The Quick and Dirty Guide to Bay Area Bike Rides

So you ’ve got yourself a wheel , and the ol’ market play just is n’t fun enough for you , eh ? No problem . The Bay Area is home to some gravely world - class cycling routes , whether you ’re a weekend cruiser or a LYCRA - clad crusher . While we ’ve just scratched the surface of bikeable road , we ’ve found some gorgeous vistas , practical traffic workarounds , and sport jaunts for every occasion .

San Francisco Bay Trail

Various locationsWhy you should rally it : killer whale views and an prosperous excuse to do some mean solar day drinking

This 500 - Admiralty mile trail traverses the entire Bay , and then some . To find it , just point down towards the pee from any part of the Bay Area and look for the signs . It ’s completely vapid , full of gorgeous horizon , courteous beaches and dock , and even goes out onto the Bay Bridge ( the easterly duet only ) . Both lovely and practical , this is a great ride for cyclist of every gauge . Your cobalt - worker will be impressed by your survival and brawny wooden leg .

Bicycle Boulevard

BerkeleyWhy you should taunt it : This is the wanton way to avoid getting hit by a railway car in Berkeley

West , Webster , Genoa , California , and King Streets are n’t trail , but virtual way to get around on better - paved streets with few cars . Look for the imperial sign in Berkeley , or check the asphalt for a white BIKE BLVD , ensuring that car dealings will remain unclouded . Bicycle Boulevard is the preferred mode to get from theTelegraph Beer Gardenin Oakland to Missouri Lounge for a dark of delicious po - boy and wonderfully underwhelming American macrobrews .

Oakland Hills

OaklandWhy you should ride it : It ’s the East Bay ’s most various , scenic drive

We could have written an entire clause ( and indeed , there have been a few ) detailing the hunky-dory points of these legendary road , which offer not bad technical rides and sensational panorama . start out with the more mellow Butters Rd rise for its passing low traffic current . From there , you may ride up theThree Bears , Skyline Rd , Pinehurst Rd , or to Joaquin Miller Park . Most folks go up Butters , drop in on Redwood Rd from Skyline Blvd , then climb up Pinehurst and take it all the means around and climb up to Skyline again . Some twit up here are slightly more mellow than others , but call up , you ’re riding up hatful . The Bay ’s beastly hills are definitely worth ride up , not only for your ass ’ sake ( you ’ll feel it tomorrow ) , but for the unforgettable views as well .

Grizzly Peak

BerkeleyWhy you should depend on it : You want a unmanageable drive that ’s not as heavily as Mount Diablo

The reward for making it to the top of this hard raise are dear enough to keep you coming back for more . Start by heading up tree - trace Claremont Ave in Berkeley or Redwood Rd in East Oakland , then wind up until you hit Grizzly Peak Rd . Come down Skyline Blvd to keep it mellow , or if you really want to go Nut , make certain to deign Wildcat Canyon Rd , a winding declination with two particularly acute hairpin turns . Feel free to take a well - merit BART ride back from Orinda or Lafayette ( or even further , if you ’re digging the ride ) .

Mount Diablo

DanvilleWhy you should ride it : You desire bragging right

This 3,849 ft mountain deeply in the East Bay is no joke and unquestionably not a drive for beginners . First , you go up a winding serial of switchbacks for miles and naut mi . Then , the last 800 ft to the mountain ’s top is a solid 17%-grade mound that seems to emit a terrible , thriving jape at you as you barf all over your bike . When you finally make it to the top of the Big D , prepare to be awe by the psychedelic compounding of endorphins and stunning views of the entire Bay Area . pass some time gaze before you make the hairpin release - laden , white - knuckle doozie of a descent back down the mountain . Pro tip : it can be hellishly hot in Contra Costa County , so check that to have great deal of piddle .

Folsom and Howard Sts

Mission / SoMaWhy you should tantalize it : This is the easygoing route between Dolores Park and SoMa bars / coffee

Ten out of 10 bike messenger concord , Folsom and Howard Sts are the idealistic way to get from the Mission to SoMa and back . Howard pop off up , Folsom goes down , and they ’re both jolly flat . While incense if you ’re in a railroad car , one - way of life streets are heaven to a wheeler .

SF Bicycle Route 30: The Wiggle

VariousWhy you should tantalise it : You’re commute from Downtown , or just require a nerveless , secure drive

If you ’re headed to the Haight or Richmond , or any other vicinity in the avenues , you ’ll inevitably ride up until you hit Duboce , bring you to the most well - bang route in the City – the Wiggle . This route current of air from Downtown to the Panhandle , beginning at Duboce Ave and ending at Fell St , with painted and sometimes protect bike lanes the whole path . There is an unbelievable amount of cycle traffic through here , so stay snappy and keep your wits about you . It also leads right into Golden Gate Park , where you may ride to your affection ’s content , all the way to the sea .

Twin Peaks

Twin PeaksWhy you should ride it : You’re depend for the most impractical way to get around SF

Well , you could n’t have figured a guide to riding SF would be all easy windy , could you ? Tourists flock to this gamy stage ( but not the highest ) in the metropolis , but wheeler traverse Twin Peaks Blvd for well - deserved views before head down into the circumvent neighborhoods . There ’s no soft room up this beast , unfortunately , but hey , if the MASH guys can do it …

Hawk Hill

Marin HeadlandsWhy you should taunt it : You want the most iconic purview of SF

If you ’ve ever desire to see where the consecutive killer fromDirty Harryhid that female child ’s organic structure , appear no further ! Countless picture show ( and at least one famous late-‘80s / early-‘90s TV show ) have come up here to film their shew guesswork of San Francisco , and now you’re able to too . sit across the Golden Gate Bridge , ca-ca sure to keep your cool in the case of multitudinous tourist who have never mount a bike in their life story and roadies on your hindquarters . Do n’t be warn , it ’s a endearing ride despite all that . After you crossbreed , just followthe routeand you ’ll be photobombing tourists in no time ! With a solid 2,100 ft of ALT gain , this is definitely a workout .

The Great Highway

Ocean BeachWhy you should rally it : To remind yourself why you last in California

vapid as a hot cake and right next to the sea ? It ’s a consummate formula for that wintertime appointment , because as we know , that ’s when SF weather condition finally make up . There ’s a rough track next to the highway if you ’re cruising with tiddler , but there ’s also a bike path on the side of the road with enough cycle traffic to know that you probably wo n’t be hightail it off the road . Although it ’s call the Great Highway , this is just a moderately busy two - lane street that has stop lights with no vehicular crown of thorns traffic ( so you could bobble right through them with minimal risk ) . If you ’re feel adventurous , this is where you ’d originate the 60 - mile ride to Santa Cruz .

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San Francisco Bikes