Golden Gate Bridge travel guide describes the Golden Gate Bridge as "possibly the most beautiful, certainly the most photographed, bridge in the world." At the time of its opening in 1937, it was both the longest and the tallest suspension bridge in the world, with a main span of and a total height of . Before the bridge was built, the only practical short route between San Francisco and what is now Marin County was by boat across a section of San Francisco Bay. A ferry service began as early as 1820, with a regularly scheduled service beginning in the 1840s for the
Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District is a special-purpose district that owns and operates three regional transportation assets in the San Francisco Bay Area: The District was incorporated on 4 December 1928 as the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District to design, construct, and finance the Golden Gate Bridge. The responsibility of regional transit service within the Golden Gate Corridor was given to the District on 10 November 1969, and the District was given its current name at this time. The District's territory includes the City and County of San Francisco;