EXHIBIT 5.1

[LETTERHEAD OF WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI]

June 5, 2003

The Gap, Inc.

Two Folsom Street

San Francisco, CA 94105

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

At your request, we are rendering this opinion in connection with the proposed issuance pursuant to The Gap, Inc. 1996 Stock Option and Award Plan, as amended (the “Plan”), of up to an additional 30,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.05 par value (“Common Stock”), of The Gap, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).

We have examined instruments, documents, and records which we deemed relevant and necessary for the basis of our opinion hereinafter expressed. In such examination, we have assumed the following: (a) the authenticity of original documents and the genuineness of all signatures; (b) the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies; and (c) the truth, accuracy, and completeness of the information, representations, and warranties contained in the records, documents, instruments, and certificates we have reviewed.

Based on such examination, we are of the opinion that the additional 30,000,000 shares of Common Stock to be issued by the Company pursuant to the Plan are validly authorized shares of Common Stock and, when issued in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, will be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to this Registration Statement on Form S-8 and to the use of our name wherever it appears in the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not consider that we are “experts” within the meaning of such term as used in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued thereunder with respect to any part of the Registration Statement, including this opinion, as an exhibit or otherwise.

Very truly yours,

/s/ WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI PC

WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI

Professional Corporation