This photo
The experience was part of Road Scholar program ( roadscholar.org ) #21900CGT that I participated in April 7-12, 2019. The program was called "Hiking the Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods and Point Reyes". We are standing in the parking lot that is provided near the pedestrian entrance, on the Marin County side of the Golden Gate Bridge.
From the parking lot, walkers go down stairs to a passageway beneath the bridge surface, and slightly elevated from the stone embankment that makes up the edge of the land mass.
The passage way under the bridge makes a turn to the left near the end, which leads out to steps that will take the walker up to the entrance of the pedestrian walkway of the Golden Gate Bridge. All these measures are necessary because pedestrians are only permitted to walk on ONE side of the bridge---not both.
I took this photo to show the extensive labyrinth of steel girders that forms the support for the base of the bridge, while it is still passing over land.
Most readers will recognize this as Alcatraz Island, which was once the home of notorious prisoners. It is now visited by thousands of people who are NOT prisoners, but rather taking a tour of the facility through the National Park Service. 
As the walker gets closer to the San Francisco side, they will be able to recognize the familiar sight of the Coit Tower, which is located atop one of San Francisco's famous hills.
I took this photo to give the reader a sense of how close the pedestrians are to the car traffic. We were given strict instructions to stay as close to the railing as possible on the left side of the walkway, leaving the rest of the enclosure for the use of bicyclists. Don also reminded us to NOT mindlessly step out of line to take a photo, or we might get an unexpected bump from a bicycler pedaling up from behind us. We were told to look BOTH ways, before stepping to the right to take a photo. Since Don has been leading these programs quite some time, I can only assume he was speaking from experience from a previous program!
This is a photo of one of the areas of the pedestrian walkway that expands a bit, to facilitate folks stopping to get a closer look at their surroundings, regroup, take photos, etc.; in the photo you can see the red rectangle hanging on the front of Don's jacket. That is the sound transmitter that he used throughout our trek, so that he could be talking to us as we walked across, and we could hear him, in spite of the deafening noise of traffic beside us. Each of the Road Scholar participants had a listening device in our ear, that made this possible. 
We made our trip across the bay on a weekday, and saw a few pleasure boats, such as this sailboat, taking advantage of a very windy day!
When we reached the San Francisco side of the bridge, Don led us through a plaza that had a metal replica of the bridge we had just walked across. The visual aid helped us understand the physics principles, that made this historic structure such an engineering marvel. Likewise, there were explanatory placards scattered all around the plaza that interpreted views that could be seen from various locations, and told interesting facets of the bridge's construction. The plaza also had food and beverage concessions, gift kiosks, and restrooms. 
Bicycling across the bridge is very popular, and bikes are available for rent near the pedestrian entrances. Because there are no license or skill requirements necessary to rent a bicycle, it is another reason our leader told us to be on the constant lookout for an inexperienced bicycler, as we were traversing the walkway. 
Notice the large orange backpack Don is wearing? In case one is wondering why that is necessary, it is because he is a very prepared, and organized leader. It had extra batteries and listening devices, in case one of his participants needed it mid-hike. Likewise, he carried first aid supplies, and participant's emergency contact information 
This photo shows that we had an absolutely beautiful, sunshiny day to walk across the bridge, without a cloud in the sky!
This view is seen from the pedestrian walkway, and would be puzzling for the uninformed. However, Don told us that the orange "arms" extending out over the water were to be the supports for a "suicide prevention net" that was currently under construction, on the bridge. It is said that the Golden Gate Bridge is a "suicide magnet" for some, and that about 500 people have jumped to their death since the bridge opened in 1937. Statistics say that 40 known people jumped to their death in 2016. The Bridge administration is spending $200 million to change that, as it works to get the suicide prevention net completed by 2021. It will extend over 1.5 miles of open water, and will be made of stainless steel mesh, located about 2o feet below the bridge, and stick out 20 feet from the edge of the bridge. A jumper could still crawl to the edge of the net to jump off again, although designers predict that the fall from the bridge surface to the net would incapacitate the person, allowing rescuers to retrieve them.
There are commercial tourist boats that take visitors out on the waters, and cruise them beneath the bridge. I was able to take one of those sightseeing cruises on past visits, and gave a big wave to the tourists I saw below in this boat, who were also waving up at me!
Besides tourist boats, there are plenty of commercial vessels, such as this container ship, that use the shipping lanes of the San Francisco Bay.
Once we had walked across the bridge in the afternoon, visited the San Francisco plaza side, and made our way back to the tunnel that would lead us to the Road Scholar van in the parking lot, we had completed four miles of bridge walking. Hurrah! I got my 10,000 steps in that day, since we had already walked four miles on the Marin hiking trails in the morning!
It has been said that the Golden Gate Bridge is the most photographed man-made structure in the world, and I know I certainly took more than my share of those photos during the week I visited the area! Seeing how the bridge provides a means to connect that which is separated, is a visual aid for me, reminding me of how Jesus is also a "bridge" to separate that which is separated. We as a people have become separated from a righteous God because of our sins. But Jesus came to take the penalty for our sins---to be the living sacrifice---that could form a "bridge" so that we could once again have fellowship with our Creator. The bridge Jesus provided is there for EVERYONE, but some will choose not to use the bridge that has been provided for us. Though this Road Scholar program, I made the choice to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. Likewise, knowing that I have also made the choice to walk across the "Golden Grace Bridge" of salvation, that Jesus has provided, gives me MILES OF SMILES! Tricia
EARTHQUAKES!!?? YIKES!!! All my adult life, I have heard about the San Andreas Fault, even though I live in Arkansas, thousands of miles away from its location. Yet, I always paid attention to what I learned about it, because I have many relatives who live in California, and have heard them talk about earthquakes and tremors they have experienced over the decades. SOOOoooo, when I read there was a Road Scholar hiking program that would be exploring and studying about the San Andreas Fault area of California, I was intrigued, and signed up to participate. (It was Program #21900CGT, and you can sign up to make this trip yourself at 
The trail gets its name because you can see the actual fence that got split in two, during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake! The Point Reyes Peninsula is separated from the mainland by a narrow linear valley, that lies directly on the San Andreas Fault, where the Pacific and North American continental plates meet. Point Reyes is part of the Pacific Plate, whereas the California mainland is part of the North American plate. The San Andreas fault zone is actually many large and small faults running parallel and at odd angles. The plates can "catch" on each other, pressure builds up, and eventually the underlying rock breaks loose in a sudden jolt. This is what happened in 1906 when the peninsula leapt 20 feet northwestward in less than a minute. 
The trail also takes visitors by other interesting features, including this tree that gives viewers the idea it may also have been split in two by the earthquake!
The Bear Valley Visitor Center at Point Reyes National Sea Shore is a huge, barn-like structure that has fascinating exhibit inside, telling about the flora and fauna of Point Reyes, and also explaining about the shifting ground where it is located. Besides outstanding exhibits, the center has clean restrooms, vending machines, book store, and gift shop. Besides the Earthquake Trail, there are many other trails that get their start, or pass by, the Bear Valley Visitor Center. These include the Rift Zone Trail, Kule Loklo Trail, Morgan Trail, Woodpecker Trail, and Bear Valley Trail. This area also is the location of the NPS Park Headquarters. 
Following out hike on the Earthquake Trail, our group went by van to the Hearts Desire Beach for a box lunch. Our picnic table looked out on to Tomales Bay, which lies directly over the San Andreas Fault. Thankfully, I did not feel the slightest tremor, as we enjoyed our sandwiches, looking across the water at the Tomales Bay State Park. 
There were enough tables, and our group was small enough, we all were able to have a view that looked out onto the water, instead of towards the parking lot. It was also reassuring that the Hearts Desire Beach had restrooms, so we could stay hydrated without concerns of about no place for a potty break!
After lunch, we drove in the van through the Tule Elk Reserve, and had the good fortune to spot a huge heard of the elk, as they grazed on the lush, green grass of their meadowlands. It was a foggy day, so views of the herd would fluctuate with the fog conditions, but finally there was a short lifting of the mist, so that I could get a single photo of the majestic creatures. A
After watching the elk for a while, we continue to to the parking lot that served as the trail head for the hike to Chimney Rock, located at the end of Sir Francis Drake Blvd. It was a pleasant hike, always going slightly higher into the headlands, on a gravel trail, surrounded by incredible wildflower blooms 
The day was damp and misty and cloudy, but we had been instructed beforehand to have rain gear, and to dress in layers, so all of our group was prepared for the situation. I have heard it said that there is no such thing as "bad weather"; rather, the problem is people "badly prepared" for the weather!
I took this photo of our group as we ascended, because I like the way the evergreen trees formed an arch across our path. All the members of our group used their trekking poles for this hike, as the trail was steep at places, and a few potholes and ditches, caused by water run-off from recent heavy rains.
These two ladies from our Road Scholar group were deep into conversation, and oblivious to the fact that they were being photographed. Personally, I did not want to get that close to the edge of the cliff!
Our hike took us by some of the historic structures of Point Reyes National Seashore. Sadly, we did not get to see the Point Reyes Lighthouse, as the road to the lighthouse, as well as the lighthouse itself, were closed for repairs.
There are no impenetrable barriers that keep people away from the edge of the bluff, but this sign was enough of a warning to me! As you can see from the path that leads to the edge, however, not everyone obeys the sign!
At one point, a visitor can get close enough to the edge to see the rocky beach below. Even though it is called the Chimney Rock Trail, none of us saw any rock formation that resembled a chimney! Our leader told us that the erosive action of the waves, and possibly tremors/earthquakes, had eliminated whatever landmark used to be there, that looked like a chimney.
There were some narrow inlets that provided a water show, as the waves crashed through the openings, and ejected sprays of sea foam into the air. Who knows---maybe it was this sea foam that formed the basis for the word "chimney", and it resembled smoke coming from a chimney!
We continued on our hike towards another area above Drakes Beach, where we would see a different kind of mammal, than the elk we had seen earlier.
Those critters laying on the beach are called Elephant Seals. 
As we walked down the paved road towards the pier, the noises became louder and louder, as the elephant seals went about their routine squabbles over territory.
Some of the seals (like the ones in this photo) seem to be loners, and did not huddle up together.
There were baby seals that could capture your heart with their big eyes staring at you!
This is a photo of the seals that are NOT loners. They were huddled up together and making squawking noises, that could be heard from very far away. Likewise, the smell also carried a great distance!
Part of the smell comes from their fecal matter, but part of the "aroma" is associated with their molting characteristics.
The literature said visitors can watch elephant seals as they breed, and these two "lovers" look like they may have been ready to do just that!
I have a fascination with "Bench Mark" imagery, so I did not want to pass up the opportunity to photograph a U.S. Coast Survey marker, as proof I had visited this area!
Another beach our group visited just a short distance from where we had seen the elephant seals, had a completely different habit, and there were no seals in sight at this location.
The park literature talks about the Douglas fir
Point Reyes National Seashore is famous for its wildflower blooms, and although the purple flowers in this photo of colorful, they are evidence of Ice Plant, that was introduced by well-meaning government workers decades ago, to prevent erosion of the coastline. Although they may have been effective for eliminating erosion, they have also eliminated most native species of wildflowers, and concurrently, the ecosystem that go along with those native plants. Efforts are on-going to mitigate the effects of the Ice Plant, on the native species of the California coast. 
This is a photo of our Road Scholar group, as we dined the evening of our first full day of Program # 21900CGT. This lovely restaurant was located in the Town Center Corte Madera, which also had numerous other cafes and popular stores. The lodging for our group was the Best Western Inn of Corte Madera, California. The hotel was part of a five-acre property, located in the heart of Marin County, just across the street from the Town Center. 