The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most recognizable man-made structures in the United States. It's hard to think of an America without the Golden Gate, but the bridge has only been connecting Marin County to points north since 1937. In under 70 years its iconic Art Deco shape painted "International Orange" has become timeless. The 1.7-mile span over the opening of the San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean has been crossed by over 1 billion people over the years. It's impossible to say what San Francisco would be like without it.

I must admit I was quite disappointed with the Golden Gate Bridge before I went to visit it. For the week before I went to the visitor center and crossed over the bridge itself, I could never even see the structure due to the thick fog that forms around it each and every day. I had seen the orange structure in movies and television shows, but I was very dismayed when I could not see it for myself. The fog is formed by the warm and humid Pacific air meeting the cold water of the bay almost at the point where the bridge spans. This is the reason why the bridge was painted the orange color to begin with.

When I did visit the visitor center (open from 8:30am to 7:30pm each day) on the Marin County side of the bridge, I was pleasantly surprised by the interesting facts and history that surround the structure. I wasn't quite as let down about not being able to see the bridge anymore. What I found particularly interesting was the information about painting and work on the bridge, which is continuously ongoing. These workers brave the fog and extreme heights to keep the roads and structure safe without having to close it down ever for repairs.

When I finally did leave Marin County by crossing the Golden Gate Bridge itself, I was even more pleasantly surprised. Though you could not see the bridge unless you were on it that day due to the fog, it was quite striking to see the beautiful orange Art Deco towers emerging from the mist as you made your way over. Though I never did get to see the bridge in its entirety from the distance, the trip over it more than made up for this.

Having grown up in Marin County, driving on the Golden Gate Bridge to San Francisco was a part of my daily routine. Even still, every single time I go back to San Francisco, I am awed and taken aback when I cross the Golden Gate Bridge. The views are amazing as I enter the tunnel on the Marin side to appear before a scene with sails swimming in the Bay waters, high bridge towers, and lush greenery that frames everything together.

We rented bikes at this placed called Blazing Saddles, which has several locations in the Fisherman's Wharf area. We biked for about 4 hours -- started at Fisherman's Wharf and went along the bay and the beach, over the Golden Gate Bridge, and into Sausalito. We took the ferry back!

How do you like to view it - from far, on it, or from the top?

I have three answers to the above questions.

Marina Boulevard was the road leading to Lincoln Breachery. On a clear day, we sauntered down the silvery sheened velvet beaches and let the tepid waves from the sea lap over our soft feet. In the distance, Golden Gate Bridge was mounted across the bay, with cirrus clouds hovering low over the rolling rounded hills. Breathe in deeply. Inhale the fresh crisp air surrounding you. If you long for a rest, bring along a towel, roll it out, and lie back on the beach. The feeling is just as good as doing a Thai massage in a cabana. In a matter of minutes, rhythmic waves tapping against the shore and the saltish light breeze lull you into deep slumber.

Pick up your stuff and dust the sand off your pants. It was an hour later. The first sight after opening my eyes was Golden Gate Bridge, with passing vehicles like busy ants riding on it. Get ready for the next destination.

Here we are. Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point was just right after crossing the bridge. On the right, there was a huge parking lot catering to bulky tour buses and private cars for this scenic view. It was an unparalleled lookout to Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate strait, the skylines of the city, and again, the endless mountains on the sides. "WOOOW!" The place was so dazzling and unbelievable that I told my husband I could stay there forever and never get sick of it. For the entire trip, we visited this place three times, and I knew it was quite nerdy of me.

Along the bridge itself, there was a sidewalk whereby walkers/cyclists could enjoy the bridge from the start to the end point. But it was going to be a grueling one because of the relentless wind blowing from the bay, as well as the length of the bridge, which was about 9,266 feet (overall length) or 4,200 feet (span length). We stepped onto the bridge and experienced the reverberations of it that could not be felt through driving.

Have you thought of viewing the Golden Gate Bridge at night? It must be beautiful. Yes, indeed, it was. Around twilight or before sunset, Battery Spencer (located on the opposite side of Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point on top of the hill) was crowded with visitors - normally photographers were there to catch the best glimpse of this modern marvel. On this windy night, they were waiting patiently for the perfect timing. Unlike them, we already started snapping our camera here and there. Just hope to get out of this windy place after a few nice shots.

Who cares about the timing for amateurs like us? After the street lamps along the bridge were lit up, we left, chattering.

The Golden Gate is an engineering marvel and the symbol for Bay Area. It is free to look at and is quite a spectacle. It is something not to be missed.