Going on vacation in San Fran, and I’ll have time in the morning to ride. I was thinking about renting a bike. I’ll be staying in Sausalito. I see that there are trails in the mountains, but I really only have interest in road biking. Can I ride right from my hotel, or how far are fine roads to ride, or should I just bail?
Sausalito is in Marin, not SF. Tons of great riding from there. Easy (as in convenient) is go up to the top of the headlands and then loop back to Sausalito. Or Paradise Loop to Tiburon. Or head over to Mt. Tam and down to the coast. Lots of group ride options as well.
Only ridden up there once or twice, but there are definitely quality rides basically right outside your hotel door. If you have time in the morning to get in a hour or two or three of riding, that might very well be the highlight of your SF vacation. Bring appropriate clothing, it gets cold up there. But keep searching, I’m sure there are cycling clubs up in Marin that can point you out to good road routes.
Yes, rent a bike, and going through the Marin Headlands
https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Bridgeway&daddr=37.8332014,-122.4834743+to:37.8333396,-122.4922861+to:Unknown+road&hl=en&ll=37.833921,-122.483826&spn=0.079177,0.154324&sll=37.831006,-122.487044&sspn=0.019795,0.038581&geocode=FZGqQQIdBBOz-A%3BFfFJQQId7gyz-Cn1eVHVLoSFgDF6egfggGM5yA%3BFXtKQQIdguqy-CmvtK3V0oWFgDE-plH24maLzA%3BFfAyQQId2qKy-A&dirflg=b&mra=dpe&mrsp=2&sz=15&via=1,2&t=m&z=13&lci=bike
Amazing views, and from the top you desend down into a park and loops you back to the main road.
After that take Highway 1 up and over to Muir Beach and back
https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Bridgeway&daddr=37.8873145,-122.5244166+to:37.8789984,-122.5317511+to:37.8854703,-122.5523472+to:37.8731009,-122.5621227+to:Unknown+road&hl=en&ll=37.864961,-122.542019&spn=0.079144,0.154324&sll=37.881425,-122.52481&sspn=0.019781,0.038581&geocode=FZGqQQIdBBOz-A%3BFVIdQgIdAG2y-Cl1EpD8ToWFgDH2m1EOwU7c0g%3BFdb8QQIdWVCy-CnrO6eKWYWFgDEgtpMnreUW2A%3BFR4WQgId5f-x-Cm7Ai8DHZCFgDHSyM7co7dKrw%3BFczlQQIdttmx-CkvEfVh3Y-FgDEzKlbNSWtT0Q%3BFci_QQIdcK2x-A&dirflg=b&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=15&via=1,2,3,4&t=m&z=13&lci=bike
And if you want something simple bike over the Golden Gate Bridge and through the Presidio park on the other side, just becare of tourists on the bridge
Any of these rides should work… there are endless possibilities for good riding from the door of your hotel in Sausalito:
- If you’re short on time, I would do a couple loops of the Headlands
- Looking for relative flat go for a quick Paradise Loop
(For ~40 miles of fun combine #1&2…)
- Looking for a little more work, then head to over Tam to Stinson and back
- Some extra time head a bit further north to Point Reyes, Nicasio, Lucas Valley
- etc, etc…
Studio Velo has some good write ups here: http://www.studiovelocycling.com/pages/marin-bike-rides
Sounds like there are really good options, and close. Thanks for the info. I can get a few early morning rides in before the day starts.
Its the “City” or “San Francisco” never “San Fran”… worse is calling it “Frisco”. Otherwise have a great time. Enjoy our roads and restaurants. Spend lots of money. We thank you!!
Great biking in Sausalito. Just remember that mornings in SF are brisk, so bring arm/leg warmers, toe covers, a jacket, etc. if you plan to ride in the mornings.
Take at least one ride over the GG bridge into the Presidio, and one over to Mt. Tam.
pleanty of great biking within the SF city limits if enjoy riding hills. I love riding in the city.
About twice a week on the evening commute, I’ll ride up Dalewood way right next to Mt. Davidson(21% grade)
Agree with all the above, and also I’d recommend obeying stop signs and other traffic laws, especially in Sausalito. There’s a lot of enforcement aimed at cyclists around there, and the fines are steep.
Alex
Agree with all the above, and also I’d recommend obeying stop signs and other traffic laws, especially in Sausalito. There’s a lot of enforcement aimed at cyclists around there, and the fines are steep.
Alex
In the city itself I would be more concerned about my life, than about fines…
Especially at odd hours commercial drivers do crazy shit (especially watch out for dump trucks, cabs, limo services).
Like cycling in NYC.
Sausalito is in Marin, not SF. Tons of great riding from there. Easy (as in convenient) is go up to the top of the headlands and then loop back to Sausalito. Or Paradise Loop to Tiburon. Or head over to Mt. Tam and down to the coast. Lots of group ride options as well.
I’ve mapped out the Paradise Loop, and I’m planning to do that one day. But, there seems to be good hill-climbing routes in the other areas that you mentioned (Mt. Tam or headlands), although I’m concerned that they are more trail-ish rides. Are these OK for a regular road bike? Or, would I need a Mtn bike or Cross bike, with bigger tires?
If you’re on Strava or Garmin Connect, check out the Alpine Damn loop it’s a great 40-50 ride from Sausalito. The ride out to Pt. Reyes Station is another one I’d recommend, there’s the BoFax Bakery (I think that’s the name of it) where people get coffee and Sticky Buns half way through. There’s a couple of ways back depending on how much climbing you want to do, but if you ride back along the Coast Highway, there’s some fantastic views.
Is the “Coast Highway” the same as Shoreline Highway (Highway 1)? I’ll go on Strava and Garmin Connect.
Its the “City” or “San Francisco” never “San Fran”… worse is calling it “Frisco”. Otherwise have a great time. Enjoy our roads and restaurants. Spend lots of money. We thank you!!
So, then, its the Santa Clara 49’ers.