California
- San Francisco
Golden
Gate Bridge
The
rust-coloured towers, graceful suspension
and supportive cables of the Golden Gate Bridge
make this famous symbol of San Francisco the
most photographed bridge in the world, and
visible from almost any high point in the
city, although it is often shrouded in rolling
fog. Spanning the two-mile (3km) mouth of
the bay, it was the longest suspension bridge
in the world at the time of its completion
in 1937 and was built to withstand winds of
more than 100 mph (161km per hour). During
high winds it can sway up to 27ft (8m) in
each direction. One of the great engineering
accomplishments of the 20th century, the bridge
claims to have used enough wire in its construction
to stretch around the earth several times.
Walking across the bridge, under the towers
that loom 65 storeys above the water, is one
of the best ways to experience the immensity
of the structure and affords beautiful views
of the San Francisco skyline, the bay and
its islands. Golden Gate Bridge is also a
favourite with the suicidal and the sidewalks
are dotted with crisis-counselling phones.
Address
: Highway 101 North;
Telephone
: (415) 921 5858;
Website:
www.goldengatebridge.org
Transport:
Golden Gate Transit buses depart
daily for Marin County from the Transbay Terminal.
Muni buses 28 and 29 also stop at the bridge
toll plaza;
Opening
time: Access for pedestrians is
on the east sidewalk during daylight hours
only from sunrise to sunset (April to October
from 5am to 9pm , November to March from 6am
to 6pm ). The bridge is open 24 hours for
motorists;
Admission:
A US$5 toll is collected from cars
when driving south towards the city
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