Fair Oaks Bridge

Fair Oaks Bridge is a metal truss structure that crosses the American River and connects trails on both sides of the waterway. The structure uses a Pratt truss design with multiple spans and serves as a pedestrian and bicycle crossing today.

Built in 1909, the structure served as the main crossing point over the American River for several decades before other bridges were constructed upstream. Its construction marked an important period of expansion for the communities it connected.

The bridge played a key role in connecting the two sides of the local community and shaping how people moved through the region. It enabled farmers to reach markets more easily and influenced the growth pattern of settlements in the area.

The crossing is restricted to pedestrians and cyclists and connects the river park trails north of Upper Sunrise Drive. Plan to spend time exploring the surrounding area and river landscape during your visit.

The structure combines two different connection techniques within its design, featuring both pin-connected and rivet-connected sections that reflect the transition in bridge-building methods of that era. This mixture reveals how construction practices were evolving in the early 1900s.

Location: California

GPS coordinates: 38.63627,-121.26511

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:29