Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge · Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA
Last updated 2026-10-29
By Global Travel Guide Editorial Team
Introduction
Construction ran from 1933 to 1937 under chief engineer Joseph Strauss, with architectural design by Irving Morrow and structural work by Charles Ellis. Morrow picked International Orange because the strait is so often fogbound. Pedestrians and cyclists use the east and west sidewalks, which are open roughly during daylight, about 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM depending on season. Crossing on foot or by bike is free; southbound vehicles pay an all-electronic toll, set at USD 10.25 for FasTrak and USD 10.50 pay-as-you-go from 1 July 2026, with no cash taken at the bridge. Muni routes 28, 29, 30, 38, and 54 stop near the Welcome Center. September and October usually give the clearest skies.
Ticket Price
Free to walk or bike across; vehicles pay an all-electronic toll southbound into San Francisco. From 1 July 2026 the FasTrak rate is USD 10.25 and pay-as-you-go USD 10.50; no cash at the bridge.
Opening Hours
East sidewalk (pedestrians + bikes): open during daylight hours, roughly 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM (hours vary by season); West sidewalk: bicyclists only, hours vary. Check official site for current schedule.
Transportation
Muni bus 28, 29, 30, 38, 54 to Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center; Golden Gate Transit buses from downtown SF; PresidiGo shuttle; Bike rentals available at Fisherman's Wharf and the Embarcadero
Best Season
September–October for the clearest weather (Indian summer); June–August are foggiest (the bridge disappears into the fog for days at a time); April–May and November are also good; winter has the most rain
Pro Tip: Walk the east sidewalk in the morning
Local Tips You'd Only Learn After Visiting
The details official guides skip — save time, avoid crowds, and get better photos.
1
Walk the east sidewalk in the morning The east sidewalk gives the best city views and is open to pedestrians during daylight. Start from the San Francisco side and turn back before the wind picks up.
Member-Only Tips
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Frequently Asked Questions4 questions
Yes. The east sidewalk is open to pedestrians during daylight, about 2.7 km each way or 45-60 minutes one way.
Yes, bikes use the east sidewalk with pedestrians; the west sidewalk is often closed. Watch for wind and tourists stopping for photos.
Battery Spencer in the Marin Headlands gives the classic postcard view; the Golden Gate Welcome Center is easier to reach and has parking.
September-November has the clearest skies. Summer mornings often bring fog, which can clear by midday.