Everyone who visits San Francisco, California wants to see the Golden Gate Bridge, for the same reason that residents are drawn to it again and again: the graceful Art Deco span is simply lovely against its dramatic backdrop of steep bluffs and the waters of the Golden Gate Strait.

The bridge is also a masterwork of engineering, and the stories of its design and construction, as well as the science behind the structure, are fascinating. Then, of course, there’s the trek out onto the span itself, with its extraordinary views of San Francisco, the East Bay, Alcatraz, and Angel Island. Some 10 million people drop by for a visit every year, so don’t expect peace; the bridge plaza is often very crowded and the roadway and parking lot congested.

I found the 1.7-mile roll across the bridge unnerving, with cars zooming by so close, shaking the bridge. It can also be very windy and chilly. If you do travel its length, you will end up at H. Dana Bowers Vista Point in Marin County, where a three-foot-high stone wall along nearly two-thirds of the perimeter may obscure the views from a seated position. For me, the plaza at the San Francisco entry to the bridge was a more enjoyable experience, despite its crowds.

Several broad, paved trails provide a variety of viewpoints, including some that reveal the Civil War-era Fort Point nestled under an arch under the bridge’s south tower. Just below the plaza, you can hook up to the Bay Trail/Presidio Promenade, which travels east to the Presidio’s Lombard Street gate, and to the Coastal Trail, which travels directly under the bridge but soon becomes inaccessible. Some trail segments are moderately steep, including the ramp up to the Golden Gate Bridge walkway and the connector trails down to the Presidio Promenade and Coastal Trail; manual chair users may need some assistance.

Be sure to look for the many interactive exhibits and interpretive panels; some are clustered in an old gun battery at the plaza and a few are along the Presidio Promenade as it travels toward the Battery East parking lot. The interactive exhibits, some created by the Exploratorium science museum, demonstrate such things as the relationship between tower height and cable tension, and how the bridge vibrates in response to wind and earthquakes; on my visit, children were lined up for a turn. Near the statue of Joseph Strauss, the bridge’s chief engineer, is an optical mural that is something like a hologram: depending on where you’re standing, it shows the strait from 1933 to 1937, with the bridge at various stages of construction.

For additional spectacular views, you can hook up to the Coastal Trail (see trail description below) west of the bridge and visit two overlooks along Lincoln Boulevard in the Presidio.

Visitor Center: The Bridge Pavilion, painted international orange like the bridge, has an information desk and some historical photos and exhibits, but is primarily a gift shop. Nearby, a small cafe provides snacks and beverages. Guided tours depart daily from the Art Deco roundhouse building.

Coastal Trail Overlooks

see access criteria for definitions

  • Trailhead: The easiest access to the two overlooks and the short stretch of trail that connects them is from the parking lot at Battery Godfrey, off Lincoln Boulevard just south of Golden Gate Overlook; another lot below the overlook, off Merchant Road, also provides easy access.
  • Length: Under one mile total
  • Typical Width: 30 in. to 4 ft.
    Most of the trail is 4 feet or wider, but if you follow the sidewalk from the Golden Gate Bridge Plaza to connect to the trail, you will encounter some narrower sections and one 90-degree turn.
  • Typical Grade: Mostly level or gentle
  • Terrain: Firm
    Some sections of the trail are asphalt or concrete, but mostly the surface is hard-packed dirt and gravel

Description

If you’re visiting the Golden Gate Bridge Plaza, you can connect to the Coastal Trail and these overlooks by following the sidewalk through the tunnel below the bridge roadway, then along Cranston Road and Merchant Road to the Coastal Trail entry, but you will encounter a tight 90-degree turn between bollards and a moderately steep slope along the way (the distance from the bridge to the first overlook is .3 mile).

I began from the Merchant Road parking lot. Here you take the sidewalk along the back of the lot until you reach the entrance to the hard-packed dirt and gravel Coastal Trail, which winds up a moderately steep slope to the Golden Gate Overlook. From the platform at the top, look back the way you came for a sweeping view of the Golden Gate Strait and Marin Headlands; the bridge’s two towers are lined up straight ahead of you, and the roadway feels as if it’s right at your feet. The overlook’s concrete curves echo the shapes of the artillery platforms in the old batteries to the west.

Pacific Overlook has been closed indefinitely due to storm damage. An update will be made upon its re-opening.

Accessibility Details

The facilities listed below meet all of our access criteria unless otherwise noted.

  • Accessible Visitor Center: Yes
  • Accessible Parking: Yes
    Several are in the lot right at the bridge plaza, but it’s often full and traffic through it can be very congested. A better option is to park in the nearby lot above Battery East(gravel surface) and follow the Presidio Promenade to the bridge plaza.
  • Accessible Restroom: Yes
    In the bridge plaza parking lot

Additional Information

Avatar photo Bonnie Lewkowicz (59 Posts)

I has worked for more than 30 years advocating for, and educating about access to outdoor recreation and tourism for people with disabilities. I hold a degree in Recreation Therapy and was a travel agent specializing in accessible travel for many years. In this capacity, and now as Associate Director at Wheelchair Traveling, I consult with the travel industry about accessibility, conducts disability awareness trainings and writes about travel and outdoor recreation. I also authored a book titled, A Wheelchair Rider's Guide: San Francisco Bay and the Nearby Coast, about accessible trails and has produced several access guides to San Francisco. My most current project is a website of accessible trails along the entire California Coast (www.wheelingcalscoast.org). My extensive experience as a wheelchair rider combined with her professional experience has provided me with in-depth knowledge about inclusive tourism and outdoor recreation.


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