Millions of people visit the iconic Golden Gate Bridge each year and walk along the entire 2.7km-long span to take in the beautiful views of the city and bay. Wrap up though as it can be windy and cold.
The spectacular bridge is famous for its graceful, sweeping lines and bright red colour (the tone is known as international orange, chosen for it's suitability to the surroundings and high level of visibility). It connects the city of San Francisco to the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula and a portion of the south-facing Marin County headlands near the small bayside town of Sausalito.
It reflects the Art Deco style that was dominant in architecture in the 1920s and 1930s and opened in 1937. Remarkably coming in under budget, the bridge has entered into San Francisco folklore as the most instantly recognisable symbol of the city.
As far as visitor attractions go, the bridge hasn't many. It is possible to take a number of tours across, but its primary function is still as a toll bridge. At the north end of the bridge lies the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, one of the largest urban national parks in the world.
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