Golden Gate Bridge
Time Needed: 1-2 hours
Experience Type: photo op, scenic views
The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks, blending Art Deco elegance with engineering brilliance. Spanning 1.7 miles across the strait between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean, savor breathtaking views, historic sites, and endless photo ops.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Walk or Bike Across the Bridge – Cross the bridge span for sweeping views of San Francisco, Alcatraz Island, and the Marin Headlands.
- Explore Fort Point National Historic Site – Step inside this 1850s brick fortress beneath the bridge for unique views and exhibits on Civil War and coastal defense history.
- Visit the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center – Learn about the bridge’s design and construction through exhibits, models, and interactive displays.
- Hike the Batteries to Bluffs Trail – Trek this 0.7-mile (one-way) coastal trail for dramatic views of the bridge framed by rugged cliffs, cypress trees, and the Pacific surf.
- Enjoy the Views from Baker Beach – Stroll along this sandy shoreline for postcard-perfect photos of the bridge, especially at sunset, with the Pacific Ocean glowing behind it.
Plan Ahead: Sail beneath the majestic Golden Gate Bridge and circle the infamous Alcatraz Island. Book a narrated one-hour cruise to enjoy historical commentary as you take in the “City by the Bay” from the water.
Photo Credit: Edgar Chaparro/Unsplash