by cindylou11157

February 15, 2007

From journal A San Francisco Treat

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most recognized bridges in the world. Painted in its famous orange color, this icon is seen from the Fisherman’s Wharf area. The bridge connects San Francisco and Marin County along highway 101. This was once the largest suspension bridge in the world. The steel girders were built in my hometown. Bethlehem Steel is listed on the construction plaque on the bridge.

I entered the visitor center from the San Francisco side. The bridge is even more impressive up close. Make sure you bring a jacket if you plan on walking the span of the bridge. It is 1 mile long and it gets very windy especially at mid span. You have a great view looking out both ways, one way the Pacific Ocean and the other the spectacular view of the city, Alcatraz and Angle Island. The bridge is notorious for suicides. The eerie thing about walking the bridge is all the suicide and help signs located along the span. Thirty four suicides were reported for 2006. After walking the bridge pull out of the parking lot and make a left and view the bridge from below. You get another prospective.

Take the drive across, the toll is only $4 round trip. There is another viewing point from this side.

I would not suggest taking a tour. My first visit I drove out on my own and the second time I took a tour and you only have 10 minutes to see the bridge. This does not give you time to walk the span of the bridge. Another way to see the bridge and is very popular is renting a bike and riding across. All over the wharf area are places to rent bikes.

A San Francisco trip would not be complete if you did not visit The Golden Gate Bridge. This is a must see site. You will never get tired of looking at this. The bridge has an all new look when the fog rolls in. This bridge is a photographers dream to photograph. I could not get enough shots of it.

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