Opened in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge is quite possibly San Francisco's most famous landmark. The massive 1.7-mile structure crosses the mouth of San Francisco Bay, connecting the city to Marin County to the north. The bridge not only provides a vital link in the area's highway system, but it also is a major tourist destination - each year thousands of people make the trip to visit the bridge and admire it's enormous art deco-styled structure.

Despite several previous trips to San Francisco, I had not actually been to the Golden Gate Bridge until my Labor Day 2003 trip. I'm surprised it took my fourth trip to the city for me to finally visit the bridge, as large suspension bridges have always fascinated me. Despite multiple trips to the Tacoma Narrows, Fred Hartman, and San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridges, I had somehow never managed to make it to the Golden Gate. So, my first trip was somewhat of a pilgrimage, but it will definitely not be my last.

Getting to the bridge without a rental car takes a little time, but is not that difficult, as the Muni nos. 28 and 29 bus routes go directly to the southern end of the bridge and the visitor's center. The bridge is also reachable via Golden Gate Transit buses, which cross the bridge into Marin County.

The bridge can be driven across if you have a car, but you may also walk across the bridge on the east sidewalk. Bicyclists may also cross the bridge on the sidewalks, using the east sidewalk at night and during the day, and the west sidewalk during evening rush hours. Information on biking across the bridge is available on the Golden Gate Bridge website.

My travel companion and I chose to walk about halfway across the bridge. I actually wanted to continue the rest of the way to the northern end of the bridge and back, but his feet were sore from walking, and it was rather cold on the day we visited. Walking out onto the bridge is quite an experience, especially for those of us with a fear of heights. The bridge is approximately 220 feet above the water, and is so massive that it makes the ships passing below look like toys. Fortunately the sidewalk is wide, and, if you choose to walk close to the roadway, the vertigo I experienced looking over the guardrail to the bay below was nonexistent.

When visiting the bridge, be sure to take a jacket, even if the weather downtown is warm. On the day we visited, downtown San Francisco was sunny and mild, but the area around the bridge was shrouded in fog, with a stiff wind and air temperature of about 55° F. These weather conditions are not atypical, and tourists who were there in t-shirts and shorts were truly suffering.

For more information on the bridge's history and planning your visit to this San Francisco icon, see the Golden Gate Bridge website.

The Golden Gate Bridge is arguably the most famous landmark on the West Coast of the United States. It was built in 1937 and was, at the time, the largest suspension bridge in the world. Today the bridge features "movable lanes". Consisting of six total lanes, the lanes are changed as follows; on weekday mornings, there are four southbound lanes and only two northbound lanes. On weekday evenings, there are four northbound lanes and two southbound. This system allows for better traffic flow.The color of the Golden Gate is not actually gold, but a color called "International Orange". Contrary to popular belief, the bridge is not continuously painted every day of the year. In fact, a program started in 1965 to replace the original paint with a better one, this was completed in 1995, and now only occasional touch ups are required. The Golden Gate is named for the Golden Gate Strait that is the entrance to the San Francisco Bay.Only 11 men lost their lives during the construction, due to a safety net that was erected during the build. On February 17, 1937 a scaffolding holding ten men fell through the safety net and accounted for all but one of the total deaths during its construction. If you have the chance, definitely walk across this bridge. It may be a bit of a hike, but the views from the bridge are great. If you cannot make it to the other side on foot, drive across and stop at the lookout point. Some of the best views of the bay area can be seen here.

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.

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 Bridge is truly a magnificent wonder of engineering and architecture. It's sure to be the most photographed bridge of all time, spanning the San Francisco Bay in glorious triumph.