Golden Gate Bridge – San Francisco

San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge has been said to be one of the world’s most stunning bridges.  It boasts amazing towers, huge, sweeping cables and is really a visually and audio sensual delight.  It is extremely practical too, connecting San Francisco on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula to Marin County, so there won’t be many times the bridge is not extremely busy.  In fact, apart from being used for commuters, the visitor annual estimate is said to be approximately nine million.  So don’t go if you’re expecting peace and quiet!

The Bridge goes from the Golden Gate, the opening of the San Francisco Bay onto the Pacific Ocean.  The building work was finished in 1937 and since then has gained prominence as one of the city’s main recognized symbols.  But it’s not so large (at 1.7 miles) compared to the city’s other bridges (built after this one was finished).  Since 1937 a further eight bridges have been built which are even bigger!  Yet the Golden Gate Bridge can still make its claim to the second longest suspension bridge main span in the city.

It’s way more than a bridge with a brick sidewalk, beautifully renovated, manicured garden area (nearly 5 acres), gift center, statute of the original chief engineer, Bridge Café, and Lone Sailor Memorial.  You can’t leave San Francisco without checking it out.

Another must see in San Franscico is Fishermans Wharf, that includes the famous Pier 39.