The Golden Gate strait presented engineering nightmares. Depths reached 100 feet; tower foundations would require underwater construction in conditions no bridge had faced. Tidal currents swept through at 7+ knots, dragging anything not firmly anchored toward the Pacific. Winds exceeded hurricane force during storms. Fog reduced visibility to near zero for days at a time. The San Andreas Fault runs nearby; the 1906 earthquake had devastated San Francisco. The strait's width - over 4,200 feet - exceeded any existing suspension bridge. Every factor argued against construction. Joseph Strauss argued back.

Construction began in 1933 and lasted four years. The south tower, built on bedrock near the San Francisco shore, was relatively straightforward. The north tower required construction in open water, behind a protective cofferdam battered by waves and currents. The suspension cables - each containing 27,572 individual wires - were spun in place by machines traveling back and forth across the strait. The roadway was suspended from the cables in sections. Safety innovations included hard hats, on-site first aid, and the safety net beneath the work deck that would save 19 men from fatal falls. The project cost $35 million and came in under budget.

The safety net was unprecedented - previous bridge projects considered worker deaths an acceptable cost. Strauss's net saved 19 lives; those workers became members of the 'Halfway to Hell Club.' But on February 17, 1937, a scaffold fell through the net, killing 10 men. Another worker had died earlier in construction. The 11 deaths, while tragic, represented the safest major bridge project to date - comparable projects had killed 50+ workers. The safety improvements pioneered at Golden Gate became industry standard. The deaths that occurred still haunt; the lives saved by innovation are harder to count.

The bridge opened on May 27, 1937, to pedestrians; vehicles followed the next day. The International Orange color, chosen for visibility in fog and aesthetic appeal, became instantly famous. The Art Deco towers, the graceful suspension curves, the setting between bay and ocean combined to create what many consider the world's most beautiful bridge. The Golden Gate became San Francisco's symbol, appearing in countless films, photographs, and advertisements. The bridge that engineers said couldn't be built became the image that defined a city.

The Golden Gate Bridge connects San Francisco to Marin County via US-101. The pedestrian walkway is open during daylight hours; bicyclists have access on both sidewalks at various times. Toll is collected southbound only (electronic or cash). The best views are from Battery Spencer (north), Fort Point (south), or the Marin Headlands. Fog is common - the bridge may be invisible even when you're standing on it. The welcome center at the south end offers exhibits and souvenirs. Parking is limited on both sides; public transit reaches the bridge from San Francisco. The walk across takes roughly 30 minutes each way. Bring layers - the wind is always stronger than expected.