Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge stands astride the Golden Gate, the one-mile-wide strait connecting San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. At an impressive height of 746 feet (227 metres) above the waters below, and 8,981 feet (2737 metres) in length, the bridge is an iconic symbol of San Francisco and has been deemed one of the Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Constructed in 1937, the bridge is the world's tallest suspension bridge and links San Francisco with the north bay counties of Marin and Sonoma. The bridge's architect, Joseph B. Strauss, was inspired by the engineering of thecliff-hanging Iron Bridge in England, though the seismic engineering techniques used in the building of the Golden Gate Bridge were based on designs used elsewhere by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Many visitors come to marvel at the bridge and its spectacular views, with walkers and cyclists able to access the pedestrian-friendly eastside of the span. Here, visitors will find several lookouts and monuments dedicated to the bridge. There are even 'bridge tours' for keen photographers.