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Colorado Bridge, Pasadena, CA

BY JENNI KEAST

THE BRID A B r i d g e To o F a r, a B r i d g e t o N o w h e r e

COURTESY OF PASADENA HERITAGE

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GES OF SOCAL a n d a B r i d g e “ T h e B a r d ” Wo u l d L o v e

Most people love bridges, though they can’t alwaystell you why. Perhaps it has something to do withthe euphoric feeling of “lift off” — however tamethe ascent or short the ride. Sir Isaac Newton champi-oned building more of them, saying, “We build too many wallsand not enough bridges.” Less philosophically, bridges are justfascinating to behold. Be they suspension or cantilevers, archesor cabled, trusses or trestles, we love our bridges! Here are justa few of SoCal’s more dramatic and interesting bridges —spanning from San Diego to Santa Barbara counties. H

Coronado Bridgew As bridges go, this puresteel and concrete bridge isjust a youngin’. The bridge,which connects San Diego toCoronado, opened to trafficin 1969. Though it put ferrydrivers out of a job, it gavethe San Diego landscape astunning visual. Spanning 2.1 miles in length, this 20,000-tons-of-funbridge has just the right angles and curves to make you feel a little likea daredevil on your drive from San Diego to the artsy, beachy-chilldestination of Coronado.

Goat Canyon Trestle Bridgew Getting there is half the fun. Though in this case, you’dhave to define “fun.” This bridge is off the beaten path —smack dab in the middle of the expansive Anza BorregoDesert State Park. But if you have the stamina, the sun-screen and the sustenance to make this 16-mile trek to thetrestle and back — through seven tunnels — you’ll berewarded by a stunning sight of the world’s longest free-standing trestle bridge. Built in 1919, this redwood-beamedstructure is 600 feet long and more than 180 feet high. Andyes, per its namesake, it has goats nearby — bounding overboulders, stopping only long enough to bleat out “goatcheese” as you snap a photo. Oh, and there’s no cellphoneservice. Welcome to un-civilization.

San DiegoCounty

Santa BarbaraCountyCold Spring Canyon Arch Bridgew No trip to snazzy Santa Barbara would be complete with-out a visit to the nearby Cold Springs Canyon Bridge. Built in1963, this fine example of civil engineering holds the distinc-tion of being the largest steel-boxed, beamed-arch bridge inCalifornia. You'll get vertigo glancing over its 400-foot-highdrop as you drive its 1,148-foot span — not to mention you’llget teary-eyed gazing at the spectacular panoramic view of theSanta Ynez Valley. After your visit, be sure to stop by the pop-ular 152-year-old Cold Spring Tavern. It’s rustic and kitschywith yummy down-home culinary faire that makes Yelpersyelp with glee. Two good reasons to take a drive up or downthe coast and make the most of a gorgeous SoCal weekend.

The largest steel-boxedbridge in California offersa spectacular view.

Worth the hike! Eight miles through seven tunnels to view the world’slongest freestanding bridge.

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COURTESY OF VISIT SANTA BARBARA

COURTESY JOANNE DIBONA SANDIEGO.ORG

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A mid-century marvel and a thrill to drive.

Colorado Bridgew Quaint and artsy Pasadena, where monied, blue-bloodedEasterners once “summered” more than 100 years ago, is a his-toric-architecture-lovers’ delight. The stately Colorado Bridgeis one of the finest examples of the American Beaux-Arts style(1880-1920). Completed in 1913, the 1,467½-foot bridgewith its 11 towering spans is both a Historical EngineeringLandmark as well as being listed on the National Register ofHistoric Places. Every other summer, the Pasadena Heritagehosts a huge block party on the bridge, complete with food,dancing and vintage cars.

The Bridge to Nowhere w Feel like you’re going nowhere fast? For a change of pace,try going nowhere … slow. That would be the five- to six-hour, boulder-hopping hike to the unique concrete archbridge aptly called the Bridge to Nowhere. Located north ofAzusa in the San Gabriel Mountains, the bridge was built in1936 to provide a passage to the mountain town ofWrightwood — until massive flooding derailed the project.The trade-off to this long, arduous hike to the bridge is nohouses, power lines or noisy traffic — just the soothing soundof running water and swimming holes. If you go on a week-end, bungee outfitters are there to help you get somewherefast by jumping off the bridge into the canyon below. �

The Shakespeare Bridgew O bridge, O bridge, where art thou? In Los Angeles’trendy Los Feliz neighborhood, to be exact. Compared toits stately cousin, the Colorado, in nearby Pasadena, this91-year-old designated city landmark may be short instature (30 feet wide by 260 feet long), but its Gothicarchitecture — replete with turrets and towers — makesit long on charm. Shakespeare would approve.

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He doth not protest: A bridge “The Bard” would love.

Beautiful, stately and befitting itsHistorical Landmark designation.

COURTESY OF LOS FELIZ IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION

Boulder-hop yourway to this uniqueconcrete archbridge that ends ata mountain wall.