I've also included a couple of places nearby that I think you will enjoy. It's a straight path with a little bit of an uphill walk until you reach the center. The wonderful sunlightthe great bridges, the Pacific at your shoes. Experience all three wonders at once with a boat tour around the bay. If you are driving and wish to visit the Golden Gate Bridge from the Welcome Centers south end, then take Highway 1 north toward the bridge, look for signs that say Welcome Center and last exit for the bridge. All rights reserved. The land was donated to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1995. SIGN UPFOR OUR EMAIL TO RECEIVE YOUR FREESAN FRANCISCO PLANNING GUIDE. Just shy of two miles long, the bridge makes for a thrilling but super-manageable bicycle ride. That way you can just go across the bridge and they will send you the bill at a later date. How long does it take to cross the bridge? 49,730 reviews #1 of 823 things to do in San Francisco Historic Sites Points of Interest & Landmarks Bridges Visit website Call Email Write a review About Stretching 4,200 feet and towering as high as a 65-story building, this well-known bridge is the gateway to San Francisco. The cool breezes come in from the Pacific Ocean into the bay, so it's quite windy up here all year long. It is open 24 hours a day to cyclists, so they close it down to pedestrians to ensure no accidents on the bridge when it's dark, and people are riding their bikes across. The area became a strategic military site during the civil war. The hours vary by season. Learn more here. Early Evening: Another fun time to visit is in the early evening. The Bridge's Welcome Center offers merchandise and historical information. The Fort Point historic landmark sits below the south end of the bridge (the San Francisco side). Can I take the ferry or public transportation back from Sausalito? It has specific instructions for how to find each location and the best time of day to do it. It's one of the oldest buildings in SF and interesting to see from above. Tips for visiting: There is a parking lot at the beach but expect it to be crowded on weekends. The largest island in the San Francisco Bay sits on the eastern side of Alcatraz. The SF public transit system, Muni, offers one bus that will take you all the way to the Welcome Center on the southern end. However, Hawk Hill is notable because it has parking, which is in short supply on this narrow road. The 101 and 130 are your best options. The closer you get to the weekend, the more traffic you will find. You can see one of the original car ferries for this route at the. This article is designed to help answer any questions that you may have about visiting the Golden Gate Bridge. You will also get the chance to take some pictures of the amazing landscape and SF Bay attractions. It runs along Lombard Street and 19th Avenue, which is where you will find the majority of the stops. TheRound House Cafmakes good on the promise of its name with 360-degree views from the wheel-shaped restaurants window walls. Between San Francisco Bay and Marin County is the world famous Golden Gate Bridge. Hop On/Hop Off Bus Tour: The Hop On/Hop Off Bus includes around 20 stops throughout the city. I only recommend doing this if you have plenty of time (at least 5 hours as you will have to return through security). Best time for viewing the bridge: Afternoon to Sunset. It's also where you will find the Warming Hut, a popular restaurant with sandwiches, salads, and coffee. Your guide to one of San Francisco's biggest LGBTQ community events outside of Pride. For a completely different vantage point, check out one of the bay cruises. Recreational fires are permitted and regulated only at certain sites. You'll have the chance to photograph this beauty at night and other top attractions. All rights reserved. A marvel of modern engineering, the Golden Gate Bridge is 1.7 miles long and 90 feet wide. Wander through the Plaza just outside the Welcome Center and follow the pathway into an old bunker that houses some of the exhibits. Contact the Welcome Center at 415-426-5220 or customerservice@goldengatebridgestore.org. A view of where Fort Point sits below the south end of the Golden Gate Bridge. Its a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit! Whether you visit the park regularly or youve never been, discover the best things to do in one of San Franciscos most interesting locations. Taking to the trails is a fantastic way to discover all that the GGNRA have to offer. Use this guide to determine if you should, Go beyond the obvious tourist sites by purchasing one of our recommended. Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page. This guide has suggestions for 14 different ways to view the Golden Gate Bridge. This is the perfect way to get up close to the famed attraction and learn more about it. This bus drives along Mission Street, one block south of Market Street. Go for the history of the prison but stay for the views. (See privacy policy). To find this, you will need to walk down the stairs from the bridge or re-park your car at one of the Crissy Field parking lots. Both ends of the Bridge touch the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Also, I don't recommend skirts. You can also check out this great guided tour. The National Park Service offers a cell phone tour of Fort Baker that covers 10 spots on a three mile walking tour. Constructed of concrete and 25 PVC pipes, positioned at specific heights and depths, the organ creates natural, never-repeated melodies, powered solely by the rise and fall of the tides. The bridge was built to support a growing population that had spread from San Francisco into the larger bay area. Length. You can walk the entire way across (1.7 miles) or just walk part way. Fort Baker sits below the Vista Point and was an army post built in 1905. Visit the Parks Conservancy website or National Park Service-GGNRA websiteto begin your adventure. If you are a visitor to SF and are wondering whether you need to rent a car, read our article on renting a car in SF. Camping. Scroll down for all the detail and eye candy, but in a nutshell, here are the top stops: 1. Take it to the Daly City stop and then catch the #28 bus. To get from one side of the bridge to the other is about a 1.7-mile long walk. Tips for visiting: The fort is rather large so leave time for wandering around. You will find that most people walk to the first tower, spend a little time soaking in the scenery, and then head back. Yes! Other stuff in the area: After catching your Golden Gate Bridge viewpoint, you can drive into nearby Sausalito for lunch. You will then slowly bike over it as you learn about its history and what it took to build it. This is one of my favorite spots when I'm out exploring this area. Programs. You can visit the bridge anytime, but the best time depends upon what you want to do while there. You should also check out this article with facts about the Golden Gate Bridge and learn things like how and when it was built, and why it moves like Jagger. It drops off at the SF Ferry Building. Make sure you are prepared for either temperature. The Headlands are famous for their views of the Bay . It's a popular spot for running and walking. They don't automatically stop at every stop on the route. You will find several options for parking near the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge. Tips for visiting: If you are coming from the city, get off at the Welcome Center exit but follow signs which will take you under the highway to the southwest parking lot. How do the tolls work? Parking lots CLOSED weekends and holidays through 10/23, more here >(Visit ourPark Smart at the GGBpage for tips toavoid auto theft. This is how it ended up being painted International Orange. But you can amaze your friends with arcane nuggets like how the lead Engineer for the bridge was also a romantic poet, and how there were tap dancers on the bridge on the first day it opened. Be sure to bookmark this article on how to find parking for the Golden Gate Bridge. Crissy Field: To the east of the bridge, you will find Crissy Field. From Fisherman's Wharf: If you are heading over on the weekday afternoons, you can pick up one of the commuter buses that will take you to the bridge. Biking the Bridge: Trying to decide if you should bike the bridge instead? Up and Down arrows will open main level menus and toggle through sub tier links. Copyright 2009-2023 by SFTourismTips.com. In 1930, the Bay Area was booming and it became necessary to build a bridge over the strait in order to provide commuter access to the North Bay communities. You will ride through the Presidio, drive over the bridge, and then make your way into Sausalito. It's often windy even at the look-out point and is usually even windier on the walkways. 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. Many visitors just stick to the east side visitors center, but the west side has great Golden Gate Bridge views along with an expansive look at the Marin Headlands landscape. The one that runs most often is through Blue and Gold. Until the completion of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in New York City in 1964, it had the longest main span in the world. Best time for viewing the bridge: Anytime until late afternoon. There are six lanes and they are not very wide, so make sure you are watching the road as much as possible. This gives you almost 10 hours to explore the city, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Sausalito. The towers are tall, but they are both hollow. You can hike up to visit or admire it from the bridge. Your ticket back on the ferry is included in the price. I think that there are several reasons why the bridge has become synonymous with San Francisco. It also has a mind-boggling 360 spin of the San Francisco bay and the bridge. From the aforementioned city bus to the Welcome Center, you can do the West Batteries and do round trip of the bridge. The view is spectacular whether you get a glimpse from the city (try Crissy Field, Fort Point and Baker Beach for best vistas), the Marin Headlands or by passing over its spanbikes and cars are . Batter Spencer counterbalances the west side batteries and like them, it is now a concrete remnant of a bygone area. You may have to walk a half-mile to a mile to get from these bus stops to your hotel. If youre coming from the city,Golden Gate Bridge Bike RentalsandBlazing Saddlesboth offer rentals and tours for every size cyclist, whileSausalito Bike Rentals is your best bet if youre coming from Marin.Wheel Fun Rentals(which has two locations in Fisherman's Wharf) offers an audio-guided bike tour that uses GPS technology to give you info on your exact location. After this stop, you will drive back over the bridge. All Rights Reserved. We are nothing if not helpful here at California Crossings. There are plenty of ways to enjoy your time at this historic attraction. Find out more about visiting Baker Beach. This will allow you to learn more about its history, including Joseph Strauss, who made this gorgeous gem a reality. Hike to a hidden beach by way of the 1.7-mileTennessee Valley Trail, see ruins of the Sutro Baths atLands End, or get your heart rate up with a hike through the hillyheadlands. Here's where to camp in San Francisco and the Bay Area. The San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge is strong enough to withstand wind up to 100 miles an hour. That equals almost 20 million cars a year! Hawk Hill11. What should you wear when you visit the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge? No pedestrians allowed. Mid-Morning: I think the best time to explore the bridge on foot is in the mid-morning. This outdoor space features theOUTPOST, a jaw-dropping children's play area open year-round. 1. Set paths and a boardwalk make it an easy place to explore. And we also have a guide for our top 5 Presidio hikes. To maintain it, they do touch ups all the time and have a full-time maintenance crew. Also if you go in the summer season, the best hour to visit . Presidio: The Presidio is an old army base that now offers a variety of things to do. Other interesting stuff nearby: You can wander the trails up from Fort Point to the bridge Welcome Center. How to visit the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center, How to Get to the Bridge (by Car, Uber & Public Transportation), The Best California Road Trip Itineraries: 13 Grand Adventures, Where to Go Wine Tasting in Pismo Beach: Complete Winery Guide. Get the scoop on finding the best Golden Gate Bridge viewpoints. Fort Point was constructed in 1853 and pre-dates the civil war. What else is there to do near Golden Gate Bridge? Visit the Parks Conservancy website or National Park Service-GGNRA website to begin your adventure. However, some of the nearby parking lots cost from $1.00-$1.90 per hour. They have hands on exhibits about the bridge engineering which are both educational and fun. Which places are best for gift & specialty shops near Golden Gate Bridge? What was once a point of departure for U.S. Navy sailors is now a creative compound that houses galleries, restaurants, theater companies, andOff the Gridfood trucks. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Plus, you can get some breathtaking views of the bridge from the top level. The Golden Gate Recreational Area protects an astonishing 82,027 acres of land stretching from Silicon Valley to Tomales Bay, and some of its most beautiful spots are right around the Golden Gate. The Golden Gate Park to Battery Spencer lookout bike ride is 7.3 miles long and takes approximately . San Francisco high season is during the summer and over holiday weekends. From the trail, you can take a side trip down to Marshalls Beach and also spend time creeping around the abandoned Battery West, Battery Godfrey and Battery Boutelle military gun emplacements. Foggy days occur frequently on the bridge, especially in the summer. Can you see it from Alcatraz? Copyright 2009-2023 by SFTourismTips.com. Its for that third reason that I believe so many people flock to see the bridge and why its a thing. It's has only been fully repainted a few times since its completion. Tips for visiting: You can catch a ferry from either Pier 29 or Tiburon. The Room (2003): If you haven't seen this, you are in for a treat--sort of. Be alert because you dont get a lot of warning for the exit. The surprises dont stop there with new interactive exhibits about the famed animator, his revolutionary career, and the natural world all around us. Dress for cool, windy weather. 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. The Vista Point sits at bridge level so youll get straight on views of the eastern face of the bridge. This former federal prison is another must-visit while in SF. The perfect place to admire downtown San Francisco is on your walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. This long, narrow stretch of green space is easy to see from the bridge. If you have a service animal, they are welcome to join you on the bridge any hours it's open to pedestrians. The San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge sits on the northern end of the city. Before travel writing, her professional background included working internationally in business, nonprofits, and government. They have bathrooms on site. You'll easily be able to spot this dome-shaped attraction just to the east. Non-service animals, including dogs and horses, are not allowed on the Golden Gate Bridge. Installed in 1986, The Wave Organ is an acoustic, wave-activated sculpture built on the jetty that forms the small boat harbor in theMarina. With its gently curved cables and deep orange hue, the Golden Gate Bridge is a total showstopper. The two main cables that string the bridge from one side to the other are around 3 feet thick. What many people dont know, is that the bridge and the land surrounding it are serviced by the National Parks Service. Find out more and check for availability on GetYourGuide. I'd double-check them in the morning as the ferry does not run very often to SF. Aug 6 - Aug 7. The Welcome Center has two parking lots very close to the south end of the bridge. There are a number of great, iconic attractions to experience on your way to San Francisco's most famous landmark. You will find that most people walk to the first tower, spend a little time soaking in the scenery, and then head back. Once called "the bridge that couldn't be built," today the Golden Gate Bridge is one the seven wonders of the modern world. There are a few sidewalks that lead you to the east pedestrian walkway. When you reach the toll plaza, simply continue driving. 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. Walking across this incredible gem is a highlight of many trips to SF. San Francisco CNN . Joseph Strauss wanted the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge built to connect Marin County with the city.
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