and the next day to cars. For more than twenty years its main span was the longest suspension span in the world.
A safety net slung under the deck during construction saved many workers' lives; those who fell into it and survived were nicknamed the Halfway to Hell Club. The painting never really stops: a permanent crew of painters and ironworkers works on the bridge all year, fighting the salt air.
Planning your visit
- Getting there without a car: several city bus routes stop at the toll plaza on the San Francisco side. From downtown, allow about forty minutes.
- Cycling: rent a bike near Fisherman's Wharf, ride along the waterfront through Crissy Field, cross the bridge and continue downhill to Sausalito, then take the ferry back. It is one of the classic San Francisco days.
- Photography: the towers look best from slightly below or from the side. Late afternoon light from the west lights the city-facing side of the bridge; early morning fog creates the famous image of towers rising out of cloud.
- Accessibility: the east sidewalk is level and wide, though it can be crowded at weekends.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to walk across?
About 30 to 45 minutes each way at a relaxed pace, longer with photo stops.
Can you walk across at night?
The sidewalks are open to pedestrians during daylight hours, with hours that change through the year. Check the current hours before planning an evening walk.
Is it always foggy?
No. Fog is most common on summer mornings and evenings. Fall days are often perfectly clear. If the bridge is hidden when you arrive, wait an hour or come back late in the afternoon.
Where is the best free view?
Crissy Field and the Presidio overlooks, both easy to reach and free. For a high view from the north side, Battery Spencer is best by car or bike.