7 Insanely Photogenic Golden Gate Bridge View Points
The Golden Gate Bridge is a marvel of modern engineering. It was built in 1937 and took four years to complete. Most people don’t know this, but the name Golden Gate referred to the geographical location well before the bridge. The relatively narrow strait that separates the San Francisco Bay from the open ocean was named the Golden Gate by Captain Fremont in the 1840s. Now you know – the bridge was named after the geography not its paint color. But you’re not here for a history lesson! Whether you’re a tourist or a photographer, you’re here because you want to know where the best Golden Gate Bridge view points to actually see the bridge and take the best photos.
What are the best Golden Gate Bridge View Points?
The best Golden Gate Bridge view points are located at:
- Pier 39
- Historic Ships at Hyde Street Pier
- Marin Headlands
- Bike across the bridge
- Cruise around the Bay
- Golden Gate Overlook in the Presidio
- Baker Beach
7. Golden Gate Bridge View from Pier 39
Pier 39 is a total tourist trap but no visit to San Francisco with kids is complete without a stop there. First of all, the seals that hang out on the docks are hilarious. It’s also an ideal viewpoint to see the Golden Gate Bridge from afar on a clear day and you can see Alcatraz as well. But the main reason you go to Pier 39 is to laugh at the barking seals – the Golden Gate Bridge view is just a bonus.
6. Golden Gate Bridge View from Historic Ships at Hyde Street Pier
If you like hidden gems, you’ll love this one! I know people who live in San Francisco and never knew that you could actually board and explore these ships. It’s called the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park and it’s run by the National Park Services, so you can use your America the Beautiful national parks pass for free entry! So, board what looks like a real-life pirate ship and soak in the views of Ghirardelli Square, the Transamerica Pyramid, the cityscape from the water, and of course get a great Golden Gate Bridge view.
5. Drive across the Golden Gate Bridge to the Marin Headlands
Driving across the Golden Gate Bridge is something that you have to add to your California Bucket List. It’s not enough to just see it from afar, you have to get up close and experience the magnitude of it. Hard to believe it’s 1.7 miles long and almost 800 feet tall – no wonder it’s such a global icon! You do have to pay an $8.80 toll to cross so you may not just want to drive over and back. Head over to the Marin Headlands for a scenic drive. There are so many different overlooks with beautiful views. There’s even a lighthouse and a black sands beach if you want to make a day of it. This Golden Gate Bridge view point and Battery Spencer are the best best options for a jaw-dropping view of the bridge with the cityscape behind it. It was quite the sight to see!
4. Bike across the Golden Gate Bridge
Another option to experience the Golden Gate Bridge view up close and in person is to ride a bike across the bridge. There are a few places you can rent bikes but they’re all outside the Presidio, so the bike ride is about 5 miles each way. If a 10-mile bike ride doesn’t sound appealing then you could always spend a little more to rent an electric bike, which is much less strenuous and maybe even more fun.
3. Take a cruise around the Bay For a Unique Golden Gate Bridge View
One of the most unique Golden Gate Bridge views is looking up at it from the water. There are a bunch of tours that take you under it but we recommend booking this Groupon deal for a 1-hour cruise with the Blue & Gold Fleet to save money. The boat left from Pier 39 and took us to the other side of the bridge then back around Alcatraz Island and back to the pier. We didn’t step foot on Alcatraz but it was still cool to see the old prison from somewhat up close. The day we sailed was a little overcast and foggy, so we couldn’t see the bridge from far away but when we got up close it was cool to see it up close with the towers disappearing into the fog!
This was also my daughter’s absolute favorite thing to do in the city – check out our post 13 Inexpensive Things to Do in San Francisco with Kids for more ideas!
2. Golden Gate Overlook in the Presidio
The Presidio is a 1,500 acre park that sits on a former military installation. It’s a great place to get away from the noise of the city and go for a hike through the trees and hills. Nestled within The Presidio is the aptly-named Golden Gate Overlook. It’s a famous spot for Instagrammers because you get a pretty unique view of the bridge nicely framed by two tall eucalyptus trees. Most photos of the bridge show it spanning the water but from here you’re parallel with the bridge, making the towers look larger than life, more so than usual. It’s neat to see the traffic coming and going and would be a great spot to do a long-exposure shot with light trails. I highly recommend going to this spot with a camera that has a telephoto lens for the compression effect, which you can see in the photos below.
1. Best Place to See The Golden Gate Bridge – Baker Beach
Baker Beach beach stretches for about a mile along the western shoreline of the Presidio, so it’s a nice place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and watch the sunset. San Francisco isn’t exactly known for being a beach town but on the occasion when Karl the Fog isn’t around and the sun is peaking out, it’s still nice to visit the beach and just hang out. For better beaches, head south along the Pacific Coast Highway towards Los Angeles.
But there are a couple things that make Baker Beach unique. One is Battery Chamberlin – an old military defense installation with a massive artillery gun you can climb around on. The other is that it offers the best the Golden Gate Bridge view in the city! This place was the winner in my opinion – not only is it the perfect spot for a photo opp but it’s always nice to soak in the sun and sand and listen to the sound of crashing waves.
Where to Stay in San Francisco
My absolute favorite hotel in San Francisco is the Marriott Marquis. Not only is it one of the most unique-looking hotels from an architectural design perspective but it also has a lounge on the top floor with some of the best views in the city, including views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Book a stay at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis – you won’t regret it!
For more idea for family-friendly adventures around California, make sure to read our California Bucket List post with 100+ ideas of activities around the Golden State.
