As the name implies, the Richmond-San Rafael bridge carries I-580 across the San Francisco Bay from Richmond, California on the east side to San Rafael, California on the west side. The bridge's official name is the John F. McCarthy Memorial Bridge, but that name is hardly ever used. The bridge was built in the 1950's in reaction to ferry strikes disrupting service across the bay.

The infamous San Quentin prison is located near the west end of the bridge, so picking up hitchhikers in the area is strongly discouraged.