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Know before you go
Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Bay Bridge.
Local know-how to help you travel smarter and make the most of every moment.
San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge
Experience an iconic landmark: connecting San Francisco & Oakland with breathtaking views, rich history, and dazzling light displays.
The Bay Bridge, officially the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, is a complex of bridges spanning San Francisco Bay, connecting San Francisco and Oakland. Opened in 1936, it's a vital transportation artery and an iconic landmark, carrying approximately 260,000 vehicles per day.
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A brief summary to Bay Bridge
Opening times, essentials, and a few local tips gathered into one calmer, easier-to-scan planning section.
Plan your visit
San Francisco, Rincon Hill, California, 94111, US
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 Bay Area's spirit of innovation. Conceived as early as the Gold Rush days, construction began in 1933 and opened to traffic in November 1936, six months before the Golden Gate Bridge. Designed by Charles H. Purcell, the bridge was built by the American Bridge Company.
The Bay Bridge is actually two bridges connected by a tunnel through Yerba Buena Island. The western span is a suspension bridge, while the eastern span was originally a cantilever bridge. The original eastern span was damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and was replaced with a self-anchored suspension span, which opened in 2013. The bridge is approximately 5 miles (8 km) long. The tunnel through Yerba Buena Island is one of the largest diameter bore tunnels in the world.
For decades, the Bay Bridge carried both automobile and train traffic, with trains using the lower deck. However, after the Key System abandoned its rail service in 1958, the lower deck was converted to all-road traffic. Today, the bridge carries five lanes of traffic in each direction.
The bridge 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. At night, the Bay Lights, a stunning art installation by Leo Villareal, illuminates the bridge with 25,000 LED lights, creating a dazzling spectacle.
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Getting There
Public Transport
From San Francisco, several public transportation options can get you close to the Bay Bridge. BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) and AC Transit buses are convenient choices. Several bus lines, including the 12, 38R, F, NL, and W, stop near the Bay Bridge. From the East Bay, AC Transit provides direct service to San Francisco via the Transbay bus lines. A local ride on Transbay lines E, F, NL, O and 800 is permitted. Check AC Transit's website for schedules and routes. A single ride on AC Transit within San Francisco costs around $2.50. From Daly City Station, you can take the BART to Embarcadero station, then transfer to a tram to reach the waterfront near the bridge. Costs: * BART from Daly City to Embarcadero: ~$4-$6 * MUNI Tram: $2.50
Walking
If you are already near the Embarcadero in San Francisco, walking to a viewpoint of the Bay Bridge is a pleasant option. From the Ferry Building, head south along the Embarcadero. The walk to a good viewing point will take approximately 15-20 minutes. There are no specific costs involved.
Driving
If driving from San Francisco, take I-80 East towards Oakland. Be aware of tolls, which 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 5:00 am - 10:00 am and 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm). Parking near the bridge in San Francisco can be limited and expensive. Consider using public transportation or a parking app like SpotHero to find and reserve a spot. If you are starting near the Bay Bridge Inn in Oakland, note that the Inn does not offer on-site parking. Limited five-hour parking is available from dawn until dusk at the Bay Bridge Trail parking lot at the Bridge Yard building at 210 Burma Road, approximately half a mile west of the intersection of Maritime Street and Burma Road. Costs: * Toll: $8 (westbound) * Parking: Metered parking rates in San Francisco vary, but expect to pay $2-$4 per hour.
A brief summary to Bay Bridge
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