The bridge in key dates
Work on the bridge began in 1933 and the span opened to the public in 1937. Two of the dates below are easy to mix up, so they are listed apart: a ceremony in February 1933 and the official start of construction in January. The same goes for the opening, which had a pedestrian day first and traffic one day later.
This is an independent guide. It is not run by the bridge district, the park service or any museum, and it sums up published dates and figures as they stand in 2026.
Building the bridge, 1933 to 1937
What happened and in which order.
January 1933: construction starts
The official start of construction is 5 January 1933. A separate groundbreaking ceremony followed on 26 February 1933. If you see both dates quoted as the start, that is why.
The people behind the design
Joseph B. Strauss was the chief engineer. Charles A. Ellis did much of the calculation, the stress checks and the specifications. Leon Moisseiff was an important voice for the suspension design. The work is not the achievement of one person alone.
The color and the look
Irving Morrow was responsible for much of the aesthetic design and for choosing International Orange. The orange-red tone fits the landscape and makes the bridge easier for ships to see. The details are on the facts page.
People who worked on it
Eleven workers died during the original construction. A safety net hung under the work area and saved 19 men. That net was a construction measure and is not the barrier on the bridge today.
27 and 28 May 1937: opening
Pedestrians crossed first on 27 May 1937. Vehicles followed on 28 May 1937. Keep the two days apart if you read about the opening elsewhere.
Golden Gate Bridge tours and day trips
Guided walks, bike tours, bus tours and boat trips around the bridge, with live prices and availability.
Where to see the history today
The south end has the most to look at.
The Welcome Center at the southern visitor area has historical information, exhibits and a store, and there are outdoor exhibits on the plaza. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thanksgiving and Christmas Day may differ, so check before a holiday visit. These hours are separate from the walkway hours.
The east sidewalk is free for pedestrians. In standard time it is open from 5 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., in daylight saving time from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Building work can close it earlier. Details are in the walking guide. Parking at the Welcome Center is limited, see parking.
For the shape of the bridge from a distance, the viewpoints are the better choice. From the water, a bay cruise shows the structure from below.
Anniversaries and what comes next
Calendar dates only, no announced programs.
The pedestrian opening was on 27 May 1937. That makes 27 May 2027 the 90th anniversary, and 27 May 2037 the 100th. These are simple calendar counts. If you want to plan a visit around either date, look for current announcements closer to the time.
Maintenance never really stops on a bridge this size. Night lane closures for earthquake strengthening have been running since 5 October 2026, with at least one lane in each direction kept open. Walkway and bridge rules are listed on the walking and biking pages.
Common mix-ups, sorted out
Five points that often get blurred.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When did construction start? | Officially on 5 January 1933. The groundbreaking ceremony was on 26 February 1933. |
| When did the bridge open? | For pedestrians on 27 May 1937, for vehicles on 28 May 1937. |
| Who designed it? | Several people: Strauss, Ellis, Moisseiff and Morrow each had a role. |
| Where does the name come from? | From the strait. The color is International Orange. |
| Is the construction net the same as today's barrier? | No. The net of the 1930s was a construction measure. The barrier on the bridge today is separate and has been in place since 1 January 2024. |
If you read a figure that differs from the ones here, trust the dates that name the exact day and the source. Numbers such as length and height are on the facts page.
Continue with the bridge
Numbers, views and the walk across.
Golden Gate Bridge history: frequently asked questions
When was the Golden Gate Bridge built?
Construction officially began on 5 January 1933. The bridge opened to pedestrians on 27 May 1937 and to vehicles on 28 May 1937.
Who designed the Golden Gate Bridge?
Joseph B. Strauss was the chief engineer. Charles A. Ellis did key calculations and specifications, and Leon Moisseiff helped shape the suspension concept. Irving Morrow was behind the look of the bridge and the color.
How many workers died building it?
Eleven workers died during the original construction. A safety net used during the work saved 19 men.
Why is it called the Golden Gate?
The name refers to the strait that the bridge crosses, not to the color of the bridge. The color is International Orange.
Can I visit the history exhibits?
Yes. The Welcome Center at the south end has exhibits, historical information and a store, and the plaza has outdoor exhibits. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with possible changes around Thanksgiving and Christmas.