Vincent Thomas Bridge
LA's only suspension bridge, connecting San Pedro to Terminal Island, offering iconic views of the Port of Los Angeles.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Magical light for photos
Vincent Thomas Bridge
Best Time
Magical light for photos
Highlights
Must-see attractions
LA's only suspension bridge, connecting San Pedro to Terminal Island, offering iconic views of the Port of Los Angeles.
"Often called the 'Green Gate,' it's a beautiful, underappreciated monument offering spectacular harbor views."
📸 Capture the 'Green Gate'
Often called LA's 'Green Gate,' this bridge offers stunning photo ops, especially at sunset!
🚗 Drive with a View
The drive across offers fantastic harbor and city views. Perfect for a scenic commute!
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Iconic Suspension Structure
Crossing Los Angeles Harbor
California's only suspension bridge in the LA area, offering a unique architectural marvel and scenic views.
Golden Hour Photography
Overlooking the harbor
Capture breathtaking shots as the sun sets or rises, bathing the bridge and port in warm, golden light.
Port of Los Angeles Views
From the bridge deck
Experience panoramic vistas of the bustling Port of Los Angeles, a critical hub for global trade.
Nighttime Illumination
Bridge at night
Witness the bridge come alive with lights after dark, creating a dramatic and beautiful cityscape.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing Your Visit for the Best Views
Understanding Bridge Access and Events
Always check local event schedules before your visit to avoid disappointment.Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
📸 Capture the 'Green Gate'
Often called LA's 'Green Gate,' this bridge offers stunning photo ops, especially at sunset!
🚗 Drive with a View
The drive across offers fantastic harbor and city views. Perfect for a scenic commute!
🌙 Nighttime Beauty
The bridge is beautifully lit at night, creating a spectacular sight.
🚁 Drone Footage Gold
For aerial enthusiasts, this bridge provides incredible drone shots, especially with the port backdrop. +1
Tips
from all over the internet
📸 Capture the 'Green Gate'
Often called LA's 'Green Gate,' this bridge offers stunning photo ops, especially at sunset!
🚗 Drive with a View
The drive across offers fantastic harbor and city views. Perfect for a scenic commute!
🌙 Nighttime Beauty
The bridge is beautifully lit at night, creating a spectacular sight.
🚁 Drone Footage Gold
For aerial enthusiasts, this bridge provides incredible drone shots, especially with the port backdrop. +1
🚶♂️ Event Closures Possible
Annual events like 'Conquer the Bridge' can close the road. Check ahead!
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise the Vincent Thomas Bridge for its iconic status, impressive suspension design, and beautiful harbor views, often comparing it to the Golden Gate Bridge. It's a popular spot for photography, especially during golden hour and at night, and is essential to the Port of Los Angeles landscape. Some note that stopping on the bridge itself isn't possible, and pedestrian access is limited.
"The Vincent Thomas Bridge is a suspension bridge, crossing Los Angeles Harbor in Los Angeles, linking San Pedro with Terminal Island. It is the only suspension bridge in the Greater Los Angeles area. The bridge is part of State Route 47, which is also known as the Seaside Freeway. The bridge opened in 1963 and is named for California Assemblyman Vincent Thomas of San Pedro, who championed its construction.
Until the new bridge's 1963 construction, ferry service from San Pedro was important to cannery and shipyard workers on Terminal Island. When the bridge opened in 1963, there was a toll in both directions, until 2000 when toll was eliminated. The bridge has featured in numerous movies."
Doug Ho
"Iconic bridge near the harbor and reminds me of the golden gate. Though it’s not as historic as golden gate I call it the green gate of LA"
Jagadeesh Rahul
"Carries you efficiently from one side of the Los Angeles harbor channel to the other without dropping you into it. Not quite the Golden Gate, but then very little is."
Lawrence Oleksiewicz
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Vincent Thomas Bridge is easily accessible by car via State Route 47 (Seaside Freeway). It connects San Pedro to Terminal Island. Many visitors drive across it as part of their journey through the harbor area.
While there isn't direct public transport onto the bridge itself, you can take buses to San Pedro or Terminal Island and then access viewpoints or walk/bike parts of the area. Check local transit schedules for routes serving the harbor.
Walking or biking directly across the main span of the Vincent Thomas Bridge is generally not permitted due to safety regulations for vehicle traffic. However, there are often pedestrian and bicycle access points near the bridge for viewing and photography.
Parking can be limited directly at the bridge. Consider parking in San Pedro near the USS Iowa Museum or along the waterfront, and then walking towards the bridge for views.
No, the Vincent Thomas Bridge is toll-free. The tolls were eliminated in 2000.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No ticket is required to drive or view the Vincent Thomas Bridge. It is a public roadway and a landmark.
The bridge is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as it is a public highway.
The primary restriction is for pedestrian and bicycle access on the main roadway for safety. Large vehicles may have specific lane restrictions.
Stopping on the bridge itself is prohibited for safety reasons. You'll need to find designated viewpoints or pull-offs before or after crossing.
While the bridge is a roadway, accessible viewpoints and surrounding areas in San Pedro and Terminal Island should be researched for specific accessibility information.
📸 📸 Photography
Golden hour (sunrise and sunset) offers the most dramatic lighting for photos. Nighttime also provides stunning views with the bridge's illumination.
Great vantage points include areas in San Pedro with harbor views, and from Terminal Island. Drone photography offers unique perspectives. +1
Look for alignments with the moon, especially during full moon phases, which create spectacular shots.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the scale of the bridge and its surroundings. A telephoto lens can be useful for details. Tripods are essential for low-light and night photography.
While many videos show shots from moving vehicles, it's safest to pull over at designated spots or use a dashcam for continuous recording.
🎫 🚢 Port & Harbor
The bridge is a crucial link connecting San Pedro to Terminal Island, facilitating the movement of goods and people within the Port of Los Angeles, one of the busiest ports in the United States.
Yes, you get excellent views of the massive container ships and other vessels navigating the Los Angeles Harbor from the bridge.
Terminal Island is a man-made island within the Port of Los Angeles, home to port facilities, industrial businesses, and some residential areas. The bridge is its primary land connection. +1
Yes, the Gerald Desmond Bridge (now replaced by the new Long Beach International Gateway Bridge) is also in the vicinity, connecting Long Beach to Terminal Island. +1
You'll commonly see large container ships, car carriers, and various other cargo vessels that are part of the Port of Los Angeles' operations.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Night photography is also spectacular, with the bridge's illumination creating a stunning urban landscape. Consider bringing a wide-angle lens to capture the bridge's full span and the vastness of the port. For unique perspectives, drone photography is highly recommended, offering aerial views of the bridge and the busy harbor. 🚗 Road Trip & Scenic Drive Lovers
It's a relatively quick but impactful part of any Southern California road trip, providing a memorable visual of LA's maritime infrastructure. Remember to pull over at designated spots to fully appreciate the views without compromising safety. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Vincent Thomas Bridge: An LA Icon
The bridge's distinctive green color has earned it the nickname 'The Green Gate,' drawing comparisons to San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, though it's not as historic. It has also gained recognition as a filming location, notably appearing in the movie 'Gone in 60 Seconds.' The structure itself is an impressive feat of engineering, and its presence is integral to the visual identity of the Port of Los Angeles.
+1Beyond its practical function, the Vincent Thomas Bridge offers spectacular views. Visitors can admire the vastness of the Port of Los Angeles, watching massive container ships navigate the waters. The bridge is also a popular spot for photography, especially during sunrise and sunset when the light creates a magical ambiance.
+1Experiencing the Bridge: Driving, Views, and Photography
+1For those seeking the best views and photographic opportunities, timing is key. Golden hour, just before sunset and after sunrise, bathes the bridge and harbor in a warm, ethereal light, making it a photographer's dream.
Nighttime also presents a unique spectacle, with the bridge illuminated, creating a dramatic cityscape. While stopping on the bridge is prohibited for safety, numerous vantage points in San Pedro and Terminal Island allow for excellent photo opportunities. Drone enthusiasts also find the bridge and its surroundings to be a prime location for capturing breathtaking aerial footage. It's important to be aware of potential disruptions. Events like the 'Conquer the Bridge' race have led to temporary closures in the past, so checking local event schedules before your visit is advisable.
Despite these occasional interruptions, the Vincent Thomas Bridge remains a must-see landmark for its architectural significance, scenic beauty, and its vital role in the vibrant Port of Los Angeles. 
Social
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