The discovery of gold in the nearby Sierras in 1948 changed the sleepy town of San Francisco dramatically. People poured in from all over, including from the ocean through the bay. Point Bonita lighthouse, completed in 1855, steered boats safely through the treacherous Golden Gate entrance.Point Bonita Lighthouse — Photo courtesy of National Park Service

Over the years, unstable rock around the lighthouse led to patchwork repair, but in 2011 the lighthouse received enough funding to get a true makeover. The highlight of a trip to the lighthouse is the refurbished, 132-foot long bridge that leads from the sharp cliffs to the lighthouse itself. Although not over open water, the bridge is not for the faint of heart. But if you have the inclination, the views are absolutely spectacular. Point Bonita Lighthouse — Photo courtesy of America Southwest