Golden Gate Bridge Diamond Jubilee

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One of the world most famous bridge turned 75 in May 2012. Here are some interesting facts about the Golden Gate Bridge, SF number one landmark. 

 

 

 

Its color and its Art Deco design 

 

The bridge is famous for its specific orange vermilion color called international orange.

Irving Morrow selected this color because he thought it would blend perfectly with the beautiful and warm scenery of the Bay.

Here's the secret potion for this color : 0% cyan, 69% magenta, 100% yellow and 6% black.

If you're crazy about it and want that specific color, go to your favorite paint store and ask for it ! Cole Hardware is one of the shops where you can get it.  

 

If you're a nostalgic of the Gatsby era or love buildings from the 20's to 40's with straight lines and stylized flowers or women, you may be an Art Deco fan !

If you want to know more about Art Deco in San Francisco and the Bay area, find out more with the Art Deco Society of California. They organize all sorts of events to promote and revive the Art Deco era. For instance, they have walking tours in San Francisco (Marina district, downtown, Pacific Heights, South of Market), Berkeley, Oakland, Alameda... 

Check out days and times in their calendar 

 

 

Explore the Golden Gate Bridge

 

Take your bicycle and bike on the bridge to Sausalito and get back to San Francisco on the ferry ! Unforgettable!

Many more activities are possible : walking, windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking, and even flying aboard a helicopter !

 

 

Take memorable pictures of Golden Gate Bridge

 

Take pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge from the best spots.

Here are a few spots for memorable pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge :

Hyde street Pier, SF

Crissy Fields, SF

Fort Point, SF

Fort Baker, SF

Marin Headlands

and … from the Bridge, of course !

If you need some inspiration, get a copy of this book : « 100 Views of the Golden Gate » from Harold Davis, you will get 100 varied views of the Bridge at different times of the day and at night, from many view points.

 

Want your sunset pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge from the Bay Area, Berkeley, Oakland and San Francisco? Check out the spots for sundial alignment upon the days from this website.  

 

 

Find out more about the Golden Gate Bridge

 

SF City Guides offer every Thursday and Sunday at 11 am a free walking tour on the Golden Gate Bridge. The guides are very knowledgeable and passionate!

Click here to check their calendar.

 

Other tours are available of course, this one is our favorite as it's the most informative one (and free!).

 

Books : there's a very good selection of books related to the bridge at the De Young Museum

DVD « Golden Gate Bridge » from The History Channel

 

 

Are you kidding?

I can have a piece of bridge at home

Many gift shops offer a large variety of Golden Gate Bridge souvenirs made in China. We've found a very special kind of souvenir made in San Francisco.

A local designer has recycled the pedestrian handrail into furniture ! Check out  on the website here...