There is no question that riding over the Golden Gate Bridge is a fantastic experience, but limiting one's San Francisco cycling experience to just that ride is nothing short of a shame. In addition, I have seen many tourists engaged in a mighty struggle to make it over the bridge in fog, mist, and wind with little chance to stop for a breather. Once over the bridge, the ride in Marin County into Sausalito is not for the faint of heart. I suggest staying in the cozy confines of San Francisco and trying out one of my favorite routes, which is suitable for beginners and offers pleasant places to catch a rest while allowing tourists and locals alike to explore parts of The City that might otherwise go unoticed.
The Route: Along the Bay
Degree of difficulity: Pretty easy, flat for San Francisco
As is the case with all of my rides, this one starts in the Mission District since it is where I live. But with the assistance of a San Francisco Bike Map and Walking Guide, available at most bike shops in the city and at sfbike.org, the starting point can be easily adjusted or you can just make your way over to the Mission from wherever you are. Additionally, I suggest a road bike for this ride. I find a road bike easier to handle in the dense city, but it is not mandatory; just a matter of preference, I guess.
Start at 17th and Valencia in the Mission and go east on 17th Street into the Potrero Hill neighborhood. Potrero Hill is known for, well, it's massive hills, but this route manages to avoid them. 17th Street is pretty flat all the way until your first turn to the right at Mississippi Street followed by a quick left onto Mariposa, which takes you across Third Street and onto the beginning (or end) of the San Francisco Bay Trail, also known at this point as Terry A. Francois Blvd. The beginning of the Bay Trail here is quite industrial, but you see an urban place in the making as you approach the home of the San Francisco Giants, AT&T Park. Mission Bay is being developed, largely by the University of California at San Francisco into a campus, offices, and condominiums. As you pass through Mission Bay, you see the ballpark in the distance and once you get to AT&T Park stay behind it following the path and take a rest when you see the fence that gives you a peak into the outfield of the stadium. Here you will have the outfield on one side and the bay on the other. This is a nice place to hang out for a little while.
Once you get going again, follow the path around the ballpark out to the relatively busy Embarcadero. This used to be a freeway before the Loma Prieta Earthquake in 1989, now it is a less-trafficky Boulevard with a bike lane hugging the Bay and heading past the new Ferry Building Farmer's Market Plaza. On certain days of the week, a bustling produce market takes place outside; everyday purveyors of all sorts of treats operate inside the Ferry Building, which you cannot miss. Just bring your two wheels inside and take a look around.
From here you find yourself at the foot of downotwn. If you are really adventureous, simply head up busy Market and enjoy the density of downtown. Otherwise continue along the Embarcadero's bike lane all the way to famous Fisherman's Wharf. Through this stretch you will have to ride hard to keep ahead of traffic that sometimes goes too fast. If it is too much for you, you can opt for the wide sidewalk, but beware of pedestrians, joggers, rollerbladers, other cyclists, skateboarders, and cars pulling in and out of drives. The end of the ride is sweet as you pass Fisherman's Wharf, the street for cars ends, your bike and pedestrian path narrows, and you cannot help but bask in the glow of a sensational view. There is a stretch of sand on one side, Aquatic Park on the other, and the Golden Gate Bridge off in the distance in the sparkling Bay! You have just experienced one heck of a San Francisco bike ride! And if you insist, you can follow the tourists on their rent-a-bikes and continue along over the great Golden Gate Bridge!
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