Golden Gate Bridge celebrates its 75th Anniversary this year. The big GG Bridge Festival is taking place this Sunday complete with art shows, future fair, live music and to finish things off, a spectacular grand finale of fireworks. Here is a little of the history over those 75 years and what it is today…
No matter if you are a San Francisco native or a first time visitor, nothing is more definitive San Francisco than the Golden Gate Bridge.
Everyone should walk or bike over the bridge at least once in their lifetime. Gear up for a long walk/ride across the bridge. Total length is 1.7 miles (2.7 km). With stopping along the way to take photos, if walking, it can take you 30 minutes to get completely across to the northVista Point.
Golden Gate Bridge, Chief Engineer, Joseph B. Strauss. Used with permission from Golden Gate Bridge archive; www.goldengate.org.
Completed in 1937 by a team headed up by Chief Engineer Joseph B. Strauss, the Golden Gate Bridge, at the time, was the longest suspension bridge in the U.S. Since its completion, the span length has been surpassed by eight other bridges.
Golden Gate Bridge, Towers nearing completion, June 1935. Used with permission from Golden Gate Bridge archive; www.goldengate.org.
It was ranked fifth on theList of America’s Favorite Architecture by theAmerican Institute of Architects. And according to theFrommers travel guide, the most beautiful, certainly most photographed bridge in the world.
Scenery As you walk (or bike) across the golden bridge, if you are heading north, to the right you will see the picturesque San Francisco Bay and city skyline.
Golden Gate Bridge cropped with city, Alcatraz in background. By Sherrie Perkovich.
Key points of interest areAlcatraz Island, the Bay Bridge, Coit Tower, and the Ferry Building.
To the west and north you will see the sprawlingPacific Ocean and the stunning Marin Headlands. Note, if you are walking from the San Francisco side, there are some wonderful trails that lead up to the bridge that are worth hiking. Continue to rest of the article»
