Golden Gate Bridge, walk or bike?
 

Going to San Francisco next week and have always wanted to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. Is is better to walk or bike?

Years ago - we loved riding our bikes over the Golden Gate Bridge - and have also jogged/walked it, and people still do that.

Wait for a clear day (hopefully you are there when the Marine Layer/aka Fog - takes a break and go for it.)

Some will say - it's scary, or too windy/chilly, etc (yes, do be prepared to layer up) - but we just loved it and what a view.

Bike... saves a lot of time for other things... after you get the initial rush and view, it can become a drag on your time...

We have never biked it, but have walked. We thought it was great and really enjoyed being able to stop frequently and look back at SF.

We are bringing our bikes with us when we visit in 2 weeks and will bike it, so we'll see what the difference is between the 2. Can't go wrong either way.

Walk. Bikes go on the west side and pedestrians on the east side.

The east side has the view of the city and the bay.

Ride your bike. In the mornings everybody uses the east side and has a view of the city and the bay. Not sure what time the changeover is, although I thought I saw a sign saying something like 3pm when I was there a few weeks ago.

Here's the info from the GGB website

http://goldengatebridge.org/bikesbridge/bikes.php

Sidewalk Hours = Daylight Time, May 23 - November 4, 2012
Weekdays, except Holidays
EAST sidewalk 5 am to 3:30 pm
WEST sidewalk 3:30 pm to 9 pm
EAST sidewalk 9 pm to 5 am, via remotely controlled security gates located at both ends of the EAST sidewalk. Cyclists press the "buzzer" located near the closed security gate. After security staff locates the cyclist on a security camera, the gate is opened remotely. Cyclists repeat this procedure to get through the security gate at the other end of the sidewalk.


Weekends & Holidays
WEST sidewalk 5 am to 9 pm
EAST sidewalk 9 pm to 5 am, using remotely controlled security gate system described above.

I loved the walk (toward the city) though we were there for 8 days and didn't feel rushed to check off things to see. I wonder if we would have taken as many photos on bike (?).

Do save it for a clear day either way.

Riding the Fire Truck across it always looked interesting to me. I think walking it would give you the best feel for it, just for the fact that you are going slower.

I think it was in the news about repair on the GG bridge - confirm before biking, I think it was about the bike side repairs.

The next time I go to SF, I plan to rent a bike and ride across the bridge and to Sausalito, and then take the ferry back. It looked like quite a few people do that. I wish I had had the time to do this last month when I was there.

I endorse walking. It gives you more time to take it in.

I also recommend taking in the view from Hawk Hill (I think it's called) on the Marin County side. There's a road that winds up the hill leading off to the west (left if you're going north) a short distance past the bridge. You can't see anything from the parking area; you have to walk through a World War II-era artillery emplacement and then there is this incredible view of the bridge below you and the city in the distance.

Travlsolo, I plan to do that, too, but haven't gotten around to it in my first 39 years in San Francisco :-)

There is still hope for ye sf7: :)

I've done both many times. If you walk, you will have time to absorb the view - as others have said. You can spend as much time as you like.

Thanks for all the replies!
I think we'll walk this first time and then spend some time in Sausalito and take the ferry back to SF.
When you finish the bridge, is there a bus to downtown Sausalito or is it close enough to walk?

If you plan to go on to Sausalito, you might be better off on a bike. From the north end of the bridge it is all downhill and a bit curvy. I can't remember the distance, but it is a fair clip.

From the north end of the bridge it's about 3miles into Sausalito. Very easy by bike as it's all downhill.

I rented a bike from blazing saddles last month and was very happy with their service.