BEST VIEWS OF THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE IN SAN FRANCISCO
Battery Spencer View of Golden Gate
Here is a list of the top 5 places to see and take photos of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco:
Battery Spencer (pictured above): has a designated parking lot on the side of Conzelman Rd in the Marin Headlands. Park & walk 5 mins past an old abandoned military fort to get to the top of the hill! This is my favorite spot.
Langdon Court Parking Lot View
Langdon Court Parking Lot View
Langdon Ct Parking Lot (pictured above): it offers the famous view of the bridge perfectly framed between two cypress tree trunks. Golden hour hits just right at this spot.
Marshall’s Beach
Marshall’s Beach: an adventurous 15 min hike down a cliff takes you to a gorgeous beach with unobstructed views from a lower angle. Best time to visit is during sunset.
Slacker Hill: (don’t be fooled by its name) it’s a moderate 1 mile hike up a pretty steep hill that gives you unbeatable aerial shots. It’s the highest overlook, less crowded & the best spot for a Bay sunrise. I couldn’t get a picture because it was extremely foggy!
Baker Beach
Baker Beach: it features rugged shoreline cliffs, offering views of the bridge in the distance. It is easily accessible by car, I recommend it for families.
Things to know before you go:
Bring layers! The Bay Area wind is no joke. It’s aggressive and chilly. Even in the summer, bring layers to San Francisco, always.
Visit on a weekday (if you can) to avoid crowds.
The Fog primarily visits in the summer months (June-August). San Francisco gave it a name after all: Karl. If you’re unlucky, the bridge will be completely covered by it. But I find it if you wait for a half hour or so, the fog will travel and you will catch a glimpse of the top or bottom of the bridge. If you can, visit the bridge during the fall/winter months to avoid this.
Fun fact:
The Golden Gate Bridge's signature color was not intended to be permanent. The steel that arrived in San Francisco to build the Golden Gate Bridge was coated in a burnt red and orange shade of primer to protect it from corrosive elements. It was supposed to be painted in a metallic grey or black. I’m so glad they kept the rusty red, it suits the San Francisco topography so well!
