roadtripper

I will be driving into San Fran tonight from San Jose (I'm here on biz). Where's the best place to get a shot of the famous bridge?

kam

Good question! Only photos I've ever taken of it were from a ferry or if you drive over there's a scenic lookout just to the right when you leave the bridge.

John

From the city, Fort Point is the best view IMO, exit just before the toll plaza and follow the signs. Plus, Fort Point is fascinating itself, if you're not familiar with it already.

From Marin, cross the bridge and take the Sausalito exit, then use your good judgement and double back under the freeway and up onto the hills to the NW of the bridge approach. I don't know the road names, but keep trying and you'll get there. That's the spot where various commercials and postcards are shot.

Ted

Marin Highlands. Incredible view of the entire bridge with the city in the background. As you cross the bridge from the city, take one of your very first exits to the left, going back almost 180 degrees up the hill. Keep going. The higher you go the better the view.

hehe

In any souvenir store I guess Or even in a pharmacy!

Grasshopper

For a neat perspective, take one from the golf course coming down the hill towards the bridge from the Palace of Legion of Honor.

Mike

Beware that you frequently can't even see the bridge through the fog so don't wait until the last day of your trip to try this and end up very disappointed.

Joe

View from Marin Headlands looking back toward the City would the number one shot. As you cross the bridge, take the Sausalito Exit right and then (a short distance down) take the first left toward the Coast. This area is a good trip for the City, Bay and Ocean views in addition to the Golden Gate.
Second choice (particularly if you don't want to make the Marin Headlands trip) would be from just below the Palace of the Legion of Honor. It is a great walk with awsome views of the Bay, the Bridge, Marin Headlands across the Bay (note the lighthouse on the rocks below) and of course the Bridge from the outer bay side.
Ft. Point while interesting with great views of the Bay, would have you looking straight up at the Bridge. Again, this is very interesting, but not the most "poetic" view. It is very easy to come down from the Palace of the Legion of Honor, through Sea Cliff (coastside mansions) and into The Presidio to Ft. Point. So, you could easily do both and get both perspectives and all the views. A beautiful area of The City, you will see why this is one of the most appealing bays in the World.