Cycling in San Francisco, CA

Made possible by

Featured Articles

About San Francisco Cycling

Recommendations by

Total Experiences

15 reviews

More San Francisco Activities

View San Francisco
Displaying all 15 results within 100 miles
  1. You'll definitely want to take a breather at the the dam that gives this route its name.
    Alpine Dam Loop - Cycling

    Though pretty challenging, the 67-mile Alpine Dam Loop is one of the most beautiful rides in the Bay Area.

    Difficulty
    4 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    17.2 miles
    Duration
    If you're hitting it really hard, you can crank out Alpine Dam in less than five hours. But mere mortals will likely need more time for a breather at different spots along the route.
  2. Mill Valley - Mt. Tam - Cycling

    Get ready to get your butt kicked as you climb Marin’s tallest mountain. Riding the thrilling, picturesque roads of Mt. Tamalpais is on most everyone’s weekend warrior list.

    Difficulty
    3 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    8.1 miles
    Duration
  3. Mt. Diablo - Cycling

    The prominent East Bay peak known today as Devil Mountain or Mt. Diablo, is the centerpiece of Mt Diablo State Park, and the view is well worth the trek to the top. It boasts one of the largest view sheds in the Western United States, and with clear skies in full force you can see all the way to the Sierras.

    Difficulty
    4 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    25.9 miles
    Duration
    +/- 2 hours
  4. Evening sunlight filtering through the fog over San Francisco Bay
    Tunnel Road to Grizzly Peak Boulevard - Cycling

    Climb Tunnel Rd. to its intersection with Grizzly Peak Blvd., tracing the ridgeline of the Oakland and Berkeley hills. The climbing is well worth the effort—catch panoramic views over the Bay to the west, and scenic overlooks of rolling hills to the east.

    Difficulty
    3 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    12.9 miles
    Duration
  5. On a sunny day, this is your rewarding view atop Hawk Hill.
    Hawk Hill - Rodeo Beach Loop

    An epic climb with a rewarding descent in the Marin Headlands, riding past historic WW2 barracks, local surfers at Fort. Cronkite and straight through the tunnel to Sausalito.

    Difficulty
    3 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    5.9 miles
    Duration
    It's not too big of a loop, but you'll likely want to stop for 5 minutes and take in the ocean views, while also enjoying a slow descent down the steep grade back to sea level.
  6. Half Moon Bay Coast Side Trail - Cycling

    Very easy and very popular 5-mile ride that runs parallel to the Pacific Ocean.

    Difficulty
    2 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    21.7 miles
    Duration
    1 hour
  7. Highway One Loop

    Coastal views and a roller coaster ride on the legendary Highway One.

    Difficulty
    3 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    26.5 miles
    Duration
    At approximately 25 miles, this loop takes you up steep climbs and long descents. Pro cyclists train on these hills and can ride in half the time.
  8. Mount Diablo Cycling

    Mount Diablo offers a lung-busting, leg-burning ride with big rewards for those brave enough to attempt it.

    Difficulty
    4 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    21.2 miles
    Duration
    3-5 hours
  9. Tunnel Road to Grizzly Peak Blvd - Cycling

    One of the classic road rides in the Berkeley Hills.

    Difficulty
    3 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    12.4 miles
    Duration
  10. Views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco from the beach at Kirby Cove
    Kirby Cove - Cycling

    West of the the Golden Gate Bridge, Kirby Cove's beach and small campground sit on the shore of the Bay beneath the Marin Headlands. On a clear day, expect standout views of the Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge during your entire ride.

    Difficulty
    3 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    5.2 miles
    Duration
  11. Mussel Rock Park
    Planet of the Apes Ride

    Named for its otherworldly feel, the 36-mile Planet of the Apes is becoming increasingly popular.

    Difficulty
    3 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    5.5 miles
    Duration
    3 hours or longer
  12. biking and hiking trail
    Presidio Cycling

    Towering redwoods, stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the Marin Headlands, fun, flowy route options: the Presidio’s many appeals are easily explored on two wheels.

    Difficulty
    1 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    3.6 miles
    Duration
    1-2 hours
  13. Sometimes the 49 signs are stolen, rely on this trusty map instead
    Scenic 49

    A legendary loop around the city of San Francisco

    Difficulty
    2 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    0.1 miles
    Duration
    If you ride on the weekends, expect a lot of traffic and a longer ride.
  14. San Francisco Bay Trail - Cycling

    Imagine a 338-mile scenic (and mostly flat!) ride along the entire Bay Area. When completed, it will extend 500 miles and link 47 cities.

    Difficulty
    2 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    2.1 miles
    Duration
    A few hours to a full day.
  15. Paradise Loop - Cycling

    The 38-mile Paradise Loop features a totally doable 1,600 feet of elevation gain of mostly easy rollers, jaw-dropping vistas of the bay and city skyline, and plenty of places in Sausalito to stop for a snack on the way home.

    Difficulty
    2 of 5 diamonds
    From Downtown
    3.0 miles
    Duration
    2-4 hours
Not here? Tell us what we’re missing.
If the experience you’re looking for isn’t here, contribute!
Got search feedback? Help us improve.

Related Stories

  1. Best Northern California Backcountry Huts: 5 Must-See Ski-in Cabins of the Sierra
    by Charlotte Dohrn
    Resorts are great, but to really amp up your winter adventure, venture to the best northern backcountry huts this season.
  2. 5 Reasons to Visit the Eastern Sierra
    by Charlotte Dohrn
    With premier hiking, skiing, climbing, camping—and natural hot springs where you can soak sore muscles—the Eastern Sierra are worth a trip.
  3. Brew Guide to Making the Best Camp Coffee
    by Charlotte Dohrn
    Food tastes better outside, and your coffee can too.
  4. Rooms with a View: 5 Northern California Fire Lookout Hikes
    by Charlotte Dohrn
    Plan your next hike in Northern California to a fire lookout for guaranteed views.
  5. The 10 Best Places to Camp for Free in Northern California
    by Emma Walker
    It’s hard to think of a more satisfying way to spend a beautiful weekend than camping on one of Northern California’s spectacular array of public lands—except, perhaps, camping there for free.
    6. See All Stories in San Francisco, CA