Address
Bridge Pavillion, San Francisco, Ca. 94129
Phone Number
(415) 426 - 5220
Date Visited
03/06/2015
Website
Golden Gate Bridge
Description
The Golden Gate Bridge is located in San Francisco, California. A small metered parking area, with a row of handicapped spaces is near the Visitor Center. When busy, a larger parking area, a bit farther away is opened.The Visitor Center has street level, automatic doors.Multi-stall restrooms, with two large handicapped- accessible stalls, are located in a separate builing across the parking lot. Entry is easy as there are no doors to the building.
The Bridge Cafe is located in the Visitor area as well. Refrigerated cases with a variety of drinks and snacks, as well as packed snacks, coffee and tea, can be found here. There are beches in the Visitor area. There are no seats beyond the visitor area. The inclined walkway to the bridge is smooth concrete.
The weather can change instantly. Be prepared for changing weather as you walk.
Tours may be available on the day you are here. Check for website for details.
- Surface of lot: paved
Distance to venue: close
Terrain: visitor center area flat, hilly to bridge
Places to rest: benches only in visitor center area
Paths and walkways: concrete
Doors: automatic
Elevators: no
Ramps: no
Steps and staircases: no
Width of aisles: visitor center spacious
Places to sit: benches in visitor area
Location of restrooms: separate building
Type of restroom: multi-stall, handicapped-accessible
Ease of entry and exit: easy
Baby changing station: yes
Available food services: Bridge Cafe
Friendliness of staff: helpful and pleasant
Notes: * There is an entire row of handicapped parking spaces in the small parking area close to the visitor center. There are probably more handicapped spaces in the farther parking lot as well.
Although we had been to San Francisco several years before, we had never walked the Golden Gate Bridge. We finally got the opportunity on a perfect March day; no wind, lots of sun and temperatures in the mid 60s. We knew “the climate at the bridge is unpredictablen change suddenly. Foggy mornings can give way to sunny afternoons, which in turn can shift quickly back to more fog. Strong afternoon winds are common during every season…” (website) We decided to go for it! We took our layers of clothing, jackets with hoods and we were ready!
“Since it opened in 1937, this 1.7 miles suspension span…has become one of the most beloved bridges in the world A work of art, an engineering marvel, and an American icon…” (website)
We found a small parking area with a row of handicapped spaces near the Visitor Center. We were surprised at how small the area is. In speaking to a person in the Visitor Center ,we found out that there is a larger parking area a bit farther away which is opened at busier times.
Access to the Visitor Center was easy, with street level, automatic doors. Inside we found a tremendous amount of information about the bridge and lots of interesting “bridge stuff” to purchase.
Multi-stall restrooms, with two large handiapped stalls, are located in a separate building across the parking lot. Also in this area is a cute, Deco-style building called “The Bridge Cafe.” We expected to find a typical cafe, with seats. Instead we found refrigerated cases housing a variety of drinks and snacks. There was als lots of packaged snacks (candy, cookies, etc.), coffee and tea. This is probably the most expedient way to do things when crowds abound. We were lucky enough to be there on a fairly empty Friday morning.
As we wended our way up the inclined path to the bridge, and then on to it, we had to stop time after time to take in the magnificent views. The sky was blue, the sun was shining and every view was spectacular. Although there was no wind at the Visitor Center it increased substantially as we made our way up and across. Quite a difference from down below. We took our time getting to the center of the bridge, stopping often to take everything in. We couldn’t continue to the other side because our metered parking wouldn’t allow it. We decided that next time we would try to park at the Sausalito end and walk from there.
Take note: after leaving the Visitor Center area there are no benches for resting. If you can do the walk it is well worth it. This is an incredible destination!
The website says that there are tours available, though not on the day we were there. If you are interested in a tour you would be wise to call and check on dates and times.
As always, we at Destination Accessible advise you to check a venue’s website, www.goldengatebridge.org/visitors, when planning a visit, to “know before you go.”
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