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The Golden Gate Bridge isn’t just San Francisco’s most iconic landmark—it’s a feat of engineering, a photographer’s dream, and a must-see stop on any great San Francisco private tour. Whether you’re cruising beneath its towers in an open-air Jeep or capturing sunset selfies from a scenic overlook, this world-famous bridge never fails to amaze. In this post, we’re diving into 25 fun and surprising facts about the Golden Gate Bridge that will have you seeing this landmark in a whole new light. And if you’re ready to explore it up close? A small group sightseeing tour in San Francisco is the way to go!
Today, the bridge weighs a total of 887,000 tons. It was actually a little heavier back in the 1980s, but lost a bit of weight (over 12,000 tons to be exact) when the vehicle lanes were updated.
The journey between San Francisco and Marin County was very profitable to those who ran ferry services between the two cities. Local ferrymen and transport businesses believed the construction of the bridge would impede their operations.
The lead architect on the project originally wanted a true red color for the bridge, however, the team settled on a reddish-orangish mix called “International Orange.” If you’re interested in using the color, you can replicate it with basic color coding! That’s right, you could have an International Orange accent wall in your home.
Because the Golden Gate has such a large surface area, some section of the bridge is always in touch-up mode. It takes a heck of a lot of maintenance to keep that iconic red so vibrant!
Each tower literally towers over the street level at 500 feet and 726 feet above the water below.
During the time of construction, a huge net was suspended under the bridge which extended 10 feet wider and 15 feet beyond the length of the bridge. That net ended up saving around 20 construction workers, proving to be a priceless precaution while building the iconic landmark.
Going each way, motor vehicle passengers would only need to pay 50 cents each way to cross the bridge. Today, visitors only need to pay a toll when entering San Francisco from Marin county, but the toll is much higher depending on the type of vehicle.
In the 1990s, the American Association of Civil Engineers declared the bridge to be a civil engineering wonder. There are only seven of these wonders in the U.S., with the Golden Gate included.
In total, the Golden Gate Bridge spans 1.7 miles – perfect for a short drive, a walk, a bike ride, and guided tours.
While it was ranked the number one longest suspension bridge in the world when it first opened, the longest suspension bridge to date is in Japan.
In 1985, the billionth person to ever cross the bridge was a dentist by trade. Dr. Molinari received champagne and a commemorative hard hat for his journey!
It was a week-long celebration with parades, parties, and speeches.
With six lanes of traffic, the dividing barrier, known as a zipper, can be adjusted to accommodate rush hour traffic, with more southbound lanes in the AM and more northbound in the PM.
When Karl the fog rolls in, ships back in the day could not easily navigate the water, so many of them were lost.
Which, as most of us are aware, happens frequently in this city. The bridge’s unique fog horn tone warns coming ships so that they do not join the 300 shipwrecks already here.
In June 1935, the region was hit by an earthquake while men were working on the south tower of the bridge.
And they are huge – about 3 feet in diameter! In fact, each individual wire is as thick as a pencil, with 27,472 wires going into each cable.
The bridge has only ever closed eight times in history: due to high wind in 1951, 1982, and 1983; a cable replacement in 1975; for both the 50th and 75th-anniversary celebrations, and for visiting dignitaries FDR and Charles de Gaulle.
Joseph Strauss is the guy responsible for the construction and creation of the bridge. He wrote a famous poem about it, called The Mighty Task is Done.
People literally put their houses in bonds to help fund the bridge project. Talk about hometown pride!
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The water surrounding the bridge is about 300 feet deep compared to the water around Alcatraz, which only goes 100 feet down.
Its Art Deco silhouette is recognized the world over.
Called The Cowboys of the Sky, it’s a group of ironworkers who have taken it upon themselves to talk to and stop those who want to jump off the bridge.
We didn’t think this would be a problem, but alas. A horseback rider was stopped before crossing the bridge back in 2009.
With two forts and 11 gun batteries guarding it from the north and the south, some were put to use during WWII and some were on deck during the Cold War.
From fog horns to fearless painters, the Golden Gate Bridge is packed with fascinating stories and quirky details that make it more than just a pretty photo op. The best part? You can experience the bridge from every stunning angle on a custom San Francisco Jeep tour! Our expert guides bring the bridge’s history to life while you enjoy panoramic views from the comfort of an open-air Jeep.
Ready to roll across San Francisco’s most iconic landmark in style? Book your private small-group Jeep tour today and make the Golden Gate the highlight of your adventure!
Today, the Golden Gate Bridge is both a working transportation corridor and one of the most iconic sightseeing experiences in San Francisco. Visitors can walk or bike across the bridge, stop at scenic viewpoints on either side, and enjoy sweeping views of the bay, the Pacific Ocean, and the San Francisco skyline.
Most visitors spend anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour at the bridge, depending on whether they’re simply stopping for photos or walking part (or all) of the span. Fog, wind, and changing light conditions can dramatically alter the experience, which is part of what makes each visit feel unique.
Construction on the Golden Gate Bridge began in 1933 and the bridge officially opened to the public in 1937, after four years of work across challenging water, wind, and terrain conditions.
The bridge’s International Orange color was chosen because it stands out in fog and complements the surrounding landscape. The color has since become one of the bridge’s most recognizable features.
The Golden Gate Bridge stretches about 1.7 miles from end to end. Walking across and back typically takes between 35 and 70 minutes, depending on pace and photo stops.
Each tower rises approximately 726 feet above the water, making them taller than a 65-story building and a dramatic presence when viewed from below or nearby overlooks.
The Golden Gate Bridge weighs roughly 887,000 tons. During a major roadway retrofit in the 1980s, more than 12,000 tons were removed while maintaining the bridge’s strength and stability.
Bridge construction involved significant risk, but the use of a large safety net beneath the work area saved the lives of about 20 workers, setting a new standard for construction safety.
Approximately 40 million vehicles cross the Golden Gate Bridge each year, making it both a famous landmark and a critical transportation link.
Yes. Fog horns are still used to warn ships navigating the Golden Gate Strait, especially during heavy fog, which has historically contributed to shipwrecks in the area.
The bridge has closed only a handful of times in its history, usually due to extreme weather, major construction, or special events. Most days, it remains open to traffic.
When it opened, the Golden Gate Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world and was later named one of the great engineering wonders of the United States.
Yes. The bridge is open to pedestrians and cyclists, offering sweeping views of San Francisco Bay, the Marin Headlands, and the Pacific Ocean.
Its Art Deco design, dramatic setting, engineering achievements, and cultural impact have made the Golden Gate Bridge one of the most recognizable and photographed structures in the world.
