Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge connects San Francisco with Marin County and is an almost spooky sight when shrouded in the mist.
The best chance to seen the bridge covered in clouds is in the early morning.

Construction on this spectacular and world famous bridge started in 1933. When it was officially opened on May 27, 1937, it was the largest and highest suspension bridge in the world. It held this title until 1964, when it was surpassed by the Verrazano Narrows Bridge in New York.
The two Art Deco towers rise 746 ft or 227m above sea level, the road is an astonishing 220ft (70 meters) above sea level. Cables, 36 inches (92cm) thick, twined from 27572 threads of steel are anchored into concrete bars.
The bridge is 90ft / 27m wide, good for six car lanes and two sidewalks. Each year more than 40 million cars cross the toll bridge.

The bridge has a total length of almost 9000 ft or 3 km, so think twice before you cross it on foot to have a view of downtown San Francisco from the other side of the bridge. A lot of people turn back after they cross the first pillar because the usually strong wind makes the bridge tremble significantly.
This flexibility makes the bridge less vulnerable for earthquakes, as is proven with the big earthquakes in San Francisco. If you cross it by car, remember you'll have to pay toll.

The best way to go to the Golden Gate Bridge from downtown is by walking through the Presidio Park along the Bay. It is a pleasant trip along cliffs with a nice panorama. You will find the Golden Gate Bridge at the northern end of the Park. Actually, you can't miss it as you will see the bridge a long time before you reach it. There's also a bus which brings you right near the bridge. Taking the car might not be a good option since parking space is limited.

The Golden Gate Bridge is a spectacular sight which can be seen from many areas around San Francisco. Here are some locations from where you have great views on the bridge:

• South Vista Point. This is the most popular site, situated at the San Francisco end of the bridge.
• North Vista Point, located at the Marin County side of the bridge.
• Land's End. Panoramic View from the northern tip of Lincoln Park
• Baker Beach at the Presidio Park.
• Conzelman Road. At the Marin County side; great view from an inlet near the bridge.