Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

Construction of the Golden Gate Bridge started in 1933. The bridge, which was designed by engineer Joseph Strauss was built to connect San Francisco with Marin County across the 1600 meter wide strait known as the Golden Gate which connects the San Francisco Bay with the Pacific Ocean.

The Golden Gate Bridge is situated at the Presidio Park and can easily be reached by bus or car. The most enjoyable way to arrive at the bridge however is by walking either from the Marina District to the east or from Baker Beach to the west of the bridge.

Both routes will guide you through a park, and particularly the route along the east is very popular. The Golden Gate Bridgeis  Stretching 1.7 miles high above the mist-enshrouded waters of San Francisco Bay, this peaked, vermilion-painted postponement bridge is as striking today as it was when it was completed in 1937. The natural surroundings as well as the coves and forested bluffs of Marin County; the island of Alcatraz; and numerous sailboats, barges, kite-surfers, and even frolicking seals can all be seen from the bridge on a clear day. The eye catching orange-red color of the Golden Gate Bridge also helped its reputation. The Golden Gate Bridge color was suggested by engineer Irving Morrow, who thought the traditional gray color was too boring. The Golden Gate Bridge has now long lost its record of the longest bridge, but it is still one of the world's most famous structures.