Travel Hacks for Traveling The Bay Area to The Sea Ranch

One of the greatest icons for San Francisco is the Golden Gate. This beautiful and historic suspension bridge links commuters from San Francisco to Marin County via CA-Highway 101, and ultimately to The Sea Ranch. Crossing the 1.7 miles long expanse (the main span is 4,200 feet long), can be exciting, exhilarating, and even hair-raising as you try to navigate through rush-hour commuter traffic.

Did you know that U.S. Highway 101 and State Route 1 both END at the north abutment of the Bridge and 1,000 feet south of the Bridge toll plaza, making the bridge itself NOT officially part of Highway 101 or State Route 1? The Bridge is therefore not considered part of the State Highway System but considered part of the National Highway System.

Don’t Forget to Pack Your Bike

Travel Hacks for Cyclists and Pedestrians Love Crossing the Golden Gate

On the bucket list of many visitors to the Bay Area is cycling or walking across the Golden Gate Bridge. Luckily for them, crossing the expanse is free all day. For the most part, visitors walk halfway out, enjoy the views, then return to their cars. For cyclists, the bridge is an exciting leg on a trip that takes you from the San Francisco waterfront, along the paved Bay Trail that connects the Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Point and Gas House Cove.

Once you reach the Marin Headlands, we recommend sailing down to Fort Baker and then north into Sausalito. From Sausalito, we recommend taking the ferry to cross the bay a back to The City.

Bike Rentals

It is important to note, bike rentals are not available at the entry point of the bridge. If you do not have your own bike, you may rent them in San Francisco.

For trails and insider info we suggest you visit these websites for even more travel hacks:

• Our Sausalito Insiders Golden Gate Guide (2018)
• Impacts to Visitors, Motorists, Bicyclists, and Pedestrians from Roadway Construction and/or Events

Regulations for Cyclists Crossing the Bridge

Crossing the bridge by bike and foot can be tricky and is based on the flow of rush-hour traffic on the bridge and time of the year. To summarize the rules found here, on weekdays, bikes use the east sidewalk (must yield to walkers) from 5 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. After  3:30 to 6 p.m. the west sidewalk must be used. As the sun goes down, the east sidewalk from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. (push button for security gate). On weekends and holidays, use the west sidewalk from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m., then the east sidewalk from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. (push button for security gate). During Daylight Savings Time the daytime hours are extended to 9:00 p.m.

Restrictions for Pedestrians and Cyclists

There are certain restrictions for both pedestrians and cyclists that you need to note, especially if you are traveling with your dog.

Most importantly, cyclists MUST yield to pedestrians and use caution in the areas of the towers as there is limited space to maneuver and sight distances are constrained.

Restrictions you’ll want to take note of include:

• Electric bicycles or small scooters may be ridden on the sidewalks; however, they must be pedaled and may NOT be used under power while on the sidewalk.
• Persons on roller blades, skateboards, or roller skates are NOT allowed.
• Animals, including dogs and horses, which are being led, ridden or driven, with the exception of service animals, such as guide dogs, signal dogs, and service dogs, are NOT allowed.
• Pushcarts, wheelbarrows, and similar vehicles are NOT allowed.

Crossing The Golden Gate by Car

The Golden Gate Bridge is a fixed six-lane roadway and carries about 112,000 vehicles per day. All Electronic Tolling by FasTrak license plate recognition makes it quicker to cross the Golden Gate Bridge southbound into San Francisco. There is no stopping to pay tolls.

Traveling north there is no charge to enter the bridge.

Payment Options to Pay the Toll

The return trip south from Sea Ranch across the bridge from Marin County into San Francisco must be paid using the electronic toll system.  Currently (2018) the toll costs $7.75 for 2-axle vehicles without the benefit of “FasTrak” toll monitor and $6.75 with the Fastrak device.

Fastrak

What if I Don’t Have a FasTrak?

You’re a visitor to the area and you do not have the local FasTrak.

As you get closer to the pay gate you begin to worry and ask yourself, “Now what do I do!”

The answer- Don’t slow down, keep on going.

You have 48 hours to pay after your toll crossing. You can also set up toll payments for crossings that you plan to make within the next 30 days. Otherwise, if no account exists, they will send an invoice to the vehicle’s registered owner.

As far as travel hacks go, this is a good choice for visitors and rental vehicle users.

To learn more information regarding the electronic toll system and requirements visit The Golden Gate’s Tolling System Website.

License Plate Account

If you make multiple crossing on the Golden Gate Bridge southbound into San Francisco, consider opening a License Plate Account to pay tolls. However, this account type does not receive the FasTrak $1 discount for each Golden Gate Bridge toll. This is a good choice for those who cross occasionally and don’t want a toll tag.

This is not recommended for rental vehicle users.

What to Consider When Renting a Car

For those of you who are out of state or out of the country and must rent a car, here are important tips to consider when at the rental agency:

1. Speak with your rental agent about how tolls are assessed when crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, or any other Bay Area toll bridge or toll road.
2. Ask if you have to Opt-In or Opt-Out of the agency’s tolling program if one is offered.
3. Ask about any associated convenience or service fees that may be assessed after your trip by the rental agency or its affiliates.
4. Click here for a list of rental agencies in the San Francisco area to learn more about what tolling programs are offered and how to pay your Golden Gate Bridge toll.

If Your Rental Company DOES Offer a Tolling Program

Option 1: Agree to Use Rental Car Tolling Program Offered

This is the most seamless and convenient option. Note: most tolling programs have convenience fees associated with them. Be sure to ask the rental agent for more information.

Option 2: Do Not Agree to Use Rental Car Tolling Program Offered

Using the Tolling Program

If you prefer not to use the offered tolling program, you must:

1. Ask your rental car company if you have to Opt-Out and follow the instructions, and
2. Take action BEFORE you cross or within 2 days AFTER you cross the Golden Gate Bridge (heading south into San Francisco) by making a One-Time Payment. Once you have your rental vehicle, take note of the license plate number and the end date of your rental period.

How To Make a One-Time Payment

BEFORE you cross or within 2 days AFTER you cross the Bridge, you can make a One-Time Payment using any of the following methods:

1. Online using a credit card at www.bayareafastrak.org.
2. By phone using a credit card: Toll-free (877) BAY-TOLL (877-229-8655), outside California 415-486-8655. Click here for hours of operation.
3. In person using cash at a Cash Payment Location.
4. In person using a credit card, cash, check, money order: Bay Area FasTrak Customer Service Center, 475 The Embarcadero (at Broadway), San Francisco, CA. Click here for hours of operation.

Open a Limited Duration License Plate Account

You may also open a limited duration License Plate Account before crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. To ensure the License Plate Account is only activated for the length of the rental period, you must be sure to include the end date of your rental contract as the ‘Closure Date’ when completing the application. To learn more about a License Plate Account, click here.

Travel Hacks When Driving a Rental Car

Follow these travel hacks when using a rental company.

First, be sure to ask the rental agent for specifics about how they assess tolls for the Golden Gate Bridge. Most rental companies provide a service plan to pay your Golden Gate Bridge and other Bay Area tolls electronically. However, those plans may charge you at the highest undiscounted rate PLUS add a convenience service fee.

Remember you can opt in or opt out of their plan.Opting out of a Rental Car Toll Plan

If you choose to opt out of the rental car company’s toll plan follow these three travel hacks:

1.  Ask your rental car company if you have to Opt-Out and follow the instructions, and
2. (2) Take action BEFORE you cross or within 2 days AFTER you cross the Golden Gate Bridge (heading south into San Francisco) by making a One-Time Payment.
3. Once you have your rental vehicle, take note of the license plate number and the end date of your rental period (print this handy flyer shown below to record information).

One-time Payments

You can make a One-Time Payment using any of the following methods:

1. Online using a credit card at www.bayareafastrak.org
2. By phone using a credit card: Toll-free (877) BAY-TOLL (877-229-8655), outside California 415-486-8655.  Click here for hours of operation.
3. In person using cash at a Cash Payment Location.
4. In person using cash, check, or credit card: Bay Area FasTrak Customer Service Center at 62 First Street, San Francisco, CA 94105 (near the intersection of Market and First Streets).

License Plate Account

You may also open a limited duration License Plate Account before crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. To ensure the License Plate Account is only activated for the length of the rental period, you must be sure to include the end date of your rental contract as the ‘Closure Date’ when completing the application.

To learn more about a License Plate Account, click here.

Travel Hacks to Save You Money and Avoid the Hassel

These travel hacks are actually a detour that saves you time and money. When our family flies into California from afar, we rent a car at the airport then zip up to Sea Ranch via the Highway 101 to the Golden Gate Bridge and ultimately Highway 1.  Remember heading north is the free direction.

Richmond-San Rafael Bridge

But for the return trip back to San Francisco we simply avoid the whole issue of electronic toll taking by taking a detour onto Highway 580 in San Rafael. This highway brings you to the northernmost of the east-west crossings for the San Francisco Bay, The Richmond–San Rafael Bridge.

The beauty of this travel hack is there is no toll for travelers heading west on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. It’s is free. There is also less traffic on this bridge compared to the others.

Then I exit the Bridge to I80 and continue to the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge. While they do accept FasTrak passes, they also accept cash!

Tolls for Richmond-San Rafael Bridge

Tolls for 2 axle vehicles on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge:

• $4.00 when traveling between 12:01 a.m. and 5 a.m., between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and
• $4.oo from 7 p.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday,
• $6.00 when traveling between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. and between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday,
• $5.00  regular toll price when traveling between 12:01 a.m. Saturday and midnight Sunday.

By skipping the Golden Gate Bridge and detouring through Richmond and Oakland you can save up to $3.00. Some may argue you spend that in the travel, but this route to the San Francisco Airport is only 9 miles longer. And what you spend on the mileage you save in time. As a result of by-passing the traffic in San Francisco, you frequently arrive quicker.

2018 Regional Ballot Measure 3 June 5 to Raise Tolls

Travel Hacks to save you money are always a good thing. Unfortunately, I can’t guarantee for how long these last travel hacks will do that.  On January 24, 2018, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA) approved a resolution to place on the June 5 ballot in all nine Bay Area counties. This sweeping $4.45 billion package known as Regional Measure 3 expects to relieve traffic congestion.

If approved by a combined majority of all voters, these relief projects would be financed by a $1 increase in tolls on the Bay Area’s seven state-owned toll bridges beginning Jan. 1, 2019, followed by a $1 increase in January 2022 and another $1 increase in January 2025.

At least the views along both drives are wonderful.