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This classic post-card-style image (clear sky, high sun, rather boring lighting) is the view that most visitors to the Golden Gate Bridge see. It is actually fairly difficult to get the signs and railings out of the image. Walk toward the bay from the historic "Roundhouse" gift shop building and scout around until you can frame the bridge without distracting elements. Plant arrangements and sign locations vary from year to year, so some experimentation may be needed.

Access

From San Francisco, take the last San Francisco northbound exit off Highway 101, just before the bridge. The exit sign reads "Golden Gate National Recreation Area View Area". At the stop sign turn left into the southeast parking lot. Parking will cost you 25 cents for 15 minutes and is enforced vigilantly. A free parking lot is a few (5 or less) minutes walk away. Reach it by turning right rather than left at the stop sign mentioned above, onto Vista Access Road. After 0.1 miles turn left on Lincoln Blvd. A dirt parking lot is one your left after 0.1 miles. A paved trail leads from this lot back to the Golden Gate Bridge Visitors Center.

Traveling southbound, proceed through the far right toll lane #1 (west side). Take an immediate right exiting Highway 101. Make another immediate right at the stop sign, onto a road that passes beneath the freeway. This leads to a metered-parking lot on the bay side of the south end of the bridge.

You can also get from San Francisco to the Golden Gate Bridge using the following Golden Gate Transit routes: 10, 60, 70 or 80. To use SF MUNI from Downtown or Fisherman's Wharf, take the 30 bus and transfer to 28 at Laguna & Chestnut. You can call 511 and say "Golden Gate Transit" to find the closest bus stop to your location.