Experience the Modern Architectural Wonder of the Golden Gate Bridge
There are very few man-made structures in the world as magnificent and imposing as the Golden Gate Bridge, as it spans the Golden Gate where the San Francisco Bay opens into the Pacific Ocean.
It is part of two highways, California State Route 1 as well as U.
S.
Route 101, connecting San Francisco city and Marin County.
Like the Statue of Liberty it has become a universally recognized symbol of the United States and a famous landmark associated with the great city.
In fact, the American Institute of Architects ranks the incredible bridge fifth in the 'List of America's Favorite Architecture.
' Not to be left out, the American Society of Civil Engineers declared it as a modern Wonders of the World.
As if to complete the accolade, Frommer's travel guide described the stupendous structure as "possibly the most beautiful, certainly the most photographed bridge in the world.
" When the building of the mammoth bridge was completed in 1937, it had the singular honor of being the longest suspension bridge in the world and also a marvel of engineering and human ingenuity.
Although many other bridges have surpassed this status since then, no bridge exceeds its majestic appearance.
Before the bridge was built, San Francisco was connected to Marin County by ferryboat.
This lack of a permanent link between the city and the communities around and across the bay, stunted San Francisco's rate of growth far below that of the national average.
Many felt the need for a bridge to offset the lack of growth, but the pundits were skeptical of building for such a bridge would have to span a whopping 6,700 ft, something none dare to attempt before.
Besides, the locale suffered from strong tides, currents, winds and thick fogs which made it virtually impossible, not to mention the depth of 500 ft at the center of the bay.
Apart from the attraction of the bridge itself, other attractions abound around the structure itself.
Such enticing destinations include the M.
H.
De Young Museum, the Japanese Tea Garden and The Conservatory of Flowers.
Visitors to the unique area are also enraptured by the Morrison Planetarium, Steinhart Aquarium, and the Strybing Arboretum, the Buffalo Paddock and not least of all the Asian Art Museum.
Golden Gate Park San Francisco is an excellent venue for innumerable recreations like windsurfing, golf, tennis, petanque, inline skating, biking, archery, horseback riding and fly-fishing.
No wonder, 17 million visitors flock to its vicinity, every year to enjoy all these unique recreational opportunities as well as the spectacular natural beauty surrounding the area.
The side walk on the eastern side is open to pedestrians only from dawn to dusk, i.
e.
, from 5am - 9pm from the month of April to October and 6am - 6pm during the months beginning from November to March.
The price of admission to the bridge is $6 for cars heading south towards the famous city.
To reach the bridge, there are Golden Gate Transit buses available bearing numbers 10, 60, 70 and 80, that leave from the San Francisco Transbay Terminal and service travel between San Franciso to Marin County, the East Bay, and a little south to San Mateo County.
Muni buses 28 & 29 also make stops at the bridge toll plaza.
Golden Gate Bridge is a part of the itineraries of a lot of tour operators from San Francisco too, but most of them do not allow more than a few minutes of time to be spent at the south vista point.
A better option is to engage guides for regularly conducted free walking tours and you'll come out of it all with all the information about the great bridge saved on your brain.
There are many hotels in close proximity to the Golden Gate, like Tavelodge at the Presidio, La Luna Inn, Americas Best Value Inn in Golden Gate, Travelodge by the Bay, The Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square etc.
The eateries in the area include Burma Superstar, Presidio Social Club, La Terrasse, Hamburger Heaven, Hard Knox Café, Turtle Tower, Aziza, Chapeau!, Ton Kiang, Sociale, etc.
These restaurants offer cuisines from the traditional to the exotic culinary delights.
All these features make a visit to the Golden Gate San Francisco an experience that you won't forget in a hurry.
So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and experience the wonders of San Francisco, CA and the engineering accomplishment of the Golden Gate Bridge.
It is part of two highways, California State Route 1 as well as U.
S.
Route 101, connecting San Francisco city and Marin County.
Like the Statue of Liberty it has become a universally recognized symbol of the United States and a famous landmark associated with the great city.
In fact, the American Institute of Architects ranks the incredible bridge fifth in the 'List of America's Favorite Architecture.
' Not to be left out, the American Society of Civil Engineers declared it as a modern Wonders of the World.
As if to complete the accolade, Frommer's travel guide described the stupendous structure as "possibly the most beautiful, certainly the most photographed bridge in the world.
" When the building of the mammoth bridge was completed in 1937, it had the singular honor of being the longest suspension bridge in the world and also a marvel of engineering and human ingenuity.
Although many other bridges have surpassed this status since then, no bridge exceeds its majestic appearance.
Before the bridge was built, San Francisco was connected to Marin County by ferryboat.
This lack of a permanent link between the city and the communities around and across the bay, stunted San Francisco's rate of growth far below that of the national average.
Many felt the need for a bridge to offset the lack of growth, but the pundits were skeptical of building for such a bridge would have to span a whopping 6,700 ft, something none dare to attempt before.
Besides, the locale suffered from strong tides, currents, winds and thick fogs which made it virtually impossible, not to mention the depth of 500 ft at the center of the bay.
Apart from the attraction of the bridge itself, other attractions abound around the structure itself.
Such enticing destinations include the M.
H.
De Young Museum, the Japanese Tea Garden and The Conservatory of Flowers.
Visitors to the unique area are also enraptured by the Morrison Planetarium, Steinhart Aquarium, and the Strybing Arboretum, the Buffalo Paddock and not least of all the Asian Art Museum.
Golden Gate Park San Francisco is an excellent venue for innumerable recreations like windsurfing, golf, tennis, petanque, inline skating, biking, archery, horseback riding and fly-fishing.
No wonder, 17 million visitors flock to its vicinity, every year to enjoy all these unique recreational opportunities as well as the spectacular natural beauty surrounding the area.
The side walk on the eastern side is open to pedestrians only from dawn to dusk, i.
e.
, from 5am - 9pm from the month of April to October and 6am - 6pm during the months beginning from November to March.
The price of admission to the bridge is $6 for cars heading south towards the famous city.
To reach the bridge, there are Golden Gate Transit buses available bearing numbers 10, 60, 70 and 80, that leave from the San Francisco Transbay Terminal and service travel between San Franciso to Marin County, the East Bay, and a little south to San Mateo County.
Muni buses 28 & 29 also make stops at the bridge toll plaza.
Golden Gate Bridge is a part of the itineraries of a lot of tour operators from San Francisco too, but most of them do not allow more than a few minutes of time to be spent at the south vista point.
A better option is to engage guides for regularly conducted free walking tours and you'll come out of it all with all the information about the great bridge saved on your brain.
There are many hotels in close proximity to the Golden Gate, like Tavelodge at the Presidio, La Luna Inn, Americas Best Value Inn in Golden Gate, Travelodge by the Bay, The Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square etc.
The eateries in the area include Burma Superstar, Presidio Social Club, La Terrasse, Hamburger Heaven, Hard Knox Café, Turtle Tower, Aziza, Chapeau!, Ton Kiang, Sociale, etc.
These restaurants offer cuisines from the traditional to the exotic culinary delights.
All these features make a visit to the Golden Gate San Francisco an experience that you won't forget in a hurry.
So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and experience the wonders of San Francisco, CA and the engineering accomplishment of the Golden Gate Bridge.
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