Golden Gate Bridge, the red span across the Golden Gate

Golden Gate Bridge carries traffic across the Golden Gate between San Francisco and Marin County, its red suspension span framing city, bay and ocean in one view.

Golden Gate Bridge stretches across the strait that links San Francisco Bay with the Pacific Ocean, carrying road traffic between San Francisco and Marin County in California. Built in the 1930s as a suspension bridge with steel towers and cables, it rises high above the water and is recognised worldwide for its red colour and sweeping profile.

A red suspension span over the Golden Gate Strait

Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge crossing the Golden Gate Strait, the narrow waterway between the San Francisco Peninsula and the Marin Headlands.suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate The strait is part of the route between San Francisco Bay and the open Pacific, and ships pass beneath the roadway on their way to and from the city’s harbours.crosses the Golden Gate Strait and connects the City of San Francisco and the County of Marin

The bridge’s main suspended span between the two towers is 4,200 ft (1,280 m) long, a distance that was the longest suspension span in the world when it opened in 1937.main span 1,280 metres long From abutment to abutment, including the approaches on both shores, the structure measures about 1.7 miles, or 8,981 ft (2,737 m).total length 1.7 miles The suspended roadway hangs from thick main cables that pass over the tops of the towers and anchor into massive blocks set into the shore.

Engineering in steel: towers, cables and roadway

Construction of Golden Gate Bridge began on 5 January 1933, and the bridge opened to vehicular traffic in late May 1937 after a little more than four years of work.construction commenced on January 5, 1933 and the Bridge was open to vehicular traffic on May 29, 1937 At the time of completion in 1937 it was both the tallest and the longest suspension bridge in the world, a status reflected in engineering records and civic pride.tallest and longest suspension bridge in the world upon its completion in 1937

The two steel towers that carry the main cables rise 746 ft (227 m) above the water level.height of a tower above water is 746 ft Between them, the roadway crosses the strait with a clearance of about 220 ft (67 m) above mean higher high water, leaving space for ocean-going vessels to pass beneath.clearance above mean higher high water is 220 ft The bridge deck carries several lanes for vehicles with pedestrian walkways along the outer edges, all within an overall width of about 90 ft (27 m). Steel trusses beneath the roadway help distribute loads to the cables and towers.

Colour, setting and views

Golden Gate Bridge is painted in a distinctive red-orange tone, known as International Orange, which contrasts with the blues and greys of the bay and the Pacific. The colour treatment emphasises the steelwork of the towers and the vertical suspender cables, and it stands out against the green hills of Marin and the built-up shoreline of San Francisco.the span opened May 28, 1937, after more than four years of construction

The bridge sits between the Presidio area on the southern side and the Marin Headlands on the northern side.connects the San Francisco Peninsula and the Presidio to Marin County From the deck and the approaches, there are views across San Francisco Bay towards Alcatraz Island and the city skyline, and out through the strait towards the Pacific. On clear days the shape of the suspension span and its towers forms a red frame to wide horizons of water, hills and urban districts.

Visiting Golden Gate Bridge: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• Golden Gate Bridge stands at the entrance to San Francisco Bay between the Presidio district of San Francisco and Marin County; it carries road traffic and footpaths across the strait.
• The approaches to the bridge on both shores include access paths and viewing areas, some of which involve gradients and flights of steps between parking areas and vantage points.
• The nearest major city is San Francisco, which is served by long-haul flights from Western Europe and by local public transport links towards the Presidio and the coastal districts near the bridge.
• The official language is English and the currency is the United States dollar.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

Searching for Golden Gate Bridge on social platforms

These links open searches for Golden Gate Bridge on each platform.

Frequently asked questions about Golden Gate Bridge

Where is Golden Gate Bridge and what does it connect?

Golden Gate Bridge crosses the Golden Gate Strait between the San Francisco Peninsula and Marin County in northern California, linking San Francisco with communities to the north.

What should visitors expect when they reach Golden Gate Bridge?

Visitors encounter a major road bridge with pedestrian walkways, access paths and viewpoints on both shores, with steel towers and cables rising above the strait.

What makes Golden Gate Bridge distinctive among large bridges?

Golden Gate Bridge stands out for its long suspended main span, tall steel towers and red-orange colour, all set between city streets, coastal hills and open water.