Golden Gate Bridge

Location

The Golden Gate Bridge connects Marin with San Francisco. Both ends of the bridge have substantial parking areas with rest stop amenities such as vistas and bathrooms. The South lot also has shops for snacks and souvenirs, as well as a garden. Parking in both lots is monitored for time, and in the South lot there is a fee to park. To get to either lot, look for the marked exit at either end of the Golden Gate Bridge (Hwy 101).

At the South end of the bridge, there is a free parking lot a few hundred feet Southeast of the paying one. To get there from Crissy Field, take a right (West) on Lincoln Road from Crissy Field Road, then head up the hill, veering to the left when it splits. Parking lot is on the right, with a trailhead to the left of the lot, clearly marked for the Golden Gate Bridge. Walk this trailhead up to the trails immediately accessible from the paying parking lot.

Similarly, you can access the bridge from a long group of meandering stairs from Fort Point (see www.strollerhikes.com/Hikes/CrissyField/CrissyField.html), at the base of the bridge, just above sea level. Use this route only with a baby backpack and if you're ready to tackle that many steps!

Attractions:

A beautiful engineering and architectural marvel, complete with a statue of Strauss at its South end.
A true experience to feel the ocean gusts, condensation from fog, and smell the Pacific!
This is one of the most famous and well known man-made structures in the world.
See views of San Francisco, Angel Isand, Alcatraz, Marin, and surrounding areas.
The management of all of the bridge's traffic (auto and otherwise) is very orderly - note all of the signs, lights, and dividers as you travel.
Fort Point is accessible below, from the South end of the bridge (or the bridge from Fort Point).
Bicycles are allowed.
Dogs are allowed on leash.
At either end of the bridge, enjoy beautiful spots to sit and take in the vistas, bathrooms, shops, and picnic spots. The South end of the bridge has a cafe, gift shop, and gardens.
Afraid of the height? The bridge is almost entirely fenced in! (An aesthetic con, but comforting when the wind is strong and baby's grip on Teddy is loose!)

Limitations:

No roller skates, roller blades, or skateboards allowed.
Weather can change quickly on the bridge, leading to gusts, fog, or rain. Dress in layers and consider bringing something to shield baby from the wind (I clipped a cloth onto my buggy's shield).
There is much traffic on the bridge, and this combined with gusts makes it a loud trek.
The bridge is closed to pedestrian traffic much more often that other hiking spots; be sure to check posted hours that can change due to bridge maintenance.

Season:

Year round, about 5 am to 3:30 pm (times vary on weekdays / weekends and during different seasons)

Fees:

Only parking fees or tolls (if you drive South on the bridge), although free parking is available at both ends of the bridge.

Maps & More Information:

All paths are very well marked at either end of the bridge.
Golden Gate District Website: http://goldengate.org/
Golden Gate Bridge Website: http://goldengatebridge.org/

Handicapped Access:

The bridge parking lots each have handicapped parking spots and bathrooms. The bridge path is wheelchair accessible.