San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge - part 1.

One of the better way to admire the beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge is to take the Bay Cruise. Pictures were taken during the cruise ride.

As you can tell, it was a rather gloomy day. Nonetheless, that would not be a reason to set everyone back. You gotta do, what you gotta do. To tour around, regardless of the weather, that was.

It was very windy indeed.

Tourists from various countries. On the cruise, you could hear people speaking English with all sorts of accents. It is clear that San Francisco is one of the most visited city in US.

Before its completion in 1937, the bridge was considered unbuildable because of foggy weather, 60-mile-per-hour winds and strong ocean currents sweeping through a deep rugged canyon below.

The color of the bridge, known as International Orange, was chosen because it blends well with the bridge's natural surroundings, as well as its visibility in the fog.

Why the name 'Golden Gate'? That's because the Golden Gate Strait is the entrance to the San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean. The strait is approximately three-miles long by one-mile wide with currents ranging from 4.5 to 7.5 knots. It is generally accepted that the strait was named "Chrysopylae", or Golden Gate, by John C. Fremont, Captain, topographical Engineers of the U.S. Army circa 1846. It reminded him of a harbor in Instanbul named Chrysoceras or Golden Horn. (information taken from the internet)

The Golden Gate Bridge opened to vehicular traffic on May 28, 1937. Pedestrian Day was held on May 27, 1937.

Painting the Golden Gate Bridge is an ongoing task and the primary maintenance job. The paint protects the Bridge from the high salt content in the air which rusts and corrodes the steel components.