Background

Bay Bridge: San Francisco-Oakland Connector

4.7 (902)

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

Eve
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.

Do you manage this location?

Take control to get all the benefits, like improved information, better appearance, and stronger visibility across AI-powered discovery. Learn more

Activate your presence

Unlock the Best of Bay Bridge

Buy tickets

    No tickets available

Book tours with entry

    No tours available

Book tours without entry

    No tours available

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.

Explore the best of what Bay Bridge has to offer

Mobile App

Your all‑in‑one travel companion app

Explore expert travel guides, compare and book tours, experiences, hotels, and more—all from the palm of your hand. Download now for seamless trip planning wherever your wanderlust takes you.



More about Oakland

File:Lake Merritt, Oakland CA - panoramio.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Discover Oakland, California: A dynamic city with a rich cultural tapestry, stunning waterfront, vibrant neighborhoods, and lush parks. Your perfect Bay Area getaway awaits.

Tell me more about Oakland

Select Currency