San Francisco Bay.

Believe it or not, many were against building the iconic landmark that dramatically connects San Francisco to Marin. When engineer Joseph Strauss' initial design for the Golden Gate Bridge was revealed in 1922, the press declared it "ugly" and architects doubted that a suspension bridge of its length could be structurally sound. Despite opposition, the majestic Golden Gate Bridge opened on May 27, 1937 to much fanfare.​​

The Golden Gate Bridge we know and love is in an elegant Art Deco style. Strauss worked with architect Irving Morrow to select the bridge's color, International Orange, chosen for the way the hue plays against the surrounding land, sea, and ever-present fog. In case you were wondering, painting the bridge is an ongoing process that happens year-round, to protect it from the corrosive salty bay air. The bridge's name is a nod to the Golden Gate Strait, the entrance between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay.