Battery Spencer
Classic view from the Marin Headlands.
{{item.title}}
Golden Gate Bridge
No reviews yet
One of 35 Things to Do in United States
In short
The Golden Gate Bridge crosses the strait between San Francisco and Marin County, opened in May 1937, with a main span of 1,280 m and towers 227 m high. Walking or cycling across is free, while southbound drivers pay a $10.25 FasTrak toll from July 2026. A walk from the welcome centre to the south tower and back takes about an hour; add Battery Spencer for the classic view.
The Golden Gate Bridge spans the Golden Gate, the strait linking San Francisco Bay with the Pacific Ocean, and connects the city of San Francisco with Marin County to the north. Construction began in January 1933, and the bridge opened to pedestrians on 27 May 1937 and to vehicles the next day.
The chief engineer was Joseph Strauss, with Charles Ellis and Leon Moisseiff responsible for much of the structural design. The architect Irving Morrow shaped the Art Deco towers and chose the colour, known as International Orange, which stands out in fog and suits the hills around it.
The main span between the towers is 1,280 metres, and it was the longest suspension span in the world until 1964. The two towers rise about 227 metres above the water, and the total length of the bridge is about 2.7 kilometres. The roadway carries US Route 101 and California State Route 1.
Walkers and cyclists can cross on the sidewalks, which gives views of Alcatraz, the city skyline and the Marin Headlands. Popular viewpoints include Battery Spencer on the Marin side, Fort Point beneath the southern end and Crissy Field along the bay. Fog often covers the bridge on summer mornings.
Walking and cycling across the bridge are free. Vehicles pay a toll only when heading south into San Francisco, and tolls are collected electronically with no cash booths. The welcome centre and car parks are at the southern end, and Golden Gate Transit and Muni buses stop nearby.
Fact-checked by the bookingMentor Travel Desk
Reviewed · Updated when rules or prices change
Checked against trusted sources:
Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District
–/5
No reviews yet
Been here? Your review helps other travellers.
Key information
🌉Opened: 27 May 1937
📏Main span: 1,280 m
🗼Towers: About 227 m above water
🎨Colour: International Orange
💵Toll: Southbound vehicles only
🕕Time Zone: Pacific Time (UTC−8)
✦
Plan your visit to Golden Gate Bridge
Dates, opening hours and how to get there are below. Booking ahead secures your preferred day.
Highlights Include:
Views
- Battery Spencer
- Fort Point
- Crissy Field
Crossing
- Pedestrian sidewalk
- Cycling
What They Offer
Visit duration
About an hour to walk from the welcome centre to the south tower and back; add Battery Spencer for the classic view from the north
Timed entry required No
Walk across
Cross on foot from the welcome centre.
Accessibility
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Age limits
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
What to pack
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
What to wear
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Not allowed
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Amenities
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Tips for visiting Golden Gate Bridge
- Bring a windproof jacket; it is cold and windy on the bridge.
- Check fog forecasts before going for photos.
- Arrange the electronic toll if driving a rental car south.
Driving
Paid parking at the welcome centre; electronic southbound toll. In a rental car, ask how the company handles tolls (most add a daily fee); a short-term plate account on the official site, opened before or within a few days of crossing, avoids the invoice rate.
Public transportation
Golden Gate Transit and Muni buses stop at the south end; Golden Gate Ferry boats link Marin County and San Francisco.
Address
Between San Francisco and Marin County.
Opening Hours
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Special events
No special events on record for Golden Gate Bridge.
Best times to visit
Late afternoon on clear days.
Best days to visit
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Best months to visit
September to November.
Visitor policy
Cancellation and prepayment
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Children and admission
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Groups
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Pets
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Photography
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Bags
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Smoking
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Accepted payment
Not confirmed yet. Please check with the venue before you visit.
Contribute:
Recently viewed attractions
Others of this kind you opened on this device, so you can get back to them quickly.
Travelers are asking
No questions yet about Golden Gate Bridge. Ask the community or our travel team, and the answer will show here once it is published.
Be the first to ask
Our team answers questions here
Explore by Theme
Find your kind of trip: 28 travel themes, from National Parks, Landmarks, Museums.
National Parks
Landmarks
Museums
UNESCO World Heritage
Monument
Heritage
Mountains
Walkway
Art Galleries
Bridges & Barrages
Islands
Palaces
Parks
Theme Parks
Waterfalls
Beaches
Cliffs
Entertainment Parks
Statue
Caves
Education
Forests
Lakes & Haors
Nightlife Districts
Shopping Malls
Skyscraper
Weekend Market
Wildlife (Zoo)
Top things to do nearby
More to see in California.
San Francisco
Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island lies about two kilometres off the San Francisco waterfront, near the Golden Gate. It is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, manage...
No reviews yet
United States
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park lies in the central Sierra Nevada of eastern California, about four to five hours by road from San Francisco. In 1864 President Abraham L...
No reviews yet
United States
Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park covers about 13,850 square kilometres in eastern California and a small part of Nevada, making it the largest national park in the co...
No reviews yet
Los Angeles
The Getty Center
The Getty Center stands on a hilltop in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles, above the Sepulveda Pass and the San Diego Freeway. It is run by the J. Paul Getty Tr...
No reviews yet
Los Angeles
Griffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory stands on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, Los Angeles. From its terraces visitors can see downtown Los Angeles,...
No reviews yet
United States
Crater Lake
Crater Lake lies in the Cascade Range of southern Oregon, at the centre of Crater Lake National Park, the only national park in the state. The lake, about 8 by...
No reviews yet
Anaheim
Disneyland Park
Disneyland Park is the original theme park of the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Orange County, about 40 kilometres southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The resort...
No reviews yet
Las Vegas
The Neon Museum
The Neon Museum is a non-profit museum on Las Vegas Boulevard North, just north of Downtown Las Vegas. It was founded in 1996 to collect, preserve and display t...
No reviews yet
Philadelphia
Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell hangs in the Liberty Bell Center in Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, across from Independence Hall. In 1751 the Pennsylvani...
No reviews yet
Save time: create a trip and get offers from locals
Tell us where and when you want to go, and local travel experts send you offers for your trip.
1 Create a trip
2 Get offers from locals
3 Pick the one you like
Create a trip
Need help?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Practical answers for visitors.
Timing & weather
It opened to pedestrians on 27 May 1937 and to vehicles on 28 May 1937, after construction began in 1933.
The total length is about 2.7 km, and the main span between the towers is 1,280 metres.
Autumn, from September to November, usually has the clearest skies. Summer mornings are often foggy.
General
Yes. Pedestrians can use the sidewalk during daylight hours, and it is free. The walk across takes about 30 to 45 minutes each way.
Yes, but only for vehicles heading south into San Francisco. From 1 July 2026 the car toll is $10.25 with FasTrak, $10.50 with a pay-as-you-go plate account and $11.25 by toll invoice. Walkers and cyclists pay nothing.
The towers rise about 227 metres above the water.
The colour, called International Orange, was chosen by architect Irving Morrow because it is visible in fog and blends with the natural setting.
Joseph Strauss was the chief engineer, with Charles Ellis and Leon Moisseiff on the structural design and Irving Morrow on the architecture.
Battery Spencer on the Marin side, Fort Point below the south end, Crissy Field and Baker Beach are the most popular viewpoints.
Yes. Cyclists can cross on the sidewalks, sharing with pedestrians at some times. Bike hire is widely available in San Francisco.
Yes, entry to Golden Gate Bridge is free.
Explore the area on this page lists 1 place around Golden Gate Bridge, with the distance to each.
bookingMentor lists 4 places to stay in United States. Rooms start from $175.00 (USD) a night.
Prices & payment
No. Tolls are collected electronically, either through FasTrak, a licence plate account or a toll invoice mailed to the registered owner.
Getting there
You can reach Golden Gate Bridge by public transport or by car. Both routes are described under How to get there on this page.