Insider’s guide to walking over the Golden Gate Bridge

Can you walk the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito/Marin County?

The answer is a resounding YES! If you are going to San Francisco you MUST set aside a few hours to walk over the iconic Golden Gate Bridge (which is painted red btw, not gold). It’s a wonderful way to experience the city. You can walk or bike across the 1.5 mile art deco-inspired bridge and enjoy sweeping panoramic views to the Pacific, Marin Headlands, San Francisco Bay to the sparkling lights of the city. It’s a unique way to experience San Francisco — and best of all, it’s absolutely free!

On a recent California trip, I tagged along with my brother, a local, who is a big geek when it comes to the best places to go/park etc. I took lots of notes and photos to share with you. Check out my guide below.  

A Modern Mother’s Guide for walking over the Golden Gate Bridge

How to to the Golden Gate Bridge to walk across

The best walking experience starts at Golden Gate Bridge Visitor Plaza on the southeast end of the bridge. From San Francisco/Highway 101: going northbound on Highway 101, take the last San Francisco exit. From Marin/Highway 101: Go over the bridge southbound and after you pass through the toll plaza quickly get in the far right lane and exit on Merchant Road. Make a right (down a hill) and another right at the stop sign which takes you underneath the Toll Plaza and then directly to the southeast parking lot.  

Where to park at the Golden Gate Bridge

The closest car park is the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Centre (directions). It fills up quickly, especially during peak tourist season – but people come and go all the time so just be patient and you’ll eventually find a place. If you get fed up waiting for a place, there are 4 additional parking lots you could try (there’s a good description of where they are here). They require a bit of walking, but it’s not too far, with good views of the bridge.

Once you are there

The bridge is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and the Golden Gate Bridge Visitor Plaza at the southeast side of the bridge is a bit of a destination itself. The centre has a nice gift shop, where you can purchase bridge-inspired trinkets, books and artwork.

How long does it take to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge?

It takes about a 30 minutes each way – depending of course on how fast you walk and how many times you stop to take photos. Allow plenty of time, especially if want to walk all the way to the viewing point.

Where to eat

There are two restaurants including the Round House Café which serves American classics like hotdogs, apple pie and clam chowder, and the Bridge Café which is good for a quick coffee or muffin. They are both fairly basic. Though the food at Round House Cafe is fine (we had a BLT, tuna sandwich and chicken curry), it’s laid out like a fast-food joint and has limited places to sit. Better to eat somewhere else, unless you are starving.

Are there bathrooms?

There are bathrooms there, but be prepared to wait in a long queue! If you don’t want to wait, try the port-a-loos!

 

And now to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge! #visitcalifornia #visitsanfrancisco #goldengatebridge #sanfrancisco

A photo posted by Susanna Scott ~ travel (@amodernmother) on Aug 22, 2016 at 8:17pm PDT

Tips for walking over the Golden Gate Bridge:

1. Pick a sunny day. You can see more if the bridge isn’t covered in fog! Summer mornings and early afternoons can be very foggy, sometimes brightening up later in the day. There are many days you can’t see the top of the bridge.
2. Pay attention. It can be quite chaotic. You share a 6 foot wide walkway with cyclists (right half is for walkers, left is cyclists). Sometimes cyclists veer into the walking side. People stop frequently to take photos. I saw some cyclists taking photos / video while cycling. I also saw some heated exchanges. Take care.
3. Wear layers! San Francisco has a cool microclimate and it can often be even windier and colder on the bridge! It can also be warm. Make sure to bring an extra layer or two just in case.
4. Pull back your hair. The bridge is a gateway to San Francisco Bay – and is open and very windy. If you have long hair – make sure to tie it back to avoid hair in your face and a tangled mess.
5. Bring a camera! You’ll want to capture the moment. I only say this because my teenage daughter forgot hers and kept wanting to borrow mine.
6. Watch the kids. This should go without saying, but the bridge is always busy with traffic, so just take extra care.
7. Take your time! You’ll want to enjoy the views.
8. Walk close to the rail –  so cyclists can get past and you are as far away from the cars as you can be
9. You can bike across too. Note there aren’t any places to rent bikes at the Welcome Centre, but you can try Blazing Saddles or San Francisco Bicycle Rentals. Read my post: How to Bike Across the Golden Gate Bridge.
10. San Francisco City Guides offer free guided walking tours http://www.sfcityguides.org
11. Electric bikes and small scooters can only be pushed (i.e. can’t use on power mode); roller blades, skateboards, or roller skates are not allowed and guide dogs/service animals are the only 4-legged creates allowed.
12. When you get to the end you can walk to a viewing platform to get your iconic selfie with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

IF YOU GO:  

Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center  Golden Gate Bridge  +1 415-426-5220 Website, Map

Riding bikes over the Golden Gate Bridge is fun too. You can take a ferry back! Read my post!

You can take the ferry and rent bikes on Angel Island, read my post!

San Francisco Cable Cars: How to avoid the long lines! Read my post!

San Francisco: 5 cool things to do with teens. Read my post!

Read my post: San Francisco: 5 cool places to eat with teens

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