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Though the Golden Gate Bridge remains San Francisco's signature sight, it symbolizes not only the city but also an era when California was viewed as the culmination of Western Civilization. It's an impressive sight spanning some two miles between the exclusive Presidio neighborhood of the city proper with scenic Marin County to the north. It was the longest suspension bridge in the world at its completion in 1937 so you can imagine the clamor to see it. Any bridge set between these two impressive chunks of land would have garnered attention but painting it red seems to have sealed its fate, and periodically enshrouding it in fog has raised it to near mythic proportions. We were on the city bus over to the Toll Plaza viewpoint and there were two young German girls excitedly waiting to see the bridge evidently for the first time. When it came into view, they high-fived with huge smiles as if one more of the world's wonders had been conquered. Such is the power of this mass of steel painted red. I believe it is the fog that makes it so special as you're never quite sure if you'll see it all. From the Wharf, you often see either none or just pieces of it jutting through the mist. It is easily accessible by MUNI bus 18 that stops at the Toll Plaza viewpoint, but the most dramatic way of getting there is to walk along the Bay coastal trail and let the bridge come progressively closer. Once at the Fort Point Lookout, there is a trail that runs up through a rocky outcropping to the Toll Plaza viewpoint with various views along the way, including a nice area with picnic tables away from the masses at the top. The classic view if from up there and there are some nice gardens to frame the bridge too. Leave a Comment
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 the city as seen through the
Golden Gate Bridge by richiecdisc, 4 more photosLeave a Comment Directions: Find the bridge, walk across and enjoy.
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 Fort Point with view of
Golden Gate Bridge! by machomikemd,
4 more photos |
 View of S F Bay by Waalewiener
This is well worth seeing ,we are at the vista point on the Sausalito side of the
Golden Gate Bridge
The Sailboat added to this great view. Leave a Comment
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Fort Point makes my list as San Francisco's most underrated tourist attraction. I think it's a must see; so many folks go to see the GG Bridge, but right down the hill stands this gem. Fort Point is located directly underneath the bridge on the SF side. Chief bridge engineer Joseph Strauss toured the fort when plans were being made to demolish it to make way for the Golden Gate, and said, "While the old fort has no military value now, it remains nevertheless a fine example of the mason's art... it should be preserved and restored as a national monument." He then designed the archway allowing the bridge to be built over the fort.
While many believe it is a "civil war" fort, that is not technically accurate. The fort was started in 1855, to guard against Spanish and French ships who might be after California's newfound gold, and only coincidentally was finished in time for the Civil War.
Two events very nearly shifted the balance toward the Confederacy. A group of Confederate sympathizers approached commander Albert Sydney Johnston (a Kentuckyan) and asked him to help lead a revolt. Johnston - a man of the highest honor - refused, dispite his feelings, citing his allegiance to the Union and the job he swore to uphold. He later resigned his post to become a Confederate officer, and was killed in the Battle of Shiloh in 1862.
Later, the CSS Shenandoah was on its' way to attack San Francisco, in what promised to be a fierce fight, only to learn from a passing French ship that the war was over.
Since 9/11, Fort Point has often been closed due to terrorism comcerns, because of its' location directly under the bridge. At the moment, it is only open Fri, Sat, & Sun, from 10-5. Bring warm clothes - it can get very chilly on the water, even when the sun is shining all around.
Best of all, admission is FREE! Leave a Comment Phone: 415-556-0505Directions: Park at GGB parking lot and walk down, or follow the road through the Presidio to the small parking lot. The 28 Muni bus goes to the GGB lot.Website: http://www.nps.gov/fopo
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 Gazing up as we cross the
bridge on a sunny day by Callavetta
The bridge certainly is a symbol (if not THE symbol) of the City. Many are shocked at first glance to find that it is not gold. "It's orange!", they cry out... feeling slightly betrayed! (It's actually painted continually with a rust preventative coating).
The name Golden Gate actually refers to the opening to the San Francisco Bay, not the bridge itself. This was a welcome view, when not obscured by fog, to the many exhausted seafarers who traveled to California to get rich during the Gold Rush.
There have been a series of Gold Rushes in California since that famous first discover in the1800's. And many created as many busts as wealth. Perhaps the dot.com era is the latest example of this.
Regardless, the Golden Gate Bridge is a wonderful representation of one of the world's most beautiful and inviting Cities. Leave a Comment
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 Lovely Sailboat by Waalewiener
I think that is worth a closer look at this beautty. Leave a Comment
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The Golden Gate Bridge was constructed by Joseph Baerman Strauss, it links San Francisco with Marin County, the 1.7 mile-long suspension bridge was completed on May 27, 1937. The Golden Gate Bridge can be crossed by car, on bicycles or on foot. It took more than four years to complete it, at a cost of $35 million dollars. It dimensions are: 4,200-foot long, with two suspension towers of 746 feet (224m) tall, These two cables are 361/2 inches in diameter, Each cable is 7,659 feet long and contains 27,572 parallel wires, enough to encircle the world more than three times. It crosses the Golden Gate Strait. It is now the most recognized landmark of the United States (beating other landmarks like the white house, central park, sears tower, etc.) and the Most popular and photographed bridge in the world!
On the north side, the Vista Point parking lot is free and open daily 7am to 7pm, with a 4-hour limit. The southeast parking lot is metered daily till 9pm. Drive to Fort Point, near the foot of Golden Gate Bridge, for a breathtaking view, or drive across the bridge to the other side and up the hill to see a view of the bridge and the city. You may walk across the bridge if you desire, but bring a warm jacket along, as it can get cold. And be aware that the bridge may sway up to 27 feet with the strong winds. On the south end you will find "Fort Point" A National Historic Monument, built out of brick in 1853-1861 at the beginning of the Civil War, its lighthouse was the second built in California. The first was on Alcatraz Island. The Fort was used as a base of operations for building the Golden Gate Bridge
Crossing over the bridge currently costs $5 but will most likely continue to increase (it was supposed to be free once it recouped its costs) helps support not only the ongoing maintenance of the bridge, but also the highway, bus and ferry service. The bridge represents imagination, vision, and a sense of freedom from the mundane, and still captures people's heart in its design and look to this day.
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A gift center and a café welcome visitors at the south end of the golden gate bridge, near the toll booth plaza wherrein you can buy souvenirs of san francisco and the goldel gate plus see various statues and a cross section of the steel cable of the golden gate bridge. It can be a starting point to walk through the bridge or to walk around the presidio, fort mason, fort point, Baker beach, golden gate national recreational area. Phone: (415) 921-5858Directions: The bridge is Highway 101's link from San Francisco to the counties North. Muni Buses 28 and 29 make stops at the Golden Gate Bridge toll plazaWebsite: http://www.goldengatebridge.org
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 Golden Gate Bridge by LoriPori
At a cost of $35 million, the 1.2 mile bridge took more than four years to build. Eleven men lost their lives during construction.
Pedestrians and bicyclists are allowed across the bridge on pathways.
The bridge toll for vehicles is $5.00, collected when entering San Francisco. Leave a Comment
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