Golden Gate Bridge parking at a glance
The bridge has a visitor lot at each end. At the south end, next to the Welcome Center, is the Southeast Lot. It is paid and limited to 3 hours in a row. At the north end is the Vista Point lot, also called the Northeast Lot. It is free for up to 4 hours and has toilets.
Both lots are small and fill up on sunny weekends. If you plan to walk across, parking at the south end is the usual start. If you plan to bike or want the views from the north side, the Vista Point lot is the easier stop. This site is an independent guide, so confirm the current rules on the signs at the lot.
The lots compared
Rates and limits as published for 2026. They can change, so check the posted signs.
| Lot | Side | Price | Time limit | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Center (Southeast Lot) | South end, San Francisco | $5 per hour | 3 hours in a row | Open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Pay at the machine or with Parkmobile. About 37 spaces in total. |
| Vista Point (Northeast Lot) | North end, Marin | Free | 4 hours | Toilets on site. Direct exit from US 101 northbound just after the bridge. |
| Southwest lot | South end | – | – | Only possibly available on weekends and holidays. Check the signs for the rate. |
| Battery Spencer and Hawk Hill | Marin Headlands | – | – | Roadside bays along Conzelman Road. Very busy on weekends. |
Payment at the Welcome Center is by machine or the Parkmobile app. With a 3-hour limit, plan your time before you park. The bridge is 2,737 m (1.7 miles) long, so a walk across and back is about 5.5 km (3.4 miles) before any stops.
Golden Gate Bridge tours without the parking search
Guided walks, bike rides, bus tours and bay cruises that start in the city, with live prices and availability.
Weekend and holiday closures
A seasonal rule that caught many visitors in 2026.
What the 2026 notice said
From Memorial Day weekend through October 12, 2026, the Welcome Center lot and the Vista Point lot were closed to private cars on weekends and holidays from 11 a.m. to about 5 p.m. This was a seasonal rule, not a year-round one.
What to do
Before a weekend or holiday visit, look for a current notice and read the signs at the lot. If the lots are closed to private cars, take the bus or park elsewhere in the city and ride in. Weekdays are the easier days.
Night work on the bridge
Since October 5, 2026, lane closures for earthquake retrofit work run at night, usually on weekdays from about 8 p.m. Traffic keeps moving in both directions, and at least one lane per direction stays open. Expect some delays.
Parking at Battery Spencer and Hawk Hill
The classic view from the north side has its own road and its own limits.
How to drive there
You cannot drive straight up Conzelman Road from US 101. Take the route through the Baker-Barry Tunnel, turn right on McCullough Road and follow it to the roundabout. Large parts of the road are one-way. Use only the marked parking bays.
How busy it gets
Both viewpoints are a short walk from the road, but parking is limited and weekends are very crowded. A weekday morning or a time outside the peak hours is easier. Check the signs for any fee.
After dark
The stretch of Conzelman Road west of the McCullough roundabout to Field Road is closed to motor vehicles from one hour after sunset until 6 a.m. Do not plan a night drive there.
All viewpoints →Getting to the bridge without a car
Often the better choice on a busy day.
Muni bus 28
Route 28 runs from Daly City BART to Fisherman's Wharf and stops at Golden Gate Bridge/Parking Lot. It runs daily from about 5 a.m. to midnight. On weekdays buses mostly come every 12 minutes, on weekends every 15 minutes and late at night every 20. A single ride costs $2.85 with a card or phone and $3 in cash, valid for 120 minutes.
Golden Gate Transit
Lines 101 and 120 serve the bridge corridor, and the Toll Plaza is a transfer point. Line 120 replaced the old lines 130 and 150 on April 12, 2026. Schedules changed again in September 2026, so check the current timetable before you go.
Walk or bike
Crossing on foot or by bike is free. Read the sidewalk hours first.
Walking guide → Biking guide →Keep your car and belongings safe
A short, practical note.
Car break-ins are a known problem at tourist stops around San Francisco. Do not leave valuables in the car, and take your bags with you when you walk. If you drive a rental car across the bridge into the city, remember the southbound toll. We explain how to pay it on the toll page.
Golden Gate Bridge parking: frequently asked questions
Is parking at the Golden Gate Bridge free?
Not at the south end. The Welcome Center lot costs $5 per hour in 2026 with a limit of 3 hours in a row. The Vista Point lot at the north end is free for up to 4 hours.
How many spaces are there?
The Welcome Center lot has about 37 spaces in total, including some for buses and accessible spaces. That is small for a landmark of this size, so arrive early on good-weather days.
How do I pay for parking?
At the Welcome Center lot you pay at the machine or with the Parkmobile app. The Vista Point lot is free, so there is nothing to pay.
Can I park here on a holiday weekend?
In 2026 the two main lots were closed to private cars on weekends and holidays from 11 a.m. to about 5 p.m. until October 12. Check for a current notice and the posted signs before you drive out.
Where do I park for the best view from the north?
Use the marked bays along Conzelman Road for Battery Spencer and Hawk Hill. Reach them through the Baker-Barry Tunnel and McCullough Road, not directly from US 101.