Richmond - San Rafael Bridge

At the north end of the bay is the cantilever-truss Richmond-San Rafael Bridge which stretches 5.5 miles. This bridge has the dubious distinction of being struck on several occasions by passing ships, including a World War II vessel and a Navy radar ship that struck the bridge twice as the ship spun around. However, the bridge suffered no serious damage.

Less elegant than its sister bridges, upon completion it was dubbed by bay area residents the "roller coaster bridge." But, even in its austerity, the bridge glides effortlessly across the bay, linking travelers to the hills of Marin and the wine-growing regions of Sonoma and Napa Valley.