Golden Gate Bridge facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Golden Gate Bridge
View from the Presidio of San Francisco, 2017
Coordinates	37°49′11″N 122°28′43″W / 37.81972°N 122.47861°W / 37.81972; -122.47861
Carries	6 lanes of US 101 / SR 1 (see § Traffic) Bicycle route: Invalid type: USBR Eastern walkway: pedestrians or bicycles during selected hours (see § Usage and tourism) Western walkway: bicycles (only when pedestrians are allowed on the eastern sidewalk)
Crosses	Golden Gate
Locale	San Francisco, California and Marin County, California, U.S.
Official name	Golden Gate Bridge
Maintained by	Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District
Characteristics
Design	Suspension, Art Deco, truss arch & truss causeways
Material	Steel
Total length	8980 ft, about 1.70 mi (2.74 km)
Width	90 ft (27.4 m)
Height	746 ft (227.4 m)
Longest span	4200 ft, about 0.79 mi (1.27 km)
Clearance above	14 ft (4.3 m) at toll gates
Clearance below	220 ft (67.1 m) at high tide
History
Architect	Irving Morrow
Engineering design by	Joseph Strauss, Charles Ellis, Leon Solomon Moisseiff
Constructed by	Barrett and Hilp
Construction begin	January 5, 1933 (1933-01-05)
Construction end	April 19, 1937 (1937-04-20)
Opened	May 27, 1937; 88 years ago (1937-05-27)
Statistics
Daily traffic	88,716 (FY2020)
Toll	Southbound only FasTrak or pay-by-plate, cash not accepted Effective July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 (2025-07-01 – 2026-06-30): $9.75 (FasTrak users) $10.00 (Pay-by-plate users) $7.75 (carpools during peak hours, FasTrak only)
California Historical Landmark
Designated:	June 18, 1987
Reference #:	974
San Francisco Designated Landmark
Designated:	May 21, 1999
Reference #:	222

The Golden Gate Bridge is a famous suspension bridge in California, United States. It stretches across the Golden Gate, a narrow waterway that connects San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean. This amazing bridge links the city of San Francisco to Marin County.

The bridge carries U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1. It also has paths for people walking and riding bicycles. Many people consider it one of the Wonders of the Modern World. It is a well-known symbol of San Francisco and California.

Building a bridge here was a big dream in the late 1800s. It became possible in the early 1900s. Joseph Strauss was the main engineer for the project. Other important engineers and architects, like Leon Moisseiff, Irving Morrow, and Charles Ellis, helped design it. The bridge first opened on May 27, 1937. Since then, it has been updated many times to keep it strong and safe.

Many people call the Golden Gate Bridge one of the most beautiful bridges in the world. When it opened in 1937, it was the longest and tallest suspension bridge. Its main section is about 1.3 kilometers (4,200 feet) long. The towers reach about 227 meters (746 feet) into the sky.

Building the Golden Gate Bridge

Early Travel Across the Golden Gate

Before the Golden Gate Bridge existed, people traveled between San Francisco and Marin County by boat. Ferry services started as early as 1820. These ferries were important for moving people, goods, and even water to San Francisco.

By 1929, the Golden Gate Ferry Company became the biggest ferry company in the world. Their car ferries were very successful. A ferry trip across the bay took about 20 minutes.

Many people wanted a bridge to connect the two areas. San Francisco was growing slower than other cities because it didn't have a direct link. However, building a bridge seemed impossible to many experts. The strait had strong currents, deep water, and frequent strong winds and fog.

The Big Idea for a Bridge

Golden Gate with Fort Point in foreground, around 1891

The idea for a bridge across the Golden Gate was not new. In 1916, James Wilkins, a former engineering student, wrote an article about it. San Francisco's City Engineer thought it would cost too much, about $100 million. He asked engineers if it could be built for less.

Joseph Strauss, an ambitious engineer, responded. He had designed many smaller bridges before. Strauss proposed a design that he believed would cost only $17 million. His first idea was for a different type of bridge, but later a suspension bridge design was chosen. This was thanks to new ideas in bridge building and materials.

Strauss worked for over ten years to get support for the bridge. Many groups opposed the project. The Department of War worried about ships. The U.S. Navy feared the bridge could block the harbor if damaged. Unions wanted local workers to get jobs. The Southern Pacific Railroad also fought the bridge because it owned the ferry service.

In 1924, the Secretary of War approved using federal land for the bridge. The growing automobile industry also supported the project. They wanted more roads and bridges to encourage car sales. The name "Golden Gate Bridge" became official in 1923. This happened when a special district was created to build and pay for the bridge.

Designing the Iconic Bridge

The south tower, showing Art Deco details

Joseph Strauss was the chief engineer for the bridge's design and construction. However, he didn't have much experience with suspension bridges. So, other experts took on important roles. Strauss's first design was not visually appealing.

Leon Moisseiff, who designed the Manhattan Bridge, created the final suspension design. He introduced a "deflection theory." This meant the bridge deck would flex in the wind, reducing stress on the cables and towers.

Irving Morrow, an architect, designed the bridge's towers and lighting. He also added the Art Deco style elements. Morrow chose the famous "International Orange" color. He picked it because it looks good with the natural scenery. It also helps the bridge stand out in the fog. The U.S. Navy had suggested black and yellow stripes for visibility, but Morrow's choice won.

Senior engineer Charles Alton Ellis did much of the technical work. He designed a "bridge within a bridge" to save Fort Point. This old fort was important to preserve. Ellis was a brilliant mathematician and engineer. He worked tirelessly on the project.

Below the Golden Gate Bridge

Sadly, Strauss fired Ellis in 1931. He claimed Ellis was wasting money. But Ellis continued to work for free, completing ten volumes of calculations. Strauss often took most of the credit for the bridge's design. However, the contributions of Moisseiff, Morrow, and Ellis are now fully recognized. In 2007, the Golden Gate Bridge District formally credited Ellis for his major role.

Panorama showing the height, depth, and length of the span from end to end, looking west

Panorama of the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset, as seen from just north of Alcatraz Island

Funding the Massive Project

The Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District was formed in 1928. Its job was to design, build, and pay for the bridge. After the Wall Street Crash of 1929, it was hard to find money. So, the District asked for a $30 million bond.

The people in the counties affected by the bridge approved these bonds in November 1930. The construction budget was $27 million. However, the bonds could not be sold until 1932. That's when Amadeo Giannini, who founded Bank of America, agreed to buy all the bonds. This helped the local economy during tough times.

Building the Bridge: A Huge Undertaking

Construction started on January 5, 1933. The project cost over $35 million. It was finished ahead of schedule and under budget. The McClintic-Marshall Construction Co. built the bridge.

An original rivet replaced during the seismic retrofit after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Over a million rivets hold the bridge's towers together.

Joseph Strauss remained in charge of the daily construction. He made important safety improvements. He introduced movable safety netting below the workers. This net saved 19 men from falling into the water. These men formed the "Half Way to Hell Club." Sadly, 11 men died during construction, 10 of them in one accident in 1937.

The Round House Café was built near the bridge's southern end. It opened in 1938 and became a popular spot for tourists. It was renovated in 2012, and a new gift shop was added nearby.

Key Contributors to the Golden Gate Bridge

This plaque lists the main people and companies who helped build the bridge:

Making the Bridge Stronger

In 1951, a strong windstorm caused the bridge to sway and roll. This led to its temporary closure. To prevent this, the bridge was updated in 1953 and 1954. Workers added special bracing to make the bridge deck stiffer. This helped it resist twisting movements, like those that damaged the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in 1940.

From 1982 to 1986, the original concrete road deck was replaced. Salt from the fog had caused corrosion. The new deck was made of lighter, stronger steel panels. This big project cost over $68 million. The roadway was also made slightly wider.

Opening Day and Anniversaries

A plaque on the south tower commemorating the 25th anniversary of the bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge and Fort Point

The bridge's opening celebration in 1937 lasted for a whole week. On May 27, the day before cars were allowed, 200,000 people walked or roller-skated across the bridge. President Franklin D. Roosevelt officially started vehicle traffic the next day.

For the 50th anniversary in 1987, the bridge was again closed to cars. Between 750,000 and 1,000,000 people came to walk across. The bridge became very crowded, and the center flattened under the weight. The bridge is designed to flex this way. For the 75th anniversary in 2012, pedestrian access was controlled more carefully.

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  A pedestrian poses at the old railing on opening day, 1937.

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  Official invitation to the opening of the bridge. This copy was sent to the City of Seattle.

Bridge Features and Design

Structural Details

On the south side of the bridge, a cross-section of the cable, containing 27,572 wires, is on display.

Until 1964, the Golden Gate Bridge had the longest main span of any suspension bridge in the world. Its main span is about 1.3 kilometers (4,200 feet) long. Today, it has the second-longest main span in the Americas.

The bridge's clearance above high water is about 67 meters (220 feet). Its towers are about 227 meters (746 feet) tall above the water. They were the tallest on a suspension bridge until 1993.

The road deck hangs from 250 pairs of vertical ropes. These ropes connect to two main cables. Each main cable is made of 27,572 strands of wire. The total length of wire used for both main cables is about 129,000 kilometers (80,000 miles). Each of the bridge's two towers has about 600,000 rivets.

In the 1960s, there was a discussion about adding train tracks to the bridge for the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system. Engineers studied if the bridge could support it. In 1962, it was decided that running BART trains on the bridge was not a good idea.

The Bridge's Beautiful Look

The way the Golden Gate Bridge looks was very important. Joseph Strauss's first design was changed to be more beautiful. Details like lighting were added to highlight the cables and towers. In 1999, it was ranked fifth on the List of America's Favorite Architecture.

The bridge's official color is "International Orange." Architect Irving Morrow chose this color. It blends well with the natural surroundings. It also helps the bridge be seen clearly, especially in the fog.

The bridge was originally painted with lead-based paint. In the 1960s, a new painting program began to prevent rust. Today, 38 painters continuously touch up the bridge. This keeps it looking great and protects it from corrosion.

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  A view of the Golden Gate Bridge from the Marin Headlands on a foggy morning at sunrise

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  View of Marin from the south tower

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  Top of the south tower

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  Golden Gate Bridge seen from Fort Point

Traffic and How People Use the Bridge

Managing Traffic Lanes

Installation of the movable median barrier system in January 2015

The bridge is part of U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1. However, it is managed by the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, not the state.

A special movable barrier separates traffic lanes. This barrier is moved several times a day. In the mornings, more lanes are open for southbound traffic into San Francisco. In the afternoons, more lanes are open for northbound traffic. During other times, there are three lanes in each direction.

Before 2015, plastic pylons separated traffic. This led to some head-on collisions. To make it safer, the speed limit was lowered in 1983. A new movable median barrier was installed in January 2015. This project cost about $30.3 million. The bridge carries about 112,000 vehicles every day.

Walking, Biking, and Tourism

The bridge is very popular for walking and bicycling. It has walkways on both sides of the six traffic lanes. Railings were added in 2003 to separate walkers and bikers from cars. The bridge is also part of U.S. Bicycle Route 95.

The eastern walkway is open for pedestrians and bicycles at certain times. It is for pedestrians only during other daylight hours. The western walkway is mainly for bicyclists.

Bus services, like Golden Gate Transit, cross the bridge. There is also a visitor center and gift shop on the San Francisco side. It opened in 2012 for the bridge's 75th anniversary. On the Marin side, there is a rest area and vista point.

The lands and waters around the bridge are home to many animals. You might see bobcats, harbor seals, and sea lions. Whales have also returned to the area. People are encouraged to watch them from the bridge or land.

The bridge is part of the San Francisco Marathon route. As of 2025, only the bridge's sidewalks are used for the marathon.

Bridge Tolls

Golden Gate Bridge at sunset

Tolls are collected only from southbound traffic. This means you pay when you cross from Marin County into San Francisco. Since 2013, all tolls are collected electronically. Drivers can use FasTrak or pay by license plate.

As of July 1, 2025, the toll for cars using FasTrak is $9.75. For those paying by license plate, it is $10.00. Carpools with three or more people get a discount during peak hours, paying $7.75 with FasTrak. If you don't pay within 48 hours, you will receive an invoice for $10.75.

A Look at Past Tolls

When the bridge opened in 1937, the toll was 50 cents per car in each direction. It was lowered to 25 cents in 1955. In 1968, tolls were only collected southbound, and the price went back to 50 cents.

The last construction bonds were paid off in 1971. All the money came from bridge tolls. Tolls have increased over the years to help maintain the bridge. In 2002, FasTrak was introduced, offering a discount.

In 2011, the Golden Gate District decided to remove all toll takers. This happened in March 2013. Now, all tolls are collected electronically. This change saved money.

Tolls have continued to increase over time. In March 2024, the District approved annual increases through 2028.

Congestion Pricing Ideas

Looking south

In 2008, the Golden Gate Bridge District considered "congestion pricing." This would mean charging higher tolls during busy hours. The idea was to help manage traffic and get federal funding.

However, transportation officials later decided against this plan. Instead, they focused on changing rates for parking along the roads leading to the bridge.

Safety and Navigation

Lights and Beacons

Time-exposed image of the Golden Gate Bridge illuminated on a clear night, complemented by its aerial and maritime beacons

The Golden Gate Bridge has special lights to warn aircraft. These are red lamps at the top of the towers. There are also red outline lanterns on the cables. For ships, the bridge has white and green navigation lights. These lights help guide boats safely under the bridge at night.

Foghorns: Sounds in the Fog

The Golden Gate Strait often has very thick fog, especially in summer. This fog can completely hide the bridge. To help ships navigate safely, a system of five foghorns was installed in 1937. These foghorns are still used today.

Two foghorns are at the base of the south tower. They point in opposite directions and make a low, distinct sound. They blast for 2 seconds every 18 seconds. Three other foghorns are under the bridge deck at the middle. These make a higher-pitched, dual-toned sound. They blast twice for 1 second every 36 seconds. Ships use these sounds to stay on course in the fog.

Challenges and Improvements

Protests and Public Gatherings

Over the years, people have sometimes gathered on the Golden Gate Bridge for protests. These events can cause traffic delays and closures. For example, in June 2020, protestors occupied the bridge. This was part of a nationwide movement against police brutality. In February and April 2024, pro-Palestinian protestors also stopped traffic. To discourage disruptive stunts, a law was passed in 1997. It increased penalties for trespassing on the bridge.

Wind and the Bridge's "Song"

The Golden Gate Bridge is built to withstand strong winds. It can safely handle winds up to about 109 kilometers per hour (68 mph). The bridge has been closed only a few times due to extremely high winds.

In June 2020, people living near the bridge started hearing a humming noise. This sound was described as "eerie" or a "shrill screeching." It was caused by new railing slats installed on the west side of the bridge. These new slats were designed to help the bridge withstand even stronger winds, up to 160 kilometers per hour (100 mph).

Engineers found that the bridge makes two main sounds. A low-pitched tone happens when wind blows at about 35 kilometers per hour (22 mph). A higher-pitched tone occurs when wind blows at an angle at about 43 kilometers per hour (27 mph). In December 2021, the Bridge District approved a fix. They are installing special clips with rubber dampers to reduce the noise. This fix is expected to be completed in 2025.

Earthquake Safety Updates

South approach sub-structure with seismic isolators (short black cylinders) added as part of the Seismic Retrofit Construction Project

The bridge is located near the San Andreas Fault. This means it is at risk for strong earthquakes. Modern engineers realized the bridge needed updates to be safer during a big earthquake. A program costing $392 million was started to make the bridge stronger.

This project involves adding special supports and systems. It helps the bridge resist earthquakes with only minor damage. The seismic retrofit project has been ongoing for many years.

The old road leading to the bridge on the San Francisco side was called Doyle Drive. It was built in 1933. This road was considered vulnerable to earthquake damage and had a difficult design. A new, safer road called the Presidio Parkway replaced it. Construction on the new road began in 2009. The old Doyle Drive was demolished in 2012. The new Presidio Parkway was fully opened in 2015.

Images for kids

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  Panorama of San Francisco with two bridges (Western section of Bay Bridge in the left background), Coit Tower (in background to the left of north tower), and Fort Mason (on the San Francisco waterfront in the background behind the north tower) from Marin

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  Panorama of the Golden Gate Bridge at night, with San Francisco in the background

See also

In Spanish: Puente Golden Gate para niños

• 25 de Abril Bridge, a bridge with a similar design in Portugal
• Golden Gate Bridge in popular culture
• List of tallest bridges
• List of San Francisco Designated Landmarks
• San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge
• Suspension bridge