It’s the most iconic thing to see in San Fransisco, and for good reason. The Golden Gate Bridge is simply breathtaking and something I spent almost a full day staring at, riding on and searching near and far to find the best viewpoint of. You can see the Bridge from many places across San Fransisco, but to save you running around the whole city, I thought I would share my favourite spots with you.
5. Lands End Park
Maybe a little further away than most view points, but this beautiful park is a great place to relax. Just as the name suggests; its the end of the land. Look to your left and see right over the Pacific Ocean, watching the ships come in and making their way into the harbour. Overlook the beautiful Marin Headlands right in front of you and then see the bridge to your right. A nice spot for a stroll or a swim at China Beach right next door.
4. On the bridge itself
You can’t leave San Fran without riding or driving over the famous bridge. With spectacular views of the red marvel above you and panoramic views of the city and bay, it was an easy highlight of my USA trip. But be prepared, even in peak summer it can get a little cold with the wind chill. They say Chicago is the windy city… I think they need to re-think that decision.
3. Fort Point
Get a real feel for the grand stature that this landmark is from right underneath it. A completely different angle than any other, and with some history of it’s own, Fort Point is a great place to visit. Walking or riding the path leading up to it along the bay in Crissy Field Park provides many opportunities for breathtaking photos.
2. Crissy Field Park Lookout
Take the track up the hill before you hit Fort Point and you’ll find this beautiful lookout. One of the more popular ones, it’s easy to see why as the views are stunning.
1. Marin Headlands – Battery Spencer
Ever seen something so beautiful, you just couldn’t stop staring? Well this view was it for me. I could have sat there all day, watching the bridge, the city sitting behind it and boats sailing in and cruising around the bay.
Directions: It was difficult to get to by bike, but very rewarding. To get there, ride over the bridge and make sure to check out the views on the east side of the bridge at Vista Point. Next you will need to carry the bike down some stairs to walk underneath the bridge and pop out on the other side. It was a steep hill climb up out of the car park and then left onto Conzelman Road. I’m going to be honest, I walked my bike most of the way. I got to Battery Spencer lookout which is the closest one to the bridge. Many people told me that the views further around the Headlands were just as stunning, but I was already exhausted having rode uphill across the city for the morning. So if you have the energy or four wheels, definitely try to make it around.
One thing to note about San Fransisco though is that it is very often covered in low cloud and the bridge can sometimes be hard to see, even if you’re standing on it. Whilst there’s not too much you can do if you get there on a bad day, I would highly recommend a long stay in the beautiful city and planning your schedule around the weather to make sure you can see the bridge in all it’s glory. The weather can also change quite quickly here so you may get lucky! This is definitely a landmark you don’t wanna miss!
Travel essentials:
If you’re heading to San Francisco or the US, here are some things to remember while planning your trip:
Travel money card
Wise had been my go-to travel money card for years with 0% international transaction fees and the best exchange rate on the market. An added bonus is that you can order a physical card and also get an additional card to use with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay etc but they will be different card numbers. So if you lose either your phone or bank card, you can block it and still use the other card. Genius! The digital card can also be activated straight away while you wait for the physical one or even if you’re overseas already and am getting stung by hefty fees from your bank and want an alternative!
Travel SIM card
I use SIM Corner when I travel as they have excellent bundles for worldwide destinations and it is so quick and easy to set up. Their USA Unlimited data package is especially amazing and way cheaper than buying a SIM card locally (trust me)! I was so shocked at how expensive data usage was here. Use code: WANDERLUST5 for an additional discount!
Travel insurance
Never leave home without it! An affordable and reliable company I use is EKTA.
Digital nomad insurance
If you’re a digital nomad and have insurance covering your personal items already or just need health insurance coverage overseas, then I highly recommend Safety Wing.
Accommodation
Sign up to Plannin to get up to 40% off accommodation. As someone that has used every accommodation booking site you can imagine, this is my go-to and has the best rates of any I have used.
Travel experiences
Need some ideas for day trips or unique activities to do in your next destination? Klook have an amazing range of options. Use code: WANDERLUST for 10% off!
some of these links are affiliate links and by purchasing through these links or with these discount codes I may get a small kick back from the company but at no extra cost to you. So thank you if you choose to book via my link to support my blog. I appreciate it so much.
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