Sydney has the Opera House. Paris has the Eiffel Tower. And San Francisco has the Golden Gate Bridge.
It may not be the only long suspension bridge in San Francisco, but it is certainly the most famous and, therefore, the most celebrated.
And today San Francisco is celebrating the Golden Gate Bridge's 75th anniversary. The orange suspension bridge first opened on May 27, 1937, and has since become one of the most-photographed and well-loved bridges in the world.
So, in honor of its 75th birthday, here are a handful of photos of the Golden Gate Bridge from my own recent trip to the City by the Bay.
If you ask me, it's impressive in any kind of weather.
Happy 75th birthday, Bridge!
Want to read more about getting up close to the Golden Gate Bridge? Read all about my electric bike tour in San Francisco, which included riding across this orange icon!
Which of these Golden Gate Bridge photos is your favorite?
It is totally the definition of iconic. I kept finding a way to include it in photos of other things. On my way back from NZ, I had a layover in SF, and my first stop was the Marin Headlands overlooking the bridge!
It’s such a photogenic bridge. And yay stopover in SF on the way home from NZ!
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Saw the black and yellow stripes thing on Chris Christensen’s post. What a stupid idea! How well would that work in the dark and fog? Seriously?!
With that said, I offer my apologies to the bridge. I told her happy birthday but I didn’t get a present.
I’m sure she will forgive you the lack of present. 😉
And yeah… I’m not sure how yellow stripes would help at all! Thank goodness that idea was scrapped!
These pictures make me homesick! There really is something special about the Golden Gate.
Yes, there definitely is! I loved seeing it everyday!
Great photos – the second one is my favorite! We loved walking over the bridge… although we underestimated how long it actually is and the way back was quite hard 😀
Yeah, 1.7 miles is a lot longer than you think! I think maybe I’d walk it, then head down to Sausalito and catch the ferry back again next time. 🙂
I love all your photos! Wish I could take photos as stunning as yours 🙁
Aww don’t be bummed, Sarah! A lot of it is just a good camera, and some luck with the weather!
You’ve got good composition too… and now matter HOW good the camera is, it can’t do that 😛
Haha, fair enough!
It’s such an iconic bridge! I don’t think at 175 it will still have lost any of its beauty or power!!!
I agree, Andi! I think the Golden Gate with definitely stand the test of time!
Great photos. Love that you captured it in different weathers. Happy 75th!
Thanks! I was glad to be able to see it in all sorts of weather, too.
Wow, what great photos of the bridge and the colors look amazing! We’ve been to San Francisco in summer twice and have never seen such a perfect sky!
I can’t tell you how many people have told me that they’ve “never seen San Francisco like that.” I know how lucky I got!!
Black with yellow stripes would be awful. You did score with the blue sky but I like the bridge shrouded in fog also. I like #3 best.
Yes, nobody wants a Bumblebee Bridge. Haha.
It doesn’t look a day over 30 😉
The second photo is my favorite. I remember when I was young wondering why the GG Bridge wasn’t really gold.
Some Australian tourists on one of my tours were confused over the color, too. It’s actually named after the body of water the bride spans — called the Golden Gate. One tour guide told us they at one pointed considered painting the bridge black with yellow stripes to make it easier to see in fog… yikes! Glad they didn’t!
Really beautiful shots!!
Thanks, Abhi! Which is your favorite?
Wow, so iconic! You were really lucky to get sunny shots!
Oh I know! You can hardly EVER get sunny shots of this bridge! Though I was kind of glad to get the typically foggy shots, too. 🙂