Walking the Golden Gate Bridge
Pedestrians use the east sidewalk, the side that faces the bay. It costs nothing and is open to wheelchairs and other mobility aids. The gates are automatic. The bridge is 2,737 m (1.7 miles) long including the approaches, or 2,788 m if you count the way to the toll plaza.
Going across and back is roughly twice that, about 5,474 m, before any extra steps at the bridge ends. Leave room for photo stops. This is an independent guide, not the website of the bridge district.
Sidewalk hours
Published hours for 2026. They can change.
| Season | Pedestrians | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Standard time | 5 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. | East sidewalk only |
| Daylight saving time | 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. | East sidewalk only |
Construction can close the sidewalk earlier. The district also warns that one side may close as early as 8 p.m. in summer, with at least one cycling side kept open. Nothing guarantees that a given side is open on your day, so check the current status before you go.
Guided walks and tours of the Golden Gate Bridge
Guided walks, bike tours and sightseeing trips that include the bridge, with live prices and availability.
Rules on the sidewalk
What is not allowed, and who has priority.
Sharing with bikes
Cyclists share the east sidewalk at certain times and must give way to pedestrians. They may ride at most 15 mph, and 5 mph at the towers. The biking page has the schedule.
Banned on the sidewalks
E-scooters, skateboards, roller skates, rollerblades and hand carts are not allowed. Pets are not allowed either; assistance animals are an exception.
No drones
Drones are banned over and near the bridge and on district land.
Getting to the start
Most visitors start at the south end, near the Welcome Center.
The Welcome Center
It has history displays, exhibits on the plaza and a shop. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and holiday hours can differ. These are shop hours, not sidewalk hours.
Muni bus 28
It stops at Golden Gate Bridge/Parking Lot and runs between Daly City BART and Fisherman's Wharf, daily 5 a.m. to midnight. An adult fare is $2.85 electronic or $3 cash, valid for 120 minutes.
Golden Gate Transit
Route 120 has replaced routes 130 and 150 since 12 April 2026. The toll plaza is a transfer point.
Parking
The Welcome Center lot costs $5 per hour, up to 3 hours in a row, daily 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Do not leave valuables in the car. More on the parking page.
Near the south end
Two stops that fit a walk.
Fort Point sits at the south anchor of the bridge, at the end of Marine Drive. Entry is free. The outdoor areas are open every day, while the building has set opening days that have changed between sources, so confirm them before you go. Pets are not allowed in the fort. More views along the bay are on the pages below.
Choosing a day and time
What changes the walk.
Fog
Coastal fog often dominates from July. Clearer, sunny conditions are common from mid or late September into October. That is a general pattern, not a promise of a view on your day.
Fog and best time →Long summer evenings
Daylight saving time extends the sidewalk hours to 9 p.m., but one side can close earlier, so do not plan your last hour around it.
Night work on the roadway
Since 5 October 2026, seismic retrofit work closes roadway lanes at night on weekdays from about 8 p.m. Traffic in both directions stays open. This concerns the lanes, so check the current status for the sidewalk.
Holidays
The Welcome Center shop can have different hours on holidays. The sidewalk follows its own schedule.
Walking the Golden Gate Bridge: frequently asked questions
Can I walk on both sidewalks?
No. Pedestrians use the east sidewalk only. The west side is for cyclists, and its hours are on the biking page.
How long does it take to walk across?
No official time is published. The bridge is 2,737 m long, and a round trip is about 5,474 m. Add time for photos and for the walk to and from your parking or bus stop.
When is the sidewalk open?
From 5 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in standard time and from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. in daylight saving time. Construction can close it earlier.
Can I bring my dog?
No. Pets are not allowed on the sidewalks. Assistance animals are an exception.
Is the walk wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The east sidewalk is open to wheelchairs and other mobility aids, and it is free. Some viewpoints elsewhere have steeper paths, so read the details on the viewpoints page.