In San Francisco, we are lucky enough to have one of the most famous landmarks in the entire world! Visiting the Golden Gate Bridge is a great way to blend history, engineering marvel, and breathtaking views on a fun visit to San Francisco.

After living here for 30 years, I’ve taken countless visits to the Golden Gate Bridge and I’ve learned a lot of lessons on how to make this an easy, fun stop on your trip to San Francisco.

Whether you’re planning to walk, bike, or simply take a few photos, my guide will help you have a successful visit to the Golden Gate Bridge.

Golden Gate Bridge Tour View

A beautiful day at the Bridge!

 

Table of Contents

Overview of the Golden Gate Bridge

Unlike the million or so other bridges in the world, the Golden Gate isn’t just a way to get you across the bay. This is a living piece of our history, as well as an architectural masterpiece that defines the Bay Area. Anybody who sees a photo of the GGB knows immediately that THIS is San Francisco. This is why millions of people visit the Golden Gate each year.

Key Facts and Figures

The Golden Gate Bridge is a bit over 1.5 miles (2.5 km) across the Golden Gate Strait, connecting San Francisco to Marin County. When it was built in 1937, this was the longest suspension bridge in the world. The towers rise 746 feet (227 meters) above the water, making it the tallest bridge towers in the world when it was built. It’s painted in the unique International Orange color specifically chosen to stand out against the fog and complement the natural surroundings.

Planning Your Golden Gate Bridge Tour

A little planning goes a long way when taking a tour of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Best Times to Visit

One important thing to note is that the weather in San Francisco is different than almost anywhere else. Most people think that the summer months of July and August would be the best times to come. But be warned, these are some of the foggiest months of the year in our city, and the GGB is one of the foggiest places in the city!

For the clearest views, the ideal time to visit the GGB is in September and October when fog is less prevalent in the area.

During the day, we normally have fog in the morning, then blue skies in the late morning-early afternoon, then fog again in the evening. So if you’re hoping to get the best chances of clear skies, try to get to the bridge at about 1:00 – 2:00 in the afternoon.

However, as always, the weather at the bridge can be unpredictable. So if you’re planning to visit the GGB, be sure to check out the live webcam view here:

https://www.goldengate.org/bridge/visiting-the-bridge/current-weather/


Golden Gate Bridge Tour Webcam
This was a beautiful day on the bridge! But make sure to check the weather for yourself.

Because even on sunny days in downtown San Francisco, the bridge area might be foggy, windy, and considerably colder.

What to Wear

I mentioned earlier that the weather can be unpredictable, so you really want to ensure that you are prepared for this trip. And that means bringing various layers of clothing. If it’s sunny without much wind, a t-shirt and jeans should be fine. But the location of the Golden Gate creates a natural wind tunnel, with gusts that can be surprisingly strong.

When the fog and wind bring cold weather, make sure to bring a jacket  or sweatshirt that are able to block the wind. The last thing you want is to visit the Golden Gate Bridge for the first time ever, and not even be able to enjoy it because you’re shivering!

Dress in layers regardless of the season:

  • Windproof jacket or fleece (essential year-round)
  • Hat that won’t blow off easily
  • Sunglasses to protect against glare and wind
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Sunscreen (even on foggy days)

The temperature on the bridge can be 10-15 degrees cooler than downtown, which catches so many people unprepared (just look at how many people are wearing t-shirts and shorts when you get there!)

Transportation Options

Ok, so you’ve checked the weather and the bridge is clear. Nice! The next step is getting here. You have a few options:

  1. Driverless car!
  2. Bus
  3. Driving/Carshare

 

Driverless Cars in San Francisco

One of the most fun and exciting ways to get to the Golden Gate Bridge is by taking a ride in a self-driving car called Waymo. Since you’re visiting the high tech capital of the world, why not enjoy what that new technology is offering? Much like using Uber or Lyft, you can download the Waymo One app, and order the car to come to your location. But unlike Uber, Waymo doesn’t have a driver in it. The car drives itself!

Golden Gate Bridge Tour Waymo

Take a Waymo to the Golden Gate Bridge! Photo credit: Sharon Mollerus

These self-driving cars are extremely comfortable and stress-free ride, allowing you to focus on the city and the scenery as your self-driving car safely drives you to the Golden Gate Bridge. I have heard that some people are concerned about safety, but it turns out that autonomous cars are 80% less likely to get into an accident than a human driver is!

Taking a Bus

Public transportation is highly recommended due to limited parking at the bridge.

Several options make reaching the Golden Gate Bridge convenient:

  • Muni Bus 28 from Fort Mason or the Marina
  • PresidiGo Shuttle from downtown transit centers
  • Hop-on, hop-off tour buses with bridge stops
  • Golden Gate Transit buses from various city locations
  • Bike rentals from Fisherman’s Wharf (popular with tourists)

Where to Park at the Golden Gate Bridge

If driving is your only option, be aware that parking is limited and fills up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays.

The main parking lots include:

  • North (Marin) side: Vista Point lot (free, but you will have to pay the $9.50 toll to come back to the city)
  • Presidio: My favorite lot is here on Merchant Road. It’s free, but fills up quickly.

Arrive early (before 11:00 am) or on weekdays to increase your chances of finding a spot.

Golden Gate Bridge Tours

There are several ways to experience the bridge, each offering unique perspectives and advantages.

Choose the option that best suits your interests and physical abilities.

My Self Guided Golden Gate Bridge Tour

Walking Across the Golden Gate Bridge

Walking across the Golden Gate Bridge is a bucket-list experience that gives you some of the best views of the city and the area around it.

The pedestrian walkway is open 365 days a year, though the hours change throughout the year:

March – October hours: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
November – February hours: 5:00 AM – 6:30 PM

A few notes about the walk:

  • The full round-trip walk is about 3.4 miles, so allow 1 hour for the entire walk
  • Pedestrians use the east sidewalk (facing the city), while on the weekend cyclists use the west path (facing the ocean)
  • During the week, cyclists will share the path with pedestrians, so be careful about fast-moving bikes!

Bike across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito

One of the best ways of going out to the GGB is to ride a bike from downtown SF. There’s a great cycling path all along the Embarcadero waterfront, giving you amazing views of the whole Bay Area. And it’s a really easy ride! The only hill is when you ride up to the entrance to the bridge. You can ride across the bridge, and down the hill into Sausalito. This is a wonderful little waterfront town where you can do some great eating, wine & beer tasting, shopping, or just wandering.

Honestly, this might be the ideal way to cross, since you avoid the traffic. And once you’re finished in Sausalito, you can just put the bike on the ferry and catch a ride right back into the city. (And feel free to crack open that wine or beer and enjoy it on the ferry!)

Numerous rental companies near Fisherman’s Wharf offer bikes with maps and suggested routes.

If you have the flexibility to choose, I’ll say that weekday cycling is significantly more pleasant than the weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, more crowded bike and pedestrian routes can make riding difficult.

Where to Eat

There are very limited dining options at the bridge, essentially just café food and snacks. It’s fine if you just need a quick bite, but you won’t find restaurants right around the bridge.

The easiest place is the Round House Café right next to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center. They have coffee & tea, as well as quick bites like muffins and pastries.

For more substantial dining options, you’ll want to take a drive or ride a few minutes away. A few options:

  • Colibri Mexican Bistro – a high quality authentic Mexican food in the Presidio
  • Dalida – a Mediterranean restaurant, also in the Presidio
  • Barrel House Tavern – If you’re planning to cross over the bridge to Sausalito, check out this place with awesome American food.

Alternatively, you can pack a picnic to enjoy at nearby GGB viewing spots such as Crissy Field or Battery Spencer. This option will give you a bit more flexibility, while scoring some of the best photo opportunities of the bridge. (Because if it’s not on Instagram, did it really happen?)

Conclusion

The Golden Gate Bridge isn’t just a way to cross the bay. It’s a fun, historic, cultural thing to do that also gives you some good exercise. And what could be better than that on your trip to SF?

Whether you walk, bike, or just check it out from the various Vista Points, visiting the Golden Gate Bridge will be something you’ll always remember. So enjoy your Golden Gate Bridge tour and come back here often!