Built to provide a practical route between Marin County and San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge cost $35 million dollars to build and took over four years, with construction beginning in 1933, and the planning for it going back long before that. Since opening, the bridge has become one of the most iconic symbols of San Francisco, and stood as the world's longest suspension bridge until 1964, when the Verrazano-Narrows bridge was completed in New York City. Contrary to popular belief, the bridge is not painted end-to-end each year, and only requires touch-up work. This, however, does require ongoing maintenance, and is currently staffed by 28 painters, as well as iron workers and other crew members that are essential to this task.

Over the years, the bridge itself hasn't changed much, but the world around it certainly has. Nonetheless, the bridge continues to be a symbol of pride and beauty for San Francisco and visitors alike.