Marvelling at the Iconic Golden Gate Bridge From The Best Viewing Points in

Crossing the strait of the Golden Gate from San Francisco’s Presidio to the Marin headlands is the
world-renowned Golden Gate Bridge, easily identified by its globally-knownOrange color. San
Francisco’s most famous landmark opened in 1937 and has hence been considered an icon of not
only the city but all of USA.
Visitors and locals can enjoy dramatic views of the bridge from several points throughout the city.
Viewing spots noted below are all free and open to the public. During the day, the bridge stands as a
towering embodiment of architecture, history, and engineering under the vibrant sun. The bridge
casts a visual spell with the changing hues of the day going into the night. The experience and visual
transformation of the bridge also challenge your perspectives to new opportunities. Here are some
of the best nearby spots to view the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge.
Crissy Field
Crissy Field, a former military airfield located south of the Golden Gate Bridge in the Presidio, was
restored in 2001 and offers wide, fully-accessible walking and cycling trails between the Marina
Green and Fort Point. Offering stunning views of the bridge, Crissy Field offers picnic areas and a
small beachfront popular among families. Along Crissy Field, visitors can stop for lunch at the
Warming Hut near Fort Point.
Fort Point
For an up-close view of the bridge, visit Fort Point, a Civil War-era brick fort accessible via the Marine
Drive lot at Crissy Field.
Baker Beach 
Stretching a half-mile below the rugged cliffs along the Presidio’s western shoreline, Baker Beach
offers spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The beach offers a picnic area with tables and
grills, lots of parking, and restroom facilities.
China Beach
Located in the Seacliff neighborhood, China Beach is a tiny, sheltered pocket of sand with a picnic
area, a sunbathing deck, restrooms, cold showers, and unobstructed views of the Golden Gate
Bridge.
Lands End
The Eagle’s Point trailhead of Lands End near Lincoln Park offers jaw-dropping views of the Golden
Gate Bridge. Near the popular hiking trail, which is also a short walking distance to the Legion of
Honor, visitors can walk along a paved sidewalk near the 17th hole of the Lincoln Park Municipal Golf
Course. Here, there are several benches and photo opportunities to reflect on and capture the
beauty of the bridge.
Glimpses of the Golden Gate Bridge

For slightly obstructed, but dramatic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, visitors can enjoy views from
several, unexpected vantage points. So always be on the lookout.
The Presidio
The oldest foot trail in the Presidio, Lover’s Lane, a half-mile, pedestrian-friendly, paved trail, begins
at the Presidio Gate at the corner of Presidio and Pacific Avenues in Presidio Heights. As you stroll
down the trail, protected by majestic eucalyptus groves, you’ll get a Hollywood-esque glimpse of the
Golden Gate Bridge, which will eventually disappear as you continue down the trail toward the
Presidio’s Main Post.
de Young Museum — Golden Gate Park
Located at the east end of Golden Gate Park, the Hamon Education Tower Observation Deck at the
de Young Museum offers dramatic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, as well as spectacular
panoramic views of the city and the Pacific Ocean.
Library at the University of California, San Francisco — Inner Sunset
The library at the University of California, San Francisco, offers stunning views of the Golden Gate
Bridge from its main reading room.
Coit Tower — Telegraph Hill
Coit Tower, a slender white concrete column rising from the top of Telegraph Hill, provides 360-
degree views of the city and bay, including the Golden Gate Bridge. The most spectacular views can
be seen from the observation deck, which is reached by an elevator.
Golden Gate Bridge through the Waldo Tunnel
As San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge are hidden from the northern approach of U.S. Route
101 by the Marin Headlands, drivers going through the Waldo Tunnel, the unofficial name of the
tunnel on U.S. Route 101 between the Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito, can enjoy the first view of
the city and the bridge upon exiting the tunnel’s southbound bore. This view may be one of the most
dramatic views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Rooms with a (Bridge) View
For those in search of a room with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge, a handful of San Francisco
hotels offers rooms with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Located in historic Pershing Hall the Inn
at the Presidio offers several rooms with bridge views. Lodge at the Presidio, its newly opened sister
property also has rooms with views toward the bridge in this boutique hotel. Union Square,
Fairmont San Francisco, and Nob Hill also offer exquisite views of the bridge. The Argonaut Hotel, an
easy walking distance to all of the shops and restaurants on Fisherman’s Wharf, offers waterfront
views of the Golden Gate Bridge from several of its rooms.

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