San Francisco’s famed Golden Gate Bridge is celebrating its diamond anniversary later this month, and the city will mark the occasion with a series of events.
The bridge, an icon of San Francisco, opened on May 27, 1937. As part of the 75th anniversary celebration, officials are constructing a new, 3,500-square foot visitors’ center. In addition, museums, universities and cultural centers will be participating in “75 Tributes to the Bridge,” a series of public programs to be presented throughout the year.
“The Golden Gate Bridge stands today as a testament of innovation and imagination, a bridge built by the people during the Great Depression,” Janet Reilly, president of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District Board of Directors, said in a news release earlier this year. “In honor of its 75th anniversary, we are reaching out to the people of the Bay Area and beyond to join us in a community-based celebration along the San Francisco waterfront. The Bridge is not the stage this time; rather, the community will come together to celebrate this engineering wonder together in a festival atmosphere.”
Concurrently, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and park officials expect 2012 could be one of the busiest in the park’s history.
“This year is the 40th anniversary of Golden Gate as a national park area, and I believe a valued part of the Bay Area quality of life,” Golden Gate National Recreation Area General Superintendent Frank Dean said in a news release. “These parks not only influence tourists and how long they stay in the area and contribute to the regional economy, they also help make the Bay Area one of the most livable urban places in the country.”
Added Dean: “If visitation stays at this level, and with the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge and activities for the 34th America’s Cup planned for this year, this anniversary year could be one of the busiest yet.”