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Construction of the Golden Gate Bridge started in 1933. The bridge, that was designed by engineer Joseph Strauss was engineered to attach San Francisco with Marin County across the 1600 meter (+5000ft) wide strait referred to as the Golden Gate that connects the San Francisco Bay with the Pacific Ocean.

Building The Bridge
The construction of what was to become the world's largest suspension bridge was a huge task. At the time many of us failed to believe it absolutely was technically doable to span the Golden Gate.
View from Marina district on the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

But despite the disbelief, opposition and also the nice Depression, Joseph Strauss was able to realize sufficient support and monetary backing to travel ahead with the project.

It would take thousands of employees, four years and thirty five million greenbacks to complete the structure. On May 27, 1937 the Golden Gate Bridge was inaugurated by eighteen.000 folks that walked across the bridge. subsequent day the bridge officially opened to motorized traffic. these days quite a hundred and twenty, cars cross the bridge daily.

Facts and Figures
The dimensions of the bridge defied all imagination. the overall length of the bridge is eight,981ft or 2,737m. the most span between the 2 huge towers is four,200 ft or one,280 meter long, creating the Golden Gate Bridge the world's largest suspension bridge,
Golden Gate Bridge seen from Baker Beach
View from Baker Beach
a record that might stand till 1964 when the Verrazano-Narrows bridge in the big apple was completed.

The two stunning Art Deco towers are nearly 820ft or 250 meter tall, of that quite twenty meter is below the ocean level. The road, six lanes and ninety ft / 27m wide is an incredible 220 ft or sixty seven meter on top of the water level. it's supported by huge cables, anchored in many bars locked into concrete blocks with a pulling power of twenty five million kg. the 2 cables have a complete length of two,332 meter and a diameter of ninety cm. they're woven from twenty seven,572 threads of steel with a complete length that equals 3 times the earth's circumference.

A world famous Landmark
Golden Gate Bridge seen from Lincoln Park
View from Lincoln Park
Soon once its completion the Golden Gate Bridge already enjoyed worldwide fame, not solely as a result of the bridge was breaking records, however conjointly due to the elegant Art Deco style of the 2 huge towers and also the magnificent surroundings close to the Pacific Ocean. the attention catching orange-red color of the bridge conjointly helped its popularity. the colour was instructed by engineer Irving Morrow, who thought the standard grey color was too boring. The Golden Gate Bridge has currently long lost its record of the longest bridge, however it's still one in every of the world's most famous structures.

Crossing the bridge
Even though there's a sidewalk on the Golden Gate Bridge, it's quite a challenge to cross the bridge. Not solely is it nearly 3km long, however it's a panoramic sixty seven meter (220ft) on top of ocean level. In extreme circumstances the bridge will sway nearly 28ft (8 meter). This builds the bridge less smart to external forces like sturdy winds and earthquakes however it will make the crossing rather unpleasant. The views but are superb.
An alternative to
Bridge Tower
Bridge Tower
crossing the bridge on foot is driving by automobile - however do not forget you will have to pay toll - otherwise you will take one in every of the busses that connect San Francisco with Marin County. there's a bus stop right at the beginning of the bridge.

Getting to the bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is found at the Presidio Park and may simply be reached by bus or automobile. the foremost pleasant thanks to reach the bridge but is by walking either from the Marina District to the east or from Baker Beach to the west of the bridge. each routes can lead you thru a park, and particularly the route along the east is extremely common.

The best views
The Golden Gate Bridge may be a spectacular sight which may be seen from several areas around San Francisco. Here are some locations from where you've got nice views on the bridge:

The Golden Gate is at its most enchanting within the morning when the bridge is usually shrouded in mist. however the bridge is additionally alluring at midnight when the lighting build it appear as if the spires of the towers dissolve within the darkness.