Bay Bridge, San Francisco

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This Bay Bridge tip now comes with pictures on going back to San Francisco using the upper deck (lower deck is for going out of San Francisco). When it opened in 1936, the toll was 65 cents, collected in each direction but at present, the toll for autos is $4 collected only for westbound traffic, at a toll plaza on the eastern (Oakland) side. The bridge consists of two major spans connecting each shore with Yerba Buena Island, a natural outcropping located mid-bay.

The Bay Bridge was conceived in the Gold Rush Days, a bridge spanning the San Francisco Bay linking The cities of San Francisco and Oakland always seemed like an engineering and financial impossibility. The water separating the cities was too deep and wide. In 1926, the California Legislature created the Toll Bridge Authority, a policy-making body charged with the responsibility for bridging San Francisco and Alameda County. Practical and economic concerns would make the bridge a reality. Oakland streetcar lines were laid out to feed passengers to a fleet of ferry boats traversing the bay. In 1928, ferries carried over 46 million passengers between the two shorelines. Finally, with the popularity and mass production of the automobile, it was determined that a bridge was necessary and such a structure could support itself with tolls. Hence the Bay Bdrige was Born and was finished in 1936 and became the second famous bridge of the Bay Area.

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When it opened in 1936, the toll was 65 cents, collected in each direction but at present, the toll for autos is $4 collected only for westbound traffic, at a toll plaza on the eastern (Oakland) side. The bridge consists of two major spans connecting each shore with Yerba Buena Island, a natural outcropping located mid-bay.

The Bay Bridge was conceived in the Gold Rush Days, a bridge spanning the San Francisco Bay linking The cities of San Francisco and Oakland always seemed like an engineering and financial impossibility. The water separating the cities was too deep and wide. In 1926, the California Legislature created the Toll Bridge Authority, a policy-making body charged with the responsibility for bridging San Francisco and Alameda County. Practical and economic concerns would make the bridge a reality. Oakland streetcar lines were laid out to feed passengers to a fleet of ferry boats traversing the bay. In 1928, ferries carried over 46 million passengers between the two shorelines. Finally, with the popularity and mass production of the automobile, it was determined that a bridge was necessary and such a structure could support itself with tolls. Hence the Bay Bdrige was Born and was finished in 1936 and became the second famous bridge of the Bay Area.

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There is an eclectic mix of things to do and see in the city and surrounding areas. I have stayed at the Wharf about 20 times in the past and also in the Haight Ashbury district when it still thriving. Tours to spots is a good idea to save time of how to get there and where. Alcatraz is one of my favorites, even though it is really run down from the first visit in 1977. San Francisco waterfront is an attraction for strolling, and eating, and maybe even see some seals.

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The Bay Bridge is kind of like the Nicole Richie to the Golden Gate's Paris Hilton, not quite as attractive but still worth a look. While it doesn't get as much attention as the Golden Gate, the Bay Bridge is in many ways more picturesque then the Golden Gate in terms of its setting. Locate on Embarcadero and with the city right next to it, the Bay Bridge offers many unique photo opportunities. The Bay Bridge seems to go on forever into the horizon and its visible from almost every part of the city and rarely encompassed in fog like the Golden Gate. To get the best views of the Bay Bridge go down to the Embarcadero and have a seat on one of the many benches that line the waterfront and relax!

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My pics of the Golden Gate Bridge came out poorly, mostly because of the fog. This is still nice. There is a large waterfront with piers and great views of the bridge. It's especially nice as the sun comes up.

Take the Oakland-Bay bridge and exit at Yerba buena, and go down to Treasure Island.

Make a U turn at the entrance and park on the outbound--exit road fgor a fantastic view ( on a good day) of the city, plus the Golden Gate and Alcatraz.

Even at night, with proper phto equipt. this can be spectacular as well

Less famous than its red-orange cousin, San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge also deserves our attention. I was surprised at its elegance, and found myself taking almost as many pictures of it as of the Golden Gate…

It is a toll bridge which spans San Francisco Bay and links the cities of Oakland and San Francisco, right on Interstate 80.
The Bay Bridge has two particularities compared to other bridges : it is the longest steel high-level bridge in the world, and its foundations extend deeper below water than any other bridge built by man.
It was opened to vehicular traffic in 1936.

From Telegraph hill or along the Embarcadero, you will have fantastic views on this bridge!

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Everyone knows the Golden Gate Bridge, but the Bay Bridge is no less impressive. Just look at the way it arrows into downtown San Francisco, the picture does not express the way it seems to overpower the buildings as it looms over them. What is "fun" is trying to find the entrance to this bridge from downtown...I think the companies who manufacture gas for cars designed them.

It is phenomenal - I walked across it - ok i walked half way and figured the other half would be the same! But it's worth the effort - i got there on the bus quite easily - just try and pick a sunny day, I'm sure it's not so pleasant when it's wet and windy.

Golden Gate Bridge is so famous and talked about that its sister bridge, the Bay Bridge, which spans across from San Francisco to the East Bay, is often forgotten. However, I love this bridge very much and find it just as beautiful as its more famous counterpart. You can see views of the Bay Bridge from Coit Tower, the Powell-Hyde Cable car line, the waterfront on Embarcadero, as well as the famous crooked street - Lombard Street, just to name a few places. If you are to drive along the bridge, there is a toll fare on the return route back to San Francisco.