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Author: Barry Pickard
Are you planning a trip to San Francisco and looking to experience the beauty and majesty of the Golden Gate Bridge? Look no further! In this blog post, I will share some of the best places to view the Golden Gate Bridge and experience its stunning beauty.
From high vantage points like Battery Spencer and Lands End Heart, to more intimate views from ferries and Alcatraz Island, there are plenty of ways to see the Golden Gate Bridge. And no matter where you choose to view it from, the bridge is sure to take your breath away with its towering red towers and graceful suspension cables.
In this post, I will highlight some of the best spots to view the Golden Gate Bridge and provide tips on how to make the most of your experience. So, whether you're a local looking for a new way to experience the bridge, or a visitor seeking the perfect photo op, this post has something for you. So read on, and start planning your trip to see the Golden Gate Bridge!
Don’t forget that Tailor-Made Itineraries delights in creating bespoke self-guided tours. So, if viewing the Golden Gate Bridge appeals to you, reach out to me by email. I would be more than happy to design a self-guided tour around your requirements incorporating the stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, or indeed, a general tour of the amazing city of San Francisco.
7. Ferries and Alcatraz
The view of the Golden Gate Bridge from ferries and Alcatraz Island is truly breathtaking. As the ferry pulls out of the terminal and approaches the bridge, the massive red towers come into view, rising high above the water and stretching out to meet in the middle. The bright orange color of the bridge is a stark contrast to the deep blue of the water and the clear blue sky.
From Alcatraz Island, the view of the bridge is even more impressive. Standing on the shore of the island, the bridge seems to stretch on forever, its towers reaching up to the sky. The ferry traffic passing beneath the bridge adds to the sense of movement and energy.
The Golden Gate Bridge is a true marvel of engineering, and its beauty is only enhanced by the stunning views from the surrounding waterways. Whether viewed from a ferry or from the shores of Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge is a sight to behold.
6. Lands End Heart
Visitors to the Lands End Heart can take a short hike along the winding paths of the Coastal Trail to reach this perfect spot to take in the view of the bridge. The combination of the rugged natural beauty of Lands End and the stunning engineering of the bridge creates a truly unforgettable experience.
Tailor-Made Top Tip: The more famous Lands End Labyrinth was constructed by local artist Eduardo Aguilera in 2004 on this spot, but was permanently removed following several occasions of vandalism. The Heart is now in its place and made up of many large pebbles.
5. Crissy Field
Crissy Field was a former military airfield and is now a stunning place to walk or bike on the flat, hard-packed promenade with iconic views of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge. You’ll find beaches, picnic tables, tidal marsh overlooks, and renowned windsurfing.
Tailor-Made Top Tip: Crissy Field is a great place to have a picnic.
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4. California Coastal Trail
The California Coastal Trail is a great place to view the Golden Gate Bridge. The trail offers a variety of vantage points from which to see the bridge, including viewpoints along the water's edge, as well as higher vantage points with sweeping views of the bay. The route that winds along the coastline, also provides stunning views of the ocean and the surrounding natural beauty.
Tailor-Made Top Tip: There are also a number of late Nineteenth and early Twentieth Century military defences which provide unique views of the bridge and surrounding scenery. Battery Chamberlin holds the last 6-inch "disappearing gun" of its type on the west coast. Built near Baker Beach in 1904, Battery Chamberlin was constructed to accommodate the lighter, stronger, more powerful coastal defense artillery developed in the late nineteenth century.
The West Battery was completed in 1873 and was armed with twelve 15-inch Rodman cannon. During the Civil War, advances in artillery proved that masonry forts in the style of Fort Point were unable to withstand bombardment by heavy ordnance. Consequentially, the period following the war was marked by innovative revisions in seacoast defense. In this era, brick and mortar forts were gradually replaced by earthwork batteries.
3. Fort Point National Historic Site
Fort Point has been called "the pride of the Pacific," "the Gibraltar of the West Coast," and "one of the most perfect models of masonry in America." The fort was built between 1853 and 1861 by the U.S. Army Engineers as part of a defense system of forts planned for the protection of San Francisco Bay. In the years after the Civil War, Fort Point became underutilized and by the late 1930s, plans for the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge also involved plans for the demolition of Fort Point.
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Fortunately, Chief Engineer Joseph Strauss recognized the architectural value of the Fort and created a special arch which allowed the construction of the bridge to occur safely over Fort Point. Thankfully this left visitors and San Franciscan residents alike a truly distinctive way to view the bridge.
Tailor-Made Top Tip: Climb to the roof of the defensive structure for the best views of the bridge.
Have you guessed yet which vantage point tops the list?
2. Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center
Visitors to San Francisco should definitely go to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center, This facility offers a wealth of information about the bridge and its history, as well as interactive exhibits and displays that provide a deeper understanding of the bridge's construction and significance.
The welcome center is located at the southern end of the bridge, offering visitors a convenient place to start their exploration of the bridge and its surroundings. If you are feeling fit, you can even walk along the bridge and take your own self-guided tour of this iconic structure.
Tailor-Made Top Tip: The welcome center also offers a variety of souvenirs and gifts related to the bridge, making it a great place to pick up a memento of your visit.
1. Battery Spencer
Battery Spencer is the perfect place to view the Golden Gate Bridge. This abandoned military defence offers unobstructed views of the bridge, allowing visitors to see the entire span of the bridge, as well as the surrounding bay and San Francisco skyline.
Battery Spencer is located on a hilltop to the Northwest of the iconic overpass, providing a high vantage point that offers a unique perspective. From here, visitors can see the bridge's massive towers rising up from the water, as well as the delicate curves of the bridge's suspension cables.
Tailor-Made Top Tip: Visit the battery at sunrise – not only will you get the best lighting for shots of the bridge, but you will guarantee parking. If you don’t go early, be prepared to park some distance from the site.
Where to Stay in San Francisco
As befits a world-famous destination, San Francisco has a wide range of hotels to cater for all tastes and needs. Travellers should note, however, that hotels here tend to be more expensive than other US cities. There are some budget hotels in the Tenderloin area, but I would advise against staying there.
Luxury Icons: For travellers seeking opulence, there are plenty of grand establishments that blend historic charm with modern amenities. Although I didn’t have the opportunity to stay the night, I enjoyed a lovely lunch Fairmont San Francisco and a drink in their iconic Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar.
Other excellent hotel options would be Hotel Adagio, Autograph Collection and the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA.
Boutique Gems: San Francisco boasts a variety of boutique hotels, such as the historic Victorian charm of Queen Anne, or the modern quirkiness of the Staypineapple.
Family Fun: As for families, they are also well catered for, especially around Fisherman’s Wharf, with the likes of the Hotel Zephyr and the Argonaut.
Conclusion
To sum up, the Golden Gate Bridge is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting San Francisco. With its towering red towers and graceful suspension cables, the bridge is a true marvel of engineering and a symbol of the city. And with so many great vantage points from which to view the bridge, there is no shortage of ways to experience its beauty and grandeur.
Whether you choose to see the bridge from a ferry or from a high vantage point like Battery Spencer, you are sure to be amazed by the view. So, make sure to include a visit to the Golden Gate Bridge on your trip to San Francisco, and experience this iconic landmark for yourself.
Related Blog Posts
If you are interested in beautiful bridges, please view the Tailor-Made Itineraries posts below:
If you are interested in finding out more about San Francisco, please view the Tailor-Made Itineraries posts below:
Comment below and let us know what your favourite view of the Golden Gate Bridge was.
Don’t forget that Tailor-Made Itineraries delights in creating bespoke self-guided tours. So, if viewing the Golden Gate Bridge appeals to you, reach out to me by email. I would be more than happy to design a self-guided tour around your requirements incorporating the stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, or indeed, a general tour of the amazing city of San Francisco.
Join me next time when I visit the colourful tiled steps of San Francisco. Tailor-Made Itineraries posts every two weeks, and you can subscribe to the latest blog and newsletter here. Until then, happy reading and safe travels.
Barry
Contact Me: tailoritineraries@gmail.com
Tailor-Made Itineraries creates one-of-a-kind bespoke self-guided travel itineraries for adventurous and curious travellers.
These self-guided tours deliver a personalised and exciting holiday experience that takes the effort out of trip planning.
