Golden Gate Bridge Question
 

Hello Again!
It's been a while but the big trip to CA begins on Wed in SF and continues down the Coast. I'm just going over details and come to you all once again for help. On Wed we arrive in OAK and pick up van for all 10 of us (two families and grandma). I wanted to walk part way across the Golden Gate Bridge and know I can park the van at Vista Point(?) somewhere. I'm not sure of the driving directions from OAK to this parking area. Can someone help me as the map isn't too clear on this. Also, should I then go to Golden Gate Park? Would the kids get anything out of that? Directions from parking area to GG Park? Where do you park the car there? After that, we'll leave the van at the hotel, but thought it might be logical to use it while we're coming into town. Our hotel is in Fisherman's Wharf area. Thanks for any directions/feedback!

There is a vista point on both the San Francisco and the Marin side of the GG bridge. It's right off the freeway in both cases, you really can't miss it. I guess you'd have to go across the Bay Bridge into SF and then follow their directions to the GG Bridge but once you're on 101 you will see the vista points.

As far as GG Park, I always loved the Japanese Tea Gardens as a kid. Certainly if you're that close you should go into the park. If you go to the tea gardens you should actually have tea at the restaurant thing there.

nytraveler10, your route to the Bridge and the Park will be well signed. Out of OAK, follow the signs north to San Francisco and the Bay Bridge. On the Bay Bridge, you will see signs directing you to 101 North. Follow these, as 101 North will take you over the Golden Gate Bridge. Signs will direct you over another couple of streets as you are leaving the Bay Bridge, but for most of the way through town on 101, you will be on Van Ness Avenue and then on Lombard Street. (Say hello to Lombard Street, where I lived for a decade, for me.) Joust before the Bridge toll booths you will see signs for the Bridge viewing area which is also the parking area for the Bridge walkway.

Leaving the viewing area going South, you will almost immediately see signs for exits to Route 1, 19th Avenue. Take these, and for most of the way to the Park, you will be on a street called Park-Presidio Boulevard. Highway One crosses the Park and then continues on 19th Ave. south of the Park. Where you should turn when you hit the Park depends on where you want to go in it (it has many entrances off the various bordering streets) and what the current traffic regulations are, and once you have told us just where in the Park you want to go, I will let others who are current residents direct you to that location.

Monica - thanks for your feedback on the japanese gardens! Johncharles thanks for the detailed directions! I was worried about where to park in relation to toll booths so that your directions and info help a lot! I guess in the park, I'd like directions to the Japanese Tea Garden. Are there any other must see areas there that are currently open? Thanks so much for all your help!!! It is countdown time!

The Japanese Tea Gardens are beautiful. THis will not take too long to visit. you can walk through it in about 20 minutes or 1/2 hour if you are taking it slow. We simply parked along the road side. They were doing some consruction around the area when we were there in May, but we eventually located it.

Remember that if you go on a Sunday, the park will be closed to cars and you'll need to park outside of it.
Here's a map to help you:
http://www.sfgate.com/traveler/acrob.../ggparkmap.pdf

Hello, nytraveler!

johncharles has given you excellent directions for the San Francisco side of the vista point.

If you want to drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, here are the directions to the vista point on the Marin County side of the GG Bridge.

Once across the bridge, the very first exit will be to the Vista Point. It'll say "Vista Point". (Now, wasn't that easy? :) ) Gorgeous views of the entire Bay, plus downtown SF.

I'd recommend that, once you are done with the Vista Point, that you continue on to the SECOND exit on the Marin County side. It'll say "Alexander Valley" or "Alexander Road". Exit and follow the road as it curves UNDER the freeway. Once on the other side, the road will split, take the right lane labelled "Marin Headlands". Head uphill and at the top of the hill you will most likely see some cars parked on the dirt strip by the road. Park your van. Follow the path to the old gun batteries. The view of the GG Bridge and SF from here is breathtaking. You feel like you can reach out and just touch the bridge. Awesome!

Gong back to SF is easy from here. Just head back down the hill and at the stop sign, turn right. This will take you across the GG Bridge back to SF.

Back on the SF side, another favorite area of mine is from the Marina to Crissy Field and beyond. Maybe, if you have time, on another day, just drive to Crissy Field, park, and walk around UNDER the GG Bridge.

On the Japanese Gardens, yes, it is beautiful, but the charge is $3.50 per person. You could spend the money at the Japan Center on Geary Street. Try the gelato at Sophie's Corner. No gardens, tho, just lots of Japanese stores and stuff. (The gelato is Italian, no less! but delicious!) Just a suggestion.

Have fun! And welcome to California!

Thank you all!!! Looking forward to the trip. Hey Bardo are you the same Bardo who helped me with my DC trip in April? Did you check out my reference to you in my trip report? I will be writing a trip report after this California Coast Trip! Thank you all for your help...now it's time to pack!