Pedestrian day
On May 27, 1937, a brand new bridge opened to the public for the first time. Connecting San Francisco to its northern neighbor, Marin County, the new bridge -- controversial at the time -- became one of the most photographed man-made projects in history. The Golden Gate Bridge is now a worldwide icon, and this Sunday, it turns 75.
Join CNET in celebrating this great bridge, and get a look at it from nearly every angle, as well as at some terrific historic photographs of its construction.
Workers on the main cable
In this 1936 photograph, Golden Gate Bridge construction workers toil away at one of the bridge's main cables, high above the bay below.
Sailboats under the construction
Today, anyone who looks out at the San Francisco Bay will see sailboats everywhere. That was no less true in 1937, when the Golden Gate Bridge was still being built.
Roadway construction
A look at the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge's roadway. The bridge opened on May 27, 1937, 75 years ago this Sunday.
Tower alone
Before there was even a roadway, the Golden Gate Bridge had towers. This is a look at the north tower of the bridge, with Marin County in the background, from 1935.
Painter
The Golden Gate Bridge has a famous red color, but that red doesn't last long, given the pounding it takes from wind, clouds, and fog. That means it must be painted almost constantly, and this worker, taking a pause from the job, is one of the heroes who braves the heights of the towers to keep it looking good.
Bridge from the zeppelin
A look at the Golden Gate Bridge from the cabin of the Airship Eureka as it flies slowly over the San Francisco Bay.
Golden Gate Bridge at night
It's a postcard view, famous to anyone who has visited San Francisco: The Golden Gate Bridge, lit up at night, delighting anyone who can see it.
Golden Gate Bridge at dusk
The Golden Gate Bridge at dusk, as seen from Fort Point, just southeast of the southern tower.
Worker on the west main cable
A group of Golden Gate Bridge workers descend the western main cable, with San Francisco in the background.
Looking down at the Golden Gate Bridge
A look down some of the Golden Gate Bridge's cables at the roadway far below.
Cargo ship and the Golden Gate Bridge
One of the busiest waterways in the world, the Golden Gate welcomes a steady stream of ships coming in to both the ports of San Francisco and Oakland. Here, a cargo ship is seen through the cables of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Iconic picture of the Golden Gate Bridge
If there is one image of the Golden Gate Bridge that most people know, it's probably taken from this spot, Battery Spencer, on the north side of the bridge.
Golden Gate Bridge traffic
With its great beauty, and the fact that it can be seen for miles, it's almost easy to forget that the Golden Gate Bridge is a major roadway. Here, we look down on traffic on the bridge.
Golden Gate Bridge in shadow
A look at the Golden Gate Bridge, seen in shadow, from Fort Baker, just north and east of the bridge.
Pilots and the Golden Gate Bridge
The pilots of the Airship Eureka look through their window at the Golden Gate Bridge as they fly slowly over the San Francisco Bay.
Golden Gate Bridge from the Presidio cliffs
A look at the Golden Gate Bridge, as seen from the cliffs of San Francisco's Presidio.
Golden Gate Bridge in heavy fog
Sometimes the fog is so heavy on the Golden Gate Bridge that the roadway just seems to disappear.
Golden Gate Bridge, lost in the fog
At dusk in heavy fog, the Golden Gate Bridge is almost a mirage. Foghorns let incoming and outgoing boats and ships be aware of the dangers they face in the narrow Golden Gate.
Golden Gate Bridge straight on
A look at the two towers of the Golden Gate Bridge, directly to the south.
Golden Gate Bridge with Blue Angels
Another look straight through the towers of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Golden Gate Bridge underneath
A look at the underside of the Golden Gate Bridge's roadway, as seen from just north and west of the bridge.
Golden Gate Bridge patrol
A Golden Gate Bridge police officer enters a secure area, with the bridge in the background.
Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz
The Golden Gate Bridge is so famous that it almost makes people forget one of San Francisco's other treasures, Alcatraz. Here, in this photograph taken from the Airship Eureka, you can see both.
Golden Gate Bridge in the distance
A look at the Golden Gate Bridge, far off in the distance.
Golden Gate Bridge from the Headlands
The Golden Gate Bridge can be seen from an almost infinite number of angles, including from far to the west at the Marin Headlands.
Golden Gate Bridge tower disappears
In this photograph, the top of the north tower of the Golden Gate Bridge disappears in fog.
Golden Gate Bridge with Plastiki
On March 20, 2010, David de Rothschild's Plastiki set sail for the other side of the world. The vessel, seen here with the large sail to the right of the Golden Gate Bridge, was made from all recycled plastic, as a way of bringing attention to the plight of the world's oceans.
The Golden Gate Bridge in golden light
A look at the Golden Gate Bridge from the Marin Headlands.
Golden Gate Bridge from the hill
There are countless places to sit and admire the view of the Golden Gate Bridge, including this hill just to the north.
Underneath from Fort Baker
A look up at the Golden Gate Bridge from underneath and just to the east, at Fort Baker.
Golden Gate Bridge from Baker Beach
Another famous view of the Golden Gate Bridge is this one, from San Francisco's Baker Beach.
Golden Gate Bridge from Crissy Field
A look at the Golden Gate Bridge from Crissy Field in San Francisco's Presidio.
Golden Gate Bridge at sunset with fog
As the sun sets and fog rolls in, the Golden Gate Bridge is seen from San Francisco's Doyle Drive -- which has since been torn down.
North tower
A look from above at the north tower of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Golden Gate Bridge from Tiburon
A view of the Golden Gate Bridge makes almost any property more valuable, and the neighborhoods and nearby towns that have such views can boast some of the most expensive real estate in the world. This is a view of the bridge from Tiburon, a small town to the north of the bridge.
Golden Gate Bridge from the roadway
It's probably not a good idea to drive and photograph, but then again, who can resist a shot like this?
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