The Golden Gate Bridge has been called one of the world's most beautiful bridges. It is also one of the most visited places in the world. Experts say about 9 million people visit the bridge each year. They say more than 1,000 million vehicles have used the bridge since it opened almost 70 years ago. The bridge has always been painted the color called "International Orange". The color was chosen because it went well with the natural surroundings. It is also easier to see in the heavy fog that often covers the area. But the Golden Gate Bridge was not named for its orange color. It was named for the body of water that it crosses, the Golden Gate Strait. The Golden Gate Strait is the entrance to the San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean. The Golden Gate Bridge links the city of San Francisco with Marin County, California. Planning for the bridge began in the 1920s when the area around San Francisco was growing.