San Francisco's famous Golden Gate Bridge completed construction in May 1937, so celebrates its 70th birthday in 2007. The bridge that launched a thousand postcards, and is the image most strongly associated with the city by the bay, is on every visitor's 'must see' list of San Francisco tourist attractions. Whether you want to look at it or walk across it, here's how.
FACTS AND FIGURES
The Golden Gate Bridge took four years to build and cost $35 million, with an extra $39 million in interest charges till the bridge tolls finally covered the cost.
The bridge is 746 feet above the water, measures 1.7 miles from end to end (including the approaches) and the speed limit for traffic is 45mph. Its towers were built to withstand winds in excess of 100mph.
The Golden Gate Bridge is the most photographed bridge in the world, as well as being one of the most popular for suicides. An average of 19 people per year leap from the bridge.
THE BEST WAY TO SEE THE BRIDGE
Simply driving across the Golden Gate Bridge on I-101 doesn't give you much chance to enjoy the views, especially the driver, so make sure you have time to stop at various designated points, and to get out and walk. The bridge toll, by the way, is collected when you drive south and is currently $5.
Stop at Fort Point on the south side of the bridge, and walk east along the Golden Gate Promenade. This takes you past Crissy Field and gives great views back to the bridge and looking up at it.
Take the bridge's east walkway for views of the San Francisco skyline, and the islands that dot the bay. On the Marin (north) side of the Golden Gate Bridge at Vista Point, the San Francisco skyline views are even better. You can walk out onto the bridge from the parking places at either end, but you may not want to walk too far. It can be cold and wind up there, and with the movement of the bridge most people just head out briefly, for the experience, and then return.
Visit the Golden Gate Bridge website.
And Learn more about San Francisco.
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