The Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary May 27, 2012!

The Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary

Did you know?

Although the idea of a bridge spanning the Golden Gate was not new, the proposal that eventually took hold was made in a 1916 San Francisco Bulletin article by former engineering student James Wilkins.[12]San Francisco's City Engineer estimated the cost at $100 million, impractical for the time, and fielded the question to bridge engineers of whether it could be built for less. One who responded, Joseph Strauss, was an ambitious but dreamy engineer and poet who had, for his graduate thesis, designed a 55-mile (89 km) long railroad bridge across the Bering Strait, At the time, Strauss had completed some 400 drawbridges—most of which were inland—and nothing on the scale of the new project. Strauss's initial drawings were for a massive cantilever on each side of the strait, connected by a central suspension segment, which Strauss promised could be built for $17 million.

How are you going to celebrate?

You could…..

Share your Bridge painting, drawing, or other artistic masterpiece

Take a picture of you or your friends holding a “Happy Birthday Golden Gate
Bridge!” sign at your favorite local bridge—a drawbridge, a footbridge, or any bridge at all—and share it with GGB

Concoct a Golden Gate Bridge 75th cocktail and send us the recipe

Take a photo from the Bridge on your 2012 birthday and share it

Post a video of your best impersonation of a foghorn

Snap a quick pic when you see the Golden Gate Transit’s 75th Anniversary Bus, adorned with a Bridge image by Marin artist George Sumner

Bake a birthday cake in the shape of the Bridge and share the photos

Host a Golden Gate Bridge movie night (a quick Web search turns up lots of films!); debate the greatest movie scenes that feature the Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary May 27, 2012!

The Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary

Did you know?
Many wanted to build a bridge to connect San Francisco to Marin County. San Francisco was the largest American city still served primarily by ferry boats. Because it did not have a permanent link with communities around the bay, the city's growth rate was below the national average. Many experts said that a bridge couldn’t be built across the 6,700 ft (2,042 m) strait. It had strong, swirling tides and currents, with water 500 ft (150 m) in depth at the center of the channel, and frequent strong winds. Experts said that ferocious winds and blinding fogs would prevent construction and operation.

How are you going to celebrate?

You could….

Tweet about your thoughts and reactions to 75th anniversary celebrations and activities; be sure to hashtag #ggb75

Tell your favorite story or memory of the Bridge; visit www.goldengatebridge75.org/share to add to our collective “valentine” to the Bridge

Write a poem or song about the Bridge and share it with GGB at www.facebook.com/ggb75

Sing “Happy Birthday” to the Bridge and post your video to GGB Facebook page

Upload your favorite photographs of the Bridge on GGB Flickr page

The Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary

The Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary May 27, 2012!

Did you know?
Before the bridge was built, the only practical short route between San Francisco and what is now Marin County was by boat across a section of San Francisco Bay. Ferry service began as early as 1820, with regularly scheduled service beginning in the 1840s for purposes of transporting water to San Francisco!
How are you going to celebrate?
You could….

Join the Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary communities on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ggb75), Twitter (www.twitter.com/ggb75) and Flickr (www.flickr.com/groups/ggb75/)

Attend one or more of the 75 Community Tributes being offered by Bay Area organizations throughout the anniversary year (see list of activities at www.goldengatebridge75.org)

Make plans and invite friends to attend the Bridge’s waterfront birthday celebration over Memorial Day weekend, May 26-27, 2012—don’t miss the surprise grand finale on Sunday night!

Throw your own Bridge birthday party on May 27, 2012

Hyatt Sister Property is Home for the Holidays!

Ideally located in the Embarcadero Center, across from the iconic Ferry Building and steps from the California Street Cable Car line, Hyatt Regency San Francisco has a host of holiday plans to entice revelers from near and far. As a matter of fact, Hyatt Regency San Francisco is predicting snowfall throughout the holiday season in its dramatic, Guinness Book of World Records’ Largest Atrium Lobby in the world. Complementing thousands of cascading lights and a dramatic 30-foot tree, snow will fall three times a day in the hotel's lobby, from November 19 through December 31, 2011. The calendar of events for Hyatt Regency San Francisco’s 2011 holiday season is outlined below with full descriptions to follow:

Tree and Interior Lobby Lighting: November 18 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. in conjunction with Embarcadero Center’s exterior illumination and skating show, which is from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Snow in the Atrium Lobby: Daily from November 19 to December 31 at 1:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Embarcadero Holiday Skating Rink: Daily from November 9, 2011 to January 2, 2012

Holiday Happy Hour at Eclipse Lounge: Daily from 4:30 pm – 7:30 p.m., featuring Signature cocktails and holiday libations

Ice Skating Package: November 18 to December 30

Thanksgiving Dinner: November 24 from 4:00 – 10:00 p.m. featuring a 3-course dinner, $37 for adults and $18 for children 4 – 12 years of age, children under 4 free

Breakfast with Santa in Eclipse Café: December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18 from 8:00 a.m. – Noon, full breakfast buffet, $23.95 for adults and $10.75 for children 4-12 years of age, children under 4 free

Christmas Eve Dinner: December 24 from 4:00 –10:00 p.m., featuring a 3-course dinner, $37 for adults and $21 for children 4-12 years of age, children under 4 free

Christmas Day Dinner: December 25 from 4:00 – 10:00 p.m., featuring a 3-course dinner, $37 for adults and $21 for children 4-12 years of age, children under 4 free

New Year’s Eve Package: December 31, 2011 to January 1, 2012

New Year’s Eve Bayviews and Bubbles: Regency Club Package (December 27, 2011 – January 4, 2012)

New Year’s Eve Dinner: December 31 from 5:30 – 10:00 p.m. featuring a 4-course dinner, $45 for adults and $21 for children 4-12 years of age, children under 4 free

New Year’s Breakfast Buffet: January 1 from 7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., featuring a $7 Bloody Mary Bar, breakfast buffet, $23.95 for adults and $10.75 for children 4-12 years of age, children under 4 free

For more information, visit www.sanfranciscoregency.hyatt.com or call (415) 788-1234.

Nob Hill Gazette: On The Waterfront

Seven years after setting sail from Norway, Andrew Furuseth came ashore in San Francisco in 1880, and the life of the average sailor was never the same. Furuseth, known as the “emancipator of the seaman,” might have also, accidentally, been instrumental in establishing San Francisco as a seafood mecca, a kind of “foodies’ Valhalla.” Read full article...

Introducing Summer Splash Package & Celebration Add On Option

Introducing the brand new “Summer Splash” package, ideal for families headed to San Francisco this summer. As the best child-friendly hotel in San Francisco’s #1 destination, the Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf boasts one of the city’s only outdoor, heated pools and is located in the center of all the most popular family attractions. In addition to the package, the hotel is also offering an add-on option for families celebrating birthday, anniversary or any other special occasion.

The “Summer Splash” promotion includes a generous size room for a family of four, full breakfast for two adults and two children, one in-room movie per stay, a coupon per child/per stay for one cookie from Knuckles and a PIER 39 Fun Pack (coupon book). Rates start at only $209 per night.

The celebration option can be added in advance or once the guests have arrived as long as they provide 24 hour notice. Perfect for those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries while on their San Francisco vacation, the add-on option is $50 and includes a six inch cake, sparkling wine (or non-alcoholic option) and balloons.

photocredit: Examiner.com