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    Richmond - San Rafael Bridge

    3.5 (90 reviews)
    Open • Open 24 hours

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    Phil A.

    A true engineering marvel!! At around 5 miles long, the upper deck has a bike/walking lane, but with cars whizzing by you at 60+ mph, not sure how comfortable you're gonna feel there, I know I was thinking the worst. Like all Bay Area bridges now, the toll booths are gone, they snap a picture of your license plate and you get a toll invoice in the mail. The bridge itself does feel old, but sturdy. And with the ups and downs of this bridge when you're driving, it's does feel different. But it gets you from Richmond to San Quentin and, eventually, to San Rafael in a very timely matter!!

    Yes that's the bridge, can view the entire span from our deck.
    Cindy W.

    Definitely from Marin and Sonoma Yes, what other choice is there! Definitely no comparison to the Bay Bridge, now that's a nightmare I will never venture. Take me to the Greek via the Richmond San Rafael Bridge!

    David M.

    Sweet crossing that can be a cool backroad access from the East Bay to the golden gate of you need to get to those points n the city. We were headed from Sacramento to lands end and Waze prompted this path for us. In terms of on the water the bridge is a nice gateway from the east bay waters to the open bay in the way to the city.

    10pm Thursday night,  eastbound
    Steve D.

    The Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, opened in 1956, it cost $62-million to build. Upper deck has a protected bike and walking pathway. Lower deck has a 3rd lane for commute hours. That's great right? Not really, it takes away the emergency lane. So, upper deck is westbound with 2 lanes and a great view of San Quentin State Prison on the left. Lower deck is eastbound with 2-3 lanes, and not much view. Toll plaza is all electronic now, with no human toll takers. It's either scan your FasTrak device or a camera snaps a photo of your plate. That's why everyone needs a front license plate and no plate covers. Why 4-stars? Because I usually get stuck in the traffic delays when they do night maintenance. 3 lanes merge to 1. Well, you do have choices.....you can use Hwy 37, or the backroads of Sonoma, or cross the Golden Gate Bridge and drive thru San Francisco to get to the Bay Bridge. Usually I just sit in traffic (see photo of June 2, '22). Great bridge! Useful and saves time. Let's you avoid driving thru SF.

    Ultima M.

    Crossing the bridge on my way to Sausalito Nice view of the bay Double decker bridge Total length 5.5 miles Official name of the bridge is John F McCarthy bridge Pay for toll via Fast Track

    Rick P.

    Five stars! Solid bridge and it gets you across water! I supposed you could ask for more lanes but it works for me!

    Fred T.

    The poor Richmond - San Rafael Bridge. Its sort of the the ugly duckling of the Bay Area bridge set. It spans the bay connecting the city of Richmond to San Rafael. Its a vital roadway no doubt thus sparing many commuters hours of time each day. However, unless you are commuting, heading in a specific direction, or one of the other bridges is closed many simply forget this bridge is even there. Its spot as the forgotten bridge is manifested in the movie "Sneakers". When trying to figure out a kidnapping route they mention 5 bridges on the Bay YET only name the GG, Bay, San Mateo, and the Dumbarton. That being said, in the classic Dirty Harry movie Magnum Force it can be seen in the distance. The span is quite long mind you at 5.5 miles, but it is an odd mixture of cantilever sections, and other types of construction. Its as if they had leftover stuff from other bridges and like the old erector set, they used whatever they had. The other oddity is that it goes up and down in an undulating pattern (like an old wooden roller coaster). There is not alot else to the bridge. One one side you can see Red Rock Island which is noteworthy as being one of the only private island in the bay. Its presently listed at $5 million if you have money to burn. On the San Rafael side is California's notorious Max prison and home to death row, San Quentin. The bit of good news is a planned bike and pedestrian lane should be finished soon!

    san rafael bridge in the fire haze
    Rebecca B.

    This bridge is spacious, but I can barely see the ocean view in my honda civic. Sigh At least there's barely traffic :)

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    Ask the Community - Richmond - San Rafael Bridge

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    Review Highlights - Richmond - San Rafael Bridge

    “We took the Golden Gate Bridge to get to point Reyes and decided to come back home via the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.”

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    Marin History Museum - Louise Arner Boyd Exhibit

    Marin History Museum

    4.2(6 reviews)
    5.5 mi

    I want to share an honest review of my recent experience with the Marin History Museum. While my…read moreexperience initially became frustrating surrounding the San Quentin tour, I am grateful for how the situation was ultimately addressed. When I signed up for the tour, my ticket was somehow cancelled. After further review, I learned that this was the result of a clerical error. Unfortunately, it created a difficult situation for me, especially because it took several days to determine what had happened. My only intention was to feel confident that I could participate in an opportunity I had signed up for based on the stated requirements. I was recently offered the opportunity to join the San Quentin tour after everything was reviewed, and I truly appreciate the effort that was made to make things right. A special thank-you to Jennifer and Heather for taking the time to help resolve the situation and for attempting to make a difficult experience better. I also want to sincerely apologize to Lori if my concerns caused any unnecessary commotion. That was never my intention. I simply cared deeply about being able to participate and wanted to understand why my registration had changed. Ultimately, I appreciate the Marin History Museum for hearing me out and working toward a positive resolution. I look forward to continuing to reach out, participate, and support the museum and the important work it does to preserve and share Marin County's history. Thank you to everyone who took the time to help. I truly appreciate it.

    Fascinating for history students...rare finds...travel far...in Bay Area...house museum with Maple…read moreLawn building...Elk's Lodge? Downtown San Rafael has a main street with shops and restaurants...like old times...fun...anytime really...it's not hard to visit some parts of outer Bay Area counties...this area has access with the transit center buses that go out of the bridge area...nice adventure...some people are ignorant of buses...sometimes buses are a better to way to transport...house museums are in all directions NWSE...etc...this one is different...it says that the daughter was a polar photographer, geographer, and went on expeditions...related to Canada etc...really wonderful time to visit the history house...quiet community...scholarly...athletic...

    Photos
    Marin History Museum - Louise Arner Boyd Exhibit

    Louise Arner Boyd Exhibit

    Marin History Museum - Ansel Adams Photographs of Louse Arner Boyd's Home

    Ansel Adams Photographs of Louse Arner Boyd's Home

    Marin History Museum - "Petals & Ice" Exhibit Banners

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    "Petals & Ice" Exhibit Banners

    China Camp Village - Inside of boat

    China Camp Village

    4.7(6 reviews)
    4.7 mi

    Our camp site was just an 8 minutes drive away. We came on a Saturday just before 2pm and intended…read moreto just check out the beach. We did not know we also stumbled onto this little fishing village and museum too. Apparently you can also rent the space out for wedding receptions too as we had seen one being set up. The beach was also nice as we spent a few hours here. It's a pebble beach so bring something soft to sit or lay on. There are also a few picnic tables. Even if we don't camp we could see ourselves visiting here as it's very peaceful and not busy at all.

    We had reservations at the campground at China Camp State Park in early August, 2024, which was…read moreintended just as an overnight stop while on-route between Santa Cruz, CA and the Oregon coast. Without having done any research with respect to what to expect at the state park, we were very pleasantly surprised to stumble upon the China Camp Village. The Village commemorates an historical (1880s) Chinese American shrimp fishing village on the shore of San Pablo Bay. The small (unmanned) museum is in one of the original restored buildings, and has exhibits that depict the work and lives of the fishermen from that era. We also walked along the pier, and took photographs of the old boats on the shore and the "Grace Quan", which is moored to the pier. The Grace Quan is a reconstruction of a San Francisco Bay shrimp junk that was a workhorse of the dried shrimp industry from 1860-1910. We ended the evening watching sunset over the bay from one of the plentiful picnic tables. Clean restrooms are available. The state park charges $5 for day use parking.

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    China Camp Village
    China Camp Village
    China Camp Village

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    The Wave Organ - Read the sign

    The Wave Organ

    3.9(200 reviews)
    8.7 mi•Marina/Cow Hollow

    Heads up before you make the trek: the Wave Organ was closed when we got there. A dredging barge…read morewas parked offshore and running, with a Safety Notice zip-tied to a barrier blocking the path. Nothing about this shows up on Google Maps or in recent Yelp reviews, so we walked all the way out for a locked gate. Save yourself the surprise and check before you go. We heard about this place on a Sunday Morning broadcast and the history sold us. So we walked from Embarcadero Pier out to the jetty, mostly because we wanted the steps. The path along the breakwater has good bay views the whole way, with the city skyline behind you and the East Bay hills across the water. That part of the walk was worth it on its own. The closure looked temporary on paper, but the barge has been sitting there a while and was clearly mid-job when we arrived, so I would not bet on it clearing up soon. No way to know how long the dredging runs. Logistics: if you drive, there is parking near the Marina and the St. Francis Yacht Club, which puts you much closer than we were. The jetty itself is exposed, so bring a layer for wind. Bottom line: I think the Wave Organ is worth a visit for the setting and the concept, but I would not hoof it out there again on foot. One bright spot, the Palace of Fine Arts is close by and that was the highlight of the day. If your trip out here gets blocked, walk over there instead.

    Very unique musical instrument and beautiful place to gaze the magical skyline of San Francisco…read moreplus enjoying the cooling breeze of the bay and the view of the ever famous Golden Gate Bridge. Free parking and nice walkways .

    Photos
    The Wave Organ - 06.15.25 the acoustics of the wave organ are only active when the tide is in, and the music is best heard around high tide

    06.15.25 the acoustics of the wave organ are only active when the tide is in, and the music is best heard around high tide

    The Wave Organ - 06.15.25 Built in 1986 by Exploratorium artists in residence Peter Richards and George Gonzalez

    06.15.25 Built in 1986 by Exploratorium artists in residence Peter Richards and George Gonzalez

    The Wave Organ - View from the organ to the bridge

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    View from the organ to the bridge

    Richmond - San Rafael Bridge - landmarks - Updated September 2026

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