Life With Experiences

Down in the city by the bay, within the lush green hills, an International orange suspension bridge stretches over a kilometre across deep, blue currents that rush in the Golden Strait.

You can’t say that you’ve seen the Golden Gate Bridge if you were looking from Fisherman’s Wharf or Alcatraz Island. You may have seen it in the distance, but you have not witnessed the beauty of this man-made structure that has captured the dreams of travellers all over the world. Previously the longest suspension bridge in the world, the Golden Gate Bridge must be walked to truly absorb the breathtaking experience that San Francisco has to offer.

Stepping off the MUNI bus as a tourist in San Francisco, you feel so submerged in American culture, and at the same time, wonderstruck by the bridge peering between the bushes. From the ground, it looks surreal, as if a paper backdrop has been hung behind your head as you pose for a picture. Around you, tourists natter in foreign languages and scurry towards the welcoming stairs to start their journey across the most photographed bridge in the world.

After the obligatory pictures have been snapped, the view seeps into your vision, the contrasting colours spattering across your mind as you stare, starry eyed to the walk in front of you.

As you step onto the bridge, the wind whips at your hair, blowing it around your face, while cars whiz past on daily transits, commuters oblivious to your fascination around this dazzling landmark. Dedicated joggers stride around you and bike riders calmly ring their bell as you continuously stop and stare above at the orange, steel cables that harness the towers over two hundred metres beyond your head.

Looking out to your right, a spectacular view of the city, Alcatraz Island and houses hidden in the hills. Boats sit on the surface of the water below, so blue it blends to the sky. As you walk further along the bridge, other tourists have already started to turn back before the half way point, but you’re here to experience one of the most beautiful bridges in the world, from start to finish.

After making your way back across the incredible, steel structure, having walked more than two kilometres, it’s only right to head up to Ghirardelli Square for a hot fudge sundae, the Golden Gate Bridge your view from the hill, reflecting on the amazing experience you had just by walking across a bridge.