Golden Gate Bridge

This superlative piece of civil engineering is the most recognisable symbol of San Francisco, and an icon of the United States.

TravelCurious Tip

Head to McCormick & Kuleto’s for excellent seafood and a picture-perfect view of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz

The Golden Gate strait stretches 1.6km between the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The Golden Gate Bridge is the iconic suspension structure that spans it, linking the city of San Francisco to Marin County. Having opened in 1937 it was, until 1964, the longest suspension bridge in the world. The American Society of Civil Engineers quite rightly declared it one of the Wonders of the Modern World.


It was far from easy to build though. Once known as “the bridge that couldn’t be built,” the engineers in charge faced all sorts of adversity, from the natural - whipping winds, thick fogs and treacherous tides - to the human: a noisy bunch of nay-sayers. It took ten years of planning to get off the ground, but then just four years to get it done.


The single-suspension span is anchored by twin towers that reach 746 feet — once taller than any building in San Francisco. Two cables, each more than 7,000 feet in length and containing some 80,000 miles of wire stretch over the top of those towers and set their roots in concrete anchorages on either shore. The scale and enterprise of the project must be seen to be believed.


24 Carrot

The bridge takes its name from the strait, rather than actually being painted gold, to the dismay of some tourists. The bridge has in fact always been painted orange vermillion, otherwise known as “International Orange.” Carbon black and steel grey were rejected in favour of the warm orange that marks it out from the cool colours of the sky and sea. The repainting of the Golden Gate Bridge is actually a never-ending task as the metal beneath must be perfectly protected from the high salt content in the air.

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in San Francisco
Alcatraz
Known as 'The Rock,' the island of Alcatraz was a maximum security prison between 1933 and 1963.
Ghirardelli Square
The Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco used to b the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory. The buildings have been renovated to hold shops, restaurants and galleries.
Sausalito
In Marin County, the quaint town of Sausalito is lined with sidewalk cafes and paths along the water, across the bay from San Francisco.
Fort Point
Completed just before the American Civil War, this fort defended the Bay against hostile warships.
Palace of Fine Arts
Built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, this beloved iconic structure now hosts art exhibitions.
Fisherman's Wharf
A neighbourhood with Italian roots, this area has seafood restaurants aplenty.

Related Tours

San Francisco in a Day: Private Full-Day Tour including Alcatraz
Immerse yourself in the heart of San Francisco, one of the most iconic cities in the world, on this private full-day tour where you will discover the history and culture of the city before embarking on a journey through some of its most famous landmarks, including a visit to Alcatraz Island to uncover the secrets of the infamous prison. 

On your private tour of San Francisco, you will:

  • Explore Union Square— San Francisco's bustling shopping area;
  • Discover Chinatown, passing through the magnificent Dragon Gate, the entrance to the largest Chinatown outside of Asia;
  • Visit Nob Hill, and after a short tram ride, take a stroll down North Beach and learn the fascinating history of this Italian-American enclave,;
  • Immerse yourself in the customs, cuisine, and curiosities of Chinatown;
  • Take a cable car across town for fantastic cityscapes and soak up the San Francisco skyline from the top of iconic Nob Hill;
  • Visit Ghirardelli Square, with breathtaking views, fantastic shopping, dining options, and of course - world-famous chocolate!
  • Enjoy striking views of the Golden Gate Bridge from the atmospheric Fisherman's Wharf;
  • Walk around the historic Pier 39, and see the famous seals basking in the sun;
  • Dig into some of San Francisco's famous seafood - like clam chowder soup in a sourdough bread bowl (not included);
  • Finally, the guide will depart as you take a ferry to visit the world’s most notorious island penitentiary: Alcatraz, where you will enjoy a self-guided audio tour of the island or choose to join one of its small ranger-led tours when you disembark.

Your Private Full-Day Tour of San Francisco Highlights will take you through an urban landscape, set on the northern tip of a peninsula, shaped by glaciers, earthquakes and the Pacific’s rolling waves. 

At the top of Nob Hill, soak up an extraordinary cityscape at cable car height. Set on San Francisco's picturesque steep slopes, enjoy a stunning skyline across streets crisscrossed by streetcars, yellow taxis, and jogging trails. 

Wander through some world-class shopping malls in Union Square, where big-name brands and local stores nestle amongst chic boutiques. 

Lastly, Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39, lined with seafood cafés, are home to basking sea lions, jugglers, and mime artists, with striking views across the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and Angel Island. Enjoy lunch at one of the many eateries on Pier 39 before your guide takes you to Pier 33, where you will board a pre-booked ferry ride to Alcatraz Island. 

Please note: your guide will not be joining you on the island, as private guides are not permitted to operate on the island. On arrival at Alcatraz, take an audio tour at a leisurely pace to hear tales of notorious felons such as Al Capone and Robert Franklin Stroud in this former fort, a military prison and maximum-security federal penitentiary. Once you are finished exploring Alcatraz Island (most people spend about 2 hours), you can hop any return ferry to San Francisco, where you will be dropped off at Pier 33. 
Muir Woods & Sausalito: Private Day Trip from San Francisco

Nothing prepares you for the tranquil hush and serenity of these magnificent old-growth woodlands, stretching deep and dark along the Pacific Coast with mesmerizing views of Muir Woods.

On your private day trip to Muir Woods and Sausalito, you will:

  • Enjoy hotel pick-up by your private driver and cross the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge;
  • Soak up spectacular views across the Bridge, the Bay, and the city skyline;
  • Explore the raw serenity of the 300ft old-growth soaring redwoods at Muir Woods on a self-guided tour;
  • Discover the National Monument’s deep green glades and leafy winding trails;
  • Enjoy free time at the pretty seaside town of Sausalito, north of the Golden Gate Bridge;
  • Browse the houseboat enclaves built by artistic squatters after WWII;
  • Enjoy hotel drop-off at your hotel or somewhere in the city centre of your choosing. 


Resplendent 300ft redwood trees soar skyward in atmospheric Muir Woods where shady, peaceful glades evoke the prehistoric origins of this magnificent species.

Dedicated to the father of America’s national parks in 1908, beautiful Muir Woods rises up from a fern-clad valley rich in wildlife, part of a National Monument within California’s Golden Gate National Recreation Area, to the north of San Francisco.

On this Private Excursion to Muir Woods and Sausalito, learn about the foundation of one of our first and most loved US National Monuments, and walk a thriving old-growth Coastal Redwood forest. Follow leafy winding trails that inspired John Muir’s strong voice for the preservation of America's most special places.

Along the way, cross the Golden Gate Bridge and enjoy vistas of the San Francisco skyline, Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. After returning via a scenic mountain road, enjoy a visit to the charming and upscale waterfront hamlet Sausalito for lunch, with reservations made in advance for you.

Please note: This is a day trip including a private driver who is not allowed to enter the Park with you due to local regulations. You will be exploring Muir Woods Park and Sausalito with your group on a self-guided tour
The Best of San Francisco: Private Half-Day Walking Tour
Dating back to 1776 and considered by many to be the USA’s most beautiful city, San Francisco - a.k.a. The City by the Bay - is a vibrant mix of exotic cultures, and is renowned worldwide for its liberal free-thinking ideals. 
San Francisco’s strong historical bonds with Spanish America and Mexico are evident all over the city and reflected in its Hispanic population, vibrant arts, music, and festival scene.

On your private half-day tour, you will:

  • Learn the history of its famous neighbourhoods, including downtown, the Financial District, Nob Hill, Chinatown, and Little Italy;
  • Explore Union Square, San Francisco's bustling shopping area;
  • Immerse yourself in the customs, cuisine, and curiosities of Chinatown;
  • Take a cable car to the top of Nob Hill for spectacular views of the San Francisco skyline;
  • Venture through North Beach to absorb the community’s Italian heritage;
  • Enjoy striking views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and Angel Island from atmospheric Fisherman's Wharf – and glimpse the basking seals!

On this private half-day tour of the best of San Francisco, you will learn about the city’s foundation in the 18th century, when Spanish colonists settled the area during the gold-rush fever, to the city in the modern era, famous for its political activism and social inclusivity the world over. 

See first-hand San Francisco’s colourful mix of quaint buildings and modern architecture in a stunning ocean-facing city.

Learn about San Francisco's long-standing progressive stance on activism: the city is credited with trailblazing the “Flower Power” peace movement, and powering the gay rights movement as one of the largest and most prominent LGBT communities in the world.

You will explore this fascinating urban landscape, set on the northern tip of a peninsula, shaped by glaciers, earthquakes and the Pacific’s rolling waves. Set on San Francisco's picturesque steep slopes, enjoy a stunning skyline across streets crisscrossed by streetcars, yellow taxis and jogging trails. Wander through some world-class shopping in Union Square, where big-name brands and local stores nestle amongst chic boutiques. 

Enjoy a historic cable car ride from one part of the city, over Nob Hill to the waterfront. At beautiful North Beach, known colloquially as Little Italy, soak up the ambience of the city’s lively historic Italian-American community. 

Lastly, Fisherman’s Wharf, lined with seafood cafes, is home to basking sea lions, jugglers and mime artists and enjoys striking views across the Golden Gate Bridge, the infamous island prison on the sea, Alcatraz, and Angel Island.

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