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Day One: Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street

Home » San Francisco » San Francisco-Vacations: A 1 to 3 Day Itinerary » Day One: Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street

Begin day one by taking in the Golden Gate Bridge. This year, 2006, signifies the 69th birthday of the most photographed bridge in the world. Spanning 4,200 feet and soaring as high as a 65-foot building, this infamous bridge is the gateway to San Francisco. Often half-veiled by the city’s legendary fog, this bridge attaches the City by the Bay with the Redwood Empire to the north. Completed in May 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge is a work of art and one of the 20th centuries most practical engineering feats.

Rent a bike and ride across it, feeling the cool breeze as you travel its course. Or, take it easy and simply walk across the bridge basking in its awe-inspiring beauty. Millions of pedestrians bike or walk across the bridge every year, staring up at the zooming red twin towers, gazing down into the stacks of oceangoing liners, or out at the breathtaking vistas. Make sure you bring appropriate clothing as it will be fairly cool. Afterwards, shop for souvenirs at the Gift Center.

At lunch, eat at the Bridge Café. If you drive your car, make sure you continue to Marin’s Vista Point, located at the bridge’s northern end. As you gaze back, you will take in one of the most spectacular views San Francisco has to offer.

In the afternoon, visit Lombard Street which is known as the “crookedest” street in the world. This street possesses incredible character with its steep hills and sharp curves along a one-way road boarded by grand Victorian mansions. Millions of tourists visit the road every year.

Next Page: Day Two: Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf

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