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

Why there is actually a place on Yelp to review a bridge I will never know...hmmm... Anyway, westbound is great and I love how nice it usually looks... eastbound is another story...why do they still have booths on the FasTrack lanes?? Can't Vallejo even TRY to be just a smidgen like benicia?? Why can't we be benicia??? OMG I'm Soo depressed now... :( Seriously, who has time to review a bridge,,, AND since it's illegal to text and drive, how the hell do I get a check in for this??? Now I am depressed AND confused.... Why isn't my therapist answering the phone??!!?? Why God why???!!!?!!?!?! read more

What I don't understand about the Eastbound side (Sacramento) is all the left lane hogs that know they don't have Fastrak but INSIST in staying in the left lane until the very last second. Those drivers are idiots and they cause the traffic in the two left lanes to have to stop suddenly. Either get Fastrak or get out of the left lanes before you hit the bridge. I will say the Westbound (SF Bay Area) side is beautiful but if you are on a motorcycle, hold on. TIGHT. read more

Strangely I am leaving a review for the Carquinez bridge. I live in the Napa Valley but travel to the east bay all the time so this is the bridge that I use to get from here to there. I HATE the Benicia bridge, back when it was only two lanes each direction and no breakdown lane it was a nightmare. I could sit on the Benecia bridge for over an hour on my way home or to Reno, NV on any given rush hour. The Carquinez has changed a lot since they built the other side going from Napa/Vallejo/American Canyon into the East Bay. The old bridge is nice, it's super quick and has plenty of lanes to choose from, it is rare to have traffic going into Napa or back. The new side looks like a really cute version of the Golden Gate bridge minus the pretty reddish hue. It is expansive and super quick so if you hate being on loooong bridges like I do, this is your way to the Napa Valley. Even on a busy day they have enough lanes and two breakdown lanes and a bike lane and little traffic. read more

Gets very windy! Usually not much traffic and you can definitely feel the temperature drop from the East Bay to Solano county. Go through the express lanes with your FasTrak and use carpool to speed things along! Easiest bridge in the Bay Area to navigate. read more

I really like this bridge. Actually there are two bridges. The southbound one is suspension, the northbound is cantilever-truss. Actually, if you're walking, bicycling, skateboarding or roller blading, the southbound bridge is good for either direction--and it's FREE! No matter which one you choose, keep in mind that the water beneath is both deep and cold. So these bridges are much preferred over swimming or rowing across the strait. Enjoy! read more

Excellent bridge! I've ridden it on bicycles for a few years and driven it in my car nearly daily. It's actually two bridges too! The Southbound, newer, part is a sweet modern suspension bridge, and the Northbound part is a bit of old industrial Americana. A history lesson in a minute or less most days and times. Recommended for light meals or snacks. read more

Even though the old east and the new westbound span demonstrate the odd couple design, I'm fairly happy with my commute experience on the Carquinez Bridge. Before my e-toll days way back when, I remember just tossing in a few coins in a bucket for toll. I think it was around fifty or seventy five cents then? Oh well, those days are long gone my friends. Under normal conditions, the morning commute is fairly smooth on both directions. During the evening commute hours, the eastbound toll plaza cash lanes can get really backed up through the wee hours. If you have Carpool or FasTrak you'll keep movin' right along. Unless I could fly over or get on a submarine, I'll continue to patronize her services... read more

The Carquinez Bridge has a really NICE VIEW of the ocean and the city! (If you're stuck in traffic, take pictures! I don't have any since I wasn't sitting in traffic =X) But what's not nice? Like all the other Bay bridges, you have to shell out $$$. If you are headed northbound on the I-80, expect to pay $5 cash or FasTrack that. If you are being green and you carpool, you'll be charged $2.50 during peak hours. The original bridge was made out of steel and was a cantilever bridge which was completed in 1927. The darn thing had "seismic" issues (since there's always an earthquake in California and they didn't know how to build around that way back in the day), they demolished the old bridge in 2007. To solve the "seismic" issues, in 2003, they built a new suspension bridge to replace the original. This new bridge is called the Alfred Zampa Memorial Bridge. But people still refer to it as the "Carquinez Bridge". FYI = -AKA Zampa Bridge, Vallejo Bridge -Connects you to the Crockett and Vallejo area -Bridge is maintained by CalTrans -Toll is located northbound on the I-80 -8 LANES of the I-80 Don't forget to take a photos of the nice view! =) Yelp 2013 100 for 100 Challenge - Review #98 read more

I love swooping eastward down the hill in the left lane, pretending I'm in a race car, and scaring myself with the thought that with one wrong wheel-twitch, I could be hurtling pell-mell to a watery death below. That is, when traffic on the 80 isn't a total cluster and I can go over 50mph. I love zipping through the Fastrak booth, pretending my car is a pinball and I get extra points for more speed. I love zooming along westward when the carpool lane is lawfully usable (of course!), passing everyone and taking the curve up the hill at the end, pretending I'm Spacewoman Spiff launching into orbit. Reality is boring. But both spans of this bridge are set up in such a way that my idiotic play-pretend games come out full force and I have to crack a smile. The eastbound toll booth can't even get me down. I ain't even mad, bro! read more

Hmmm I guess I'll review a bridge, haha. The Carquinez bridge has always been reliable. I wonder how long it will take to rebuild the eastbound span. I guess the old westbound bridge was much older though. I usually have more problems with the eastbound bridge. Caltrans ALWAYS seems to be doing some sort of stupid road work right during the peak of rush hour (typical) and causes traffic. What can you do I guess though? The new bridge is very beautiful and it's cool to drive across. I like to stop at the magazine street exit too, just east of the bridges. They have a good starbucks! Food for thought I'll probably always use the Carquinez Bridge, it's the easiest way for me to make the commute home! I have to use it, but it's still a pleasant drive across the bay. read more

I have crossed this bridge so many times that I felt compelled to review it. I commute on the old bridge every time I go to work and use the new bridge every time I go home. The old bridge is the one going towards Sacramento and where you have to pay the $5 toll (yay...). It still holds up pretty well but looks terrible in comparison to the other bridge. The new bridge going towards San Francisco is fairly young and looks beautiful, especially at night. There's also a pedestrian walkway on the side where you can bike or run along the bridge. My only complaint is that the toll plaza can get crowded if you don't have FasTrack. This is especially true at night where there's only a few toll plazas open. Other than that, I think there's enough lanes and really never any traffic on both bridges. I see this bridge for the majority of my week. It's nice to look at and it takes me where I need to go! read more

Ah, Carquinez Bridge. So many interesting things about it make it one of my favorites in the area. First, such a big difference between the old part (eastbound) and the new part (westbound), yet both enjoyable to cross. Although perhaps I slightly prefer the westbound because it means I'm leaving Vallejo. The new part is big and open and clean looking, and the old part is quite charming. Second, the old westbound section...parts of it still stand, and one section in particular intrigues me...and scares me a little. It is not connected on either side to anything, yet it has a bunch of construction equipment on it. First a relatively easy question to answer: how did it get there? Then a much harder question: how are they going to get it off? Third is the toll takers. They are such sweet people - one complimented me on my eyes this morning. Thank you. Last, the view both of and from the bridge. From the bridge: the water is very nice, and the C&H sugar factory makes me think of old steamboats. read more

I've never encountered any issues passing over this bridge. The FasTrak Flex Pass makes it 10X easier to utilize this structure. The carpool lane is awesome. Thank you for a clean structure to use everyday. read more

It's a study in contrasts. The utilitarian bridge on one side, the supposedly aesthetically pleasing bridge on the other. Except that they both look kind of childish. (And notice that I wrote "childish" rather than "childlike"; there's an important difference.) Three stars all the way around, except that almost every single time I've paid the toll here I've gotten the same toll taker. What are the chances of that happening? OK, it's bound to happen often, but eight out of nine times? Seriously? She's quiet and efficient, and she has elegant hands. How do I know they're elegant? Well, they look beautiful in those awful gloves, so they must be gorgeous naked. read more

I finally walked the Carquinez Bridge....I tell ya though, if it wasn't for Hassan S. being there I would have never made it onto the bridge itself. For those of you that didn't know, I'm very afraid of heights. Although I love to ride roller coasters, LoL!! Well on this particular day, it was beautiful. Sun was shinning, not but a few clouds in the sky and there was a slight breeze. Now maybe I'm mistaken but the parking for the bridge is a bit far away, i thought they would have it so much closer than a mile away. Oh well, I wanted the exercises. After walking halfway across the bridge I thought everything was fine, until Hassan S. made me stop & look over the side, I nearly lost my mind, LoL!! And I could feel the bridge shaking with all the cars and trucks flying across. All in all I made it safe and sound from one side to the other, now my next step is to walk the Golden Gate Bridge!! read more

Why is the carquinez bridge on Yelp? It's a bridge not a place to go. For the record, it refers only to the east bound lanes. The westbound ones are newer. read more

It functions. It gets me over water quickly. It achieves. There isn't much of a view as compared to the other bridges in the area, and its the shortest. Luckily, I've never had to cross this bridge during traffic. Definitely use FastPass here. There are two FastPass lanes versus the three regular cash lanes going north. No pro-tip required. read more

Well, it's a bridge....seems to work well, has never given me a problem in all my crossings, coming or going.

A bridge - no, make that a pair of great bridges. Not a bridge too far. Just, er, the right size for the strait. Not once have these bridges ever let me down. (tongue removed from cheek) The old steel bridge is nearly 60 years old and doing great. The new suspension span has a pedestrian/bike way which apparently, is part of a continuous path that's planned to go around the entire Bay Area. The span was built on time, under budget, and it looks like a million bucks (Well, make that 240 million bucks, still a bargain for this 2/3 mile bridge)! Al Zampa would be proud of this bridge bearing his name! read more

No complaints for this bridge! ! It's a straight shot to to Vallejo! $5 for crossing and it's nothing like the San Francisco Bay bridge, where sometimes I feel like I have to hold my breath or I might end up in the water! ;). The left lanes are the fast track so if u only have cash stay in the right lane! The lines go by very fast and the toll staff are very nice and pleasant! ! read more

Review for a bridge, yeah ok... I mainly use the bridge to and from work I live in the east bay work in Vallejo...I never hit traffic because of my hours, I love my early shift!! The new east bound bridge is nice the plus about that is you can walk across it!! There isn't too much of a nice view though and the bridge is pretty short...gets me where I need to go with no traffic so no complaints here! read more

The Carquinez Bridge has been here for as long as I can remember, and it really is a beautiful bridge. You get views of the greater SF Bay on one side, and towards the Delta and the Benicia Bridge in the other direction. Granted, the big drawback is that it's a bridge for I-80, and well 80 traffic generally sucks, but it's still one of the prettier bridges in the Bay Area. read more

Cool. I dunno why most of the reviews for this bridge aren't so great.... It's pretty cool! .. It's like a mini Bay Bridge & Golden Gate! (I mean, no where near as awesome, but it definitely gets an "E" for Effort!) Beautiful views, usually free-flowing traffic, plenty of lanes... What's not to like? Really! ONE THING: The nasty old male pervy toll booth workers often harass my girlfriend, trying to ask her out on dates or inquiring about her personal life, or simply just saying, "Hello beautiful.." Yuck! Fire them! That aside, cool bridge. I'm a fan. :) read more

Our frikkin bridges don't match! We have one fancy new one that is a pleasure to walk across and one lame-o old one going in the other direction. sheesh *eyes rolling* The toll booth people are usually rude and don't answer when you say "hi" or "thanks" or "have a good one". And I really can't stand the one one guy with the long hair and crucifix around his neck that is always dancing and laughing in his booth. it's not that I don't like to see happy people but what is he laughing at? and why if he is soooo happy and jovial can't he say "hi" back to me when I greet him? I cringe when I see he is in the booth I have driven up too. read more

R.I.P, Old Carquinez Bridge, chunks of the first steel cantilever bridge were removed (yeah, I know this started a while ago but I haven't been across it in a while). It was designed by Robinson & Steinman and dedicated on May 21, 1927; costing eight million dollars to build, it was the first major bridge in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 1958, a similar parallel bridge was built alongside the original one to accommodate the ever-increasing traffic. The original 1927 span served westbound traffic while the newer 1958 span served eastbound traffic. My friend promised me a bolt from the old span and I think I am going to collect now. read more

If only your westbound lanes were paved instead of grooved cememnt, or if you had a NICE view, or something, just something. You are nothing more than a bridge with a toll booth on one side. You are boring and plain and blah. Oh well you do you job and nothing more, I shouldn't ask that much of you I suppose. Cheers then, good job, but don;t expect a raise, it's not like you went above and beyond or anything. read more

I love the Carquinez Bridge - watching the construction of the northern span and the deconstruction of the old span was a real treat. I just adore the new span - it is one of the most gorgeous bridges and really fun to cross in car or on motorcycle. Great views and so much elegance - the juxtaposition of the old cantilever bridge with the new suspension bridge is an absolutely lovely contrast. read more

Until 2004, the Carquinez bridge just meant that I was leaving the Bay Area. It brought to mind memories of skiing in Tahoe, gambling in Reno, or wine tasting in the Napa Valley. I'd spend a wonderful weekend with friends or family and would long to see the Carquinez bridge, which meant I was finally home. Since 2005, the directions have flipped. When I take the Carquinez Bridge Northbound and I pass the tollbooth, I know that my exit is the next one and that I'll soon be home.... *MY* home. As Mastercard would say, that's totally priceless. read more

As someone else stated.... one bridge closer to the beautiful city of SF.. or in my case for the next few months, the final bridge to my job in Oakland. YAY Me!! LOL. This bridge has beautiful ramps to and from both sides, but the west bound side is far superior to the old 1950s side. Especially the ramp on the west side of the bridge, it is a lovely and well made curve which can handle higher speeds then the recomended speed. The toll booths on the EB side really seem to run smooth 9 times out of 10 with little interuption to the trip, although I really need to get a fast track so I can roar through the plaza like everyone else. The folks taking my money always seem polite and mostly cheerful for working at 1am. read more

An older gem of the bay area bridges, but my go to if coming back from the east bay as it typically less crowded during the day and night. 5$ toll via cash on the right lanes and fastrak lanes on the left when finished with the crossing. I will admit with any Bay area drivers crossing or newcomers, beware of drivers cutting you off last second. Either to get in a faster lane for paying or not familiar with the paying system and scrambling to get in the cash only lanes. read more

I think this may be my first time reviewing a bridge! Finally had a chance to run across this bridge one weekend with my cousin. We parked at the dead fish parking lot and ran across the bridge down towards maritime academy and back. About a less than 5 mile run. There is a slight incline getting on the bridge on both ends. There is also a water fountain on the Vallejo side if you get thirsty. Also watch out for groups of cyclist, when running, stay on your right so they won't run you over otherwise such a great view when running this bridge. read more

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

Love crossing this bridge. It takes me to a special place.....my parents house. If you don't have fastrack, stay in the right lane because it branches off into more lanes before the toll booth...it's faster read more

Um... it's a bridge.. only hit traffic once in my life and that was because there was a cop and a truck on the side of the road (past the bridge) and oranges all over the road XD read more

Everytime I cross this bridge, I feel like I was robbed. The bridge takes less than 30 seconds to cross if there are no delays because of people who had never gone across here before. The signage is poorly place, so people need to look around for FastTrack lanes. And the toll booths are narrow. All this for standard toll rates.. read more

Yesterday, I drove across this Bridge and found it to be smooth and a nice ride.The 5 dollars is a little high but that's not my complaint. The toll taker, an Indian, with a turban, was a very rude person. After saying hello to him twice, he completely ignores me. Now I'm not saying he should kiss my foot or anything like that, but I am saying, he should respond with a hello back to me. This Indian looks the other way and didn't even look at me. The Bridge authority should give their people classes on common courtesy. He is a public servant and should have common courtesy. If he doesn't like his job, then go back to India. read more

Either way I go on this bridge - I'm going home! Heading to the Bay Area is my childhood home and back - is where I live now. I love looking over and seeing c and H. read more

When we have come this way, it's been nice... light traffic 3 Fastrak lanes beautiful views Makes me wanna move to the surrounding areas :) or maybe not??... my son kept saying he smelled chemicals... apparently there's a sugar factory nearby??? read more

What I love most about the Carquinez Bridge is the name. There just something about the bridge name that has a nice ring to it. Must be part of my Mexican heritage...whatever it is, I like the name of this shorty. This is another Bay Area Bridge that I love and am proud of as a native Californian. This is a two span bridge that is less then a mile long in either direction. This bridge is off of Interstate 80 in Contra Costa County and Solano County near Vallejo. The toll plaza is on the eastern side near Vallejo. read more

A good bridge, you pay your toll and avoid the long underwater drive across the Carquinez Straight. I saw some nutcase jump from the old span a few years ago. You see, I was on my way home from work with my brother-in-law John, and there was some skinhead white guy walking on the side of the bridge where no pedestrians are allowed, he was looking pretty crazy wearing nothing but green boxer shorts, so I knew he was a jumper. We immediately got off in Crockett and parked at the old Yet Wah restaurant, man do I miss their Pot Stickers, but sure as shit he did it, and I called in the 911 report. And I mean next thing you know there was a Coast Guard boat and a helicopter and every cop for 20 miles, I helped point him out, not to be a rat you understand, but because I was sure he was hurt, and good thing I did because with all those cops around somebody was going to jail, me if they hadn't found some sort of body. A cop told me later that he did it on a $1000 bet. Might not have been worth it as the cop also said he had to have his spleen removed. What is a spleen anyway? Probably cows and chickens don't have a spleen, or some redneck or Cajun would have BBQ'ed one, I can hear it now "hey there City boy, ya'll want some grits with that spleen?" You never know, ha ha, ya might have been able to order spleen at the Yet Wah back then, Spleen Platter for two or more, $6.95 per person! I actually had a photo of me riding my bike on the Carquinez Bridge, but I couldn't find it so that's a photo of my cat, Gunny, but I call her Gunboat, it's funny that I found her right near the Benicia Bridge. And the pizza is a Clam and Garlic Special from Tony's on Columbus, an expensive pie, but well worth it. read more

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

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