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Golden Gate Bridge

Location: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA

Total Length 8,980 ft/Height 746 ft/Width: 90ft

 

To know more information about the Golden Gate Bridge make sure to check out all of these facts about what to expect when visiting for your next San Francisco Trip!

 

Golden Gate Bridge:

The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge that links the U.S cities San Francisco, California and Marin County. The bridge carries the U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1 across it. Besides carrying these two routes it allows pedestrians and biking along both sides of the bridge. The bridge first opened to the public in 1937 but has undergone various construction fixes and changes. The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most historical sites to see in San Francisco and is a major tourist attraction for people all over the world. The bridge's measurements include a total length of 8, 980 ft and a height of 746 ft. When the bridge first opened it was the longest and tallest suspension bridge in the world. According to Frommer’s travel guide it is “possibly the most beautiful, certainly the most photographed, bridge in the world" (Frommer 1957).

 

Golden Gate Rules:

According to the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District these are the devices NOT permitted on the bridge in order for safety of anybody that is hoping to go over the bridge!

  • Electric scooters (E-Scooters) and similar devices.  

  • Persons on roller blades, skateboards, or roller skates.

  • Non-service animals, including dogs and horses, which are being led, ridden, or driven. Service animals, such as guide dogs, signal dogs, and service dogs, are always permitted.

  •  Pushcarts, wheelbarrows, and similar vehicles.

  • Drones (also known as Unmanned Aerial Systems) are banned from flying over or near the Golden Gate Bridge and other District property because they pose a safety and security risk to traffic and pedestrians and bicyclists. Drones are also banned from National Park Service land, which includes areas immediately surrounding the Bridge to the north and south.

Alongside these rules and regulations there are rules regarding the sidewalk hours. The sidewalk hours are in Pacific Standard Time and start the first Sunday in November to the second Monday in March. 

  • 5:00 am to 3:30 pm: East sidewalk

  • 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm: West sidewalk

  • 6:30 pm to 5:00 am: East sidewalk, via remotely-controlled security gates located at both ends of the east sidewalk. Cyclists should press the "buzzer" located near the closed security gate and wait while security staff locate the cyclist on a security camera and open the gate remotely. Cyclists should repeat this procedure to get through the security gate at the other end of the sidewalk.

The Golden Gate Bridge rules are set to make sure that visitors are safe and protected whether they are driving over the bridge, riding a bicycle, or going on a walk on the side of the bridge. Some tips to make sure that you have a good time going over the bridge make sure to check the maps app to see how much traffic there is and also the weather app so you know exactly what to wear. One thing about San Francisco is you might have to deal with fog so it’s always important to prepare beforehand so you have a great time. Also most importantly make sure to bring a phone or camera so you can snap a great picture on the bridge and of the bay!

 

History of Golden Gate Bridge:

The Golden Gate Bridge has a unique orange color which makes it stand out. Being surrounded by water at night when the lights turn on makes the bridge shine making it stand out. The color was suggested by the consulting architect Irving Morrow. The chief engineer of building the bridge was Joseph B. Strauss who faced numerous challenges while attempting to build the bridge. Some of these challenges included rapid running tides, frequent storms, and strong fog. On August 14, 1993 the fog was so strong that a cargo vessel collided with an access trestle. During this the workers also had to handle the blasting rock under the water while attempting to provide earthquake proof protection. The chief engineer Struass had implemented a safety net which eventually had saved numerous men during their construction. It was not until February 17, 1937 that the net had not worked and 13 men faced a scaffolding collapse where 10 of them died. The Bridge was finally able to open on May 28, 1937 and was ahead of schedule and under budget.

Activities To Do Next To The Bridge: 

  • Straight to the Gate Access: Golden Gate Bay Cruise

  • Straight to the Gate Access: San Francisco Bridge-toBridge Cruise

  • Straight to the Gate Access: San Francisco Bay Twilight or Sunset Cruise

  • Big Bus San Francisco Hop-on Hop-off Open Top Tour

  • Straight to the Gate Access: San Francisco Bay Cruise

  • San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise

  • San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito Guided Bike Tour

  • Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Full-Day Tour from San Francisco

  • Muir Woods & Sausalito Half-Day Tour (Return by Bus or Ferry from Sausalito)

  • GoCar San Francisco Tour

  • Alcatraz with San Francisco Bay Cruise

  • Aquarium of the Bay General Admission Ticket

All of these activities are great ways to see the bridge in many different ways. By incorporating any or a few of these activities into your trip to the amazing San Francisco you are able to be in one of the best spots of San Francisco for a fun activity while also seeing the breathtaking sight of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most beautiful and historical aspects in San Francisco. The bridge shines bright night or day and brings so many people from all over the world together to see the sight. Hopefully after reading about all of these amazing things to do to see the Golden Gate Bridge you will want to come and see it too! 

 

References: 

Lenkert, - E. (n.d.). Golden Gate Bridge. in San Francisco - Attraction | Frommer's. Retrieved April 5, 2023, from https://www.frommers.com/destinations/san-francisco/attractions/golden-gate-bridge 

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2022, March 29). Golden Gate Bridge. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Golden-Gate-Bridge

Image References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Gate_Bridge

https://marinmagazine.com/community/history/the-golden-gate-bridge-then-and-now-the-bridge-turns-85/

http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/california/san-francisco/golden-gate-skyline

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Golden-Gate-Bridge



 

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