Lived in California my entire life and I still love seeing the Golden Gate Bridge. It is breathtaking and fun to walk or bike across.

Your only challenge is weather. The fog often completely engulfs the bridge. I have had the best weather in fall and winter (September-December).

The Bridge Coming from Sydney, another city where the bridge is a draw card, I was looking forward to seeing the Golden Gate Bridge in the flesh, or the steel as t were. We started to walk along the coast from Fisherman’s Wharf, a pathway that took us up steep hills, and along grey sandy ‘beaches’. When it became apparent that my boyfriend, Ben, thought we were walking all the way to the bridge (about 11 miles), and I thought we were just walking to where we could see it, we had a minor tetchy moment, and then hopped a cab.

This was of great relief to me, as I was fighting jet lag and the wind was doing my head (and eyes) in. The cab took us the eight miles remaining, and we were deposited at the lookout area. They have really spent some money here! I am sure at one time, this was just a semi-industrial lump of dirt that just happened to be under one of the world’s most famous bridges. Today it is a landscaped parkland with pathways and lookouts. The Bridge itself is stunning. It is long, proud and bright burnt orange. Yep, it deserves all the hype.

When people think of San Francisco, they occasionally think of cable cars and the Transamerican building and all that but they ALWAYS think of the Golden Gate Bridge(GGB). Face it - the GGB is the ICON of San Francisco. If you not been to the GGB before then you simply MUST see it. Better yet, get out of your car, walk the span of it or if you are feeling in shape run or rent bikes (you can get rentals at Fisherman's Wharf) and bike over the span of it. Trust me - you will want to do this . There is nothing quite like standing in the middle of the GGB and staring out into the bay, Alcatraz and the city. It is simultaneously humbling, awe-inspiring and peaceful. Once your done that, be sure to drive up to the north side of the bridge and check out the bridge from the outlook in all its Art Deco glory. (Personal story: The first time I ran across the GGB, I was so struck I had to and stop to call me then-girlfirend to tell her how amazing the view was and that it was too bad she wasn't there to share it. I ended up marrying that girl so don't be taken in by all the stories about suicides and tragedies - this momument inspires good things too!)

It's painted orange. The colour works with the scheme around the area. The painting crew starts at one end, paints over the entire bridge, and then starts again when they hit the other side at completion. This is an approximation of what I know.

It was at one point the number one suicide jumper site in North America. Second was Toronto's Own Don Valley Bridge, but in Toronto they put up barriers of heavy wire, strung vertically like piano wires. This seems to have helped the problem. I think...

Near Golden Gate Bridge is some type of special forest: seqoia trees I think. These are magnificent and should be seen as well.

Run to historical Haight Ashbury streets intersection and see the historical site of the hippie generations genesis, of drug addiction, and social programs.

Get over to the grounds of Berkley Campus, University of California. Great buildings, libraries, and an extensively developed landscape at one of the top-ranked universities in the world. JB

I still recall the first time I biked across Golden Gate bridge and feeling the wind zoom by me. All I can say is - holly cow IT'S WINDY. At times I felt like it could blow me away! Still, for active tourist, I'd highly recommend exploring this magnificant bridge by bike or on foot (free!). If you don't have time, at least drive across it when you visit SF. Trust me, it's well worth the $5 toll if you've never seen anything like it. Although GG can be viewed from various places in the city of San Francisco, I believe that you have to step your foot on the bridge to really appreciate it because views on the bridge and from both sides of Vista Point are breathtaking!