Tens of millions visit America’s 13th largest city every year on a quest for eclectic architecture, world famous attractions, and its legendary laid-back lifestyle. A stunning metropolis whose historical significance far outweighs its compact 7X7 mile size, most of the city’s major attractions can easily be reached within a day. While walking and taking a cable car are both fine options for getting around, the city truly comes to life on two wheels. With an abundance of picturesque nature in its surroundings and scenic vistas at every turn, San Francisco is a cyclist’s paradise. Thanks to legislative efforts like 2009’s Bicycle Plan and 2019’s Better Market Street Project, cycling here is now safer than ever. Here are our three favorite bike trips in The City by the Bay:
- Scenic Golden Gate Bridge Bike Tour
Start off at Fisherman’s Wharf, where the smell of fresh seafood collides with the cheerful ringing of cable cars. Ride through Fort Mason, a military base turned cultural center with hilltop vistas, galleries galore, and a vibrant farmers market. Enjoy seaside views through the trendy Marina District before reaching Chrissy Field, a Mecca for water sport enthusiasts where you’ll be able to spot over 100 species of birds. Next it’s time for an exhilarating 1.7 mile ride over the most photographed bridge in the world, the orange icon of the San Francisco skyline known as The Golden Gate Bridge. After your descent, you’ll get to explore Sausalito, an artistic coastal community with a Mediterranean feel and a thriving houseboat community. From there, you can either take the ferry back to Fisherman’s Wharf or enjoy a fun night out in Sausalito. Learn more here
2. Highlights of San Francisco Bike Tour
A four hour ride through the heart of the city will pass by in a breeze on a freshly-tuned Cannonade. Begin the trek at Ghirardelli Square, the first successful adaptive reuse project in the country. Pass a plethora of Queen Anne and Beaux Arts masterpieces as you cruise down Polk Street into Hayes Valley, where upscale boutiques and fine dining institutions intertwine with generative AI startups. Head down to Alamo Square, where the postcard-worthy Painted Ladies will make you feel like you’re in Full House’s opening credits. Nearby in Haight Ashbury, the spirit of the 1960s counterculture lives on with its colorful streets, psychedelic imagery, and hippie head shops. Next, it’s time to catch some shade in the panhandle of Golden Gate Park, a scenic swath of greenery, boasting a variety of trees native to northern California. The final destination is the Mission District, where Latin Roots give way to hipster hangouts, a flourishing arts scene, and plenty of places to sample California’s greatest export: The Mission Burrito. Learn more here
3. Highlights of Golden Gate Park Bike Tour
Golden Gate Park is the birthplace of 1967’s Summer of Love movement. It’s where the first tweet ever was sent. It’s home to waterfalls, buried treasure, and the first public playground in the country. Measuring more than 1,000 acres, it would be quite a daunting task to see the entire park on foot, but thanks to its incredible number of dedicated bike lanes, all the major highlights can be seen in just two hours. Be sure to see the ever-tranquil Japanese Tea Garden, the oldest remaining Japanese garden outside of Japan. Stop at California Academy of Sciences, which houses more than 46 million natural specimens. Visit Hippie Hill, where legendary concerts by Janis Joplin and The Grateful Dead took place. Ride past the Bison Paddock to gawk at the largest surviving terrestrial animals in North America. After that, take in the sights and scents of the Conservatory of Flowers, which has been showcasing rare and exotic species since 1879. Finally, breeze by the Dutch Windmill for a charming taste of The Netherlands in the sunshine state. Learn more here
With 463 miles of bike lanes and a pleasant Mediterranean-type climate, San Francisco is a world class cycling destination all year round. This list only skims the surface of the city’s endless possibilities for spectacular sightseeing on two wheels. What are you waiting for? Visit Unlimited Biking for a guided tour or rental today!
