Golden Gate Bridge
The Verdict
"Opened May 27, 1937, a 1.7-mile span with 746-foot towers and main cables holding enough wire to circle the equator three times over. International Orange was originally the primer color, kept because it stayed visible in fog. Walking round-trip on the east-side path takes about an hour. View from Fort Point underneath or Battery Spencer above on the Marin side."
What you need to know
The Golden Gate Bridge spans 1.7 miles across the strait connecting San Francisco to Marin County. It opened in May 1937 after four years of construction.
The Design
Joseph Strauss was chief engineer. The Art Deco design came largely from consulting architect Irving Morrow. The International Orange color was originally selected as a primer and then kept for the finished bridge because it stayed visible against fog and sea. The towers rise 746 feet above the water. The two main cables together contain enough wire to circle the equator more than three times.
Walking and Cycling
Walking the bridge takes roughly an hour round trip. The pedestrian path runs along the east side and looks out toward the city, Alcatraz, and the Bay. Wind is steady most days. Fog can drop visibility to nearly nothing or part suddenly. Layers help.
Cycling across is faster, with attention to pedestrians and to the path transitions at each end. Rentals are available throughout Fisherman’s Wharf and near the bridge. A common half-day ride goes to Sausalito with a ferry return.
Viewing Spots
Fort Point sits directly underneath the southern tower and shows the bridge’s scale from below. Baker Beach has a long sand view from the southwest. Battery Spencer, on the Marin side just past the north tower, looks down at the whole structure. Crissy Field offers a straight-on view across the water from the south.
History
The bridge opened on May 27, 1937. The construction cost of about $35 million was repaid through tolls by 1971. Tolls now fund maintenance, the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District, and the Golden Gate Transit bus and ferry systems.
Visiting
Sunrise, sunset, and clear midday all give different conditions. The bridge is lit at night. The Welcome Center on the southern end has history exhibits, restrooms, and a gift shop. Parking at the Welcome Center fills early on weekends. From downtown, Muni’s 28 line serves the Toll Plaza but doesn’t run from downtown directly; common routes are taking the 30 or 45 north to Van Ness or Lombard and transferring, or taking a Golden Gate Transit bus from the Salesforce Transit Center.
Pro tips
Dress in layers — it's always windier on the bridge than in the city. The walk across takes about 35 minutes each way. Battery Spencer on the Marin side offers the best photo angle looking back at SF. Start from the Welcome Center on the SF side for parking and restrooms.