Golden Gate Bridge History

Facts About the Golden Gate Bridge & Tips for Visitors

Discover the Golden Gate Bridge history. Find Golden Gate Bridge facts such as its length and the number of cars that drive across it daily. Also, uncover tips for visiting one of the most popular San Francisco tourist attractions.

The Golden Gate bridge towers high above the San Francisco Bay. It is a popular route for those heading from San Francisco to other parts of northern California. It has a long history and many interesting facts to go with it.

This page is full of information about the Golden Gate Bridge. Click on the links below to jump ahead to the section that interests you the most.

History | Facts | Driving Over the Bridge

Walking the Bridge | Biking the Bridge | Bay Cruises Under the Bridge

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Golden Gate Bridge History

The Golden Gate Bridge history starts in the 1930s during the Great Depression. Joseph Strauss wanted the Golden Gate Bridge built to connect Marin County with San Francisco.

Many thought he was crazy and that building a bridge in that location was impossible. However, Strauss received enough support and a bond was issued.

The Golden Gate Bridge history begins. His team and he received nearly $35 million dollars to build the bridge. They were also told to complete it in four years. It ended up coming in under budget and earlier than originally scheduled.

May 28, 1937 is an important date to remember in the Golden Gate Bridge history. It's the first day that cars were allowed to cross the bridge. It opened to pedestrians just one day earlier.

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Golden Gate Bridge Facts

Today, nearly 112,000 cars cross the bridge every day. That equals almost 41 million cars a year!

The two large towers on the bridge stand nearly 746 feet above the water, similar to the height of a 65 story building. The towers are tall, but they are both hollow.

The two main cables that string the bridge from one side to the other are around 3 feet thick. In total, they contain around 80,000 miles of steel wire.

San Francisco is a very windy city, especially along the water. The Golden Gate Bridget history continues with the fact that the team building the bridge made it strong enough to withstand wind up to 100 miles an hour.

What is the Golden Gate bridge history around its bright orange color? The actual color is 'Orange Vermilion' -- but is more commonly called International Orange. The original builders painted it this color so the bridge would blend into its surroundings. There are beautiful sunsets in San Francisco and this was a way to have the bridge blend in with its beauty.

Is the bridge repainted each year? Many people are told that the bridge is painted from end to end every year. This is not true.

The Golden Gate bridge history states that the full bridge was only repainted a few times since it was completed. However, touch ups are common, so full time maintenance workers keep the bridge its full orange color with ongoing touch up work.

Due to its color and other characteristics, it is one of the most recognized bridges in the world!

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Tolls & Other Tips for Driving Over the Bridge

You can drive, walk or ride your bike over the bridge to learn more about the Golden Gate Bridge history. It has six lanes for cars. Walkers and bikers use special sidewalks to cross.

It is a little overwhelming to drive over it for the first time -- so work hard to concentrate on the road and not the scenery. The lanes are not very wide. The right hand lane is the largest of the three, so use this one when you cross the bridge.

Once you get over the bridge, there is a great look out point on the right hand side. Try to be in the right lane as you are reaching the end of the bridge. The viewing area is the first exit on the right after the bridge. The parking lot is large and is usually busy so be cautious as you drive into the lot.

The Golden Gate Bridge Toll is just for southbound traffic. The toll is currently $6 for cars.

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Tips for Walking Over the Golden Gate Bridge

The bridge is 1.7 miles long and you can walk the entire way on a designated walking path. Walkers use the path on the east side of the bridge.

You can also park your car in a designated parking area either at the north or south end of the bridge. You can then walk only part of the way on the bridge. If you do decide to walk the entire way -- don't forget that you have to walk all the way back to pick up your car!

If you decide you want to walk the Golden Gate Bridge, I recommend that you start as soon as the walkway opens in the morning. The walkway is pretty large, but it gets really crowded around 11 am and is pretty busy for the remainder of the day.

If you want to walk just a short distance, then I recommend driving over the bridge first and walking from the north side. You can park closer to the bridge walk way and it isn't as crowded as starting from the southern side.

Don't forget to bring you camera too during your walk. You can get some amazing shots of the bay, Alcatraz and the towers of the bridge.

You will want to layer your clothes in case it gets warmer or cooler during your walk. It is amazing how beautiful it can be below and then how cold and windy it will feel on the bridge. Make sure you are prepared for either temperature.

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Golden Gate Bridge History: Tips for Biking the Bridge

You can also ride your bike over the bridge. During the week, the walkers and bicyclists share the path on the east side. Since it's more crowded on the weekends, the path on the west side is open for bicyclists only.

There are several bike rental places in the city. They offer the option to go with a group or on your own. Both are great options and just depend on your preference. They provide the bike and all of the safety equipment you need for your trip.

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Guided Bike Tours

The great thing about a guide is that you will learn a little more about the Golden Gate Bridge History during your stops. It also ensures that you find your way around and do not go too far off your path.

If you like to plan ahead, then you can book your Golden Gate Bridge bike tour before you arrive. This cuts down on the amount of time you have to spend finding a rental shop when you arrive.

The Golden Gate Bridge Bike Tour from Viator is a good option. The first three hours of the trip is with a guide. Your local guide takes you over the Golden Gate Bridge to the small town of Sausalito.

You then have the rest of the day on your own. You can grab some lunch and spend a little time in the cute city of Sausalito. You can then either bike back over to San Francisco or take the Sausalito ferry to Fishermans Wharf with your bike. This gives you some guidance, but also some freedom during your day. Learn more about Viator's Golden Gate Bridge Bike Tour.

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Going on Your Own

If you go on your own, be aware that no one is there to stop you from riding on the wrong side. Slow down so you can read and follow the bicycle signs on the bridge.

If you are there on the weekends, make sure you take the correct path. The bridge is always very crowded and you will not even be able to ride your bike if you end up on the wrong side.

It's usually really windy on the bridge and quite chilly, so bring along something warm to wear.

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Bridge to Bridge Bay Cruise

Instead of walking or driving over the bridge, how about riding under it? For a completely different vantage point, check out one of the bay cruises.

This is another great way to learn about the Golden Gate Bridge history. It also gives you a completely different view of the bridge for some amazing photos.

The Bridge to Bridge bay cruise takes you up close to both the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge. For 90 minutes, you will sail around the bay learning a little more about the history of San Francisco and its famous bridges.

You will also learn a little more about other buildings in the city and pass by Alcatraz Island. The boat has indoor and outdoor seating. There are also restrooms and a seasonal snack bar.

This is the perfect way to get up close to the famed bridge and learn more about the Golden Gate Bridge history. Find more details about the Bridge to Bridge Bay cruise.

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Heading to San Francisco soon? Need a good guide and map for your trip?

I love the Fodor's guides and use them quite a bit for my travels. This is their 2012 edition for San Francisco

Inside you will find 44 maps and 240 color photos of San Francisco. They also update this regularly to include new information on each SF neighborhood, top San Francisco attractions and more.

Another great thing about this guide is that it also includes information on visiting the northern California wine country. Find more details on the Fodor's 2012 San Francisco Guide.

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Here are some additional pages you might enjoy:

Alcatraz History & Booking Tips: If you are visiting San Francisco, then a visit to Alcatraz Island is a must! The history surrounding this small island in the bay is unmatched. Discover more on the history of the island, its infamous prisoners and tips for booking and visiting the island during your stay.

Fort Point National Historic Site: Located right under the Golden Gate Bridge is the Fort Point National Historic Site. This unique building was originally scheduled for demolition to make way for the new bridge. However, after careful consideration, the design was altered to keep this site. If you love history, I recommend stopping and learning more about this old military building.

Cable Cars San Francisco: If you love the Golden Gate Bridge History, you will also love the history around the cable cars in San Francisco. These famous cars run up and down the steep streets of San Francisco. Find out more about the different lines, where to hop on and other tips for riding the cable cars through the streets of San Francisco.