Allison Bayliss, from Danville, San Francisco, was last seen on Monday at Ramon Valley High School.
Her family reported her missing when she did not return from school.
Her father later found a note by her computer which led police to a nearby field where they found her bicycle.
They believe she took public transport to the bridge area and then abandoned her bike, which was found with the helmet on the handlebars.
A wide-scale search was then launched for the teenager - who friends and family called their 'Alliygator' because she was in the swimming club - with thousands of strangers helping.
A Facebook page was even set up to find her, called 'Help Find Allison Bayliss'.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Allison walked onto the Golden Gate Bridge on Monday and never walked off it. Although police hinted at suicide, they have not yet confirmed it.
CHP Captain Amy Mangan told reporters: 'We have information that came to us in our search and rescue efforts yesterday as well as our investigative efforts.
'That indicate(s) that Allison walked out onto the Golden Gate Bridge shortly after 10am on Monday morning. Read More