What to Wear on the Bridge
Why the deck is colder
The wind comes off the Pacific through the strait and the bridge stands across it with nothing in the way. Mid-span you are 220 feet above the water with open sea on one side; the wind that felt like a breeze at Crissy Field is a steady push by the south tower. Fog adds damp. September and October are the warmest months on the deck, and the best-time page explains the fog pattern.
What I wear
A T-shirt, a fleece and a light shell, jeans, trainers, a cap I can stuff in a pocket when the gusts start. Sunglasses in the afternoon, when the light off the water is strong. No umbrella; it will not survive the first tower. For the bike tours the operators ask for comfortable clothes and provide the helmet; the seaplane asks for sunglasses. For a boat, Kim’s review of the bay cruise says it plainly: it was chilly, bring a jacket. The walking page covers the rest of the day, and the cruise page covers the open decks.
Put the camera strap over your neck, not your shoulder. Hats, phones and lens caps go over the railing every week and the water is 220 feet down.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cold on the Golden Gate Bridge in summer?
Yes, usually. Fog and wind make the deck feel much cooler than the city. Timing is on the best-time page.
Can I wear sandals on the walk?
You can, but the crossing is 1.7 miles each way and the wind blows grit. Closed shoes are easier. Distances on the walking page.
What should I bring on the bay cruise?
A jacket and a camera; the operator says the same. Details on the bay cruise close-up.