This is a post on how to ride your bike over the Golden Gate Bridge and to take the ferry back to downtown San Francisco. Bike, food, and travel inspo in your inbox. Amsterdam If you plan to rent from either Sports Basement or another place in the Marina, you cut off about a mile from that distance. Traveling the world through food and outdoor adventures, How to Bike from San Francisco to Point Reyes for a Weekend Getaway, 5 Great Non-Touristy Things to Do in New Orleans (2022). Cycling across the bridge over the sea with a scenic view that sounds beautiful. Here are a few guided tours including some "combo tours" that include another tour as well as the Bike Tour over the Golden Gate Bridge. I also didn't wear a top layer, and was pretty cold the whole way across. We stopped as well. People are so taken with this view and there's so much chaos, that you will need to make sure to make eye contact with drivers to ensure they see you as you are crossing. All rights reserved. Once we crossed the bridge and entered Marin County, we turned left onto Conzelman Road for an awesome viewpoint of San Francisco.
You will also pass Alcatraz on your cruise but you won't stop there. The second map takes you from Crissy Field and across the Golden Gate Bridge. If you're up for it, go a little further to Fish for lunch, down the Sausalito bike path to Tiberon to take the ferry back to SF from there (this ferry is less crowded than the Sausalito one as well), or challenge yourself with a ride up Hawk Hill for some great views of the bridge. Wear the helmet. It's just as much a route and a road as it is an iconic tourist attraction, with many San Francisco cyclists using it as the jumping off point for longer cycling trips in the North Bay and Marin. You can choose between a regular bicycle rental or an electric bike rental. They also have a wonderful selection of bikes including City Hybrids, Tandems, and options for kids. Plus, at times, you'll need to walk your bike, and this will make it a more comfortable adventure. Check out this 15 min GoPro video from Fisherman's Wharf to Sausalito. Then, take a left (away from the highway onramp) and follow that road all the way down to Sausalito. 1.
2. When you are finished in Sausalito, you can simply hop on the ferry and come right back to San Francisco and relax back at your hotel! Left and right arrows move across top level links and expand / close menus in sub levels. Also, San Francisco can be surprisingly chilly in July. ga && ga('send', 'event', 'Forms', 'Sign-up', 'Name: ' + form.name + ' URL: ' + window.location.href);
The downside is that you have to show up at a specific time, ride as fast (or slow) as the group, and only stop at their designated locations. Cyclists must observe 15 mph bicycle speed limit on Bridge sidewalks, and slow to 5 mph around the towers. This section will provide information about the best ways to save money on bike tours of the Golden Gate Bridge. A lot of people like to bike across the bridge and down into Sausalito, then take the ferry home. Some tourist passes include a free bike rental which you could use to bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. However, most people spend a few hours on the ride stopping along the way. For the schedule, click here. The west sidewalk is intended specifically for cyclists, so we recommend using that side if at all possible, but the east sidewalk offers excellent views of the San Francisco Bay. Location: Multiple, but most convenient is 2 Marina Blvd. 5. coming If you'd like to bike the Golden Gate Bridge on your next trip to San Franciscoor if youre a local who has it on your bucket listheres what you need to know before biking the Golden Gate Bridge. Are you planning a trip to the United States? Britt is a San Francisco Bay Area native, and has spent 25 years in this magical city. When it comes to traditional guided bike tours, few companies are as well regarded as Bay City Bike Tours. This shop is located slightly closer to the bridge than Blazing Saddles, however, you will have to cycle on the city streets for several blocks to get to the Golden Gate Promenade. It was a holiday weekend so there were tons of tourists everywhere, including us. This is still a slower ride, as you will encounter some pedestrian traffic on the bridge, which will slow you down. Pedestrians, including persons with disabilities using mobility devices such as wheelchairs, are only allowed on the east sidewalk (side facing San Francisco). This tunnel is tight, so make your way through as quickly as possible. We recommend using our self-guided tour of the Golden Gate Bridge. Although it's steep, it isn't very long and only takes a couple of minutes to bike or walk to the top. Sidewalk Hours During Pacific Daylight Time, Tips for Out-of-State & Out-of-Country Visitors, Pay a Toll for a Vehicle with No License Plate, Annual Vehicle Crossings and Toll Revenues. Now I usually bike with a light windbreaker (I have a basic windbreaker from Columbia that I love). Their address is 1465 Lombard Street. This will keep your hands warm as you cycle across. A basic bike rental starts at $32 per day. It would be bright and sunny and almost warm by Fishermans Wharf, but chilly, windy, and overcast near the bridge. You'll get amazing views from here to take your time to stop and enjoy the view! });
Join our free FTBF Travel Community. A graduate of the University of Maryland and University of Southern California, he has been leading tours for Free Tours by Foot since 2015. It's basically like getting your money back for the rental fee! Current Bicycle Access Alerts | Sign-up for Alerts | Cyclist Safety Instructions l Report a Safety Incident. Wharf, and what there is to do in Sausalito. A majority of the reviews for Blazing Saddles are overwhelmingly positive, earning the company a 4 out of 5 stars rating on TripAdvisor. You can also bike around the Presidio for a while before you bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. looks like on the other side. There were literally hundreds of other bikers here, taking breaks and enjoying the views of the Golden Gate Bridge. It's mostly flat with one hill (#2). It's also safer this way, since the bridge supports two-way traffic and no one wants a head on collision (yikes!). You want to stop and enjoy the view, look over the Pacific Ocean, and admire Karl the Fog in his full glory. There are several bike rental shops in San Francisco. There are no bikes available for rental right at the Golden Gate Bridge. Ferry to SF: This is where you will find the terminal for the ferry back to San Francisco. Here are a few of my favorite options: >> Visit my Sausalito page for more details on the options above as well as a few others! 4. Here are just a few of my favorite times: With average highs in San Francisco only in the 60s, you will find it's actually quite cool and windy on the bridge. wheels truck swap coloring performance meet pomona ling parts beach printable lego space air virginia mars bird vaughan accessories diego Bike rides to Tiburon can take between 3-4 hours on average. If you want to bike across the bridge but dont feel like pedaling, you can rent an electric bike. The Golden Gate Bridge is 2.1 miles long and it takes about 10-25 minutes to bike across the Golden Gate Bridge, depending on how strong of a cyclist you are and how often you stop. Just stay on the shoulder (with the fence on your left-hand side) until you reach a parking lot. Enter and space open menus and escape closes them as well. In the end, biking across the Golden Gate Bridge is a wonderful experience, and even on the crowded days, I think it's so cool that Bay Area cyclists get to cross it so often. Click here to find information on when you should ride on the east vs the west sidewalk. Helmet, Lock, and Map are included with each bike rental. If so, you've come to the right place. You'll then make your way through the Fort Mason Center, along the Marina Green, and along Mason Street near Crissy Field. These photos were taken at the Battery Spencer viewpoint. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. At the same time, biking across the Golden Gate Bridge isn't the same as a weekend bike ride on a suburban bike path. Their address is 2715 Hyde Street. Copyright 2022 Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District. When you get across the bridge to Sausalito, you will quickly realize that it is a gorgeous little town full of small shops, restaurants, and parks with great bay views to enjoy. The next section is from Crissy Field up to the Golden Gate Bridge. Once you decide if you are going to bike across the Golden Gate Bridge on your own, or with a tour, you'll want to decide which type of bike to use. As with bike rentals, you'll find that some San Francisco tourist passes offer free Golden Gate Bridge bike tours. You can walk them if needed. Copyright 2009-2022 by SFTourismTips.com. No matter how you prefer to bike across the bridge, Blazing Saddles provides a service that will make it easy. } This part is really cool. Once you get closer to the water, you will be going in the right direction towards Sausalito. It can be a bit confusing if you just arrive without a little research.
If you're biking from within the city, go through Golden Gate Park for a scenic, redwood-filled ride before you reach the bridge. Flat Soled Shoes: I always wear sneakers or other flat soled shoes. Cost: $32 for 24 hours, but $25.60 if booked online! Philadelphia // analytics.js
Just know ahead of time that you must pedal the electric bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. Electric Bike for the Golden Gate Bridge: On the other hand, you are on vacation, and if you want to relax a bit more, then check out the electric bike option. (For more info on Alcatraz read our blog post on Alcatraz.). Los Angeles If you're renting from somewhere not on this route, use Google Maps to plot your route -- its bike directions are almost always spot on, and will even give you an idea of elevation (re: hills) in advance. Get an electric assist bike for the day. During our visit, a layer of fog and clouds hovered around the Golden Gate Bridge. callback: cb There are two sidewalks for use by pedestrians and bicyclists to cross the bridge. The first thing you will want to determine is if you want to In the winter, typically wear a light, long sleeved shirt as highs this time of year are usually in the upper 50s. Before you get there, downshift a gear or two and be prepared to slow down. } D: From North Vista Point, take the curvy road down the hill. Both the west and east side of the Golden Gate Bridge have bike paths. They also offer some electric bikes, if you plan to rent one of those instead. If youre crossing the bridge during the week or before 3pm on a Friday, youll bike on the east side of the bridge (right side if youre coming from San Francisco) and share the path with pedestrians. I've seen a few collisions here, so to be safe, try and go a little ways away to pull over and watch for others coming around the bend.
It was easier going back, with less climbing and a nice tailwind to push us back to the city. Prague Please wear a helmet. You can't see the top when you first start. One of the more popular routes is to cycle from downtown San Francisco, cross the Golden Gate Bridge, and continue on to Sausalito. Paris Sausalito is small, so you will easily find some parking for your bike, lock it up, and then explore. You can also stay on the street, but it's a longer way around and you'll have to cut through the busy Welcome Center parking lot. Read Next: How to Bike from San Francisco to Point Reyes for a Weekend Getaway. The third map is the route from the bridge into Sausalito. Although it's very convenient to just walk into a bike rental location and rent a bicycle, most companies (including those listed below) offer discounts when you book online. Charleston about each option. Groupon and LivingSocial frequently offer deals on local activities and services such as bike rentals, so you might be able to save some money by using their websites or smartphone apps. This makes it easier to get on and off the bike. Up and Down arrows will open main level menus and toggle through sub tier links. Even before you reach the bridge, youll share the road with cars. This part of the path was the most crowded of the day. And if you really want to cycle in style, they also rent road bikes, in which you could cruise up those hills much easier than on a hybrid. Again, you can walk your bike at any time (even on tours). Guided: The great thing about a guided trip is that everything is set up for you. We saw people of all ages, including kids as young as 8, cycling across the bridge. It's easy and you don't have to make any decisions along the way. The entire elevation from those uphill sections totals about 500 feet. What a view! Self-Guided: The self-guided tour offers you more freedom to go at your own pace and stop more (or less) along the way. 9:00 pm to 5:00 am: Eastsidewalk, via remotely-controlled security gates located at both ends of the east sidewalk. You will not find any at the Golden Gate Bridge. If you plan to bike across the Golden Gate Bridge on your own, you will want to familiarize yourself with the rules and which side you need to be on before you arrive. The majority of the bike rental shops are in Fisherman's Wharf or the Marina. It's only about three blocks and you are welcome to jump off your bike and walk it if it's too steep. The ride is mostly flat, and you never have to cycle quickly, so it's easy to keep up if you are on a manual bike. Then, youll see an entrance to the bike path. This one is a little further and a little steeper. C: Once you made it across the Golden Gate Bridge, there is a viewing point called North Vista Point. NOTE: When you get to Crissy Field on Old Mason Street, you can either turn onto Crissy Field Ave. and continue toward the bridge or continue North to the Warming Hut. Rather than focusing on other types of excursions, they put all of their efforts into providing excellent guided trips throughout the city. Golden Gate Bridge Bike Rental with Sausalito Ferry Ticket. I might do this if I drop by San Francisco! This allows me to cool down after the ride up the hill to get to the Golden Gate Bridge trail entrance. From there, you can easily take the ferry right back to Fisherman's Wharf.
Cruise Along Alexander Avenue: You will then leave the parking lot and head out to Alexander Avenue. 2. However, the total time depends entirely on how you want to experience the trip. Depending on how you use these services, you could save 20% - 50% off or more. Read all of our articles about the USA in our. Once youve completed the tour, youll take a ferry back to your starting location to complete the cycle with a nice and relaxing boat ride. Each one has different hours for cyclists. To get to the east side, go up the same hill and continue straight. If you prefer to do this with a guide, here are several highly-rated tours: Is this something you want to do? FREE TOURS BY FOOT IS THE ORIGINAL PAY-WHAT-YOU-LIKE WALKING TOUR. The site navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and space bar key commands. Here you will find 11 tips to help you prepare for this fun, unique journey. Cyclists have toll-free access to the Bridge's sidewalks 24-hours a day. Sidewalk Along 101: Jump on the sidewalk/trail that takes you next to Highway 101. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( What should you do after you cross the bridge? Learn More. TIP: If youre comfortable with finding your way around the city, you might want to consider obtaining a full-day bike rental with the San Francisco Go Card. 3. It continues with information on Cost: $32 for 24 hours, but $28.80 if booked online! New Orleans Fort Mason Hill: As you enter Fort Mason, there is a steep hill you will need to climb. $55 for Adults (price may increase if you upgrade to a better bicycle), $45 for Children (you can also rent trailers and tag-a-long options for $35), 1 PM Tours are available from MarchOctober, Expect this bike tour to last for 23 hours, You will be traveling approximately 8 miles. You can either bike back and forth across the bridge or make it a one-way journey out to Sausalito, returning by ferry. Two Trails Meet: This is where the two routes meet and where you'll make your final ride into Sausalito. Starting at Fishermans Wharf, this bike tour will take you across the Golden Gate Bridge and into Sausalito. Tim, Hello Earthtrekkers Thank you for making this very useful blog. There is a bike path that runs along the Golden Gate Promenade. Just, pay attention, wear a helmet, and have fun! It's mostly flat with a few steep sections. This website uses cookies to improve your browsingexperience and analyze the use of the website. If you don't have your own bike, there are many places where you can rent bikes at very affordable prices. The downside of this option is that you will be on your own. Washington DC. ); He has traveled to over 30 countries, and has never found a place he loves as much as this one! You can either bike around the Presidioand check out its attractions or you can head back to drop off you bike. In my first time in SF, I didnt rent a bike as it was a short business trip but this time I will take some days off with my wife. Most people rent bikes in Fisherman's Wharf. 1. Manual Bike: If you are used to biking and don't mind peddling the entire way, then this is the option for you. It will also depend on if you plan to return by bike, the ferry, or by bus. })(); From here, you make a left turn for a challenging uphill climb to get onto the bridge. Prices will vary depending upon the tour you select, but a bike rental is included with each trip. With your rental, most places will also include: Here are a few things you will want to bring along. 6:30 pm to 5:00 am: Eastsidewalk, via remotely-controlled security gates located at both ends of the east sidewalk.



