12 Amazing Spots With A View Of The Golden Gate Bridge

Here’s your guide for how and where to enjoy the best views to the San Francisco iconic landmark- the Golden Gate Bridge.

1. GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE WELCOME CENTER

This is probably the most popular spot to observe the Golden Gate Bridge from. The Welcome Center is right next to the pedestrian entrance of the bridge and it’s a great place to take a few pictures before heading to the actual bridge. Even on the crowdest days you’re still going to find a great spot for your photos, without having dozens of people in the background.

There are so many viewpoints on your way to the Welcome Center and around it, that I’m sure you will take many photos before you actually reach the center. You can also get some merch from the center and find out some interesting history facts about the bridge.

How to get to Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center:

• Bus N28, Transit N101, N130

• Uber/Lyft

• Rent a bike

---

2. BATTERY SPENCER

My personal favorite place with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge! This spot gives you kind of an unreal and unique view, since you can really enjoy the bridge from a close point and see how enormous it actually is.

Battery Spencer is easy to reach and pretty spacious, so even if it’s packed you’ll still be able to enjoy the view and take good pictures. The spot is pretty windy (I feel like I’m saying this in every bullet 🙂 ), but try to take off hats and things that can be easily lost.

How to get to Battery Spences:

• You can take public transport to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center and walk the bridge, then hike up to Battery Spencer.

• If you don’t feel like walking- rent a bike and ride through the bridge! It’s one of the best things to do in San Francisco! Even if you’re not the most athletic person, I guarantee you’ll enjoy every moment of it. The incline of the road up to Battery Spencer is pretty high, so maybe get an electric bike.

• Reaching Battery Spencer by car is an option too. Even if you didn’t come or rent one, Uber and Lyft can drop you off there too.

---

3. SCENIC SPOTS ON CONZELMAN RD

This is probably the most scenic road you can observe the Golden Gate Bridge from. It’s on the Marin Headlands side and it has a few parking lots for you to pull over and enjoy the amazing view.

The best option to go is with a car, so you have the freedom to stop wherever you want. If you want to just get to one spot and check it out- get an Uber or Lyft. Consider also biking, but make sure you can handle the trip. I’m not the most active person and I get tired fast, so I only bike this road with an electric bike. Getting from home to the bridge is pretty easy, but the incline up to Battery Spencer, where the road starts, is exhausting.

If you decide to ride a bike there, please also note that the road down after Hawk Hill is super steep and going down must be extremely cautious. Control your breaks and keep in mind that electric bikes are heavier, so this will increase your speed. The important thing to know is that this road is a one way road and you won’t be able to go back the same way even if you want (which I highly doubt, considering the insane incline you would have to deal with on your way up). So you will have to bike around and get on another exhausting road.

---

4. VISTA POINT

Situated on the Marin Headlands side, Vista Point is an observing spot with a parking lot and a rest area. The place is also known for having the Lonely Sailor Statue- a monument built as a tribute to the marine corps.

How to get to Vista Point:

• Transit N130

• Rent a bike and ride through the bridge

• Uber/Lyft

---

5. THE COASTAL TRAIL / THE CYPRESS TREES OVERLOOK

Have you ever seen this cool picture with the Golden Gate Bridge between two cypress trees? Sometimes it’s hard for people who don’t live in the city to figure out where this spot is. It is actually a part of the Coastal Trail, which includes the Golden Gate Overlook and the Pacific Overlook. This area still has many batteries, remaining as a reminder of the city’s strategic importance back in the days.

Once you reach Langdon Court Parking Lot on Lincoln Boulevard you will see shortcuts to walk up. Keep going towards the ocean side and once you reach the battery, the trees will be on your right side. There’s a small concrete area with a few benches. This spot is usually busy and you’ll probably recognize you’re there from seeing photographers and different equipment.

How to get to the Coastal Trail:

• Take Bus N28, Transit N101, N130 to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center and walk under the bridge to reach the road to the Coastal Trail

• Uber/Lyft

---

6. MARSHALL’S BEACH

This beach is in my personal top 3 places with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge. A lot of people think that the only beach with this kind of view is Baker beach, but Marshall’s beach is actually a completely different place that is much closer to the bridge.

A short nice hike will take you there while you’re getting to enjoy the bridge all the way down. Sit on some of the benches and capture the Marin Headlands along with the bay in front of you.

Keep in mind that Marshall’s beach is much smaller and less narrow than Baker Beach, so depending on the weather the sand might be wet and not good to sit on. For a better view make sure you go all the way to the end of the beach, climb the rocks, and keep walking. You might get your feet wet and cold from the waves, but it’s going to be worth it! Heads up that the closest to the bridge part of the beach is often used for a nude beach.

Baker Beach and China Beach also have great views of the bridge, but from further away.

How to get to Marshall’s Beach:

• Bus N28, Transit N101, N130 to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center and walk under the bridge to reach the road to Marshall’s Beach

• Uber/Lyft

---

7. KIRBY COVE BEACH

Small and secluded, Kirby Cove Beach is a great hike that reveals another great view to the Golden Gate Bridge. The starting point to the beach is Golden Gate View Point, next to Battery Spencer. After about a mile-walk you will be welcomed by a small and green campground that leads to the rocky beach.

How to get to Kirby Cove Beach:

• You can take a public transport to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center and walk the bridge, then hike up to Battery Spencer and the start of the trail will be on the right side

• Transit N130

• Uber/Lyft

---

8. CRISSY FIELD

One of the most loved and preferred San Francisco beaches. With its amazing view to the Golden Gate Bridge and its fine sand, Crissy Field is a perfect place for a picnic, kiteboarding, jogging, and enjoying the Marin Headlands background, along with San Francisco‘s most iconic landmark.

How to get to Crissy Field:

• Take Bus N30, N45, N43

• Rent a bike

• Uber/Lyft

Bonus tip: from Crissy Field you can easily walk up to the newest San Francisco park- Presidio Tunnel Tops. It’s a 14-acre park with lawns, benches, gathering area, playground, and picnic tables. Nothing can beat the view to the Golden Gate Bridge! Here’s a little glimpse of it:

---

9. LANDS END

Lands End is one of my favorite hikes in the city. The trail is in Lincoln Park and provides an amazing view to the Golden Gate Bridge for most of the hike. Lands End is easy to walk, has a lot of shade and rest opportunities, and holds different hidden gems that travelers love!

On a sunny day you will be able to perfectly see the bridge and everything around it. If you get there on a foggy day though, you might not even know that there’s a bridge to look at. It will be all covered and gone.

How to get to Lands End:

• Bus N1, N38, N38R

• Rent a bike

• Uber/Lyft

---

10. FORT POINT

Fort Point is a seacoast fortification located next to the Golden Gate Bridge. Back in the days, Fort Point was a part of the defense system that was built to protect the San Francisco Bay. You can always take a look from outside, but if you want to get inside, note that it’s only open Thursday through Monday, between 10am and 5pm.

The fortification can easily be reached from Crissy Field, going all the way to the southern side of the bridge.

How to get to Fort Point:

• Take Bus N30, N43 then walking across Crissy Field until you reach the fortification

• Transit N101, N130 then walk down to Fort Point

• Rent a bike

• Uber/Lyft

---

11. CRUISE IN THE BAY

One of the best ways to see the Golden Gate Bridge is getting on a boat cruise and going around. It’s amazing to go under the bridge and to be able to take a look at the construction from down there. Keep in mind that no matter how sunny it is at the wharf where you’re going to depart from, being on the boat is going to be colder with every foot getting closer to the bridge. Cruises to the Golden Gate Bridge are known to be really cold and windy, no matter the temperature in the city. So make sure you get a thick jacket and be ready to go inside the boat anytime if it’s too cold 🙂

---

12. MOORE RD PIER

Moore Road Pier is a nice stop for cyclists on their way to Sausalito, coming from San Francisco. The pier gives you a great view to the bridge and it’s perfect for a short break before you continue your ride.

How to get to Moore Rd Pier:

• Transit N130 and then walk to the pier

• Rent a bike

• Uber/Lyft

***

The Golden Gate Bridge is not just the most iconic San Francisco landmark, but also one of the symbols of the United States. Whichever angle you’re observing it from- you will admire it at its maximum. If you want to discover more places with this spectacular view- walk around, get lost, and share with us!

Where is your favorite spot with a view to the Golden Gate Bridge? Is there a place we can add to this list? Let me know in the comments below!

This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission if you purchase, at no additional cost to you.