Eastshore Footbridge, Berkeley, CA 94710, US

Although the Golden Gate Bridge is the iconic symbol of San Francisco, the Bay Bridge, as it's known to locals, is the workhorse bridge of the region and forms a vital link between Oakland and San Francisco. Whether you're a local commuter or a tourist on vacation, the Bay Bridge is more than just a way to get between two big cities. It features some of the best views in the region, and the recently rebuilt eastern portion has an attached path, the Bay Bridge Trail, that allows pedestrians and cyclists to use the bridge.Parking and public transportation at the Bay BridgeLimited parking at the Bay Bridge is available from dawn until dusk on a five-hour basis on the north side of Burma Road, at the intersection of Burma and Maritime Street in Oakland. There are three access points for the trail: the first is at Shellmound Street in Emeryville (near the IKEA store); the second is at the corner of Maritime and Burma in Oakland (just outside the Port of Oakland); and the third is an AC Transit stop at the Bay Bridge toll plaza.Best and worst times to go to the Bay BridgeFor those traveling by car, try to abstain from using the bridge before noon on weekdays to avoid rush-hour traffic. Try visiting the bridge at night to get a fantastic glimpse of San Francisco's illuminated skyline. There's also a lot less traffic.Admission to the Bay BridgeTolls are charged only to automobile travelers headed west-bound on the bridge and are as follows: $6 Monday through Friday, 5 a.m.to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.; $5 on weekends; and $4 all other times. Use of the Bay Bridge Trail is free.Must see/do at the Bay BridgeThe western span into San Francisco features an art and light sculpture called The Bay Lights, with thousands of LED lights set along the cables on the north side of the suspension span. The best view of the lights is from the San Francisco waterfront. Great spots for viewing include the area near the Ferry Building and Pier 14.Other places to visit near the Bay BridgeWhen you get across the bridge you'll want to consider checking out Pier 39 in San Francisco, a popular tourist attraction that offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. Another site to see is the infamous Alcatraz Island, which is just a short ferry ride away from the waterfront. Of course, if you visit one bridge you have to visit the other, so visitors should see the Golden Gate Bridge if they hadn't already planned on it.Insider tip for visitors to the Bay BridgeFor now, the Bay Bridge Trail ends just past the bridge tower while construction crews complete the dismantling of the old eastern span of the bridge. Construction of the trail to the bridge's mid-point, Yerba Buena Island, is supposed to be completed by December 2015. Plans to fully extend the trail on the western span, which would form a complete connection between Oakland and San Francisco, are up in the air and have no estimated timetable. As with any other public project in California, don't hold your breath.Author's bio: Dennis Biles is a freelance journalist who was born and raised in the Bay Area.