San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge

Why go

San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge is defined by the street pattern and public spaces of San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge. Another layer comes from architecture and daily movement across San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge. Plan San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge by remembering to set a compact boundary around San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge before walking.

What to look for

• Look closely at the street pattern and public spaces of San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge.
• Notice architecture and daily movement across San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge.

The full story

The San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge is a complex of bridges spanning San Francisco Bay in California. As part of Interstate 80 and the direct road between San Francisco and Oakland, it carries about 240,000 vehicles a day on its two decks. It has one of the longest spans in the United States. The toll bridge was conceived as early as the gold rush days, but construction did not begin until 1933. Designed by Charles H. Purcell, and built by American Bridge Company, it opened on November 12, 1936, six months before the Golden Gate Bridge. It originally carried automobile traffic on its upper deck, and trucks and trains on the lower, but after the Key System abandoned rail service, the lower deck was converted to all-road traffic as well. In 1986 the bridge was unofficially dedicated to James Rolph. Freeway ramps next to the tunnel provide access to Yerba Buena Island and Treasure Island. Because the toll plaza is on the Oakland side, the western span is a de facto non-tolled bridge; traffic between the island and the main part of San Francisco can freely cross back and forth. Those who only travel from Oakland to Yerba Buena Island, and not the entire length to the main part of San Francisco, must pay the full toll.

Useful to know

• For San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, set a compact boundary around San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge before walking.
• Pair San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge with a district beside San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge when the route and opening conditions align.

Your next visit

Estimated · Declared scenario and planning estimates; no live opening, weather, queue or booking service.