We took this bridge twice this weekend. Once to go to the bay and the other time coming back from the bay. It's really convenient and beats driving around. I'm very thankful for the bridge. It takes us around 2 hours to get to our destination and that is because the use of the Carquinez bridge. With out it the drive would be longer. From our experience the bridge is nicely paved and there are no potholes, which is a good thing. Especially compared to lots of roads we drive on. If you are looking for gas there is a station right before the bridge if you are heading from Sacramento to the East Bay. It's a bit pricy, but if you need gas it's right there. There is also a maritime school right before the bridge. I believe a family friend went there and successfully graduated. read more

Carquinez Bridge - The bridge as we drive over - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Crockett, California

I like this Bridge !!! It's Well Maintained, Fairly Easy to Maneuver and not too Difficult to drive over. Everything is Fast Track or Bill to you. I use this Bridge Quite often to get to Reno , Sacramento and Napa. read more

8/18/24 Crossing Carquinez Bridge. Just left Vallejo Costco gas, heading to Frisco, Nice & quick toll free bridge, I barely had time to look & take photos. Saw people walking on the path and the water down below. read more

Carquinez Bridge - 8/18/24 Crossing Carquinez Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Crockett, California

See all

8/1/2023 Been a bit since crossing over.. What's not to like about a bridge.. As long as I can get across safely, I'm good..lol.. Have a great appreciation for the design and for the workers that build a bridge. Lots of thoughts and hard work go into from Start to finish.. I'll be back in a few days to head over the mountain! read more

Carquinez Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Crockett, California

See all

First review of 2023! Unlike its sister (and more popular) bridges Golden Gate and Bay Bridge, this comes as a two-in-one combo: each bridge assigned their own direction. It's clever, really, because this idea minimizes traffic. I've visited the East Bay many times in the last decade and I still yet to experience it here. (Here's hoping I didn't just jinx it!) There was once a stalled car on the bridge, but that didn't really affect traffic either. They have also updated toll payments. Less than ten years ago, there were separate lines for people who pay in cash and for those who have Fastrak. (This was an issue back then because understandably, the lines for cash payments were a mile long. That has been updated - as with all the bridges - that if you don't have Fastrak, they'll just bill you based on your license plate. It is one of the gateways to Benicia, Vallejo, and the ever so popular Napa Valley. Tolls on all 8 bridges have gone up ($4 when i began coming through about a decade ago, $7 now - whoa, inflation!) but with cost of living and maintenance, it's a fair price to pay for safety and aesthetics. It makes me wonder if there's ever a world where they find a way to maybe bring it down - I'm sure it can be a financial challenge for those who go through here (as well as them other bridges) on their daily commute. But otherwise, it's nice (albeit short) ride to go from one end to the other. If traffic is super light and you're confident you're not going to affect other commuters in ANY way, I'd suggest slowing down to take in a bit of the view. read more

Carquinez Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Crockett, California

The Carquinez Bridge spans the Carquinez Strait, and links Vallejo and Crockett. This is the shortest toll bridge in the San Francisco Bay Area. On November 2022, the toll is $7.00 to cross eastbound. Toll collection is electronic, so traffic flow is non-stop. The Carquinez Bridge complex is made up of two spans.....an older cantilever and a newer suspension bridge. Okay, your $7.00 toll (Nov 2022) is paying for the ease of crossing the Carquinez Strait. Every good driver knows alternative routes. What if, the Carquinez bridges were closed? Go to the Benicia Bridge? What if the roads were blocked? It'll never happen? Years ago there was a wildfire up in Vacaville and Fairfield, the flames reached Vallejo and began blowing over the Carquinez Strait. They had to close the highways leading to the bridges. Believe me, you don't want to have to drive around. The Antioch Bridge can't handle the volume of traffic. Using the Richmond Bridge will be a hassle. Highway 37 and 12 will be jammed. So, for a $7 toll, enjoy an easy crossing over the Carquinez Strait. Drive safely read more

Hiked over the Carquinez Bridge because I'm trying to do all the bridges we can walk across. We started at Alexander Park cuz wanted to use bathrooms, they are closed due to Covid19. Tried to use a gas station bathroom, guy said no. Had to hold it. Walked thru Downtown Crockett everything was closed 1/1/21. The bridge trail starts by The Dead Fish Restaurant. Walk was ok, paved trail good for bikes & peds. Nice views of the bridges. There's a Vista Point you can only see if you walk on the bridge. There's 4 panels of information you can read and views of Mt Tam, Railroad trains that go by, Vallejo Ferry, etc. We hiked to the Carquinez Park - suppose to have bathrooms but didn't see any. I just peed by a tree. There are 2 gas stations on the Vallejo side I could have tried but didn't. Worth walking once or if you live nearby. read more

See all

Years ago this was a really big bottleneck to get through. Thankfully the improvement project was initiated and completed. With the covid induced invoice system it now takes a whisper of time to move on through. read more

This bridge never lets me down, get me place to place and I don't think I've ever been stuck in traffic. I'm also always interested to see what's going on down in the water... not too much today. read more

We did not fall into the water. Thank you, Carquinez Bridge, for keeping us safe and dry. Not as long as other Bay Area bridges but still an effective bridge. read more

$5 toll Ride on this bridge is most of the time smooth, hardly any traffic even on weekends. The bridge is located near Vallejo on I-80. The original bridge was replaced around 2003 by a new suspension bridge which has four lanes going westbound and is much wider and nicer looking than the old bridge, like a very mini Golden Gate Bridge. Toll for individual autos is $5 and $2.50 for carpools, Toll is collected when travelling East bound in Vallejo. Traffic/commute is even much faster if you have FasTrak. FasTrak are on the left lanes and you just breeze through the toll booths at 25 mph (sometimes we go a little faster) and beep-beep you're through... having FasTrak enables you to drive on FasTrak lanes avoiding having to pay cash... very convenient :) Drive safe California! Review #0269 read more

See all

Love passing this bridge! That is all... Wished theres a slow lane for drivers besides just the "Right Lane." At times, I find myself driving a bit faster on the right lane, when slow drivers are stupid to drive slower on the left lane... RETARDS! I'll update my rating when theres a designated slow lane designated for drivers driving under 65mph or less, excluding trucks. Trucks have am excuse to drive 55mph... But normal vehicles, come on! You know better... Don't drive like a trucker on the fast lane. Jesus Christ! read more

Carquinez Bridge - Meh! Bridge needs. New structure... - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Crockett, California

Reviewing a bridge? Yes, because these two bridges, side-by-side, really to show how the differences in construction and style has changed. Looking at them is a quick history lesson in how much highways have changed. The suspension bridge was completed in 2003 and the cantilever bridge in 1958. I really like the older bridge when I cross the straits. I feel like it is the start of a road trip adventure. The coming home I like the new bridge with its view of the water below. read more

Carquinez Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Crockett, California

This is a functional Bridge which gets you from Crockett to Vallejo. It'll cost you about $6.

Very nice walk with my dog! Beautiful views! Dog friendly, has water and poop bags at each end of the bridge. read more

See all

Yelp reviews bridges? Really? I can review a bridge then! The Carquinez Bridge is actually two bridges with traffic flowing east on the upstream bridge and west on the downstream bridge. Well, they say East and West bound, but it's really North and South bound, but that's the crazy Bay Area directions for ya. Like East Oakland is really South Oakland. The one newer bridge looks like a mini Golden Gate and has a bike and walking path attached. Traffic goes pretty well as the tolls are collected with FasTrak if you use the bridge a lot. I don't live in the Bay Area, so I have to go in the lane that has all the cars paying cash ... $5.00 to cross this bridge! It's an OK experience, but I'd rather take the Benicia bridge up stream connecting on to the 680 than drive the worst part of the 80 going through Berkeley. 3 stars for you! read more

Carquinez Bridge - Looks sort of like the Golden Gate - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Crockett, California

Well, for one, there are no other ways to get to one side of the 80 to the other without the bridge, but it's s really pretty bridge. It reminds me of a smaller version of the one in San Pedro. read more

Okay, it gets me from one side to another in exchange of toll fee. I totally get that this bridge has to be maintained and it costs money. What I don't understand is that I haven't seen any changes in years. No renovation or upgrades. There are probably two to three lanes with toll cash collectors and the rest are Fastrak. Us Americans are getting ripped off big time. I want to see something being done at least so I don't have that feeling of being a victim of this cash hogging scheme. You would think this bridge would cost less to pass through due to the crossing distance, but no it's not the case. Other than the unjustified toll fees, it's a nice bridge with a great view of the Carquinez strait that leads to Sacramento. However, I certainly don't like the older bridge going Vallejo bound as it is old and needs an update as its Crockett bound sibling. read more

Carquinez Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Crockett, California

I don't know if they still have them but when I was a spry young wippersnapper they had something called Erector Sets made by the A. C. Gilbert Company. These sets could turn any youngster into an engineering genius. You could build all kinds of steel structures even though I never understood why anyone would want to build anything other than bridges. Well maybe an occasional working crane. Anyway, you can imagine my surprise when I drove over the Carquinez Bridge for the first time back in 1959 when I was only four years old. I was convinced we had just driven over a giant Erector Set. How good is that? It was love at first sight. I never stopped loving to drive over the Carquinez Bridge and marvel at how much it reminded me of a giant Erector Set. When I grew up and eventually moved to the bay area, I use to go to Crockett to stare at that old bridge span and marvel at its engineering. It was a complete masterpiece full of character. I use to fish for stripers on a pier under the bridge. I also use to go to Crockett to hang out in its various grungy bars nestled in the shadow of this wonderful bridge. I would stagger out of Toilets and Gutters, Rays Corner, Toots, or Club Tack and only to be dazzled every time by this amazing bridge. Sometimes I stopped at the Nantucket for clam chowder and garlic bread and for a chance to gaze at that bridge. I am sad to see the pier slowly decaying and falling into the straits. Most of the bars have closed and most of the people I had so much fun with have moved on. I haven't been to the Nantucket in over twenty years. A new span has been built and my larger than life erector set has been dismantled and melted down to make Japanese cars and rebar. One of the old spans still remains but it is no match for my wonderful majestic giant Erector Set. That wonderful old span was the first bridge to span the bay (I think the old Antioch Bridge might have been older but it got run over by a boat and had to be replaced years ago). It opened on May 21rst 1927, the same day Charles Lindbergh completed the first nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic. What a fabulous time that must have been? read more

Carquinez Bridge - Holy smoke! What a bridge! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Crockett, California

See all

This would be a 5 start review if "Bridge" were pluralized. The Carquinez Bridge is in-fact two bridges, each with its own unique structural magnificence. Having commuted across these bridges for 4 years, I can say that NOT ONCE did either bridge crumble into the water below. This is all I ask of a bridge, and for that I am sufficiently satisfied with the Carquinez Bridge(s). read more

This bridge is nice because you can walk or ride your bike across it from Vallejo to Crockett or the other direction it has beautiful vistas and it's quite pleasant read more

I've never crossed a bridge I didn't like... 'Especially if I make it to the other side. Photo - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/carquinez-bridge-crockett-2?select=PDESEpUi0tJTFzvxfbVfVg I like bridges, literally and metaphorically... 'Like the idea of keys, doors, masks, etc., great symbolism. "Five dollah, every day, all da' time!" (Well, with the exception of the $2.50 carpool rate @ rush hour.) The Carquinez Bridge opened its lanes in 1927. It spans the Carquinez Strait as part of Interstate 80 between Crockett and Vallejo. The $5 price for crossing by itself isn't outrageous but multiply that by several trips and the toll, can take literally a "toll" on your pocketbook. ($2.50 - Carpool @ peak hours; FasTrak only) Photo - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/carquinez-bridge-crockett-2?select=SL6EPB2S2zQe0de-WH8uDg Bridges are structural wonders, right up there with skyscrapers, dams, ships, and airplanes. Interesting to think that the same basic concept, though pushed, pulled & tweaked over the years has driven innovation to the marvels we see today... 'And the advancements still continue. Photo - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/carquinez-bridge-crockett-2?select=hTC80O54jGZ6X9kV6Nvd7w 'And up until just a few years ago, the Bay Area finally got with the program and became part of FasTrak family, the automated toll paying system. When I first moved to Orange County, where they have"Toll Roads," versus bridges it was a new concept to me... 'Same idea but rather with roads that cut through the hills. (i.e. - Shortcut; bypass traffic on the main freeway) At first, I was WTH is a toll road but after living in SoCal for 17+ years, it made perfect sense especially if you were running late. I am a fan of bridges, always have been... I hope they do find a solution to the cluster*k of a mess called the Bay Bridge. What was supposed to be an awesome, new innovative, addition to the SF Bay Area's bridges has devolved into a structural sore that seems is going to need a bigger budgeted, band-aid... We will just have to wait and see, if a final solution is ever found but until then, "We'll cross that bridge when we get to it." Photo - http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/carquinez-bridge-crockett-2?select=SGtZseWI7z1NQEcYI_gYYw The Carquinez Bridge is actually the two bridges presently being used today. Originally it was just a single cantilever bridge built to create a direct route between Sacramento and San Francisco. In 1958, a second, parallel bridge was constructed to help with the increased traffic. However, due to non-compliant structural challenges addressing the ever changing earthquake standards, a replacement suspension bridge was built in 2003, replacing the original 1927 span. (Officially named, "The Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge.") 80 westbound traffic - 2003 Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge 80 eastbound traffic - 1958 cantilever span 'Hope all you guh'roovie people had a great Thanksgiving weekend! I spent it with the family... "I almost had a good time." - Big Aloha! Food: n/a Ambiance: 5 Service: 5 Value: 5+ read more

See all

So nice, so new (at least looks new), and so totally unexpected! Been zipping by this on Hwy 80 for years, but not once did I ever think to get off here, until now. Who'd have thought that all this was here? Does anyone know that this thing is here? The new vista point that they've created facing the new Al Zampa Memorial Bridge that is. Popped off here to go to The Dead Fish restaurant in the afternoon yesterday and since finding the restaurant was way too easy, decided to go a little further to do some sightseeing and see what else there was to see. Well, we didn't have to go very far before we found this and what a find it was. Fantastic panoramic views of the bridge and area. Perfect weather yesterday too, so it was so nice, calm, and serene. Kinda romantic too, I actually saw an empty condom wrapper in the dirt on the ground there. Oh-kay...not quite what I meant by romantic, but it was a surprisingly nice place and everything looked new. If you're in the area, it's worth a look. Just take the Pomona St exit. Easy access, both on and off. Beautiful vistas and best of all, it cost nothing too. read more

See all

There are 8 Toll Bridges in the Bay Area. Can you name them? The Carquinez Bridge consists of 2 structures. The Eastbound (Toll) cantilever bridge was built in 1958 and the new Alfred Zampa Westbound suspension span was opened in November of 2003. The original 1927 bridge (and Lincoln Highway route) was recently demolished. I don't take this bridge very often as the Benicia span and it's speedy Fastrak lane is much more convenient. However, it is really cool to look down on Crockett as you pass by and admire the Alfred Zampa span. And if you happen to be traveling from Martinez on the Cummings Skyway, the bridge and water scenery is stunning. read more

The toll gets a negative 2 stars! The cute toll guy with the pony tail and the disco ball. He gets 5 stars! Now that I have fastrack, I miss him. He'd have the music thumpin and he'd do a little dance and then he'd look at you like you were all that and a bag of chips and you'd happily give your money, with a glazed look in your eye and he'd do a spin in that dinky box of his and hand you your change... and you'd drive off, all misty eyed, looking forward to your next visit. I miss him. I really miss him. Maybe I'll misplace the fastrack for a couple of days. Things to make your experience more fun..... - hit your brakes 50 times (gas, dip, break, gas, dip break) as you enter the chute..... - dig around for your money and hand it out in bits and pieces... - pull your money out of your bra or your shorts - hold onto your money until you get the attendent to look at you - don't leave until they thank you Hey, it's your money. Make it work for you! read more

When the Portola expedition of 1769 reached the Straits of Carquinez, it was part of the age of discovery. It was thrilling, a sight to behold of the majestic San Francisco Bay, as the Sacramento River flowed into it. For modern-day travelers, the sight of the Carquinez Straits are more about commuting than discovery. The Carquinez Bridge lacks the glamor of the Golden Gate&Bay Bridges. It's plain, albeit with a bas relief mural depicting boats. It's a less dramatic bridge, and its $5 toll is reasonable. You do get what you pay for. It doesn't have the traffic issues of the Bay Bridge with its "maze" (that even Theseus wouldn't brave), nor the backup into the Presidio like the Golden Gate. The folks at the toll booths are friendly&relaxed, for the most part. And, for the most part, it's a friendly&relaxed drive. The Carquinez Bridge is notable not only for its 18th century history, but the present-day. Back in the day, you could see the ghostly Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet- https://www.kqed.org/news/11612408/rusty-navy-the-bay-areas-mothball-fleet-enters-a-new-era These warships from WWII looked haunting&haunted, even at midday. It was a striking sight. A more whimsical present-day sight is the huge C&H sign on the Crockett side. Its joyous logo greets people as they head eastbound. However, C&H itself has a bittersweet history, since they received their last raw sugar ship from Maui last year- https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/nativeson/article/Sugar-ship-s-long-final-voyage-into-history-10857421.php The C&H sign marks the passage of a journey. The Straits of Carquinez are not only historic, but geological. https://baynature.org/article/carquinez-breakthrough/ They were formed by the dramatic melting of Ice Age glaciers, wild torrents of water, along with the rise of the Coast Range mountains. It's where the swamps&plains of the Central Valley meet the San Francisco Bay. Some have speculated that the West Napa Fault begins its northward course to Calistoga at Carquinez. The Carquinez Bridge is an ordinary-looking landmark with an extraordinary, fascinating history. read more

It's actually two bridges. The Westbound bridge is the newer one that you can walk or ride a bike on via the barricaded right side. The entrance is at the tale end of Vallejo near the Maritime School. The bridge ends in Crockett, a cute little town on the hill with a few seafood restaurants on the water. The Eastbound bridge is the older cantilever bridge with the Toll Plaza. Fastrak is available at the left lanes. You must slow to 25 MPH when passing. There are plenty of Highway Patrol right there watching too! Unlike the Bay Bridge Toll Plaza, this bridge does not change its prices for rush hour! It's always $5. read more

Carquinez Bridge - View from west side - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Crockett, California

See all

I have nothing bad to say about the Carquinez Bridge except that I wish it didn't charge a $5.00 toll when going from Richmond to Vallejo but I understand these things are sometimes necessary. I like how the Carquinez Bridge is separated into two separate bridges each with its own unique look. One bridge is much newer than the other but they are both great to drive on. My favorite part is that the traffic never backs up on the bridge so it's quick to get over. This bridge has a shorter span by comparison to other bridges in the Bay Area but it has beautiful views from both sides. On the Vallejo to Richmond side you get a great view of the water and cliff side as well as the sunset, and on the Richmond to Vallejo side you get to see the cool C&H Sugar Plant which has pretty lights after the sun goes down. Watch out for the toll lanes though and stay to the right if you don't have Fastrac to make it easier on everyone read more

Carquinez Bridge - Pretty Sunset - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Crockett, California

Very little traffic from any of my experience- I refer to it as the baby golden gate and baby bay bridge. This bridge normally gets crossed by me on my way to the city for games and the rare occasion of visiting with family (normally they come to me or we meet 1/2 way). *Worth having a fast track for so then you dont have to count dollar dollar bills. I think the price these days is $6/7 for the weekend. read more

Best looking bridge in the bay, Other than the Golden Gate, well the new Bay bridge is pretty nice too..... Okay third place is still pretty good! read more

I hate bridges but I feel at ease when crossing this one simply because it's a straight shot. When coming from Richmond you cross the bridge first then you reach the toll plaza. I have never really have encountered any traffic on this bridge but it does tend to get backed up at the toll plaza. I do find it a little odd that one half of the bridge is old and the other side is newer and redone. read more

I haven't been over the completed new revision yet but this was always my landmark (and the C&H factory) that I was either leaving or entering the central valley. One time back in college we somehow managed to pack 5 people in a Geo Metro hatchback. My friend wasn't used to the weight of so many people so as we were approaching the tollbooth, he realized too late he was going to be able to stop in time. As I looked out the back driver side window I saw his hand and money flapping wildly in the wind. We overshot the booth by about 5 feet. As we backed up, we got an earful from the attendant. My friend yelled, "Sorry!" tossed his money and we went screaming off into the night in his 3 cylinder piece of crap-mobile. read more

Nice bridge, been over it plenty of times. Traffic can get bad Not sure why I'm reviewing a bridge but oh well 10/10 would drive over it again read more

Pretty funny reviewing a bridge, but hey people review the golden gate bridge don' t they? Let me tell you, this is no golden gate bridge. I take this bridge every week or two to get to and from school, and it's nothing special. The two sides of the bridges don't even match, but I think it's under construction. - $4 to cross this ugly bridge = bad stuff, but at least its not as crowded as the bay bridge. read more

I can only give this bridge one star because of the desolation that is the view you will witness while upon this bridge. You will clean your sunglasses and check your cell phone for directions before realizing that there literally is just nothing to see here. But still, you will cross this bridge. And you will pay for it. And you must love it. read more

Carquinez Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Crockett, California

Sure beats swimming or driving under the strait, although visiting Bikini Bottom when I travelled under the strait was a super fun time; it was really hard on my trucks engine though. I don't like having to pay $6 especially when most of you who voted the increase don't even use this bridge or ANY bridge for that matter... jerks. Also the new bridge is cooler than the old one... but it totally wore the same outfit as the Golden Gate Bridge (literally the only bridge I don't mind paying to cross) K bye now. Going for a night cap at Patrick's house. read more

For some reason my 15 year old wanted to walk across the bridge with her friends in the middle of the night, in the rain. Nice views though. read more

Carquinez Bridge - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Crockett, California

I've had to cross the Carquinez/Vallejo bridge over these last past couple of months on a almost weekly basis. People might think reviewing a bridge is weird... but here we are reading reviews about it lol. I remember when I was small on the freeway grazing through the hills of Pinole, Hercules, and Crockett then coming around that corner and seeing the two big bridges towering over the bay and in the distance seeing the CH Sugar Factory letters all lit up. Good timessss man! ** Toll/Lanes ** Toll is now $6 both day and night as of this year (2019) that I'm writing this review and doesn't fluctuate compared to the Bay Bridge in Oakland and of course there's an option for FastTrack and there's many lanes for people to pass by ** Traffic ** I've passed this toll during all times of the day, and during the evening rush hour they try to maintain almost all the lines open and try to keep traffic flowing. Traffic usually begins around 4 near the toll and then it clears up and gets backed up again down in Vallejo. At night there's less lanes open but also there's less traffic. Though these two bridges may not be architectural advanced and may not get as much praise as the Golden Gate or the Bay Bridge, these bridges still play an important role in the Bay Area highway and offer much more space and lanes than other tolls. read more

It's your standard bridge with a nice view of the Bay. Its split up into 4 lanes, if you're on I-80 East portion, 2 lanes are for fastrak users and the other 2 are for those who want to pay cash at the toll booths. Toll boths are standard. Everyone wants to hurry up, cut others off, so they can pay first / pass through fastrak first so they can take off and continue on their journey with idiot drivers on the road. Meh I-80 West portion is a little wider and newer. Theres a section where you can walk or bike across the bridge if you pleased. read more

My family uses this bridge about once every other week since the late 1990's. It's the easiest way to go from Davis to Oakland, Richmond, or San Fran (and those other in-between towns). There are walkway areas for the people that wants to walk the bridge, but I've NEVER seen people on it~plus I wouldn't know where you could park your car if you wanted to...the side of the road maybe? Oh, and here's a warning for people...Do NOT use the carpool lane unless you have fasttrack. They will find you and bill you! read more