Spruce Street Suspension Bridge

Spruce Street Suspension Bridge PATRICIADEPERALTA (Atlas Obscura User)

Once you think you’ve checked everything off your list of places to visit in San Diego, you will find a hidden pedestrian suspension bridge 375 feet long, with a beautiful vista of the Sessions Canyon 70 feet below. This charming bridge is inconspicuous, but truly special.

Located in the residential Bankers Hill neighborhood, the Spruce Street Suspension Bridge is supported by cables embedded in massive concrete slabs beneath the soil. Walking over the long bridge isn’t for those with a fear of heights—the bridge literally suspends over the canyon, and a sharp wind gust can make it swing slightly.

Build in 1912, and engineered by Edwin Capps, this footbridge was initially designed to provide pedestrians a passage across the deep canyon, to get between the new trolley lines built on Fourth and Fifth avenue. It now serves as a secret, serene, and very romantic spot, beloved by locals and visitors to San Diego alike.

You can click this link for an animated look at the Spruce Street Bridge now and then.

Know Before You Go

Easiest way to get there: Turn west onto Spruce street from First avenue and drive all of the way down until the entrance is seen. Parking is in a residential neighborhood. Be respectful, mindful and enjoy. If you are walking from the park, just walk down Spruce street and it turns into the bridge, you cannot miss it after front street. (It is about a 30 minute walk from here to Harper's Topiary Garden found in the atlas, AND it is hilly...get those walking boots on)

Atlas Obscura Trips