Bay Bridge, Oakland Travel Guide

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Experience the grandeur of the Bay Bridge, a vital link between San Francisco and Oakland with stunning views and rich history.

The Bay Bridge, officially the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, is a complex of bridges spanning the San Francisco Bay, linking San Francisco to Oakland. Opened in 1936, it's a vital transportation artery and an iconic landmark, carrying approximately 260,000 vehicles daily.

A brief summary to Bay Bridge

San Francisco, Rincon Hill, California, 94111, US
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From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Bay Bridge.

Visit during off-peak hours to avoid heavy traffic and enjoy a smoother crossing.
Take advantage of the Bay Bridge Trail, a 2.2-mile path for pedestrians and cyclists to access Treasure Island.
For the best views, consider stopping at Treasure Island or Yerba Buena Island.
Check the Bay Bridge website for information on special events, guided tours, and potential closures.

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Explore Bay Bridge on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Bay Bridge, mapped for you.

Getting There

Driving

If you're driving from San Francisco, take I-80 East towards Oakland. Tolls are collected in the westbound direction (towards San Francisco). As of July 2025, the toll for solo drivers is $8. Carpools (3+ people) pay $4 during carpool hours (weekdays 5 AM - 10 AM and 3 PM - 7 PM). Make sure you have a FasTrak account or be prepared for toll-by-plate. From Oakland, take I-80 West towards San Francisco. Be prepared for heavy traffic during peak hours. Parking near the bridge in San Francisco can be challenging and expensive. Consider using public transportation.
Public Transport

To reach the Bay Bridge from San Francisco via public transport, several options are available. BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) trains connect to stations near the bridge in both San Francisco and Oakland. AC Transit buses also provide service to the area. From the Transbay Terminal in San Francisco, several bus lines will get you close to the bridge. A single ride on BART within San Francisco costs between $2.10 and $4.05, depending on the distance. AC Transit bus fare is $2.50. From Oakland, you can take BART or AC Transit to reach the bridge. The Bay Bridge Trail can be accessed from the MacArthur BART station via bike, riding west on 40th Street, which turns into Shellmound Street. The trailhead is across from IKEA.
Walking

While you can't walk the entire Bay Bridge, you can access the Bay Bridge Trail from Oakland, which leads to Treasure Island. To get to the trailhead, take AC Transit Transbay NL bus and get off at Maritime Street. The trailhead is at 210 Burma Road, approximately half a mile west of the intersection of Maritime Street and Burma Road. Limited five-hour parking is available at the Bay Bridge Trail parking lot at the Bridge Yard building at 210 Burma Road. The Bay Bridge Trail is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from the trailhead on Shellmound Street in Emeryville to the Caltrans Bridge Yard building at 210 Burma Road, Oakland.

Discover more about Bay Bridge

The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge is more than just a way to get from San Francisco to Oakland; it's a symbol of engineering ingenuity and a testament to the spirit of the Bay Area. Often overshadowed by its more famous neighbor, the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge boasts its own unique history and charm.Conceived as early as the Gold Rush days, construction finally began in 1933 and opened in 1936. The bridge is actually a complex system of different bridge types, including a suspension bridge, a cantilever bridge, and a tunnel through Yerba Buena Island. This design was necessary to overcome the challenges of the bay's depth and geology. The bridge was designed by Charles H. Purcell and built by the American Bridge Company.The bridge's original design accommodated both automobile and train traffic, with trains using the lower deck. As automobile use increased, the lower deck was converted to all-road traffic in 1958. The eastern span of the bridge was damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and was replaced with a new, seismically safer span that opened in 2013.Today, the Bay Bridge continues to play a vital role in the Bay Area's transportation network. It also offers stunning views of the San Francisco skyline, Treasure Island, and the surrounding bay. For cyclists and pedestrians, a 2.2-mile path to Treasure Island opened in 2016, providing a unique way to experience the bridge and its surroundings.