Golden Gate Bridge has become famous as one of the top ten construction achievements of the 20th Century. Enjoy your visit!

It's a unique experience for anyone, whether you are driving, walking, riding a bike, shopping, or just want to look around, there is something for everyone on this 1.7 mile bridge. They also have a virtual Bridge Walk for those of you that are unable to come to the Bridge.
Walk down east sidewalk near Strauss Statue, anytime in the daytime from the southeast parking lot or the northeast parking lot. They recommend that you don't take any Pets, for safety reasons. If you walk across the Bridge, wear comfortable shoes and clothing.

As you walk along the sidewalks, you will come to an asphalt walk, keep walking until you come to a renovated garden area on the southeast side of the Bridge. You will come to an enticing immaculate garden. Further ahead, on less than 5 acres of prime property, the annual and perennial flowerbeds and manicured hedges climb the brick sidewalks. These gardens have been made famous by Joan S. Hockaday's book "The Gardens of San Francisco" and in Pacific Horticulture Magazine.

Shopping at the Golden Gate Bridge Gift Center

Located in the historic "Roundhouse" on the southeast side behind the Strauss Statue, your trip to Golden Gate Bridge will be incomplete if you don't go to the Gift Center. Designed in 1938, this former restaurant for passing motorists is now open daily from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm in summer and 8:30 am to 6:30 pm in winter. You can get a variety of historical information, photos, books, posters, videos and umpteen souvenirs of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Learn about the Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge is an enormous structure and to get to know its enormity, you can see the construction statistics on a cross section of one of the Bridge's main cables displayed to the left behind the Joseph B. Strauss Statue. The chief engineer's statue is a constant reminder of the vision and determination to build this modern day spectacle. Roundhouse Gift Center located behind the Strauss Statue has numerous books and videos about the history of Golden Gate Bridge.

Visit the Lone Sailor monument and to learn more about the monument visit the Salute to United States Sailors or Navy Memorial and Lone Sailor Statue.

Dining at the Bridge
Head for the Bridge Café on the southeast side of the Bridge. It offers snacks like hot dogs, pizza, ice cream, nachos, popcorn, muffins, sodas, coffee and water.
Winter timing: 9:30 am to 5 pm
Summer timing: 9 am to 7 pm.


Directions and Parking

The Golden Gate Bridge is located on U.S. Highway 101 and is a vital link between San Francisco and the counties to the north. The Golden Gate Bridge does not have a street address, so here is how to find the southeast and northeast parking areas.

Access to southeast parking lot
With a café, gift center, gardens and an array of scenic vistas, the southeast parking lot is easily accessible. It's a paid Parking spot with 81 spaces, 3 of which are designated for visitors with disabilities that have disabled placards. There are 5 spaces for tour buses.

Traveling south from Marin County:
Follow U.S. Highway 101 south across the Golden Gate Bridge. Have exact change ready to pay the $3 toll, collected southbound only. Proceed through the far right toll lane #1, and make an immediate right exiting U.S. Highway 101 just past the Toll Plaza. Make another immediate right onto the roadway passing underneath the Toll Plaza and directly into the southeast parking lot.

Traveling north from San Francisco:
Take a right at the last San Francisco exit off Highway 101 just before the Toll Plaza. The sign reads "Golden Gate National Recreation Area View Area". Proceed to the stop sign and turn left into the southeast parking lot.

Access to northeast parking lot
Parking is free and restrooms are the only visitor amenities.

Traveling south from Marin County:
To access the parking lot on the northeast side of the Bridge, you must cross the Bridge, pay the toll and double back across the span. Follow U.S. Highway 101 south across the Golden Gate Bridge. Have exact change ready to pay the toll, collected southbound only. Proceed through the far right toll lane #1, and make an immediate right exiting U.S. Highway 101 just past the Toll Plaza. Make another immediate right onto the roadway passing underneath the Toll Plaza and directly into the southeast parking lot. Drive through the parking lot, bearing right to access the Bridge to travel north. Cross the Bridge and take the first exit called "Vista Point" and turn right into the parking lot.

Traveling North from San Francisco:
Follow U.S. Highway 101 north across the Golden Gate Bridge. Take the first exit called "Vista Point". Turn right into the parking lot.

Southeast Lot: Open 24 hours a day
Vista points are located on the northeast and southeast sides of the Golden Gate Bridge. Parking is available at both sites, including parking spaces for persons with disabilities. The southeast parking lot has metered parking spaces.
The northeast parking lot (Vista Point) has free parking with a four hour parking limit.

Weather at the Golden Gate Bridge

With a temperate marine and generally mild climate year-round, you will day temperatures ranging from 40 degrees in the winter, to 75 degrees in the summer. Morning and evening fog rolls in during the summer and fall months, but can burn off by midday. Ideal months to visit are usually September and October.