Best places to view the Golden Gate Bridge + best times to view the Golden Gate

Today you will get the best locations to view the Golden Gate Bridge, learn about the best times to view the Golden Gate, find cool food and beverage spots around these locations, maps links, and a bonus!

Locations

Tourist Favorites

Some tourist favorite spots to view the Golden Gate Bridge and are budget friendly are going to be spots like:

  • H. Dana Bowers Rest Area which is located on the edge of the Golden Gate Bridge right outside Sausalito, just minutes from San Francisco. This spot is great if you are on the road and visiting multiple locations. you can park, use the bathroom, and look out at the bridge!

  • Crissy Field, a popular spot that includes a great area to walk, visitor center, bathrooms, beach, and more!

  • Battery Lancaster: This is a great spot even if you aren’t a tourist, it includes educational content, a great coffee spot, and walking/hiking trails!

Local Favorites

These local favorite spots are hidden gems and are great for viewing the Golden Gate Bridge if you have some time to spare!

  • The Wave Organ: This spot is really unique in that it is also a rock sculpture that provides great photo ops, views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco Bay. You will be right outside the Golden Gate Yacht Club and surrounded by yachts, sail, and other boats for your viewing pleasure!

  • Perles Beach and point knox on Angel Island: This little island provides great hiking, 360 views of the bay, and a great full view of the Golden Gate Bridge. you can take the Blue & Gold Ferry, from the Tiburon Ferry Terminal on the north side of the bridge out to the island

  • China Beach: this beach has a great walk up and down and, despite all the stairs, it is wheel chair accessable with a long ramp down to the main building and a ramp down to the beach from that. There is free parking, but spotty service, and only port-a-potties, but this spot is well worth it and one of my personal favorites to visit.

Close up views

If you want to get up close and personal with the bride, visit these cool spots

  • Fort Point National Historic Site

  • Lookout Cove and Fort Baker Pier

  • Hendrik Point

  • Walk the Golden Gate Bridge

Food and Beverage

If you are visiting San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bride, you will need a place to grab food and coffee, here are a few of my personal favorite spots in the area!

  • Equater Coffee at the round House Cafe

  • Cliff House

  • Cafe De Casa

  • Golden Link Concessionaire is great because it’s super convenient and in the epicenter of the Golden Gate Viewpoints!

When to visit for best conditions

Next
Next

Best Gallery and Booking Platform For Photographers