DISCOVER
THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

It ranks right up there with New York's Statue of Liberty and Paris' Eiffel Tower as an icon that's recognizable world-wide! Show a picture of the bridge to just about anyone and they'll be able to name it!

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Golden Gate Bridge
from Fort Mason

I remember having breakfast there on my way across the bridge to Marin County when I was a teenager!

You'll find some interesting items on sale at the Gift Center:

• Books about Golden Gate Bridge history
• A toddler's tee that says, "Golden Gate Bridge; Big, Strong & Awesome; just like my Dad"
• And for the true afficianado - you can purchase an authenticated, four-inch piece of the original steel cable that supported the bridge during its first 40 years!

Be sure to take a stroll through the renovated gardens too. The gardens are beautiful, and you'll get a different view of the bridge!

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• It's a suspension bridge, and from 1937 to 1964, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world.
• It was built under grueling conditions: strong, swirling, unpredictable currents; water that's 335 feet deep and 47F; dense fogs; 60 mile per hour winds.
• Designer Joseph Strauss was responsible for the innovative safety netting that was used beneath the construction.
• The 19 men saved by the netting called themselves the
  Halfway to Hell Club.
• Engineer Charles Ellis offered much theoretical and technical support for the building of the bridge, but was not officially recognized for his contributions until 2007.
• Not everything that's gold glitters. The color of the bridge is
  not gold - it's an orange vermillion known as International Orange. The color was chosen to compliment the natural surroundings yet provide high visibility to ships during debilitating fogs.
• The bridge has only been closed three times in hits history: all three were due to extremely high and dangerous winds.

It's no wonder the Golden Gate Bridge is such an iconic San
Francisco attraction, with its history and its unique qualities!

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