The People's Bridge! Power to the People!

Close to The Hawthorne Historic Inn

Walk here from The Hawthorne Historic Inn at 2121 First Avenue, 92101

The First Avenue Bridge, affectionately known as the “People’s Bridge,” has great views to the ocean, is a graceful steel arch landmark in San Diego’s Bankers Hill neighborhood. Completed in 1931, As San Diego’s only metal truss bridge and one of California’s few surviving arch truss examples, it stands as a striking testament to early 20th-century civil engineering. Its slender steel arches and open deck create a light, soaring silhouette against the skyline, offering pedestrians and drivers panoramic views of the canyon’s lush greenery below. Bronze dedication plaques at both ends commemorate its history. Renovated and retrofitted in 2010, the bridge remains a vital transportation link and beloved local icon, blending historic charm with modern functionality while overlooking the popular Maple Canyon Trail. Its enduring presence highlights San Diego’s growth from a modest city into a vibrant metropolis.