San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge may be the most famous of Northern California’s bridges, but did you know it has a younger sibling that’s worth checking out? Known as the Guy West Bridge, this massive suspension bridge was designed specifically to resemble the Golden Gate in both form and structure. It may not be as large, but it was considered the longest pedestrian bridge in the U.S. when it was initially unveiled. Located near Sacramento, it’s definitely worth crossing for yourself!
Towering over the American River in Sacramento, the Guy West Bridge is definitely an impressive sight. You may notice that it has some stark similarities to San Francisco's famous Golden Gate Bridge, and that's because it was designed to be a near replica of the iconic structure.
Unveiled in 1967, the Guy West Bridge was noted as the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the U.S. at the time of its opening. Spanning 1,144-feet, the bridge links the campus of California State University, Sacramento with the nearby Campus Commons development.
Since it's solely open to foot and bicycle traffic, traversing this massive bridge makes for a serene adventure. Surrounded by the peaceful scenery of the majestic American River, there's no shortage of natural beauty around these parts.
You can experience the bridge and its gorgeous setting when exploring a trail known as the American River Parkway. This popular cycling and walking trail begins where the American River flows into the Sacramento River, following the American River as it stretches east beyond Folsom Dam.
The parkway offers 40-miles of paved trail along the river, including the section along the Guy West Bridge. For those who want a shorter adventure, a commonly traversed route on the parkway makes a loop from the Guy West Bridge to the Watt Avenue Bridge.
This route is approximately five miles, making it perfect for an afternoon stroll around beautiful Sacramento. The landscape along this section of the river is dominated by lush vegetation including oaks, coyote bush, cottonwoods, and sycamores. Despite the trail's popularity, the atmosphere is absolutely serene.
The Guy West Bridge may be modeled after the most popular bridge in the state, but it's most definitely unique in its own way. Explore this man-made gem for yourself and cross this incredible structure soon!
