75 Years of Golden Gate Bridge: Getting A Good View

26 May 2012, San Francisco – San Francisco’s most popular and photographed landmark, the Golden Gate Bridge was originally completed on 27 May 1937.  The single-span suspension bridge spans 6,450 feet and will be celebrating its 75th anniversary tomorrow along the waterfront between Pier 39 to the foot of the bridge at Fort Port.   There will be fireworks to celebrate the occasion between 9 to 10pm.

Interesting Facts about the Golden Gate Bridge

• Span: 6,450 feet
• Total length: 8,981 feet
• Completion date: May 28, 1937
• Cost: $35 million
• Date paid in full: July 1971
• Engineer: Joseph B. Strauss
• Road height: 260 feet
• Tower height: 746 feet
• Swing span: 27 feet
• Deepest foundation: 110 feet under water
• Cable thickness: 37 inches
• Cable length: 7,650 feet
• Steel used: 83,000 pounds
• Concrete used: 389,000 cubic yards
• Miles of wire cable: 80,000
• Gallons of paint annually: 10,000
• Colour: International orange
• Rise, in cold weather: 5 feet
• Drop, in hot weather: 10 feet
• Traffic: 3 million vehicles per month
• CashToll: $6 (southbound only)
• FasTrak Toll: $5

 

 Where To Get Dramatic Views Of The Golden Gate Bridge

1. Crissy Field

A former military airfield located south of the Golden Gate Bridge in the Presidio, was restored in 2001 and offers wide, fully-accessible walking and cycling trails between the Marina Green and Fort Point. Crissy Field also offers picnic areas and a small beachfront popular among families.  You can stop for lunch at the Warming Hut near Fort Point, the Beach Hut Cafe near the Marina Green, or check out the House of Air, a trampoline centre in one of the re-purposed buildings. Map

Distance from Golden Gate Bridge: 2.4 miles from the Marina Green.

2. Fort Point

This Civil War-era brick fort is accessible via the Marine Drive lot at Crissy Field.  There was never any military action here historically but the chief engineer of the Golden Gate Bridge, Joseph Strauss, redesigned the bridge to preserve the fortress as a fine example of the mason’s art.   Map

Distance from Golden Gate Bridge: 1.2 miles.

3. Baker Beach

This beach stretches a half mile below the rugged cliffs along the Presido’s western shoreline.  It is accessible by public transportation (Muni 29-line).  There is also a picnic area with tables and grills, plenty of parking and restroom facilities.   The northernmost end of Baker Beach offers clothing-optional sunbathing.  Map

Distance from Golden Gate Bridge: 1.2 miles.

4. China Beach

Located in the Seacliff neighbourhood, this beach is a tiny, sheltered pocket of sand with a picnic area, a sunbathing deck, restrooms, cold showers and unobstructed views of the Golden Gate Bridge.  It is only accessible by a steep, paved drive or natural stairway of approximately 100 steps.

Distance from Golden Gate Bridge: 2.0 miles

 

5. Lands End

The Eagle’s Point trailhead of Lands End near Lincoln Park is near the popular hiking trail near the Legion of Honour.  You can walk along a paved sidewalk near the 17th hole of the Lincoln Park Municipal Golf Course and capture the beauty of the bridge. Map

Distance from Golden Gate Bridge: 3.0 miles

 

Glimpses of the Golden Gate Bridge

You can also enjoy a slightly obstructed view of the Golden Gate Bridge from several, unexpected vantage points.

1. Lover’s Lane, the Presidio

As the oldest foot trail in the Presidio, Lover’s Lane which begins at the Presidio Gate at the corner of Presidio and Pacific Avenues in Presidio Heights. Enjoy a Hollywood-esque glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge which will eventually disappear as you continue down the trail toward the Presidio’s Main Post.
Distance from the Golden Gate Bridge: 2.2 miles

2. De Young Museum, Golden Gate Park

Located in the east end of Golden Gate Park, the Hamon Education Tower Observation Deck at the de Young Museum offers dramatic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, as well as spectacular panoramic views of the city and Pacific Ocean. Touring the museum requires admission.  The observation deck which opens daily until 4.30 pm is free and open to the public.
Distance from Golden Gate Bridge: 2.9 miles

3. Library at the University California, San Francisco – Inner Sunset

Located at 530 Parnassus Avenue in the Inner Sunset, the library at the University of California, San Francisco, offers stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge from its main reading room.   Remember not to be too noisy.
Distance from Golden Gate Bridge: 4.1 miles

4. Coit Tower, Telegraph Hill

Coit Tower, a slender white concrete column rising from the top of Telegraph Hill, provides 360-degree views of the city and bay, including the Golden Gate Bridge. The most-spectacular views can be seen from the observation deck, which is reached by elevator and requires tickets (US$7).
Distance from Golden Gate Bridge: 4.9 miles

5. Golden Gate Bridge through the Waldo Tunnel

As San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge are hidden from the northern approach of U.S. Route 101 by the Marin Headlands, drivers going through the Waldo tunnel, the unofficial name of the tunnel on U.S. Route 101 between the Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito, can enjoy the first view of the city and the bridge upon exiting the tunnel’s southbound bore. This view may be one of the most dramatic views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Distance from Golden Gate Bridge: 3.1 miles

 

Rooms With a Bridge View

Inn At The Presidio

Located in the historic Pershing Hill,  the newly-opened Inn At The Presidio offers several rooms with bridge views.  Previous the post’s bachelor officers’ quarters, this inn offers 22 rooms, 17 of which are one-bedroom suites.

Westin St Francis

The guest rooms from the 26th floor offer gorgeous views of the bridge from the Tower Building.  You can also book yourself to one of its two suites, the Pacific and the Bridge View.

Intercontinental Mark Hopkins

Perched atop Nob Hill, several guest rooms offer partial views of the bridge including the California suite.  Or drop by Top of the Mark roof top bar and catch an exquisite view of the bridge from the northwest corner of the room.

Fairmont San Francisco

Located just across the street from the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins, the Tower Building offers multiple views.

Argonaut Hotel

Walking distance from the shops and restaurants at the Fisherman’s Wharf, the Argonaut Hotel offers waterfront views of the Golden Gate Bridge from many of its rooms.

 

Getting to San Francisco

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers non-stop flights to and from more than 31 international airports and over 69 non-stop cities in the US.

 

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