Alvord Lake Bridge

Alvord Lake Bridge is a road crossing at the Golden Gate Park entrance supported by a single reinforced concrete arch that carries Kezar Drive over Stanyan Street. The interior features artificial stalactites hanging from the ceiling while the exterior has been scored and hammered to resemble sandstone.

Built in 1889 by engineer Ernest L. Ransome using his patented cold-twisted square steel reinforcement bars, it became the first reinforced concrete bridge in America. This structure set a new standard for bridge construction and demonstrated the viability of the material.

The bridge is named after an early park superintendent and functions as a gateway that many visitors pass through when entering the park from the neighborhood. Below the traffic overhead, pedestrians encounter an unusual cave-like interior that marks this passage as memorable.

The best way to experience this is by walking through on foot on the pedestrian path beneath the arch, especially when sunlight reveals the interior details. Access is straightforward and free, making it an easy detour when moving between the neighborhood and the park.

The interior was intentionally designed to resemble a cave with artificial stalactites evoking natural karst formations, despite being constructed entirely of concrete. This unusual design choice was remarkable for infrastructure of the 19th century.

Location: San Francisco

Official opening: 1889

GPS coordinates: 37.76900,-122.45500

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:02