12 Golden Gate Bridge Viewpoints: The Best Spots to See the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco (+ map!)

Golden Gate Bridge Viewpoints South of the Bridge

First, let’s start with viewpoints on the south side of the Golden Gate Bridge, aka the same side the city of San Francisco is on.

What’s great about so many of these is that you can walk from one point to the next! When we did this loop, we took a Waymo to the Presidio and then walked to most of these.

On the side of the Golden Gate Bridge with the city of San Francisco, most of your best viewpoints are going to be in and around The Presidio.

The Presidio is a national park site that was once the land of the Yelamu and then became a military outpost for multiple countries. Today, there is lots you can do here, like hiking the trails, visiting the Walt Disney Family Museum, and going to the beach. And I think The Presidio is also the best jumping off point for lots of views for the Bridge.

From the Tunnel Tops behind the Presidio Visitor Center, you can get some great views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Then keep walking down to each of the stops listed below (through Postcard Viewpoint…you’ll want to take a car to Baker Beach unless you’re up for a longer hike).

Crissy Field

Crissy Field is another great place to see the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s a large field that was once a military airfield and now is a popular place for walking and biking. We walked from the Presidio Tunnel Tops down to Crissy Field and it took about 10 minutes, then about another 10 minutes to reach Torpedo Wharf.

And there are of course amazing views of the Bridge throughout the whole walk! You can walk behind the beach on the San Francisco Bay Trail, or venture down to the beach itself.

Torpedo Wharf

At the end of Crissy Field, you’ll reach a National Parks store along with some restrooms. And right across from this is Torpedo Wharf.

Torpedo Wharf is a long pier that you can walk out onto it for some even closer views of the Golden Gate Bridge. People also love to fish here!

Fort Point View Point

From behind the restrooms near Torpedo Wharf, there are some stairs and a short uphill trail that will eventually take you to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center.

The total trail is just about 1/2-mile and takes about 10 minutes (remember, it is uphill!). But one of my favorite views of the Bridge is along the way at Fort Point View Point. I love how you can tell you are getting closer, and how at spots on the trail the Bridge just peaks through the trees!

Golden Gate Bridge Viewpoints North of the Bridge

Now let’s talk about viewpoints on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge, in and around Sausalito. To get to these, you’ll need to have a car of your own.

Vista Point

When you cross the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, Vista Point is the first stop you’ll come to and it’s a spot where many people stop to see it.

One great thing about this view is that we were looking directly down the bridge, so we could see all the traffic going across it!

Fort Baker

I’ll be honest: Fort Baker was probably my least favorite spot for viewing the Golden Gate Bridge. BUT I’ll go ahead and include it on this list because it’s a spot many people like.

To get here is about a 10 minute drive from Vista Point, mostly down to the bottom of the hill.

You’ll want to go down to the parking lot of the Bay Area Discovery Museum, where you can see the Bridge looking up and a bit at distance.

Golden Gate Observation Deck

On the Northwest side of the Bridge, there are several spots you can stop to see the Bridge. First, you’ll want to go up Conzelman Road, which is just a one way road closest to the Bridge.

While there are some parking spots along the road when you first start driving, the first real stop you’ll get to is the Golden Gate Observation Deck. This is a good spot to stop, but for the best views you’ll want to keep driving.

Golden Gate View Point

Keeping driving and you’ll get to Golden Gate View Point. This is a better view than Golden Gate Observation Deck and it’s worth stopping if you can. However, the view is a tiny bit blocked by a hill.

There are also only 7 parking spaces too, so it can get tricky.

(My favorite view is next though!)

Battery Spencer

Continuing on Conzelman Road, you’ll find Battery Spencer. This was my FAVORITE spot for seeing the Bridge!

Pro Tip: Get here EARLY! Parking is scarce and everyone wants a spot!

When you first park, you’ll just see the tops of the Bridge peeking over a small hill. But when you walk down up the ridge, you’ll come to the actual Battery Spencer where the Bridge is SO close! It really felt like we were almost on top of it!

I think this is the BEST place to see the Golden Gate Bridge!

Hawk Hill

To get to Hawk Hill you’ll have to keep going on Conzelman Road, then circle back around under the bridge and come back. When you get to the roundabout, go the OTHER way on Conzelman Road and you’ll reach Hawk Hill.

This view is further away than the others, but it almost gives you a birds-eye view of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco beyond it.

You can see the Bridge from the parking lot, or you can take the short uphill trail across the road up Hawk Hill to Battery 129 for more views.

While parking is limited, there is more parking here than there is at Battery Spencer, so I’d save this stop for last even though it makes the driving time a bit more.

Map of Where to See the Golden Gate Bridge

Here’s a map of the stops for seeing the Golden Gate Bridge listed above!

Best Times to See the Golden Gate Bridge

San Francisco is notorious for it’s finnicky weather, and if you look at the photos above you can see that we lucked out with EXCELLENT weather in San Francisco. Almost the whole time we were there in late July, it was sunny and somewhat warm-ish.

Here’s my best advice for timing your views of the Golden Gate Bridge:

• If you’re still planning your trip, know that late summer and early fall are your best chances for the best weather.
• Keep an eye on the weather while you are there, and if a day looks like it’s going to be clear, you may want to switch your plans up to go see the Bridge!
• If you wake up to a foggy marine layer over the city, know that it sometimes clears out mid-day (but may come back for evening.)

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