Golden Gate Bridge
add photosThis bright red, sweeping bridge of beauty is the most recognizable landmark in San Francisco. Take your kids here and learn about the history of how the longest suspension bridge was built in US. Walk, bike, or skip across the bridge and enjoy beautiful vistas of the bay. If you catch it on a clear day, you'll be able to see quite far into the reaches of Marin and East Bay.
Watch your kids! Although a tourist attraction, it is also a freeway!
If you travel to the Marin side by car, you will have to pay toll on the way back.
Eventhough this is California, San Francisco is often cold and foggy. Be sure to dress in layers because it's often chilly and windy on the bridge. Otherwise, you'll join the millions of other tourists who were so cold and had to buy the SF Golden Gate Bridge fleece or sweatshirt at the souvenir shop on the San Francisco side of the bridge.
40 Reviews for Golden Gate Bridge
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00 families found this helpful
"Being prepared helps..."
If you come in July...dress for winter on the bridge...hats, earwraps, coats, mittens, it can get soooo cold and windy. Parking...if you are visiting, punch in Armistead Road on your GPS and park here for free for 2 hours...it is right across the way overcrowded metered lots and it is shaded. Even if it is warm, bring a jacket and a hair tie. Even our warmest month, October, is blustery on the bridge. Bring the stroller...the kids tire by tier one.
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1 family found this helpful
"Must See Site, Not Exciting with Toddlers"
There are a many places that must be visited at least once, and the Golden Gate Bridge is one of them. Although it's location and history make it worth visiting, it's not so great a spot for young toddlers. It's usually cold and windy, and parking in the lots nearest the bridge and visitor's center is difficult (and metered). Bring quarters, a warm jacket and scarf, and patience. Who knows, if you're fortunate and arrive on one of San Francisco's rare warm days, the view is magnificent. Also, if it's warm, our toddler likes exploring the path and steps down to the bay below the bridge. Beware of the poison oak along sections of the path.
0 families found this helpful
"Time it when the weather is good!"
You can see spectacular views, spot dolphins and get some exercise. But make sure you go when it's not foggy - the wind screams through and it gets very cold and damp. Also watch out for the cyclists who go too fast - it can get a bit crowded (although we met a nice policelady on a bike who was giving stickers to the kids)
0 families found this helpful
"Must do!"
When in San Francisco, the bridge is a must-see! We parked at the SF end of the bridge and walked halfway across; we were blessed with the fog lifting and the sun coming out to shine. Since one side of the bridge was closed, the bikes and pedestrians had to share, which was a little difficult. The views from and of the bridge are ones to remember. The bathroom lines can become VERY long, especially when they are closed for cleaning.
0 families found this helpful
"Breathtakingly beautiful!"
The first tip I have before going here is to go on a tour bus because you will get there so much faster than driving there yourself. Next tip I would have is to make sure and bring a sweater! But when it comes to the place itself, it's absolutely beautiful. There's a little shop there to grab a coffee, hot chocolate, and/or a small snack since it is quite chilly there year round. There's no cost to see it which is even better. Seeing the Golden Gate bridge in pictures is nothing compared to seeing it for yourself in person. You will appreciate all of the marvelous details and work put into making this fine piece of architecture. This is a must see landmark that anybody would enjoy seeing.
0 families found this helpful
"Best engineering architecture"
California visit is incomplete without this San Francisco golden gate bridge visit.Its a very long and beautiful bridge.Its a must see attraction in san francisco.The nice thing is that the visit is free.Its a very great historic monument.The walk on this bridge is awesome.If its cold,its somewhat difficult.The drive on this bridge is awesome too.We love biking on this bridge.But we missed it.Its an enjoyable place for kids too.Sun rise and sun set at this place are very elegant sceneries.During nights its like champagne bottle.There are also parking areas on the bridge where we can lock cars and walk along the golden gate.
0 families found this helpful
"landmark"
can't say we visit sf if we don't go here. It is interesting to see the super coiled cable of the bridge showcased in the southern part of the bridge (this is when you left san francisco to go to sausalito. We also walked across the bridge, to see the other view of san francisco. For us, the best time to see the view in the northern part is in sun set and/or when sf covered with cloud. It felt like we're in the story of jack and the beanstalk. Quick reminder though, just don't pass the bridge after dark by foot or bike because you wont be able to cross back. They lock the gate to prevent any suicide attempt. We gota go here again when visiting sf!
0 families found this helpful
"A Bike Adventure"
For a fun time with older kids (13+) take a bike ride across the bridge. If you live in another part of the bay area I recommend bringing your bikes on BART or the Cal Train and riding along the piers, through Chrissy Field, over the bridge and into Sausolito. Once there you can grab some lunch (you'll be hungry!) and take the ferry back to the Ferry Building and hop on BART/Cal Train and head home. This can be a strenuous ride as there is a steep hill to get up to the bridge and it is a long steep descent into Sausolito. If you are vacationing in the area you can rent a bike to do the same thing.
0 families found this helpful
"Golden Gate Bridge"
Definitely something to see while visiting San Francisco but I would incorporate it into another part of your visit. We drove over it several times making the trek from Oakland to San Francisco. It is beautifully lit up at night and awe inspiring during the day. I would recommend walking part of it if you have older children but stick to the car with the young ones.
0 families found this helpful
"Beautiful landmark"
The Golden Gate Bridge is part of San Francisco that you should experience by either driving it or (if you have older kids) walking or biking it. Drive over and park in the free lot. It can be very very windy, so bring jackets. Make it part of a drive to Sausalito or Muir Woods. That will probably be enough if you have young kids who might be afraid of the traffic noise. If you have older kids, you can take a free SF City Guides walking tour. Learning about how difficult the bridge was to build really adds to your appreciation of its beauty.
0 families found this helpful
"MUST SEE!"
The fabled GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE in NOT Gold as most people believe, but RED. The term Gold comes from California's nickname...the Golden State. We picked a bright sunny day, but experienced a lot of mist as is typical for SF most days in the year. The view is fantastic from all sides and you can walk the length of the bridge or ride a bike to get an even more close up view. A MUST SEE/MUST DO attraction for all ages!
0 families found this helpful
"Must Do"
I feel like going over the Golden Gate Bridge is something you just have to do when you visit SF. Walk it, bike it, or drive it. Just remember there is a toll on the way back. If you drive there is a place, one exit up, to pull over after you cross the bridge so you can go out and look.
0 families found this helpful
"I left my heart at this BRIDGE "
I have a confession: I LOVE BRIDGES. And this one is my absolute favorite (yes, better than the London Bridges)! It is nice to visit any time: at night to see the lights, during the day to see it's brilliant color and hear the sound of cars driving on it, during the morning to find it hidden in the fog, etc.
I have heard over 9 million people visit this bridge per year...mostly in the summer months. You can walk, bicycle, and drive near/on it. There small statues in the parking lot and gardens you can stroll in nearby.
There is a toll to cross it because, well, it DOES serve as a vital transportation link for U.S. Highway 101 between the City and County of San Francisco and Marin County to the north. So make sure to have change or a pass.
There are several different viewpoints to snap photos at so be sure to trek around and find the one you like the most.
VIEWING AREA
0 families found this helpful
"a must go place in San Francisco"
Well, Golden Gate bridge is famous all over the world and it is quite a unique bridge of its type. It's the gate from the Pacific Ocean to the San Francisco bay and it's just fabulous. You can go there by some tours from San Francisco, by driving, or by renting bicycles from Pier 39. There are several view points along the bridge. For me, I prefer to park my car in the Fort Point and walk on the bridge to enjoy the beautiful sceneries and the fresh air. Vista Point is also great for visitors. So take your families and your kids there and enjoy this unique bridge.
0 families found this helpful
"History ....."
The Golden Gate Bridge is a huge bridge . This huge structure is one you will never forget. Park your car at the lot off to the side of the entrance to the bridge and walk or you can rent a bike and bike around it. you can see the jail at one side too.
1 family found this helpful
"Golden Gate Bridge"
The Golden Gate Bridge is a landmark like no other. This huge structure is one you will never forget. Park your car at the lot off to the side of the entrance to the bridge and walk the full length of this enormous platform or just a little if you wish. The Golden Gate Bridge is fun for all ages. When we last went, my little ones were in the infant/toddler stage and were escorted via stroller. The older kids will love the views and excitement of telling their friends they "walked across the bridge"!! This is an awesome photo opportunity and you'll see views of the bay that are absolutely breath taking
0 families found this helpful
"The bridge is always exciting"
We have been to the bridge many times. We have walked across it without the kids and walked part way with the kids. It is too far to walk all the way across with little ones, but walking part way is great. Watch out for the bike riders - keep your kids on the inside near the rail and hold their hand. The kids like the big bridge and looking down at the water.
0 families found this helpful
"Golden Gate Bridge"
Everyone should see at least once.Nice for pictures with great views. The kids wernt impresed, but gave them a break from the car. Very beautiful. There is food as well at a little dinner near by. This was very windy and cold even in the summer so bring a jacket.
0 families found this helpful
"Amazing Views!"
We decided to rent a bike and bike the golden gate bridge and it turned into the perfect afternoon! The views were amazing and it was very interesting to see the structure. It can get a little breezy so you might want to make sure you have a sweatshirt or a light jacket. Visiting the Golden Gate Bridge is a must do if you are visiting San Francisco!
0 families found this helpful
"Cycling across is THE best"
We visited the Golden Gate Bridge via bicycle and it was the best day out of seven that we spent in the San Francisco area. Rent a bike in Fisherman's Wharf area and take the trail across the bridge. Lunch in Sausalito offers inspiring views of the city and bridge. You can easily take a ferry back to the SF area.
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