See 51 Experiences. It's a free attraction and one you should check out while you are in the area. Until the completion of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in New York City in 1964, it had the longest main span in the world. Reverse the route to return to the airport. When it opened, it weighed in at about 894,000 tons, and that's including the anchorages and the approaches. Now, it's a much loved part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and Mother Nature has been allowed to reclaim what she lost. Contact Me | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Site Map | Advertising Disclaimer. Tips for visiting: At the risk of sounding like a broken record.small parking lot.popular spot.go on a weekday. How do the tolls work? It's open from 9 am to 6 pm. Youll be able to see dawn rise over the San Francisco skyline and then get ethereal views of the Golden Gate Bridge as the morning light spotlights the brick at Fort Point. Tips for visiting: It gets very busy here so be prepared to circle in order to get a parking spot. Can you see it from Fisherman's Wharf? You can also pick up your tickets directly here. @hellorubydoodle shows how four-legged companions can enjoy San Francisco just as much as you do. The entire walk is about a half-mile from Vista Point to the first tower if you do this. There are also restrooms and a seasonal snack bar. For more information and a schedule of their walks, visit the San Francisco City Guides website. It's a great casual spot right next to the walkway to get onto the bridge. Nerd alert! Each section will give you a bit of history on that location, how to find it, the best time of day for viewing and the best place to photograph the Golden Gate bridge. Here is how the poem begins: At last the mighty task is done; The two main cables that string the bridge from one side to the other are around 3 feet thick. In fact, you can see it from most points along the city's northern waterfront. I went in the morning and as youll see below, I caught a lot of glare on my shots which Im carefully disguising as black & white art shots. Not far from the Welcome Center is the Lucas Arts building where you can see a statue of Yoda and original costumes from the Star Wars movies. However, Hawk Hill is notable because it has parking, which is in short supply on this narrow road. You no longer need to stop to pay the toll. Sidewalk closures are dependent on lane configurations during ongoing construction which you can check, Tips for Out-of-State & Out-of-Country Visitors, Pay a Toll for a Vehicle with No License Plate, Annual Vehicle Crossings and Toll Revenues, Disadvantaged & Small Business Enterprise Program, Larkspur Ferry Service & Parking Expansion Study, Sausalito Ferry Terminal Improvements Project, Golden Gate Parks Conservancy online store, customerservice@goldengatebridgestore.org. Her work is found in the San Mateo Daily Journal and The Skyline View (Skyline College). 3 km from Golden Gate Bridge. Heres a full guide for the Lands End hike. Enjoy a steaming cup of coffee with beautiful views! It will take you about an hour and 15 minutes by public transport or about 45 minutes by car. Some of these are free and others are paid. Visiting the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge is an experience like no other. Hike and Explore Both ends of the Bridge touch the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Here are our favorite things to do that are close to the Golden Gate Bridge. I've done it a few times. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Hiking. You can walk the entire way across (1.7 miles) or just walk part way. You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. From Union Square: Your best option from Union Square is to head over to one of the stops along Mission or grab the bus at the Salesforce Transit Center. Pedestrians can walk on the eastern sidewalk of the bridge. Once called "the bridge that couldn't be built," today the Golden Gate Bridge is one the seven wonders of the modern world. Here you will find a variety of tips to visit the Golden Gate Bridge as well as some fun facts, a little history, what's nearby, and movies where it made an appearance. Everything here is grab and go, so you can pick-up something quickly for your visit. 14 Outstanding Golden Gate Bridge Viewpoints: See it from Every Angle Love Tour: This small-group tour also offers a chance for you to stop and admire it. It's a great place to explore, have a picnic, or go for a bike ride. Can you walk across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco? The nearby natural lands and coastline are part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and the former Presidio military base was incorporated into the Parks Service in 1994. It has a map and will tell you which lots are free. It's a popular spot for running and walking. 10 Fun Facts About the Golden Gate Bridge Flying high over the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge with downtown in the background. >> Find more of my favorite restaurants all around SF. Fully refundable Reserve now, pay when you stay. The Welcome Center has two parking lots very close to the south end of the bridge. San Francisco Day Bike Rental: If you prefer to bike at your own pace, your other option is to rent a bike for the day. Since it opened in 1937, this 1.7-mile suspension span between San Francisco and Marin counties has become one of the most beloved bridges in the world. The cool breezes come in from the Pacific Ocean into the bay, so it's quite windy up here all year long. This is another great way to learn about the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge. 12 Tips to Walk Across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco Most people choose to walk just to the first tower and then turn around. Thank you for providing this helpful resource. Fort Baker9. Enjoy a day trip to Angel Island and learn about its history as the Ellis Island of the West at Immigration Station, as well as take in the islands stunning views on numerous nature trails. This is the one that trucks and buses use, which is why it is slightly wider. Your all-day bike rental includes a mountain bike, helmet, handlebar bag, and lock. Find out more here. This is not true. Also, I don't recommend skirts. Suggested duration More than 3 hours It inspired a bunch of movies featuring crazy birdmen (Birdman of Alcatraz), crazy escapees (Escape from Alcatraz) and crazy commandos (The Rock). The bridge is 1.3 miles from one end to the other. Can you walk over the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge? Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour: If you want to drive across, you can head over on the Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour. Other nearby stuff: Hawk Hill is so named because of the many hawks living in the area. Whether you visit the park regularly or youve never been, discover the best things to do in one of San Franciscos most interesting locations. Walking across this incredible gem is a highlight of many trips to SF. I usually wear a medium-weight long or short-sleeved shirt. Golden Gate Bridge | History, Construction, & Facts | Britannica If you want to take public transit, simply hop on BART at the airport. Tickets & Tours - Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco After the tour buses stop at the Welcome Center, they stop again on the opposite side at the lookout on Vista Point. 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I would love for you join me in my private Facebook group! Your walk across the Golden Gate Bridge will start near Vista Point South from the San Francisco side. Golden Gate Park to Golden Gate Bridge (Battery Spencer) Starting from the Panhandle bike path, this bike route takes you through three of San Francisco's most famous sights in one ride: Golden Gate Park, The Presidio and Golden Gate Bridge. Most people don't realize that it's windy on the Golden Gate Bridge and usually a bit cooler than San Francisco or the surrounding areas. This part of the journey takes you up and down a few hills, but nothing too steep. It is written on the bridge. 546. Wherever you are, you're guaranteed to get a breathtaking photo that will surely boost your Instagram following. In addition to 24 miles of hiking trails, you can also visit the Disney Family Museum, do a selfie at the Goldsworthy Lines near Lovers Lane or (my favorite) visit the Yoda statue at the Lucas Arts office (seriously, their lobby has the original Darth Vader costume!). No motor vehicles are allowed. Some cyclists come through quickly and, since it's loud on the bridge, you may not hear them coming. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "aa2c46c0fa48569fa8c5417a81d38661" );document.getElementById("bdd8f95227").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); We are a participant in the various affiliate programs including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Tips for visiting: You must book Alcatraz in advance, which you can do here. From the bridge to Sausalito: 2.8 miles. The poet Dylan Thomas once wrote, You wouldnt think such a place as San Francisco could exist. If you love a thrill and are looking for a once in a lifetime experience, then consider a San Francisco helicopter tour. Keep your service animal and yourself safe by being very aware of others on the bridge, both in front and behind you. Warming Hut: The Warming Hut is a very popular salad and sandwich spot that is in Crissy Field. Golden Gate Welcome Center (south side) 4. During spring and summer, take one of the companysAlive After Fivehappy-hour cruises, which offer up cocktails and small plates as the ship glides past the bridge,Alcatraz, and other city sights. Full House (1987-1995): This fun comedy was set in San Francisco. The battery and the views are a short walk from the parking area and the site does have restrooms. You have two ferry options. Walk along Crissy Field to Fort Point, up to the Welcome Center and then catch a bus back from there. Where do I start the Golden Gate Bridge walk? The military presence continued until the end of the Cold War. Directions The Golden Gate Bridge is located on US Highway 101, providing a vital link between the City and County of San Francisco and the counties to the north. I recommend wearing layers, so you can add and remove items as necessary. By this time, the temperatures will be a little warmer. San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge Bike Tour: The guided tour starts in Fisherman's Wharf. Tips for visiting: The fort is rather large so leave time for wandering around. This is what it looks like as you are driving on the bridge. If you want to visit the Golden Gate Bridge, its helpful to have some historical context for how it ended up spanning the bay. It's a cool beach with amazing views. If you are a trivia nut, you should definitely check out these cool facts about bridge before you visit. Baker Beach 6. There are a few times that I recommend. I'd double-check them in the morning as the ferry does not run very often to SF. You can see what these cables look like up close at this display near the Welcome Center on the southern side of the bridge. Find out more about visiting Baker Beach. Another attraction on the Marin side of the bridge is Battery Spencer, about half way up the hill to the Marin Headlands. You'll want to leave a little extra time as well since you will probably walk slower than you think over the bridge (there are so many great things to stop and admire!). Or you can soar high above the bridge in a private helicopter tour. The Sausalito ferry terminal is downtown, so the walk to get there won't add to the mileage for your journey. Here are more tips on what to wear by month--and remember take off a few degrees for each one when thinking about what the weather might be like at the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge.