Getting to the Golden Gate Bridge

Public Transit Options

Taking public transit to the Golden Gate Bridge is the best way to get to the Bridge because parking is extremely limited and there are ongoing construction projects at or near the Bridge.

ACCESSING THE SOUTH END OF THE BRIDGE

At the south east end of the Golden Gate Bridge, you can experience many new visitor experiences—a new Bridge Pavilion with all new merchandise, the Bridge Café, restrooms, and a number of incredible photography/viewing points.

From San Francisco to/from the south end of the Golden Gate Bridge:
- Golden Gate Transit:
  - To/from downtown: Board any GGT bus (Routes 30, 70, and 101) at Main & Folsom streets (across from the Temporary Transbay Terminal) or along Mission Street (north side of the street, GGT stops only). All buses stop at the northbound Toll Plaza bus stop.
  - To/from Union Square: Board any GGT bus (Routes 30, 70, and 101) at Mission & 5th streets, in front of the old Mint Building. Mission & 5th is a short walk south of Union Square. All buses stop at the northbound Toll Plaza bus stop.
  - To/from Civic Center: Board any GGT bus (Routes 30, 70, 92, 93, and 101) at 7th & Market streets or across the street from City Hall at McAllister & Polk streets. All buses stop at the northbound Toll Plaza bus stop.
  - To/from Fisherman’s Wharf: Board any GGT bus (Routes 2, 4, 8, 18, 24, 27, 38, 44, 54, 58, 72, 74, and 76) along North Point Street (north side of the street, GGT stops only). All buses stop at the northbound Toll Plaza bus stop. Routes 4 and 27 operate throughout the day on weekdays; all other routes operate during weekday afternoon peak periods only. On weekends, walk or take Muni to Van Ness & Union and board any GGT bus (Routes 30, 70, and 101) at the northbound bus stop.
- San Francisco Muni: visit www.sfmta.com for schedules and maps.
- PresidiGo Shuttle: visit the PresidiGo Shuttle website for schedules and maps.
From Marin County to/from the south end of the Golden Gate Bridge:
- Golden Gate Transit: Routes 2, 4, 8, 18, 24, 27, 30, 38, 44, 54, 56, 58, 70, 92, 97, and 101 serve the southbound Toll Plaza bus stop. To return to Marin County, board any of these same routes at the northbound Toll Plaza bus stop.
From Sonoma County to/from the south end of the Golden Gate Bridge:
- Golden Gate Transit: Routes 72, 72X, 74, 76, and 101 serve the southbound Toll Plaza bus stop. To return to Sonoma County, board any of these same routes at the northbound Toll Plaza bus stop.

ACCESSING THE NORTH END OF THE BRIDGE

The north end of the Bridge (also called the Vista Point) offers many photo opportunities and has restrooms for visitors.

From San Francisco to/from the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge:
- Golden Gate Transit:
  - To/from downtown or Union Square: Board Route 30 at Main & Folsom streets (across from the Temporary Transbay Terminal) or along Mission Street (north side of the street, GGT stops only). Remain on board until the very first stop after crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. A walkway leads from the bus stop back south to the Vista Point. When the bus is on the Bridge, be sure to request the next stop by pressing the overhead button or yellow strip next to the window. After walking back across the Bridge, visitors can return to Mission Street by boarding GGT Route 30, 70, or 101 at the southbound Toll Plaza bus stop, which is adjacent to the Administration Building.
  - To/from Civic Center: Board Routes 30 or 92 at 7th & Market streets or across the street from City Hall at McAllister & Polk streets. Remain on board until the very first stop after crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. A walkway leads from the bus stop back south to the Vista Point. When the bus is on the Bridge, be sure to request the next stop by pressing the overhead button or yellow strip next to the window. After walking back across the Bridge, visitors can return to the Civic Center by boarding GGT Route 30, 70, 80, 92, or 101 at the southbound Toll Plaza bus stop, which is adjacent to the Administration Building.
- San Francisco Muni:
  - To/from Union Square: On Saturdays, Muni Route 76X boards at Sutter & Stockton streets and operates across the Golden Gate Bridge. Remain on board until the very first stop after crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. A walkway leads from the bus stop back south to the Vista Point. After walking back across the Bridge, visitors can board Route 76X back to Union Square at the southbound Toll Plaza bus stop, which is adjacent to the Administration Building.
From Marin County and Sonoma County to/from the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge:
- Golden Gate Transit: Take any GGT route to the Toll Plaza bus stop. Cross beneath Highway 101 to the northbound GGT bus stop. Board GGT Routes 2, 30, 92 or MUNI Route 76X to the first stop after crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. A walkway leads from the bus stop back south to Vista Point. When the bus is on the Bridge, be sure to request the next stop by pressing the overhead button or yellow strip next to the window. After walking back across the Bridge, visitors can return to Marin or Sonoma counties from the northbound GGT bus stop at the Toll Plaza.

TRIP PLANNING ASSISTANCE

Trip Planning Assistance: Golden Gate Transit trip planning assistance is available Mondays through Fridays, 7am to 6pm, by calling 511 and saying "Golden Gate Transit," then "operator," or by visiting http://511.org.

SF Muni trip planning assistance is available by calling 311 or visiting www.sfmta.com.

Bicycle to the Bridge

Bicycling to the Golden Gate Bridge from anywhere in San Francisco or from the North Bay is fun! There are many bicycle rental companies throughout the city with convenient pick-up and drop-off locations.

A good start is a visit to our Bikes and Pedestrians page for important information about Bridge sidewalk access and bicycle safety!

Next, visit these websites to help plan your bike trip to the Golden Gate Bridge: 511.org, Bay Area Bicycle Coalition, San Francisco Bike Coalition, and Marin County Bike Coalition.

Tour Buses

Taking a tour bus is one of the best ways to experience the Bridge. Most tour companies offer convenient pick up and drop off locations throughout the city. A few even let you hop on and hop off so you can design your own itinerary!

The City and County of San Francisco, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, and San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau websites all offer useful information for visitors.

Directions

NOTE: We strongly recommend using the other means of visiting the Bridge as described on this page. Parking is extremely limited at both the southeast and northeast visitor areas of the Bridge, and ongoing construction projects in the area may temporarily close roads leading to the Bridge.

The Golden Gate Bridge is located on U.S. Highway 101 and provides a vital link between the City of San Francisco and the counties to the north. Since the Golden Gate Bridge does not have a physical address, you can use this link to help find your way to us: Yahoo Driving Map - Golden Gate Bridge. Or you can print these PDF directions.

The Golden Gate Bridge may be viewed from several vista points, each with parking areas and restrooms, located on the northeast and southeast sides. The parking areas include spaces for persons with disabilities. Parking is extremely limited in these lots.

Traffic Conditions

If you must drive to the Bridge, we recommend downloading a free navigation app, like Waze (www.waze.com). These apps give drivers real-time information from Caltrans about road conditions, construction, and road closures.

Parking

Access to Southeast Side Visitor Parking Lot

This parking area has a range of visitor services, including a café, gift center, gardens and an array of scenic vistas. Parking is metered ($0.25 per 15 minutes) with 37 spaces, including 26 general spaces, 6 bus stalls, and 3 accessible spaces for visitors with disabilities that have disabled placards. On weekends and holidays ONLY, additional parking is available in a nearby satellite lot on the southwest side at a rate of $5 per day.

Traveling south from Marin County: Follow US Highway 101 south across the Golden Gate Bridge. Tolls are now collected electronically - either by FasTrak or by Pay-By-Plate (visit our Tolls page for info on how to pay your toll!). Proceed through the far right toll lane #1, and make an immediate right exiting US Highway 101 just past the Toll Plaza onto Merchant Road. Make an immediate right onto a roadway that goes down a short hill and into an underpass which leads directly into the southeast side visitor parking lot.

Traveling north from San Francisco: Take a right at the last San Francisco exit off US Highway 101 just before the Toll Plaza. The exit ramp sign reads, "Golden Gate National Recreation Area View Area." Proceed to the stop sign and turn left into the southeast side visitor parking lot.

Access to Northeast Side Parking Lot

Free parking (with a four hour limit) and restrooms are the only amenities at this location.

Traveling south from Marin County: To access the parking lot on the northeast side of the Bridge, you must cross the Bridge, pay the toll and double back across the span. Follow US Highway 101 south across the Golden Gate Bridge. Have exact change ready to pay the appropriate toll, collected southbound only. Proceed through the far right toll lane #1, and make an immediate right exiting US Highway 101 just past the Toll Plaza onto Merchant Road. Make an immediate right onto a roadway that goes down a short hill and into an underpass which leads directly into the southeast side visitor parking lot. Drive through the visitor lot to the first stop sign and make a right to head to the on-ramp to the Bridge. Cross the Bridge and take the first exit called "Vista Point" and turn right into the parking lot.

Traveling north from San Francisco: Follow US Highway 101 north across the Golden Gate Bridge. Take the first exit called "Vista Point" and turn right into the parking lot.