Attraction
Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island is the former federal penitentiary in San Francisco Bay, now run by the National Park Service and reached only by ferry from Pier 33.
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is the 1937 suspension bridge across the mouth of San Francisco Bay, free to walk, with a Welcome Center and café on the city side.
At a glance
- Type
- Suspension bridge and landmark
- Area
- Presidio, San Francisco, United States
- Official site
- goldengate.org
Good to know
- Free to walk
- Welcome Center
- Café
- Outdoor exhibits
- Restrooms
Why we recommend it
The Golden Gate Bridge opened on 27 May 1937 after four years of construction, and it remains the image most people carry of San Francisco. The total length is close to 9,000 feet, the main span is 4,200 feet and the two towers rise 746 feet above the water. The colour, an orange vermilion known as International Orange, was chosen by consulting architect Irving Morrow because it suits the hills and headlands and stays visible in fog. The US Navy had suggested black and yellow stripes instead.
Several people shaped the design. Joseph Strauss was chief engineer, Leon Moisseiff developed the suspension theory behind the final design, Morrow gave the towers their Art Deco shape and lighting, and Charles Alton Ellis worked out much of the structural engineering, including the arch that spares the old Fort Point below the southern end.
The best way to experience the bridge is on foot. Pedestrians use the eastern walkway, which faces the city and the bay; on weekdays it is shared with cyclists until mid-afternoon, and at weekends it is for walkers only during the day. Cyclists use the western side when they are barred from the east. Walking to the middle and back takes a relaxed hour or so, and the wind can be strong, so bring a warm layer even on a sunny afternoon.
On the San Francisco side, the Welcome Center is open daily from 9am to 6pm. It has exhibits on the history, science and engineering of the bridge, a shop, and the original 12-foot stainless steel test tower from 1933. The Art Deco Round House next door now serves coffee as Equator Coffee, and there are restrooms and outdoor displays around the plaza. San Francisco City Guides runs free walking tours of the bridge on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Practical notes: the toll is charged on southbound traffic only and is cashless, so drivers heading into the city pay by FasTrak or pay-by-plate. Muni bus 28 serves the southern end. The H. Dana Bower Vista Point on the Marin side is reached from the northbound lanes. Both ends of the bridge connect to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, so it is easy to combine a crossing with a walk around the Presidio or Crissy Field. Harbour seals and sea lions are among the wildlife that can be seen in the water below, and the bridge district suggests watching for whales from the bridge or the shore.
Golden Gate Bridge FAQs
Is it free to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge?
Yes. There is no charge for pedestrians or cyclists; the toll applies only to vehicles heading south into San Francisco.
Which side do pedestrians use?
Pedestrians use the eastern walkway, which faces the city. On weekdays it is shared with cyclists until mid-afternoon.
When is the Welcome Center open?
The Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center is open daily from 9am to 6pm.
When did the bridge open?
It opened to traffic on 27 May 1937 after construction began in January 1933.
Why is the bridge orange?
The colour, International Orange, was chosen by architect Irving Morrow to complement the setting and make the bridge visible in fog.
How do you get there by public transport?
Muni bus 28 serves the southern end of the bridge on the San Francisco side.
Are there free tours?
Yes. San Francisco City Guides offers free walking tours of the bridge on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
How long does it take to walk across?
Allow around an hour to walk to the middle and back at an easy pace, and longer for a full crossing and return.