best way to see golden gate bridge

The classic way to appreciate the Golden Gate Bridge if youre a resident is with a picnic at Crissy Field. Parking: there are two parking lots at Fort Point which provide a good number of spaces. Tourists start showing up in packs around 8am sharp (thats when a lot of the San Francisco tour companies start drop-offs.) This trail is not for the faint of heart. Parking: the Battery East parking lot is convenient and large. There is some parking at Baker beach, but public transportation would probably be more convenient. It's pretty easy (and free) to walk across the bridge itself or to explore the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center, which offers a colorful look at the bridge's history, as well as the original 12-foot stainless-steel "test tower" used in 1933. But if you are up for doing some additional mileage, you can take a hike to the bridge from one of several connecting pathways. The distance from one vista point to another is 1.7 miles, a fun round trip if you're up to it, but even a short walk will be interesting. You take the same exit, Alexander Road, off Highway 101 North, but when you come to Alexander Road, you go right instead of left. Battery Cranston is that spot photographers camp out at to take photos of traffic driving over the bridge with the help of a telephoto zoom lens. Golden Gate Bridge by Bicycle: Bicycles can use the Golden Gate Bridge 24 hours a day, but which sidewalk they're allowed on varies, with the west (ocean) side being most common. A morning outing to Lands End provides about as much wilderness as can be found in San Francisco; the beauty is so stunning, it's easy to miss the ghosts. It's one of the world's most beautiful spans. Keep reading to discover my favorite overlooks and best Golden Gate Bridge photo spots! Before I share my top favorite spots peep at the old gal (my loving nickname for the GG Bridge) I wanted to quickly cover some super important things to note when you are trying to view and/or photograph her. This lot is also free, and has no time limit. 12 Epic Views Of The Golden Gate Bridge (According To A Local) The Golden Gate Bridge, symbol of San Francisco, engineering marvel, subject of many photographs, the result of one man's vision and persistence, spans the entrance to the San Francisco Bay. Betsy has been writing about California for nearly more than two decades as TripSavvy's expert on the state. Ive never been to the US, but this, being one of the most famous landmarks, is on my list. The view is decent, but not as good as the first two. Not surprisingly, these lots fill up fast on weekends and nice weekdays. Its literally right under the bridge!! Yes- you can walk the bridge everyday. See Goldstar. The soaring and spectacular Golden Gate Bridge is the centerpiece to the Golden Gate National Parks and anchors miles of parklands from San Francisco to Marin, all waiting for you to explore. You can either bike back and forth across the bridge or make it a one-way journey out to Sausalito, returning by ferry. It's a museum and you can go up on the roof for another amazing view looking right up at the bridge. For a special treat, watch the sun set behind the Golden Gate on the Alcatraz night tour. but low and behold, the first time I hiked here, we ran into a naked guy frolicking in the ocean and taking photos of himself with a tripod. Seriously, whenever I come here in the evenings theres always at least 2 guys with tripods ready for dusk. Take Mason Street (off Marina Blvd.) . Kirby Cove is famous for the campground and its rope swing (that sometimes gets cut down by rangers but people all put it back up eventually.) Inspired to plan an adventureto gaze at the bridge? Fog can make it nearly disappear. The views are stellar, but make sure you get there early (well, early enough to get there before all the tourists!) Admission is free. When choosing the best time to visit San Francisco, consider coming in September or October. You can get to them from theWelcome Centernear the bridge (walk down, towards the bay). Love the detail in this guide Ive never actually walked the bridge but its been on my bucket list for a while! Its got a wide sand beach and great views of the bridge in the distance. Its also ALWAYS very windy up here, so bring a hair tie and a jacket. This lot tends to fill up. You can go on the bridge on a bike tour which takes you into Sausalito and then back to SF on the ferry. From there, its 1.7 miles (one way) across the bridge to the Vista Point on the other side. From there, walk toward the bridge and through the underpass to get to the vista point. How the outdoors improve your physical and mental wellness. The hike is a mile one-way, down a steep, winding trail to the Camp Kirby site. Probably the most iconic landmark of San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge. Exploring Sausalito Many visitors say this is one of the best things they did in San Francisco. 50+ San Francisco Photo Spots for Stunning Instagram Photos, All the best things to do in Yosemite National Park in the Fall and Winter. There's a walkway that connects the two lots that goes under the bridge. Fly over AND under (weather permitting!) Seven Places to Gaze at the Golden Gate Bridge, Best Places to Eat: Fort Mason to the Golden Gate Bridge, Beer with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge, Best Instagram photos of the Golden Gate Bridge, and how to get them yourself. I never get tired of seeing the bridge from this angle. The bridge is fairly far away from the lighthouse, but it gives an impressive vista of the area. This guide for how to visit the Golden Gate Bridge will help you get to the bridge and see for yourself why it's SF's most famous icon. It's quite a climb getting back up, so be prepared! It was shut down during WW2 and the last guns were removed in 1943. PS: if you arent in the mood to hike, Baker Beach is super easy to get to and is just down the way a bit.. You will have to share the beach with others, as its popular and usually crowded. Fees are charged between 10 am and 5 pm daily: $1.20 per hour, $7 per day. See Muni Route Map. By Car. Note:I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through some of the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Golden Gate Bridge: views, best places to take pictures, toll, fee Fort Point National Historic Site Situated beneath the towering Golden Gate Bridge, this Civil War-era brick fortress offers a unique perspective on the Bridge, and is the perfect backdrop for a selfie. I love how many details you are sharing. Thanks to James for this fantastic post, all photos with James Dong watermark are copyright James Dong. I am walking the Golden Gates bridge for my 80th birthday. There's a pathway from this area up to the Golden Gate Bridge and Welcome Center. Cycling Across the Golden Gate Bridge - Earth Trekkers I'm the founder of Whimsy Soul (this blog you're reading!) Baker Beach has 2 freeparking lots, and road parking leading in and out. Join more than a million of the worlds best travelers. The North Towerparking lot is accessed by taking the Alexander Road exit (next one after the Vista Point exit) and heading left under the highway (see map above). The route to the view spots in the Headlands is along Conzelman Road. For many years before the Golden Gate Bridge was built, the only way to get across San Francisco Bay was by ferry, and by the early twentieth century, the Bay was clogged with them. The first turnouton Conzelman Road is near the path to Battery Spencer. I hope this helps you find beautiful Golden Gate Bridge viewpoints for your photos! Today, it still has the ninth-longest suspension span in the world. Not only can you see the bridge, city and bay, you have a 360 degree view of the whole area. So, I love coming here on a clear, warm night to walk it and snap some photos. The Lands End Coastal Trail makes a very nice walk; about one hour from the Cliff Houseand the Sutro Baths to the end of the trail. Good news: some of them are easy to get to without a car. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. December is the start of the rainy season, so pay attention to the weather and bring a goretex coat or an umbrella. Golden Gate Bridge A hike along the SCA Trail will provide a breathless vista of the Golden Gate Bridge and the surrounding Bay. Rather, you should take the more pedestrian and bike-friendly Conzelman Road. Find out how to pay in the Golden Gate Bridge Toll Guide, which is written with an out-of-town visitor in mind. There's a road that runs out to the fort, Marine Drive, with two parking areas. If you choose to do a sail, make sure you wear really warm clothes!! How to Experience the Timeless Beauty of Qubec by the Sea, Enjoy the Best of Qubec Culture and Outdoor Adventure Within Easy Reach, Hike, Bike, and Raft through the Great Outdoors in Western Qubec, Explore the Great Outdoors Along the St. Lawrence River for an Invigorating Adventure, Buon Appetito in the Umbrian and Tuscan Countryside, Explore the Wonders and Heritage of the United Arab Emirates, Enjoy a Feast of Architecture and Art in Abu Dhabi, Experience Traditional Arabia on this Epic Family Adventure, Marvel at the Dazzling Grandeur of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. There are two more great view spots that require a bit of a hike from the parking areas, but are well worth it: Kirby Cove and Slacker Hill. When you drive up to Battery Spencer, you encounter a roundabout and while most people turn left towards the bridge, you have to turn right to access this viewpoint. I specifically like the bluff near Battery Wagner, but I encourage you to do a bit of exploring here on your own to find a cool photo opp! Cant believe that I never walked or biked across this beautiful bridge. Golden Gate Bridge | San Francisco Travel From there, ride west through Crissy Field, up to the Golden Gate Bridge, across it and then up to Conzelman Road (fair warning, the road is extremely steep, no shame in walking a bike! You can also ride a bike there from Fisherman's Wharf, or hike down to it from the Welcome Center at the bridge. I once heard the best photos show you something new or something old in a new way. The trail up to the best Marin Headlands view starts at this lot, also. See my tips on biking the bridge, exploring Sausalito, and taking the ferry back to SF. On the western side of the bridge there are some great views along the paths that run along the cliffs. Fort Baker On Saturdays and Sundays you have to pay to park there between 10 am and 5 pm: $1.20 per hour, $7 all day. Fort Point is only open Friday through Sunday. Battery Spencer is a great spot to view the bridge from on the northern side. Before the bridge was built, the only way of crossing the San Francisco Bay was by ferry, so in the 20th Century, the bay was choked . The trail out there is about 1/2 a mile and is pretty steep in one place, but there's a neat suspension foot bridge to get to the lighthouse. No shade, and nowhere to sit and catch your breath. Itll only take you about 25 minutes to walk down The beach itself has a sea cave, tunnel and is a popular slack lining spot, too! These are the two spots most Golden Gate Bridge visitors like to go the most: South (San Francisco Side) Vista Point: Parking spaces are almost always full, spaces are metered and if you let the meter expire, you'll pay a fine that could cost as much as a meal in a very nice restaurant. Once at the welcome center, carry on across the bridge. Its part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, so this park is really cool and well maintained. This is the most popular location for viewing the bridge and there is a decent-sized parking lot you can take advantage of. To do the full 3.4 mile round trip, would take ~1 hour at a brisk pace and closer to 2 hours if you are stopping for pictures and to admire the view. Closes for some holidays, like the two weeks around Christmas and New Year's. Pedestrians are allowed only on the east (city side) sidewalk, during daylight hours. ), then back down and back across the bridge, and then biking south through the Presidio. There are signs there to let you know. There's also a colony of harbor seals at the foot of the cliffs that you can see from the trail. DM me on Instagram. This helps me provide all the free information I post on this website. Some of the most spectacular views of the bridge are from the other side, in Marin County just across the bridge, and especially from the cliffs of the Marin Headlands lining the entrance to San Francisco Bay. FogCitySecrets.com Pay at the machines; they accept credit cards and coins, no paper money. You can help preserve themfor generations to come by becoming a Parks Conservancy member or volunteer today. This is the view from the parking lot at Vista Point, the exit just past the northern end of the bridge. Want to stay up-to-date on all things Golden Gate? Fort Point 3. After the second bend, the views towards San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge are eye catching. West Side Batteries 5. Crissy Field & Torpedo Wharf 2. This locals guide for walking the Golden Gate Bridge will give you eight practical tips (like parking and bridge hours) along with four route options that showcase the bridge from different angles. Best Places to View the Golden Gate Bridge - Gutsy Travelers Tip: you can also get to the Battery Spencer view point without a car. Stuart Berman @StuInSF. Required fields are marked *. Alas, no. These are some of the views you see in calendars and coffee table books. You can see the Point Bonita Lighthouse from here. Its normal for Karl to totally blanketed the city from about June (June Gloom) through August (Fogust) so if you are hoping to get a stunning sunset shot behind the bridge, dont come until October. It sucks, but there are a few tricks to work around the fog. There are a couple of porta potties near the parking lot. Battery Spencer (Sausalito) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go This is also the best way to access the bridge if you want to walk or bike on it as well. While Im a sucker for sunset here (the light will fully illuminate the bridge!) The Marin Headlands 76X bus doesn't come this way, so this spot's not easy to get to without a car. The detour will take you around to the Bunker Road Tunnel (follow the detour signs along the way) which goes under the mountain and takes you to the Headlands the subterranean way. While you can see the bridge from many locations around the city, for photography purposes there are limited places where the bridge is large enough to show up clearly in photos. How to Visit the Golden Gate Bridge. Yes, you can walk under it! It'll take you by Crissy Field Center , the Parks Conservancy's urban environmental education center in partnership with the National Park Service and Presidio Trust. It guards the bay and muscles its way into the forefront of the city's skyline.
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