There’s no better way to explore San Francisco than by bike! We’ve put together a list of our 3 favorite places to bike in our beautiful city.
1. Presidio National Park Bike Path & the Golden Gate Bridge
The best ride in the world! From one of our many Fisherman’s Wharf locations, ride along San Francisco’s beautiful waterfront bike path at your own pace, separated from traffic. A beginner to intermediate ride, this route is fun and safe for everyone: families, friends, couples, and large groups! Enjoy your first unobstructed view of the Golden Gate Bridge from the top of Fort Mason before continuing along picturesque Marina Boulevard, with plenty of photo opportunities of Alcatraz, the bridge, and across the Bay Area. Stop for a picnic in Crissy Field and tour through the free museum at historic Fort Point, then Bike the Bridge! There’s nothing quite like the view from 220 ft up, on the deck of the Golden Gate Bridge – to the east, the stunning San Francisco skyline stretches out before you; on the western side, the Pacific Ocean gradually recedes into the horizon.
Once across the Golden Gate Bridge, a thrilling two-mile descent will take you into the Mediterranean-style town of Sausalito, where you’ll find great restaurants and artisan shopping. Don’t worry about tackling that uphill to get back to the city – return via ferry whenever you’re ready!
2. Golden Gate Park
This 1,000-acre urban oasis draws thousands of locals and tourists alike every year! Larger than Central Park in New York City and abounding in bike paths and roadways, Golden Gate Park is best explored by bicycle. Come on a Sunday when John F. Kennedy Drive is closed to vehicular traffic, and join in the fun!
There’s so much to do in Golden Gate Park. Check out the Academy of Sciences and the de Young Museum, and breathe in the bright colors and scents of the Conservatory of Flowers as you pedal along one of the many flat bike paths leading all the way out to the Pacific Ocean. JFK Drive will take you past the famous bison paddock – they’re all named after U.S. Presidents, so try to spot Obama if you can! You can park your bike near Stow Lake and rent a paddleboat to enjoy the sunshine, or continue discovering the secrets of the park right from your saddle. If you’re feeling peckish just remember you’re right near the historic Haight-Ashbury district, birthplace of the flower-power generation and home to many quirky restaurants and bars.
3. Embarcadero
Take advantage of the only place in San Francisco where it’s legal to ride your bicycle on the sidewalk! San Francisco’s long waterfront strip is a great place to explore by bicycle with your friends and family, home to unique attractions like the Exploratorium, San Francisco Ferry Building, Cupid’s Bow & Arrow, and AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants!
The San Francisco Bike Coalition led the charge in re-striping the vibrant green bike lanes on the Embarcadero, just in time for summer! The Embarcadero is well-traveled by local bike commuters every day, and now you can also take advantage of some of the best biking infrastructure the city has to offer. If you’ve already seen the Golden Gate Bridge, this is the perfect ride for you. Pick up a bike at our Pier 41 location, and head past PIER 39 down the waterfront towards that other bridge we’re famous for – the Bay Bridge was completed right after the Golden Gate in the 1930s, and is just as impressive! Leave your heart in San Francisco at Cupid’s Arrow, and keep pedaling along the waterfront for gorgeous views of the Bay and city skyline. Make your way down to McCovey Cove, where you might just be lucky enough to catch a fly ball from nearby Giants’ Stadium!
