SAN FRANCISCO — To celebrate the Golden Gate Bridge’s 75th anniversary, guests are treated to an enhanced visitor experience through upgrades to the bridge’s welcome center, public tours and bridge signage. The improvements and facilities officially opened for the bridge’s estimated 10 million annual visitors on May 8.
“These visitor services improvements are unprecedented in the Golden Gate Bridge’s 75-year history,” said Greg Moore, president and CEO of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. “While the incredible views of the surrounding national parklands and the experience of walking, biking or driving across the bridge have always been the musts of any San Francisco visit, until now visitors did not get a chance to experience and connect with the historical, cultural and human context behind this incredible monument.”
Some of the new visitor experiences include:
1.) The new Bridge Pavilion sits on the renovated Bridge Plaza. The 3,500-square-foot eco-friendly building serves as a visitor orientation and welcome center. Guests can view rare bridge artifacts and other interpretive exhibits about the bridge.
2.) The Art Deco Round House finished its renovations as a starting point for new guided public tours of the bridge. Interested onlookers can schedule 45- or 60-minute guided bridge walking tours, including the first-ever night tours.
3.) The Bridge Photo Experience allows guests to virtually place their photo in front of dramatic bridge backdrops, such as the top of the bridge’s tower. Photos are purchased at the Round House.
4.) The Coastal and Bay trails running across the bridge received a face-lift for better bicycle access and interpretive signage to educate guests on the bridge and bridge’s surrounding parklands. The Golden Gate Overlook was also built along one of the Presidio Trails for sweeping views of the iconic landmark.
5.) The Bridge Café now offers a new locally sourced, healthy menu.
6.) The GoGGBridge app available for the iPhone and coming soon for Android devices, has maps, tips and fun facts for those interested in the bridge.
For more information about the Golden Gate Bridge’s improvement projects and anniversary events, visit www.goldengatebridge75.org.
