Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bridge. Return back over the bridge.
If you choose to continue on the
bridge's northern side along US 101,
it's an easy ride downhill to
Sausal-
ito
(p 152), where you can catch a
ferry back to Pier 41.
@
2-3 hr, one-
way. (
@
3-4 hr. including Sausalito
& ferry; see p 153, bullet
1
). Bike
rentals from Blazing Saddles. Pier
41/Fisherman's Wharf, at Blue &
Gold Fleet Ferry Terminal.
y
415/
202-8888. www.blazingsaddles.com.
$7/hr. or $28/24 hr.
4
By Car.
The fastest way to
grasp the immense structure's sheer
size is by car. If you drive, cross over
the bridge and pull over at the first
exit in Marin County (marked
VISTA
POINT
) for breathtaking views of San
Francisco. Consider stopping at the
parking lot before driving across
and walk across the bridge a short
distance. After you cross and visit
the bridge, consider continuing
north with a side trip to
Sausalito
(p 152).
@
5 min. From downtown,
drive north on Van Ness Ave. Turn
left at Lombard St., which becomes
Hwy. 101 N. $5 bridge toll when driv-
ing south.
You'll never forget the first time you drive
over the Golden Gate Bridge.
3
By Bike.
The best way to cross
the bridge is on two wheels. Rent
bikes at Pier 41 and ride along the
scenic SF waterfront of the Golden
Gate Promenade (see detailed tour
p 84) and along the well-marked
bike path up to the Golden Gate
The Golden Gate Bridge
Defying the popular notion
that such a bridge could not be built,
chief engineer Joseph Baerman Strauss spent $35 million and 4
1
⁄
2
years constructing this mammoth project. On May 27, 1937, the
Golden Gate Bridge opened to pedestrian traffic (it opened the next
day to vehicular traffic). A crowd of over 200,000 proud San Francis-
cans and others crossed the 1
3
⁄
4
-mile- (2.8km-) long bridge on foot.
Named for the 400-foot- (120m-) deep Golden Gate Strait that it
spans, the bridge's towers rise 746 feet (224m), and the 4,200-foot
(1,260m) distance between them remained the longest of any sus-
pension bridge for 27 years. The bridge is also designed to with-
stand strong winds, able to swing up to 27 feet (8m) in the unlikely
event of a 100-mph (161kph) gale.
www.goldengatebridge.org.
