One of the most iconic landmark and main attraction for visitors in San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge. Having moved here three years ago, I’m still not tired of capturing the bridge on my camera. Depending on the time of day and time of year that you’re visiting San Francisco, your view of the Golden Gate Bridge will vary and so will the best place to see it!
While I generally dislike blank clear skies (only because it means zero chance of epic colorful sunrises/sunsets), I have to admit that a sunny clear day is probably the best condition for a first time visitor hoping to catch a glimpse of that iconic bridge. San Francisco is one of the cities where the fog is prevalent (basically if it starts getting really warm, it’ll start rolling in to cool down the inhabitants). Ironically, summer is probably one of the colder months within the city, especially August which photographers in the Bay Area like to dub “Fogust” due to how often it is foggy.
Viewpoints in San Francisco
If you’d like to get up close and personal with the bridge, head over to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center and walk (or bike!) across the bridge. Whether you walk across the entire bridge or just a portion, I believe it’s one of those experiences every visitor should check off at some point during their time in SF. Keep in mind that it’s often very windy on that side so layers of various warmth level is highly recommended.
There are also a few short hiking trails around the area that provide you with some different perspectives:
- Fort Point
- Golden Gate Overlook
- Marshall’s Beach
- Crissy Field Beach
Viewpoints in Marin/Sausalito
That said, my favorite place to view the bridge is not actually anywhere near it! I like to drive and hike up to the numerous viewpoints on the Marin Headlands, a national recreation area across from the city. There’s nothing quite like watching the sun rise as San Francisco comes to life. And when the staple SF fog is present, the Headlands are one of the best vantage points above the hazy marine layer.
Some of my favorite spots include:
- Battery Spencer
- Hawk Hill
- Slacker Hill
- Kirby Cove
Transportation
If you’re like me, then usually the first thing I research is how to actually get to those awesome viewpoints.
Car
The most convenient way is to rent a car especially if you’re going with a large number of people. There’s a limited amount of parking at each of the viewpoints and the parking lots close to the Bridge and on the Marin Headlands get especially busy during the weekends (and even more so when it’s a holiday weekend!) You’ll also have to pay a toll fee ($8) when crossing the Golden Gate Bridge back into the city if you decide to drive to the Marin Headlands or Sausalito. Remember not to stop when you’re crossing the Bridge as it’s automatically billed to the registered owner of the car (so if you’re in a car rental, expect to see that toll fee pop up in your final bill).
Rideshare / Taxi
It’s actually quite convenient to Uber or Lyft within the city, especially if you opt for the carpool options. Rides can range from $5-10 depending on the destination, time, and car selection. Keep in mind though that reception on the Marin Headlands can be spotty depending on your service provider.
Public Transportation
Muni is the main bus and metro transportation system that runs throughout the city of San Francisco. Muni buses remain above ground and run on the streets while Muni Metro runs on rails and sometimes go underground. Most of the Muni buses will only get you as far as the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center within the city, but there is a limited bus (76x) that runs on the weekends that cross the Bridge and makes a loop around the Marin Headlands.
| Fare Options | Cash | Clipper Card* |
| Single Ride | $2.75 | $2.50 |
| 3-Day Visitor Pass | $22 | $12 |
| 7-Day Visitor Pass | $33 | $29 |
| 7 Day Visitor Pass | $43 | $39 |
*Clipper Card is the all-in-one transit card for the Bay Area and has a $3 card fee. **Visitor Passes include unlimited rides on the Muni and Cable Cars. Prices are subject to change so please check the official site for the latest rates.
The Golden Gate Transit is a different bus line that runs from San Francisco over the Golden Gate Bridge to a variety of destinations in Marin and Sonoma Counties. Fares are priced according to zones and range from $4.25 to $13 with a 20% discount when you pay with Clipper Card versus cash.
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