Golden Golden Gate

The Golden Gate is the straight that connects San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean. It is defined by the headlands of the San Francisco Peninsula and the Marin Peninsula, often referred to as the Marin Headlands. Since 1937, has been spanned by the Golden Gate Bridge.

Until the 1840s, the strait was called the "Boca del Puerto de San Francisco" ("Mouth of the Port of San Francisco"). On 1 July 1846, the entrance acquired a new name. In his memoirs, John C Fremont wrote, "To this Gate I gave the name of "Chrysopylae", or "Golden Gate."

The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate straight. As part of both US Highway 101 and California Route 1, it connects the city of San Francisco on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula to Marin County.

The Golden Gate Bridge was the longest suspension bridge span in the world when completed in 1937, and is an internationally recognized symbol of San Francisco. Since its completion, the span length has been surpassed by eight other bridges. It remains the second longest suspension bridge main span in the United States, after the Verranzano-Narrows Bridge in NYC.

Looking at these pictures one might ponder if the name Golden Gate might have another meaning.

See larger and high resolution photographs HERE.