How to Visit the Golden Gate Bridge

Whenever my friends visit me, the number one landmark they want to see is none other than the Golden Gate Bridge. Featured in the classic Full House sit-com, this rust colored bridge connects San Francisco with Marin County.

I turn into a tour guide every time a friend comes to visit. With this in mind, I have come to learn a couple of tips and tricks along the way to share with you.

You need to figure out where you are in relation to the bridge. If you are north, east or south will determine how the following instructions apply to you.

There is a fantastic location that is free to visit, has restrooms and is chock-full of photo opportunities. It is located on the north side of the bridge. Put in your GPS “Fort Baker” and it should take you to the right place. When heading north on the bridge, you are going to turn right a bunch of times until you see water again and you’re there. You may need to loop around the bridge twice.

There’s ample parking, it’s not filled with tourists or their buses and gives incredible views of the bridge.

Before you get there, you’re going to want to bring a nice camera, chargers, water bottles, a jacket and sunglasses. A Camera for pictures. Chargers because you know you’ll need them. Water bottles since they’re super expensive to buy. A jacket because being near the water can bring the temperatures down. Sunglasses because if the sun is out, squinting in photographs isn’t cute.

You can always bike or walk across the bridge if you don’t have a car or don’t want to pay the toll. The bridge does vibrate a lot because of the way it is constructed. You do feel it more when you are walking compared to driving or even biking.

If you have a fear of bridges I would not recommend this, or even visiting the bridge at all. I would also ask that you disregard this entire post.