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On May 24, 1987, the Golden Gate Bridge transformed into a sea of humanity as an estimated 800,000 people poured into San Francisco to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The historic event—officially known as Bridgewalk ’87—offered a rare chance for pedestrians to walk the entire span of the iconic bridge. What no one expected was that the celebration would become one of the most unforgettable (and overwhelming) days in the bridge’s history.
Organizers initially planned for around 80,000 attendees, but by early morning it was clear the celebration had taken on a life of its own. Between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM, roughly 300,000 people managed to step onto the bridge’s 1.7-mile span. The sheer density of the crowd caused the bridge’s normally arched roadway to temporarily flatten—an eerie sight that raised concerns but ultimately proved the bridge’s incredible engineering strength.
Under the weight of the massive crowd, the bridge’s roadway sagged by as much as seven feet, briefly altering its signature convex shape. Engineers later confirmed the structure remained completely sound.
“The bridge groaned and swayed like an old wooden plank,” recalled attendee Winston Montgomery. “It was terrifying and awe-inspiring at the same time.”
With movement nearly impossible in places, frustration bubbled over. Some attendees reportedly tossed bicycles and strollers over the side of the bridge in an attempt to ease congestion.
“There were cheers as strollers and bikes tumbled into the bay,” Montgomery recalled. “Someone even joked, ‘Throw the baby, too!’—thankfully, just dark humor in a tense moment.”
An official ceremony took place at mid-span on a flatbed truck around 8:00 AM, attended by then-Mayor Dianne Feinstein and other city leaders. When a commemorative wreath honoring workers lost during construction failed to arrive, Feinstein improvised—grabbing Willie Brown’s $800 fedora and tossing it into the bay.
“Watching the hat soar into the water was spontaneous and hilarious,” said attendee Lila Carter. “It perfectly captured San Francisco’s quirky spirit.”
The crowd’s weight was estimated at 5,400 pounds per linear foot, the heaviest load the bridge has ever supported. For comparison, the bridge was engineered to handle 7,700 pounds per foot during earthquakes and extreme winds—once again proving its resilience.
The celebration continued into the evening at Marina Green and Crissy Field with concerts and a spectacular fireworks show. The showstopper was a dramatic “waterfall” of fireworks cascading from the bridge down into the bay below.
The 50th anniversary wasn’t just a single day. Events like Bridge Builders Day and engineering symposiums honored the people behind the bridge’s construction. Two new gardens and a commemorative brick walkway—still visible today near the southeast visitor area—were also unveiled.
Planner Susan Monroe summed it up best: “It wasn’t perfect, but that’s what made it unforgettable. The Golden Gate Bridge brought together people from every walk of life to celebrate something bigger than all of us.”
More than three decades later, Bridgewalk ’87 remains a reminder of how deeply the Golden Gate Bridge is woven into San Francisco’s identity. While pedestrians can no longer flood the roadway en masse, walking, biking, or sightseeing at the bridge is still one of the most powerful ways to experience the city—and its history—up close.
The 50th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge was celebrated on May 24, 1987 with a massive public event known as Bridgewalk ’87.
An estimated 800,000 people came to San Francisco for the celebration, with roughly 300,000 people making it onto the bridge itself—far more than organizers originally expected.
No. Although the bridge’s roadway visibly sagged under the weight of the crowd, engineers later confirmed that the structure remained sound and well within its design limits.
Yes. Pedestrians and cyclists can still cross the bridge today using designated walkways, though large-scale public walk events like the 50th anniversary are no longer allowed.
Safety concerns and crowd-control challenges from the 1987 event made it clear that the bridge cannot safely accommodate that many pedestrians at once. Today’s access rules are designed to protect both visitors and the bridge itself.
Walking the Golden Gate Bridge is unforgettable—but seeing it from multiple viewpoints, crossing it, and learning the stories behind it can make the experience even better. These four private sightseeing tours all include a drive across the bridge, with scenic stops along the way.
All tours are private, led by local guides, and designed with frequent photo stops—so you can enjoy the bridge without worrying about traffic, parking, or timing.
If this story sparked your curiosity, dive deeper into the bridge’s history, viewpoints, and best ways to experience it today:
