Cycling and Road Riding in San Francisco California

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Cycling

Planet of the Apes Ride

Cycling

Hawk Hill - Rodeo Beach Loop

Cycling

Mount Diablo Cycling

Cycling

Highway One Loop

About San Francisco Cycling

San Francisco is consistently voted as one of the country’s most bike-friendly cities, with a strong cycling infrastructure and spectacular rides within easy reach. And thanks to the increase in popularity of bike commuting and the efforts of advocacy groups like the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, biking is better than ever these days. Like everything else here, San Francisco cyclists have a unique flavor, from tattooed hipsters cruising around on fixies to hard-core cyclists through the Marin Headlands.

For getting around in the city, check out the Wiggle, a stretch one-mile stretch (indicated by green paint) that zigzags around the city’s hills between Duboce Triangle and Golden Gate Park. On Sundays, take advantage of the less-trafficked Golden Gate Park, thanks to a city closure of the eastern half of JFK Drive. The first Friday of every month, join the rolling spectacle that is Bike Party, a rolling costumed party that makes its way across the city. Or take a city tour on the 49-Mile Ride. For some truly epic rides, head out to the Marin Headlands for quad-burning climbs up Mt. Tam, spectacular routes through coastal towns like Sausalito and Tiburon, and motorists who are (mostly) respectful of cyclists.

Groups: San Francisco Bicycle Coalition Friends of Marin

Races/Events: Levi’s Grand Fondo; Save Mount Diablo Challenge; Sea Otter Classic

Retailers: Roaring Mouse Cycles, Mike’s Bikes; Valencia Cyclery

Total Experiences

15 reviews

More San Francisco Activities

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Displaying all 15 results within 100 miles

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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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