Golden Gate Bridge

NileGuide Expert tip:

Dress in layers, as the bridge is in the city’s fog and wind belt; even on a picture-perfect day, the temperature can fluctuate.

Description:

• Perhaps the most iconic bridge in the country, if not in the world, the crimson expanse of the Golden Gate Bridge is a not-to-miss sight while in San Francisco. Spanning the city and neighboring Marin County to the north, the Golden Gate Bridge also serves as a gateway between the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. Although you’ll be treated to glimpses of the bridge throughout the city, the best way to experience it is to walk or bike across, starting in the Presidio. You can then spend a serene afternoon strolling around the quaint Marin seaside city of Sausalito. If you prefer a gentler route, you can take a ferry from the San Francisco Ferry Building or from Fisherman’s Wharf to Sausalito or Tiburon (another beautiful Marin town full of great restaurants and nearby walking paths), gazing at the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, plus sailboats, kite-surfers, and the gorgeous Bay views along the way.

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Very Highly Recommended 2010