cycling tour san francisco

THE 10 BEST San Francisco Bike Tours

Bike tours in san francisco.

• Nature & Wildlife Tours
• Gear Rentals
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Golden Gate Bridge
• Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
• Crissy Field
• Aquatic Park
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Inside Alcatraz and Golden Gate Bridge Bay Cruise

2. Golden Gate Bridge Guided Bicycle or E-Bike Tour from San Francisco to Sausalito

3. San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito Guided Bike Tour

4. Ultimate Electric SF Bike Tour- food, icons & local hidden gems

5. Golden Gate Bridge Guided Bicycle Tour with Lunch at Local Hotspot

6. Guided E-Bike tour to Muir Woods

7. San Francisco E-bike Tour on Scenic Trails

8. Streets of San Francisco Guided Electric Bike Tour

9. 24-Hour Bike Rental in San Francisco

10. Golden Gate Park Bike Tour

11. San Francisco Highlights Electric Bike Tour

12. Private Guided Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito Bike Tour

13. Inside Alcatraz and One Day Bike Rental

14. The Best of San Francisco eBike Tour

15. Alcatraz Island Tour with Bike Rental

16. Golden Gate Bridge Bike Tour

17. Alcatraz and Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito Guided Bike Tour

18. Marin Headlands Gravel Cycling Tour From San Francisco

19. Self-Guided Golden Gate Bridge Bike or Walking App Tour

20. Alcatraz and Streets of San Francisco Guided Electric Bike Tour

21. Alcatraz Prison Tour + San Francisco Bike Rental

22. Alcatraz Inside with One Day Bike Rental and Lunch Credit

23. Private Guided Streets of San Francisco Bike Tour

24. Golden Gate Bridge Electric Bike Rental

25. Guided Bike tour across the Golden Gate Bridge

26. 3-Hour Private Bike Tour in San Francisco

27. Heart Of The City Bike Tour

28. Full-Day Majestic Electric Bike Tour of San Francisco

What travelers are saying.

Guided Tours in San Francisco

San francisco bike tours.

Explore the rich history of the City by the Bay on a bike tour with our knowledgeable guides! Choose from our amazing selection of San Francisco Bike Tours.

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The Best San Francisco Bike Tours

This post reviews and compares the best bike tours and bike rental companies in San Francisco. We also include information on combo packages and discounts and deals. 

• Guided City Bike Tours
• Bike Across the Golden Gate Bridge
• Guided Tours Outside the City
• Bike Rentals  
• Combo Packages
• Deals and Discounts

GUIDED CITY BIKE TOURS 

Despite its many hills, San Francisco is a great city to see via bike. Biking in San Francisco is so popular that there are several companies offering bike tours. 

Guided tours of San Francisco will typically include riding through such neighborhoods as:

• Haight-Ashbury
• Golden Gate Park
• the Presidio
• Embarcadero
• South Beach
• Mission Bay

Below is information about some of the best bike tour companies along with a summary of reviews.

Streets of San Francisco

This highly rated company has a few different tour options. One of their most popular tours is their Classic San Francisco Bike Tour.

• Visit Haight-Ashbury, the Mission, the Castro and more
• Departs daily at 9:30 am, 10 am, and 1 pm 
• From $79 per person

TIP:  If you take on of their tours, you can get a 50% discount off bike rentals from CityRide Bike Rentals.

Streets of San Francisco Bike Tours has a 5 out of 5 stars rating on TripAdvisor. Guests report being extremely impressed with the quality of the guides and the bikes themselves.

Reviews praise the guides as being knowledgeable, fun and interesting.  Many guests state that this tour is one of the best ways to see San Francisco. 

Dylan’s Tours

Dylan's Tours offers popular electric bike tours of the city. Using an e-bike allows you to see more of the city in a shorter amount of time and with somewhat less difficulty! 

A short lunch break is included, though the cost of food is not. The Intro to San Francisco Tour is a nice alternative for those who can't commit to a long bike ride but are still interested in seeing places like Fisherman's Wharf and Golden Gate Bridge.

Note:  Advance reservations are recommended as group sizes are limited to 7 and the minimum age is 16+. 

• 6-hour electric bike tour that visits sites such as Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, and Alamo Square. Includes a 30-minute lunch break. 
• Departs daily at 9 am from North Beach
• From $99 per person
• Learn more or purchase .
• 1.5-hour tour that visits Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf

With a 5 out of 5 stars rating on TripAdvisor, you can't go wrong with one of Dylan's e-Bike tours. Guests state that the bikes are well maintained and easy to ride and that the guides are very fun and knowledgeable. Read reviews here .

Bay City Bike Tours

Among their many tour offerings, their San Francisco Urban Bike Tour is one of the most popular.

It covers the most well-known neighborhoods in the city, including Fisherman's Wharf, Mission District, the Castro, North Beach, the Haight, and many others.

This four-hour tour includes a current-year-model electric bike, helmet and lock, front handlebar bag and rear gear rack.

An extra perk is that you get a free bonus bike rental for a few more hours once the guided tour is finished.

• See sites such as the Transamerica Pyramid, Aquatic Park, in addition to all the neighborhoods listed above
• Departs daily at 11 am 
• From $75 per person
• Note: Guests must be 13 or older to ride an electric bike
• Purchase or learn more .

With over 2,000 reviews, this company rates a 4.5 out of 5 stars rating on TripAdvisor. You will see over and over again throughout the reviews words like "fantastic", "excellent", and "awesome". 

GUIDED TOURS OUTSIDE THE CITY

If you're hoping to get a bit outside the city, you can take a tour that goes beyond San Francisco, some as far as Wine Country!

Tours will likely include crossing either the Bay Bridge or the Golden Gate Bridge. Usually, tours end in the charming small city of Sausalito.

A nice feature of some tours is that you may be allowed to use the bike for the rest of the day once the guided tour has ended. 

Blazing Saddles Bike Tours

On their Golden Gate to Sausalito Guided Tour, you start off from Fisherman’s Wharf. You then ride through Fort Mason, the Marina, and the Presidio. 

The tour then crosses the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito where the guided portion of your tour ends.

Since the cost of the tour includes a 24-hour rental, you can keep your bike and continue exploring or you can return the e-bike at the conclusion of the tour. 

• includes use of bicycle or e-bike (your choice), helmet, lock, rear rack
• Departs daily at 10 am and 1 pm 
• $55 per person for regular bike
• $85 per person for e-bike (must be ages 16+ to rent an e-bike)

This tour has a 4.5 star out of 5 stars rating on TripAdvisor. Most people seem very happy with the guided tour, saying that it was very fun and informative.

Guides are praised as being "exceptional" "helpful" and "excellent". The accolades go on and on.

Some negative comments were about external factors out of the company's control such as the large number of people on the Golden Gate Bridge or the fog blocking the views. However, these issues occur for all bike companies.

Note that some reviewers recommend going with the electric bike rental to help with some of the hilly terrain covered.

Bay City Bike and Tours

This company also offers a Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito tour. Similar to the Blazing Saddles tour above, this tour goes past sites such as Aquatic Park Cove, Alcatraz Island and then across the Golden Gate Bridge.

You are then invited to explore Sausalito on your own and return the bikes back at your leisure at the end of the day.

To return to San Francisco, you can choose to either take the ferry or ride back across the bridge -- both options of which are explained thoroughly by your guide. 

• All bike rentals include helmets, front camera bags, bells, maps & map holders, water bottle holders, puncture repair kits, locks, and detailed map assistance.
• Departs daily at 10 am or 1 pm from Fisherman's Wharf
• From $55 per person

Bay City Bikes is rated  4.5 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor. Guests who are less physically active seem to especially love this tour, which is far less hilly than their San Francisco Urban Bike Tour.

Additionally, many reviews emphasize that this is the best way to see the Golden Gate Bridge as its easier than walking but still allows for much more intimacy than a regular bus tour.

Alcatraz Bikes and Tours

This company offers a three-hour guided bike tour that crosses the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito. Tours return to the city via ferry.

Like some other companies, you can keep the bike for the rest of the day once the tour is done. 

• 3-hour tour across the Golden Gate Bridge, down to Sausalito, and cross the San Francisco Bay via ferry to return back to the city.
• Departs daily at 10 am and 1 pm
• From $55 per person (not including ferry ticket)

This is a small company with an excellent reputation. They have a TripAdvisor rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars . The bikes are praised for being in excellent condition. The tour guides are complimented for their expert knowledge and approachable personalities. 

COMBO PACKAGES

Some companies combine their bike tours with another popular activity or attraction. By combining two activities into a package price, you will save money on both. 

For example, you can also purchase a package that includes a bike tour and a ticket to Alcatraz. This is a great opportunity if you are unable to get Alcatraz tickets, as they can sell out weeks in advance. Read our full post on Alcatraz tours and tickets .

Also, you can take a hop-on, hop-off bus tour that includes a free bike rental as well as other activities. 

Not only will you save money with such a combo deal, but you will also enjoy multiple sights and activities.

Big Bus Tours  

This popular hop-on-hop-off bus tour company has combo packages that include a free hour bike rental when you buy one hour with Blazing Saddles.

Read more about Big Bus and their tour offerings from our post on San Francisco bus tours .

• 24 hours of hop-on, hop-off service in San Francisco
• Sausalito Tour
• Walking Tour of Chinatown
• Bike rental – buy 1 hour, get 1 free with Blazing Saddles 
• Prices (online): $58.50 Adult | $46.80 Child (5-15 years)
• 48 hours of hop-on, hop-off service in San FranciscoSausalito Trolley Tour
• Panoramic Open-Top Night Tour
• Bike rental – buy 1 hour, get 1 free with Blazing Saddles
• Prices (online): $70.20 Adult | $55.80 Child (5-15 years)
• 1-Day Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour
• Alcatraz Ticket
• Walking Tour
• Bike Rental - buy 1 hour, get 1 free with Blazing Saddles
• Cost: $110/Adults | $85/Children
• Purchase tickets or learn more .

Big Bus has a 4 out of 5 stars rating on TripAdvisor and guests report that their buses are safe and their guides are very knowledgeable.

This combination tour includes a bike rental and a reserved shuttle to Muir Woods.  After picking up your bike in San Francisco, you’ll ride across the bridge to Sausalito. 

There you will drop off your bike rental, and take the shuttle to Muir Woods. After an hour or so, you take the shuttle bus back to San Francisco.

Note that the $15 entrance fee to Muir Woods is not included.

• $85 per person 
• Pick up your bike between 9:15 am - 10 am
• Duration: 7 hours

This tour has a 5 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor. It is described by guests as "awesome", excellent" and "amazing". Guests also comment that the bikes were in good condition and that staff was helpful.  Read reviews here .

Bay City Bike Rentals and Tours 

This company offers two 2-day tour packages, that include a guided bike tour of San Francisco and an Alcatraz ticket. 

First, you select the date for your Alcatraz ticket. Your bike tour will then be reserved for the day before your Alcatraz trip.

An extra bonus is that on the day of your bike tour you can keep the bike until the end of the day.

• 3-hour bike tour over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito
• Ticket for a visit to Alcatraz
• From $105 per person 
• 3-hour bike tour over the Golden Gate Bridge and the Presidio

Both Alcatraz combo packages offered by Bay City Bike Rentals and Tours is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor. 

Many guests seem to have purchased the package primarily to have access to Alcatraz, which is often sold out weeks in advance. 

However, all who did this also commented on how pleasantly surprised they were by the quality of the bike tour, which often was each guest's favorite part.

Gears and Grapes Getaways 

This company that specializes in wine and brewery bike tours also offers combo packages. With two of the below tours, you can add a ticket to Alcatraz.

The tours  take place over 2 days, so you can maximize your self-guided tour of Alcatraz on the first or second day. 

• From $201 per person
• From $119 per person
• From $148 per person

Reviews 

With a TripAdvisor rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars , it’s clear that people seem to love Gears and Grapes tours, particularly when combined with tickets to Alcatraz. 

As one visitor who bought this package for that reason says, "this ended up working in our favor as the bike tour was really fun." 

To find out about tours of wine country via bus or car, see our post on Napa and Sonoma Wine Tours .

BIKE RENTALS

Renting a bike is a great way to see the city while moving at your own pace. You can opt for a standard bicycle or if offered, an electric bike (you must be 13+ years of age).

Rentals typically come with a current year model of bike/e-bike as well as a map and route suggestions from staff.

Below is a list of some of the better bike rental companies along with rates and a summary of reviews. 

We also include information on how to use San Francisco’s Bike Share Program, though this isn’t the best choice for those who plan on exploring the city for several hours.

Bay City Bike Rentals and Tours

This well-reviewed company offers one-day rentals with a complimentary self-guided tour.

You can choose between a standard bike rental or an electric bike for rental. E-bikes are rented only to individuals 13 years of age and older.

Though e-bikes are generally twice the price of a manual bike, an electric bike can often be preferable given the city’s hills. 

Rentals include a current year model of your bike/e-bike, helmet, bike lock, handlebar bag, rear gear rack, map and map holder.

When you go to pick up your rental, staff can help you customize a route for you based on your interests.

• 24-Hour Standard Bike Rental   $32 Adults (age 12+)/ $20 Children (11 and under)
• 24-Hour Electric Bike Rental $65 per person (ages 13 and up)

*Prices may be lower in the winter months.

This company is generally well-rated on TripAdvisor with a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars .  Guests say that the bikes are in excellent condition. The staff also receive plenty of compliments for being well organized and friendly.

The rare complaint typically comes from guests who were unfamiliar with the large number of hills in San Francisco and therefore found biking around the city to be more challenging than expected.

Their one-day bike rental comes with route customization from staff based on your interest.

Conveniently, they have two locations from which you can rent and return bikes, Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square.

Rental Information

24-hour bike rental  

• maps and route recommendations
• safety orientation
• personalized bike fitting
• helmet, bike lock 
• handlebar bag for camera and small items

Blazing Saddles Bike Tours receive excellent reviews on TripAdvisor where they have a 4 out of 5 stars rating.

Many people praise the company's bikes for being so well maintained. Renters also appreciate the staff for mapping out the different routes and clearly explaining each one's difficulty. 

Some were disappointed that their bike seat was properly fitted for them, so be sure to insist this happens before you depart.

Unlimited Biking

Available in 2, 4, or day pass option, Unlimited Biking provides a Cannondale eBike for any rider looking to boost their ride. They also supply everything you need for your adventure - from helmet and a bike lock, free of charge.

• From $40 per person 

Most of the reviewers were very happy with the overall experience.

Guests seem very pleased with the quality of the bikes available for rental with Unlimited Biking, giving them a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. 

Bay Area Bike Share Program

Though this is a service most often used by locals in the city, tourists can also benefit from this affordable option. 

The Bay Area Bike Share Program allows you to pay just $9 per day for a 24-hour rental. 

The catch is that you must check into a Bike Share Station every 30 minutes. There are several of these stations around the city, so it is fairly easy to do this. 

However, it can be a hassle for those hoping to explore the city more freely. 

You might want to consider a standard bike rental from one of the companies above.

DEALS AND DISCOUNTS

This section covers some of the best ways to save money on bike tours in San Francisco.  We include details about tourist passes, combo packages and more.

• San Francisco Tourist Passes

If you’re planning to enjoy several activities while you’re in the Bay Area, a tourist discount pass can save you money on a variety of things to do – including bike tours.

Visitors who aren’t planning as much might find the build-your-own-pass option easiest, as it allows you to save 20% off 2 or more attractions and you don’t really have to do anything else to get the deal. However, an all-inclusive pass includes admission to dozens of activities which you can visit for a specific amount of time (1, 2, 3, or 5 days). 

You could save up to 50% off everything if you squeeze as many attractions as possible into just a few days, but this type of pass is best for people who want to go everywhere and see everything in San Francisco.

Alternatively, you could also use a flex pass to pay for only the tickets you want (3, 4, or 5 attractions) and pay one flat price for all of them. The best way to save money with this service is to use it for the most expensive activities available.

The following bike tours and rentals are currently offered by various San Francisco tourist passes:

• Blazing Saddles Bike Rental
• Blazing Saddles Electric Bike Rental
• Blazing Saddles Golden Gate Bridge Bike Tour
• Bay City Bike Golden Gate Bridge Bike Tour
• Bay City Bike Rental

Most of these services also include skip-the-line access at several popular locations, making it easy to save both time and money.

No matter which pass you choose, you should be able to save at least 20% - 50% off general admission prices. 

For more details, please read our post about San Francisco tourist passes .

Discount Sites

If you’re not interested in using a tourist pass or taking advantage of a combo package, you can always check sites such as Groupon and LivingSocial for deals on bike tours and rentals.

In addition to whatever discount they may offer, to begin with, these sites frequently provide additional promo codes for an extra 10% - 20% off local activities such as this.

Before making a purchase, make sure to check both the top and bottom of the page for any banners that may contain promo codes you can use to save even more money!

RELATED POSTS

• Things to Do in San Francisco
• Take a Free Walking Tour
• Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tours

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San francisco, ca bike tours.

San Francisco – the cultural center and beating heart of Northern California. Its influence has increased exponentially throughout the centuries, becoming the birthplace of the United Nations in 1945, and a focal point for the beatnik counterculture known as the 'Summer of Love' in the 1960s. To this day, San Francisco is regarded as an American center of liberal activism.

Founded in 1776 when settlers from New Spain established the Presidio of San Francisco at the Golden Gate, San Francisco is a city of fascinating history. Having been transformed into a port during the 1849 California Gold Rush, San Francisco became, for that time, the largest city on the West Coast of America.

From its iconic Golden Gate Bridge to historic Haight-Ashbury and stunning Sausalito, San Francisco is a treasure trove of unique historical and cultural sightseeing destinations. Visitors to this prepossessing city can explore a sublime waterfront, the fascinating coastal fortress at Fort Mason, the paradisal Pan Handle of the Golden Gate Park, ride the romantic Hayes Valley, and breathe in the fresh Pacific air at Fisherman's Wharf.

With bike rental available and family-friendly tours delivering the most fulfilling experiences of San Francisco, there's no reason to wait at the gate. Take your pick from an exhilarating array of day tours and see for yourself why San Francisco is renowned as one of California’s most beautiful cities.

San Francisco, CA Bike Tours · 1 to 5 of 5

Highlights of San Francisco Bike Tour

San Francisco, CA · from $70.61 USD

Description: If you want a bike tour encompassing the very best of San Francisco’s iconic sights, dynamic culture, and sublime scenery, this is the one for you! Pushing off from Fisherman’s Wharf, you’ll cycle past the romantic Hayes Valley, renowned for its…

Best of San Francisco E-Bike Tour

San Francisco, CA · from $103.2 USD

Description: If you want a guided e-bike tour encompassing the very best of San Francisco’s iconic sights, dynamic culture, and sublime scenery, this is the one for you! Biking off from Fisherman’s Wharf, you’ll cycle past the romantic Hayes Valley…

San Francisco's Golden Gate Park Bike Tour

San Francisco, CA · from $59.75 USD

Description: This bike tour of San Francisco's glorious Golden Gate Park has adventure and variety at its heart, with the added benefit of bike rental! Grab your moment of zen in the Japanese Tea Garden, with its peaceful water features, Shinto Shrine, pagodas and…

Scenic Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco Bike Tour

Description: If you’ve come to San Francisco for the Golden Gate Bridge, look no further! This bicycle tour offers you the must-see views and photo opportunities, with the added benefit of bike rental. Pushing off from Fisherman’s Wharf, this 3-hour day…

Private San Francisco & Sausalito Bike Tour

San Francisco, CA · from $325.89 USD

Description: Design your own extra-special experience of San Francisco on this fully customizable private bike tour! Perfect for families, corporate groups, or simply travelers seeking a more personalized experience, this guided bike tour is guaranteed to maximize…

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San Francisco

San Francisco may only be seven miles by seven miles, but don’t let its size fool you: there’s countless outdoor, cultural, and gourmet things to do. Which makes getting around that much more important. Our San Francisco bike rentals and tours open up a world of possibilities: Neighborhoods you might have missed , waterfront views you wouldn’t have seen, and the ability to soak in the true essence of the City by the Bay. Our Cannondale bikes and customer service ensure your safety and peace of mind comes first, so you can explore the icons such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman’s Wharf, as well as take our expert-approved routes to the spots you wouldn’t have seen.

With every experience, helmets, bike bags, locks and maps are included. And we have a variety of bikes and accessories to choose from to help you find the perfect fit. Consistently named one of the country’s most bike-friendly cities, San Francisco is home to beautiful, scenic bike paths like the Golden Gate Bridge Bike Trail, as well as robust biking infrastructure throughout the city. In fact, there are 82,000 trips made by bicycle every day in San Francisco. And there is no need to worry about the hills and inclines, as our e-bikes can help you up even the steepest grade.

Find the San Francisco bike rentals and tour experience that’s right for you, and get ready to explore more.

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Unlimited Biking: Fisherman's Wharf

APRIL 1ST-OCTOBER 31ST: 9AM-7PM

NOVEMBER 1ST-MARCH 31ST: 9AM-5PM

Unlimited Biking: Golden Gate Park

APRIL 1ST-OCTOBER 31ST: 9AM-7PM NOVEMBER 1ST-MARCH 31ST: 9AM-5PM

Unlimited Biking: Union Square

Popular tours.

Scenic Golden Gate Bridge Bike Tour

Highlights of San Francisco Bike Tour

Best of San Francisco eBike Tour

Private san francisco bike tour, upcoming events.

Bikes & Beers New Jersey

Million Dollar Bike Ride

Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon

BK to the Beach

Check out our bikes.

Fun Ways to Explore San Francisco by Bike

Our team offers our recommendations on San Francisco bike routes

Which languages are available for your tours?

Our tours are in English. Other languages can be requested with our staff – please call 415-854-2222

What is the guide to guest ratio for tours?

Depending on the final group size, 1 guide per maximum 15 guests.

How do I know if my date is available?

Please reach out to us to inquire at 415-854-2222

Where are you located in San Francisco?

We have two locations in San Francisco:

Unlimited Biking Fisherman’s Wharf: 765 Beach Street San Francisco, CA 94109

Unlimited Biking Golden Gate Park: 1792 Haight Street San Francisco, CA 94117

What if I have a GoCity Explorer Pass?

With the Explorer Pass, if you come to any of our San Francisco locations, you can enjoy either a full day bike rental or a 2 or 3 hour guided bike tour. Please call us in advance for availability for the tours at 415-854-2222.

For more information on the Explorer Pass, please visit their site here .

How skilled do you need to be to join one of the bike tours?

Our bike tours are not strenuous! It’s generally a leisurely ride with plenty of stops for fun facts and pictures! As long as you know how to ride a bike, you should be able to do the tours. Please see here for bike tours.

What kind of bikes do you guys offer?

We offer hybrid bikes, road bikes, electric bikes, tandem bikes, and kid’s attachments (double trailers and tag-a-longs). For road bikes, we offer aluminum and carbon options.

Can I pick up my bike from one location and return at another?

Yes you can! You can pick it up from one Unlimited Biking location and return it at another. Please let our staff know at the time of check-in that you will be returning in a different location!

Where should I ride a bike around?

There are many places around San Francisco that you can ride a bike! Ride through Fisherman’s Wharf, Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Crissy Fields, Fort Mason, Palace of Fine Arts, and more!

What is included with my rental?

Helmets, bike bags, locks and illustrated maps!

Join our list:

• Island Hopping! On the Bay!
• Tours boat, bike, and foot
• Public Talks excavating history
• Found SF web of history
• Special Projects making history

Walking Tours Social, historical, and critical tours through San Francisco.

March-july 2024, $25-40 sliding scale donation requested to benefit shaping san francisco, along the yardarm: maritime history and resources.

• Thursday, March 21, 1–3:30 pm

...And Some of That Started Here! Glen Park

• Saturday, April 20, noon–2:30 pm

RSVP required to [email protected] .

What's That Smell? NE Mission Industrial History

• Saturday May 11, 2024, 1-3 pm

Chris Carlsson, long-time grassroots historian and guide to San Francisco's lost, forgotten and overlooked histories, takes participants on a walk around the old industrial sites of the North Mission. Pungent odors such as ammonia, baking bread, and roasting hops, once common, are now only memories Get tickets from SFIAFF

Notorious San Francisco: True Tales of Crime, Passion, and Murder

• Saturday, June 8, noon–2 pm

A walking tour through the history of the Barbary Coast, “The Wickedest Place in the West,” from its gold rush beginning to its end in 1917. Learn about famous serial killers of San Francisco, “Shanghai” Kelly and Miss Piggott, Billy Goat Saloon, the legendary Bella Union, the whisky warehouse that saved the Barbary Coast during the 1906 Earthquake.

Bicycle Tours “Cycles of History,” our social, historical, and critical tours through San Francisco by bicycle.

Shaping San Francisco co-director  Chris Carlsson  conducts historical tours of San Francisco by bicycle. Bring a snack and water — we don't stop for food! Please email us to RSVP , less than five people cancels !

(Please include your phone number so we can call you if rain washes out the tour!)

Spring 2024 Tours

Rsvp required: [email protected].

We request a $25-50 sliding scale donation for our bike tours (but are flexible and you can pay less—or more!—as you see fit), benefiting  Shaping San Francisco

• Beholding SF's Birds Pedal by Pedal : Saturday March 30, 10-3pm
• Repair Shops of Eastern SF Thursday, April 18, 1-4 pm THIS TOUR IS FULL!
• Labor History : Saturday July 6, 12–4 pm 

More info: 415.608.9035 Need to Rent a Bike? Go to Pier 40 to the Bike Hut !

• Shorelines: Past, Present, Future : TBA, 12-3 pm
• Bicycle Messenger Crackdown Commemoration Ride : TBA
• San Francisco's Natural Areas : TBA
• Haunting Tour of Colma Cemeteries! : Sunday, November 3, 2024, 12–3 pm  
• Ecological History South : TBA, 12-3 pm
• Ghosts of Transit Past : TBA, 12-3pm
• Ecological History North : TBD, 12-4 pm
• Food Politics History : TBD, 12–3 pm  
• West Portal's Residential Parks : TBA 12-3 pm

BY APPOINTMENT • GROUPS • UNSCHEDULED

2024 bay cruises shoreline history boat tours with, chris carlsson.

"Best cruise through the past!" — SF Bay Guardian "Best of the Bay" 2007 & 2014!

Repair Shops of Eastern San Francisco

Thursday, april 18, 1-4 pm this tour is full.

San Francisco's Natural Areas II

Tba, 1:30-4 pm.

Led by Peter Brastow and Bob Hall, “ride the dunes” with us down to Ocean Beach and learn about what’s happening naturally at the western edge of the continent. Then we ascend the Great Highway up to Lands End to explore lands the National Park Service restored over the last decade or so. Finally, we plot a course for the Presidio, where we’ll discover little known gems that embody the city’s status as a biodiversity hotspot within a hotspot within a hotspot! This ride builds on our Spring Natural Areas Bike Tour, but participation in our spring ride is not a prerequisite!

or donate now!

Shorelines, Past, Present, and Future

Tba, 12 noon-3 pm.

Join us to ride along San Francisco's current shoreline, original shoreline, and what is very likely to become our future shoreline! Chock full of stories about landfills, hill carving, earthquakes, garbage, and the century-long process to "reclaim" the "stinking mudflats" of San Francisco's bayshore.

Tour ends at Warm Water Cove (24th and bayshore).

Bicycle Messenger Crackdown Commemoration Ride

Join longtime bike messengers along with cycling advocates for this journey through the lost history of city crackdowns, bike messenger hangouts, worker revolts, reclaiming of public space, and a reappraisal of the underground working-class subculture that provided a unique path to a type of autonomy and independence. Police crackdowns, especially in 1984 and 1989 helped forge a new unity among messengers of that era, and left a legacy of cultural cohesion and resistance that survives out of sight and recorded history… until now!

Tour ends in Western Addition.

Beholding SF's Birds Pedal by Pedal

Saturday, march 30, 10 am-3 pm.

Meet at 10 AM at McLaren Lodge, Stanyan and JFK Drive, Golden Gate Park.

RSVP required: [email protected] .

Tour ends at Cliff House

A special bicycling field trip with Habitat Potential's Josiah Clark covering Golden Gate Park and the northern shoreline. Expect to see 80-100 bird species, overlooked habitats, trees where they never were, water where there was no water… Explore challenges and opportunities for sustainable urban ecology in SF.

Labor history

Saturday, july 6, 12-4 pm, (part of laborfest).

From the pre-urban history of Indian Slavery to the earliest 8-hour day movement in the U.S., the ebb and flow of class war is traced. SF's radical working class organizations are shaped in part by racist complicity in genocide and slavery, but from the 1870s to the 1940s there are dozens of epic battles between owners and workers, culminating in the 1934 General Strike and its aftermath. This is an  entirely different  look, during a four hour bike tour, at San Francisco labor history.

Tour ends at Spear and Market.

Haunting Tour of Colma Cemeteries

Sunday, november 3, 2024 12–3 pm [email protected] -->.

We take a spirited tour of several massive cemeteries where famous San Franciscans are buried. We'll visit Woodlawn, Home of Peace and Hills of Eternity, Cypress Lawn, and Holy Cross.

We return to Colma or South SF BART together at end of tour.

and click here to donate in advance !

Photo by Marcin Wichary

Food Politics History

Tbd, 12-3 pm, limited capacity, [email protected] -->.

Explore the many ethnic threads that, knit together, have produced our amazing local cuisine. From the old Italian food industries to Chinese shrimping villages, to the prodigious Bay Area fresh fruit and vegetable trade, get ready for an illuminating tour that will change how you think about what you eat. 

Tour ends at the "Farm by the Freeway".

RSVP [email protected]

Ecological History (North)

Tbd, 12-3pm.

This trip through San Francisco's lost sand dunes, ponds, creeks and coastline will focus on the city from downtown north, covering the heart of the city, the waterfront and Yerba Buena cove, Telegraph Hill, Black Point, and Crissy Field in the Presidio... It's a social, historical and critical tour through the city's ecological past and present.

Tour ends at Aquatic Park or Fort Mason Great Meadow.

Covering everything from literary dissenters to urban riots and protests, this tour examines sites of conflict and unrest, the social movements and upheavals, that have shaped San Francisco since its origins. It's a social, historical and critical tour through the city's contrarian past and present. Tour ends at Dolores Park.

Photo: Emma Goldman and Alexander Berkman

Ecological History (South)

Tba, 12-3pm.

Limited capacity, RSVP required: [email protected]

This trip through San Francisco's lost sand dunes, ponds, creeks and coastline will focus on the city from the center southward, covering the Mission before heading to Heron's Head Park and then making our way northward along the bayshore. Heron's Head Park, The Farm, water and sewage, geology, community gardens, San Bruno Mountain, and more! It's a social, historical and critical tour through the city's ecological past and present.

Ghosts of Transit Past

Tbd, or by appointment.

Discover lost freeways, ghosts of train routes, and a vivid account of how San Franciscans moved around this peninsula through time. Hear about the violent strikes that shaped public transit, the graft and corruption that conquered the Outside Lands. It's a social, historical and critical tour through the city's transportation past and present.

Tour ends near Embarcadero and Market.

Commemorating 50th anniversary of Los Siete de la Raza

By appointment.

Explore the sites where a creative and militant social movement response took hold after police arrested six young Latino men for the May 1, 1969 murder of an undercover cop on Alvarado Street. Trace the history of the mobilization, the sites where newspapers, health clinics, and more were produced.

India Basin

We'll take a close tour around the India Basin rim, from Heron's Head to the edge of Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard. This tour will bring us to the exciting new shoreline parks around India Basin.

Panama-Pacific International Exposition—Then and Now

* tour starts at civic auditorium (grove at larkin street).

This mild bicycle journey covers key locations of the Panama Pacific International Exposition from Civic Center's Civic Auditorium, built as the Exposition Auditorium, to the Palace of Fine Arts. Ride with us and travel through the past 100 years of the influence of this and other world’s fairs.

Tour ends at Palace of Fine Arts.

Photo: Building the Exposition Auditorium in 1914, courtesy San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco History Center

West Portal's Residential Parks

By appointment, 12 noon-3 pm.

We will see upwards of 10 residence parks in the greater West Portal and Ocean Avenue areas. The 2-hour bike ride will have multiple stops so Richard can point out the unique figures of each neighborhood. The route is on city street and is not too steep. There are no restrooms on the route.

Take Part San Francisco 1938-2019

Four free bike rides in 2019, sponsored by the new San Francisco Department of Memory, conducted by Shaping San Francisco's LisaRuth Elliott and Chris Carlsson, visited 7 branch libraries each to see the pieces of the 1938 scale model map of San Francisco and compare them, while riding, to the city around us.

In collaboration with the San Francisco Public Library and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and their ongoing Public Knowledge program.

• South by Southeast: Saturday, January 26, 2019, 11-3 (Start at Bayview Branch Library, 5075 Third Street)
• Northward: Saturday, February 9, 2019 (rescheduled from Feb 2), 11-3 (Start at Potrero Branch Library, 1616 20th Street)
• Go West! Over Hill and Dale: Saturday, February 16, 2019, 11-3 (Start at Eureka Branch Library, 16th St. near Market),
• From "Inside" to Outside Lands: Saturday, February 23, 2019, (Start at Main Library, Larkin and Grove)

RSVP [email protected] -->

Other Walking Tours we offer:

Cutting corners: rincon hill, south park, and beyond.

Explore the mid- to late-19th century processes of the making of a new urban and industrial center on the West Coast, as well as the social, economic, and cultural forces influencing the transformation of the South of Market and Mission Bay landscapes. Uncover buried knowledge of language, water, marshes, shorelines, bays, sand dunes, rocky mounds, and landfull. Learn the names of disappeared hills, points, creeks, valleys, and waterways that still exist under the surface. Hosted by LisaRuth Elliott.

Through the Fog: Cow Hollow/Polk Gulch/Tenderloin

A custom Noir-ish wander inspired by the ACT production of “The Headlands” . Starting in Cow Hollow, we start with a look across the water at the fascinating history of the Marin Headlands. Our route will depart from there to pass through the old lagoon in Cow Hollow and the 19th century Chinese vegetable gardens. Crossing over to Polk Street, we will visit literary ghosts and the site of a jazz palace as we enter the Tenderloin.

New Deal Murals, Italian SF, and Trash!

Starting with a guided tour of Refregier's Rincon Annex murals, this tour will cross the old Italian Produce Market zone through food, sailors, trash, buried ships, and more before climbing the Filbert Steps to end with a tour of the Coit Tower murals. Tour ends at Coit Tower.

Market Street: The Contested Boulevard

Stroll through the center of San Francisco along its main thoroughfare, discovering the social movements and events that shaped the City's history, and explore the ecology still evident under the pavement. The "roar of the four", the 8-hour day movement and the rise of Labor parties, women's suffrage and independence, newspaper wars, urban design, and more! Tour ends at UN Plaza, 7th and Market. RSVP  or donate now!

Scandalous South of Market

• TBD, 12-2 pm

Join a walk starting at the Palace Hotel with its surprising tales of 19th century wealth and vice, traverse the buried histories of Redevelopment and Yerba Buena, the Philippines-US War, and much more! Tour ends at King and 3rd Streets. RSVP

Comix, Underground Press, and Poetry: The Mission You Don't Know

• tbd, 12–2 pm

Rancho San Miguel Hilltopper

• TBA, 12–3 pm

A hillclimbing, semi-rugged walk across the hills at the center of the old pre-urban Rancho San Miguel. We'll walk up Glen Canyon to the Islais Creek headwaters, then via stairs and paths to the top of Twin Peaks, Tank Hill, Mt. Olympus, and Corona Heights. Tour ends at 17th and Castro MUNI station.

Valencia Street: Funerals, South Asian Radicals, Lesbians, and Punks

Revisit the multi-faceted history of Valencia Street. From the decades when it was home to dozens of mostly Irish-owned funeral homes, and a streetcar line—dominated by Irish car men—ran up the street, to the radical anti-British Empire activists from South Asia who founded the Ghadar Party in the early 20th century, to the overlapping histories of Lesbian and punk culture in the 1970s and 1980s, you will see through the glossy gentrification of Valencia Street into a very different history. With the Berkeley South Asian Radical History Tour

Comix, Underground Press, & Poetry: The Mission You Don't Know

Enjoy a half dozen stops of the "Ten Years..." audio tour, focusing in part on literary histories, hosted by LisaRuth Elliott Tour ends at 20th and San Carlos.

Summer of Peace, Love & Anti-War

• TBD, 12–3 pm

Poets and Writers: A Literary Exploration

Uncovering literary heroes from the North Mission all the way to the Corona Heights and the lower Haight: poets, novelists, essayists, horror writers, and more. Tour ends at Page and Buchanan.

Fort Mason & Black Point

• TBD, 12–1:30 pm

We begin in the shadow of the Fontana Towers at Van Ness and Bay and will conclude at the Fort Mason gates. During our excursion we’ll traverse the grounds of the old military base and discover histories of farms, soldiers, waterways, and World’s Fairs. A lost lagoon, a misaligned alley, a slain hero, and an apparent suicide highlight a stroll through the old World’s Fairgrounds and today’s landfilled multi-million dollar neighborhoods… Chris Carlsson will regale you with overlooked stories that still shape the San Francisco of today. Tour ends at 1:30 pm at Fort Mason.

Ten Years That Shook the City: Mission District History

We take you through a familiar part of the Mission—from around 24th Street, down Mission and Valencia, to 18th Street—to give you some unfamiliar histories. We focus on literary histories, public visual expression, resistance through print media, and the sites of poetry readings. You'll hear of the neighborhood's proximity to the mountains of Nicaragua, to the art of los tres grandes, and to the aircraft carriers involved in the bombardment of Vietnam. Enjoy a half dozen stops of the "Ten Years That Shook the City" audio tour, hosted by Chris Carlsson and LisaRuth Elliott. Tour ends at Mission and 18th.

King Tide/Sea Level Rise Mission Bay

• tbd, 11 am-1 pm

Tour ends at Crane Cove Park. RSVP  and click here to donate in advance !

Bound To Fall: Hub Neighborhood Walk

Join Arthur O’Donnell for a walking tour of two major spokes of "The Hub" transit center along Market Street and South Van Ness Ave. We'll investigate the current and expected changes along these corridors. Tour begins with coffee and calories at All-Star Donuts, moves south to Otis St./Mission Street, then explores the Brick & Masonry Historic District along Market St. to Valencia St., where we'll end at Lucky 13 for drinks and discussion. Bring your cameras! RSVP -->

Beer, Dunes, and Trains

Jackson square historic district architectural tour.

The Jackson Square Historic District harbors dozens of San Francisco’s oldest structures built originally over the old Yerba Buena Cove landfill. Most of them have been repurposed into design showrooms, law and architectural offices, and other uses. On our tour we learn about their past and present, and looking to the future we also discuss a number of newer buildings in and adjacent to the historic district that exemplify efforts to build more housing in the area; some more successful than others! Hosted by Shaping San Francisco with special guest archictectural historian Katherine Petrin. Tour ends at Front and Vallejo.

Awards and Testimonials

“wonderful walk through bernal heights”.

"Most recently, I took the walking tour of Bernal Heights, but I’ve also done walks covering South of Market and Telegraph Hill. All were excellent. LisaRuth and Chris are knowledgeable and personable guides with deep historical knowledge of San Francisco. The Bernal Heights walk was a vigorous one that began at the Bernal Cut and headed up and down Bernal Hill, covering all sides. I’ve been there dozens of times, but had never used the path that Lisa used to get us to the top. Throughout the tour, I was prompted to notice things I might otherwise have walked past, with special attention to former earthquake shacks. It was an entertaining and educational afternoon, and I look forward to more walks and boat rides with LisaRuth and Chris." — CitygalSF on TripAdvisor

“BEST CRUISE THROUGH THE PAST”

“While in principle we'd be the first to advocate sitting at home with a good history book on weekends, we'd also be the first to admit that such studious discipline can be hard to maintain on those rare summer afternoons when the sun is shining. Thanks to local activist Chris Carlsson's Bicycle History Tours, which depart regularly from CounterPULSE in SoMa, you can get your fun in the sun while simultaneously learning loads about San Francisco's various social, political, and ecological histories. As director and curator of the ambitiously far-reaching Shaping San Francisco history preservation project, Carlsson has amassed a wealth of local archival information regarding such absorbing topics as the subterranean waterways flowing beneath our streets and the Bay Area's long-standing penchant for protest. Usually the bike ride turns out to be the least strenuous activity of the day, but the great gray muscle that is your brain will definitely get a workout.” — San Francisco Bay Guardian Best of the Bay 2007

“UNRIVALED” 

“The bike tours are unrivaled for their information to minute ratio. Chris Carlsson = top 5 people in SF.” — Yelp Review  

“A GREAT BIKE RIDE / SAN FRANCISCO”

“Explore the colorful history of the labor movement here in San Francisco with CounterPULSE and Shaping San Francisco director Chris Carlsson on this four-hour bicycle tour. You will visit Pier 38 where the 1877 riots almost burned the Pacific Mail docks (and led to the Workingmen’s Party) and the foot of Market Street where many labor marches began. Get off at the Civic Center BART/Muni Station — remember you can bring your bike on BART —and meet up with new friends at Mission and 9th streets. Do not forget your high-energy snack and some H2O. $15-50 sliding scale.”  — San Francisco Examiner

“TREMENDOUS NARRATIVE SKILL”

“I recently rode on the Shaping San Francisco 'Labor History' bike tour led by Chris Carlsson, a cycling encyclopedia of the many layers of SF history. With tremendous narrative skill, Chris point out visible urban features and architecture I'd passed by countless times without a notice, to bring the lived experience of the past into perspective. Upcoming tours include Ecological History, Dissent, and Food Politics. I hope to go on more these and suggest both visitors and long-time residents check them out as well. There's pretty much no better way of spending a beautiful day and getting a deeper look at the city we live in.”

“A REAL CHARACTER AND A HILARIOUS GUY”

Last weekend I had the fortune to spend four hours in the company of Chris Carlsson, maybe the most knowledgeable man around when it comes to all things San Francisco. Seriously. He offers six more tours this year, ranging in subject from food history (the one I opted for) to dissent to ecological history. Best of all, the tours are in no way obnoxious. Carlsson is a real character and a hilarious guy. You can tell he cares about his city as much as he cares about the people who live in it. And his tours are punctuated with tasty snacks. I was joined by about fifteen other folks (including two friends on an obscenely large tandem bicycle with whom I got lost afterwards in a pretty bad neighborhood…needless to say, heads were turning). Carlsson steered us around the sites of factories I didn’t even know had existed in San Francisco – mayonnaise, Twinkie, coffee – and way beyond.

—Lucy Schiller, Broke-Ass Stuart Destitute Dispatcher, Oct. 19, 2011

• Shaping San Francisco:
• Bicycle Tours
• Public Talks
• Ecology Emerges
• Mailing List

Shaping San Francisco is fiscally sponsored by Independent Arts & Media , a California non-profit corporation.

The 12 Best Bike Trails in San Francisco

• December 9, 2021

San Francisco is one of the most legendary urban biking destinations in the world, a true cyclist paradise in every sense. It’s a dramatic and beautiful combination of epic viewpoints, diverse neighborhoods, and stunning nature that are connected by a great network of established bike routes.

Biking along the city’s best bike routes allows you to access and discover the finest sights in the city (and plenty of hidden gems) in a way that most visitors and locals miss out on. 

While this guide does highlight some very established sights like the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, and even Lombard Street it brings them to you via the best possible perspective and routes that are only possible by bike.

Every bike route highlighted is designed to give locals and visitors alike a thrilling, unique, and complete bike adventure. And of course, each route also highlights the best places to eat and drink along the way!

Why you should trust us

The article was written by Nick Hormuth, San Francisco’s most experienced bike tour guide , with over 15 years of daily cycling experience in the city and a dedication to finding the most interesting, safe, and beautiful ways to explore his favorite city by bike. He is also the author of a cycling cookbook , dedicated food nerd, Victorian architecture enthusiast, and San Francisco historian.

1. San Francisco Essential Sights

• Difficulty level: moderate to high [easy on an electric bike]
• Skill level: medium

A complete and super scenic 20-mile loop of the city exploring San Francisco’s most famous bike routes, parks (including Golden Gate Park and the Presidio), the Golden Gate Bridge, and the coolest neighborhoods. This adventure is the true local cyclist route to the Bridge. It follows the most beautiful and least hilly bike paths, while giving you a grand reveal of the Golden Gate from the Pacific ocean side. It’s epic and our top choice for a rewarding and accessible half-day San Francisco bike ride.

Highlights Include:

• Ride the famous wiggle bike route
• See the SF’s grandest Victorian architecture and ‘painted ladies’
• Explore the famous 1960’s hippy culture of the Haight Ashbury neighborhood
• Discover the most beautiful and historic parts of Golden Gate Park
• Stop for a picnic lunch at the Presidio’s Inspiration Point with epic Bay and Alcatraz views
• Ride the most scenic bike route in the Presidio to the Golden Gate Bridge
• Bike the Golden Gate Bridge 
• Explore Crissy Field along beautiful beachfront bike pathways
• See the pristine Marina and Pacific Heights Neighborhoods
• Get an epic overlook of SF, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Marin County from Fort Mason
• Ride a famous urban bike route through classic Russian Hill and Nob Hill neighborhoods
• Finish at SF’s grandest building, City Hall

2. Lombard Street and Coit Tower loop

• Difficulty level: advanced [easy to moderate on electric bikes]
• Skill level: medium / advanced

Explore SF’s most famous and beautiful crooked Lombard Street, along with iconic Coit Tower, on this adventurous loop through the classic Russian Hill, North Beach, and Fisherman’s Wharf neighborhoods.

Along the way, you’ll enjoy some of SF’s most dramatic city views, made legendary by films such as Vertigo and Bullit. You’ll get spectacular close-up views of Alcatraz and the cable cars. Plus, there are tons of extra-delicious opportunities to stop for food and drinks along the way.

Pro Tip: Getting to Lombard, atop Russian Hill and to Coit Tower, atop Telegraph hill means  quite a climb so we highly recommend an electric bike for comfort navigating up and down steep hills.

Bike Lombard Street, SF’s most gorgeous winding street

Explore historic North Beach, SF’s Little Italy, with great stops for delicious food and drinks.

See SF’s most famous cable car lines

Ride through the scenic Fisherman’s wharf neighborhood with stops at its coolest sites including Aquatic Park, the Musee Mecanique (Victorian arcade), and the famous Buena Vista Bar (inventor of the Irish coffee).

3. Valencia Street to the Wiggle Bicycle Route

• Physical difficulty: ????
• Skill level: ????

Ride one of San Francisco’s most famous bike routes, from the super hip Valencia Street in the Mission District to the legendary LGBTQ Castro neighborhood before connecting to SF’s favorite bike route the Wiggle. This route also takes you by SF’s most beautiful neighborhood park. There are also great opportunities to taste and explore some of the best-of-the-best SF food along the way.

• Bike Valencia Street, one of SF’s first bike routes, and home to some of SF’s coolest shops, cafe’s, and restaurants.
• Explore Dolores Park, the most beautiful neighborhood park in SF, with a distinctive culture and great city views.
• See SF’s oldest building, Mission Dolores (Mission San Francisco De Asis)
• Ride into the Castro neighborhood, birthplace of the rainbow flag, and home to some of the city’s most interesting shops, theaters, and bars.
• Bike Market Street, SF’s main corridor and a cool bike route.

4. Biking Across The Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito

• Physical difficulty: moderate [easy on electric bike]

Biking across the Golden Gate Bridge is a real right of passage for cyclists and is truly a memorable experience. It makes for a complete adventure if you ride a little further to the town of Sausalito (including exploring its true local’s area) and take the ferry back. A local few tricks make this route extra scenic, like riding through historic Ft. Baker to reveal incredible San Francisco city and Golden Gate Bridge Views from an epic viewpoint.

Weather and Seasonality

The Golden Gate Bridge has the most intense weather in SF, so dress warm and expect wind and fog. Also if you’re planning on doing this ride at the peak of the season (Jun-Aug), we highly recommend reversing the route, taking the ferry to Sausalito and biking back to SF to avoid extremely long and annoying lines at the Sausalito ferry terminal.

Day of the Week and Sides of the Bridge

There are two sides of the Bridge and a dedicated bike side that is open after 3:30 on weekdays and all day on weekends. The route is slightly different, see our maps for info.

Catching the Ferry

We highly recommend catching the public ferry that runs between the Sausalito dock and the Ferry Building. It is both nicer and cheaper and takes you to the must-visit San Francisco Ferry Building which has tons of cool shops and food options. It’s also a short 15 minute ride to Fisherman’s Wharf or you can explore more of the Embarcadero (SF Waterfront). If you must, there is also a ferry from Sausalito to Fisherman’s Wharf . It’s not nearly as nice, packed with tourists, and costs more.

Ride the full length of the Golden Gate Bridge

Bike through Fort Baker with extra special lookout points

Explore Sausalito, including Caledonia St., it’s only local’s street with great lunch and cafe options.

Take a beautiful San Francisco Bay ferry ride past Alcatraz to the landmark Ferry Building.

Discover the Ferry Building Marketplace, featuring the greatest collection of  SF’s best food business all under one roof.

5. Golden Gate Park Loop

Golden Gate Park is SF’s grandest park and 20% larger than New York’s Central Park. It’s an amazing feat of human persistence that transformed windswept sand dunes into a lush oasis and it’s best explored by bike. This awesome loop explores all the highlights of the park, with plenty of hidden gems and secret pathways thrown in for good measure. You’ll also get a grand reveal of the mighty Pacific Ocean at Ocean Beach and have an opportunity to grab a beer at the park’s own Park Chalet Brewery.

• Explore the whole length of Golden Gate park – twice!
• See the park’s oldest building, the beautiful Conservatory of Flowers
• Discover the Park’s world-class DeYoung Museum and California Academy of Science
• Pass the grand SF Botanical Garden and beautiful Stow Lake
• See the famed GG Park buffalo herd
• Discover two Dutch windmills and gorgeous flowers gardens
• Explore Ocean Beach at the end of the Park
• Visit the infamous Hippie Hill and the restored park carousel 
• Ride the Polo Fields, Golden Gate Park’s historic bike racetrack

6. The Wiggle to Golden Gate Park

• Skill level: easy

The Wiggle is the SF’s most famous and well-used bike route connecting all the downtown neighborhoods including the Mission District, SoMa, Hayes Valley, and the Castro to Golden Gate Park and all of the city’s outer neighborhoods. In short: we ride the wiggle all the time and love it.

It’s called the wiggle because like any good SF bike route it avoids the hills, zig zagging through blocks of cool Victorian architecture in the Duboce Triangle and Lower Haight Neighborhoods. It eventually ends up in the lush Panhandle, the start of Golden Gate Park. Along the way there are cool options for drinks and shopping, including SF’s best beer and finest small record stores.

• Ride SF’s most famous and beloved urban cycling route, the Wiggle
• See one of SF’s most charming neighborhood park’s, Duboce Park
• Bike through the Duboce Triangle and Lower Haight neighborhoods, revealing some of SF’s best Victorian architecture
• Stop and explore some of SF’s best small record stores like our fav Rooky Ricardos
• Have a beer at the legendary Toronado, Woods, or Ft. Point
• Connect to the beautiful Panhandle, the start of Golden Gate Park, or bike up to Alamo Square Park, home of the famous ‘Painted Ladies’

7. Mission District Murals and Food

• Physical difficulty: easy

The Mission District is one of the cultural epicenters of San Francisco and the heart of its Latino culture. An expression of this is its incredible mural art scene, with the greatest breadth and depth by far in the city. This super cool route not only takes you by the most well known mural alleys but lesser known masterworks that take over whole houses and grand buildings. You’ll also discover the connection to SF’s Latin music culture including tributes to the Mission’s own Carlos Santana. Along the way, you’ll get a chance to taste SF’s best Mexican food and visit its most distinctive bars.

• Explore SF’s grandest and lesser know murals, including the famous Balmy and Clarion Alleys 
• See incredible muralled buildings, including the famed Women’s Building
• Explore 24th Street, the heart of SF’s Latin culture and most muralled street
• Enjoy SF’s best Mexican food, tortillas, and gourmet desserts.
• Discover SF’s unique music culture, with pieces dedicated to Carlos Santana and a host of influential musicians
• See SF’s oldest Victorian architecture

8. Presidio Loop

• Physical difficulty: high [easy to moderate on electric bike]

The Presidio is San Francisco’s other great nature area, home to the Golden Gate Bridge, and part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the 3rd most visited national park in the US. A wild transformation of sand dunes and a sprawling former military base, the Presidio is one of my favorite places to ride bikes in San Francisco. This ride takes you on the most scenic route of all time to the Golden Gate Bridge, through soaring redwood and cypress forests with an epic reveal of the Pacific Ocean. Then after passing under the Bridge takes you past epic city overlooks through the heart of the old military base and out through a fragrant, sprawling eucalyptus grove.

Ride the most beautiful and established local cyclists route to the Golden Gate Bridge

See the remnants of a sprawling former military base including bunkers, parade grounds, barracks, and officer houses.

Enjoy incredible overlooks of the Pacific Ocean, San Francisco Bay, and Golden Gate Bridge

Stop at the visitors center and have a coffee at the great Roundhouse Cafe when you arrive at the Bridge

See the giant mansions of the Presidio Heights neighborhood

Discover the famed Spire and Lover’s Lane pieces by Andy Goldsworthy

Explore the Lucasfilm headquarters where the Star Wars films are made and see the Yoda statue

Bike through lush cypress, eucalyptus, and redwood groves

9. Hawk Hill Loop

• Skill level: advanced

Making it up to Hawk Hill and back is one of the most legendary road cycling routes you can do right past the Golden Gate Bridge in the Marin Headlands. And for good reason, it’s a mix of challenging climbs, epic cliffside views featuring the Golden Gate Bridge and all of SF beyond, rollercoaster downhills, and a tranquil ride through the valley nestled between the hills of the headlands. There is also tons of variations depending on how much time you have, your appetite for climbing, your mood, and skill level. We highlight all the most popular variations here.

Ride one of the world’s most legendary road bike routes up to Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands

Reveal breathtaking views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco

Bike a varied route of challenging climbs, twisting road, and memorable downhills through a range of environments

Choose to extend the ride to the Point Bonita Lighthouse and Rodeo Beach

Return to the Golden Gate Bridge via the Baker-Berry Tunnel (easier) or climb back to Conzelman Road (more challenging)

10. Twin Peaks Loop

Twin Peaks are the highest points in San Francisco and the ride up there is one of the most memorable and legendary bike rides you can do in the city. Twin Peaks is especially epic on clear days when you can get 360° views of the whole San Francisco peninsula. Recently they also closed a lot of the most scenic parts of Twin Peaks to cars, so you can enjoy epic panoramas in peace. While there are a lot of variations on how to get to Twin Peaks, the most direct and safest feeling approach we prefer is via the Mission or Castro neighborhoods then climbing up the back side and returning via the Haight Ashbury neighborhood.

Ride to the highest bike-accessible points in San Francisco, revealing epic views of the city and beyond.

Take the safest, most direct, and scenic route to the Twin Peaks

Enjoy car-free riding at the top and down the most iconic curving stretch of road on the front of Twin Peaks

Return via the famous Haight Ashbury Neighborhood

11. The Embarcadero and Southern Waterfront

• Skill level: beginner

Probably the most tranquil stretch of riding, along the best bike paths in San Francisco takes you from the Ferry Building to the cool Dogpatch neighborhood, the former heart of ship building in the city. Along the way you enjoy incredible pier lookouts of the Bay Bridge, see SF’s largest harbor (South Beach Harbor), ride past the Giants baseball stadium (Oracle Park) and the Golden State Warriors basketball arena (Chase Center), ending at SF’s coolest new park, Crane Cove Park in the Dogpatch. Along the entire route you’ll enjoy epic SF Bay views, bike SF’s finest off street bike lanes, and have opportunities to stop for great food and drinks.

Ride SF’s most tranquil and safest bike lanes

Explore the Ferry Building, SF’s great foodie marketplace

See the Oracle Park, home of the SF Giants baseball team, and Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors basketball team

Discover SF’s coolest waterfront art pieces

Enjoy incredible lookout points and piers showing off the Bay Bridge, SF’s coolest night landmark

Enjoy great food and drinks at classic waterfront cafes

Ride Crane Cove Park, SF’s newest and coolest park build in the old shipyards

Explore the Dogpatch, former industrial heart of San Francisco and now home to great restaurants, breweries, bakeries and pizzerias.

12. Ocean Beach to Baker Beach

• Physical difficulty: moderate to high [easy to moderate on electric bike]
• Skill level: intermediate

San Francisco has two great beaches on the Pacific, Ocean Beach, the wide duney beach at the end of Golden Gate Beach, and Baker Beach, the stunning, rugged beach next to the Golden Gate Bridge. This famous and memorable route connects both and can be done approaching from either the Presidio or Golden Gate Park. Along the way, you’ll not only get stunning ocean and Golden Gate Bridge views but also see landmarks including the Cliff House, Sutro Bath ruins, Legion of Honor Museum and bike through the fancy Sea Cliff neighborhood. The ride can even be extended to the Golden Gate Bridge or along the Great Highway to Lake Merced.

Explore San Francisco’s most beautiful beaches, Ocean and Baker.

Discover the Cliff House and Sutro Bath ruins, with incredible Pacific Ocean views

Visit the Land’s End visitors center to learn the history of the area and get a snack and drink at the cafe

See the Golden Gate Bridge from the most dramatic and rugged viewpoint at Baker Beach

Extend the ride to the Golden Gate Bridge or to the southern end of Ocean Beach to Lake Merced.

See the Legion of Honor, SF’s grand neo classical art museum atop Lands End

Explore San Francisco With a Local Expert

Ready to explore the cyclist paradise of San Francisco with a local expert on cool electric bikes? Book your guided tour here.

• Find your perfect electric bike adventure
• Grab your copy of our SF local neighborhood guide

A   curated insider’s guide to our favorite places to eat, drink, and explore in the city

Nick is the owner and main tour guide of Dandyhorse Bike Tours. A lifelong San Francisco enthusiast and resident of the Mission District, Nick nerds out on food, bikes, history, and crafting unique adventures.

San Francisco’s Best Electric Bike Tours are here – and they make you feel like a Superhero!

Bike Tours during COVID-19

Haight-Ashbury SF: Ultimate Neighborhood Guide [2024]

Electric Bike Rental San Francisco: The Ultimate Guide [2024]

Things to Do San Francisco Bay Area: The Ultimate Local Guide [2024]

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San Francisco

The best cycling routes around San Francisco

Looking for the best cycling routes around San Francisco? On this page, we bring you the best bike rides around San Francisco so you can just get out and go. All you’ve got to do is choose your route!

Plan. Save. Navigate. Your best adventures await.

Start today with a free komoot account.

Hawk Hill via Golden Gate Park, Presidio, and Golden Gate Bridge loop

Marin headlands loop.

Let us show you the way with the komoot mobile app

Fort point – golden gate bridge loop from chinatown-rose pak, fort point – golden gate vista point loop from montgomery street, golden gate bridge – coastal trail loop from van ness.

Our Tour recommendations are based on thousands of activities completed by other people on komoot.

Popular around San Francisco

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Find the perfect Tour

Explore the most popular tours around san francisco, discover the most popular attractions around san francisco.

Explore more of United States : Browse the best Cycling Routes in other regions.

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Parkwide Bike Rentals & Tours

Bike rentals in san francisco & golden gate park, choose a bicycle rental or guided tour, bike & surrey rentals, guided tours, golden gate park bike rental.

Enjoy the views from a bicycle! Take in the fresh air, explore parks, beaches and waterfronts, while you revel in the benefits of the great outdoors.

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Alcatraz packages, sf activities, explore san francisco with us.

The ONLY bike tour and surrey rental company conveniently located INSIDE San Francisco Parks!

As the official bike rental concessionaire of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, we feature San Francisco bike rentals , guided tours , and a fleet of surreys for family fun . Located all over the city, Parkwide offers a chance to ride park to park, seeing San Francisco and beyond.

Come bike or surrey San Francisco with us! Either in Golden Gate Park , or in the Marina Waterfront close to Golden Gate Bridge .

Our locations are open as follows:

• Fort Mason Center @ 2 Marina Boulevard open everyday @ 8am
• Golden Gate Park @ Behind the Music Concourse open everyday @ 8am
• Golden Gate Park @ Corner of Stanyan and Haight Street open everyday @ 9am EXCEPT on Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Parkwide Bike Rentals and Tours is a proud partner of the SF Park and Rec department and is the official vendor for bike and surrey rentals concessions in San Francisco city parks!

Over 500 Customers Love Pedaling With Us!

We rode from Union Square to Fishermans Wharf and on to the Golden Gate Bridge. Crossed it. Visited Sausalito and came back to to Union Square. A wonderful day trip. Bikes are in excellent condition and also 10 bikes at one time are no prob. as long as you book on day ahead.

This was my first time renting a bike to explore a city and I would love to do it again and again. Parkwide made renting simple, easy, and quick. If you have an extra day in San Francisco and expect sunshine I would definitely suggest renting a bike because San Francisco has great trails to see all parts of this amazing area!

It helps that it was the most beautiful day ever. Our tour through San Fran was incredible! It TRULY is the best way to experience, learn and have fun all around the city. It was the perfect amount of time and the tour guide was so knowledgeable and kept it relevant and interesting. I LOVED IT!!!!!

Rented 3 ebikes at the Union Square. Awesome way to explore the city and ebikes make the hills manageable. My advise is that if you want to rent ebikes do it online and well in advance. The process of booking online was easy and the bikes were ready when we arrived with maps, helmets, and fully charged bikes.

Blazing Saddles  San Francisco  Bike Rentals & Tours

Bike the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito or Tiburon! Enjoy beautiful sights and amazing views as you cycle over the Golden Gate Bridge. We are open every day at 8am and have a late night drop-off available so you can ride as long as you want! We have a large selection of bikes and walk-ins are always welcome.

Enjoy  20% discount when you book online.

Rent a Bike for Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon

You can pick up the bike Friday, June 7th any time after 9am and return it Monday, June 10th any time before noon. Take a look, and then book directly by choosing June 7th, 2024 as your rental day.

Select Your Perfect Rental Bike in a Couple of Seconds

We are constantly updating our fleet to reflect the needs of our growing customer base, so we'll always have the newest bikes and largest variety to offer. Check out the options we have available below.

The fun starts here!  Get rolling on the ride of a lifetime!

We offer a wide selection of activities across a variety of locations. Our self-guided tours are perfect for the independently-minded traveler, while our guided tours and packages provide more support and structure for groups of all sizes. Private group activities are also available upon request.

We've Thought of Everything:  Comfort, Flexibility & Extras

Whether you join our guided tour or blaze your own trail, we have you covered. Just pop into our closest location and we'll get you rolling on the ride of a lifetime.

Our rentals include a helmet, a lock and custom map. Free Mobile App available for download with all rentals. All you have to do is pedal!

Did your plans change? No worries! Your reservation is transferable and can easily be changed to another date and different bike type.

San Francisco Bike Rental Locations

We currently have four convenient locations in San Francisco! Our 2715 Hyde Street and Pier 41 locations both open daily at 8am. Our 465 Jefferson and 721 Beach Street locations both open daily at 9am. We have late-night bike drop off available so you can ride as long as you like. 

Click the thumbnails below to read a bit more about each store and determine which location is right for you. 

Nina Near and Far

How to have adventures near and far.

The Perfect Self-Guided San Francisco Bike Tour

While in San Francisco, explore the city by bike to see the best of the Bay area and the Golden Gate Bridge. This beautiful ride was a wonderful way to see some of San Francisco’s most breathtaking views, and gave a real taste of the steep hills.

This guide includes Google Maps of the route. Total riding time is 3-4 hours, and once you’ve added in photo stops and snack breaks, it’s a full day excursion! This super scenic route includes the most famous landmarks and lookouts in San Francisco. One bike ride, all the sights.

Here’s my guided to the perfect San Francisco Bike Tour!  

Crissy Fields

Crissy fields is a favourite location to see Golden Gate Bridge from. I had seen many photos of the area leading up to my trip. It’s an exceptional view of the bridge, the bay, and the perfect start to your bike route.

• Start off on Jefferson Street , and biked East towards the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park.
• At Black Point, ride on the bike path and follow it to Marina Boulevard . 
• Marina Boulevard leads to Crissy Fields .
• Follow the Battery E Trail.
• There are even more great views as you make your way up to the San Francisco Bay Trail. Take the Battery E Trail to make your way up to the Golden Gate Bridge.

The Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge is incredibly safe for cyclists. There are separate entrances and paved paths for bikes, with barriers between bikes and cars. You don’t have to worry about squeezing by cars on a busy bridge.

On the far side of the bridge, walk/ carry your bike up to Vista Point for another great view of the bridge. This is a great place for a snack break, and there are restrooms.

• Access the Golden Gate Bridge via the Battery E Trail.
• Ride the bike path across, enjoy the view, an return!

Land’s End was one of my favourite places in San Francisco. It’s the type of place that makes you feel like you’re miles away from the city, even though it’s merely blocks away.Take a few moments to get off your bike and enjoy the view. Maybe you’ll even spot some whales in the bay, like I did! There are trails at Land’s End that extent along the coast, so you can also come back for a hike another time.

• Come back across the South side of the Golden Gate Bridge .
• Follow Lincoln Boulevard , keeping the ocean on your right.
• Lincoln Boulevard becomes El Camino del Mar .
• The entrance to Land’s End then comes up quickly on your right.

Legion of Honour and the Cliff House

The Legion of Honor is one of the most beautiful buildings in San Fransisco, and part of the fine Arts Museum. It’s not far from the Cliff House, which overlooks the ocean and the old Sutro Bathes.

Getting from the Legion of Honour to the Cliff House is probably the most complicated set of directions in here. More simply, keep the ocean on your right!

• Follow El Camino del Mar, and continue until you reach the Legion of Honour.
• Leave the Legion of Honour and turn left on 34th Avenue.
• Right on Clement, left on 45th, right on Point Lobos Avenue.

Alamo Square and Lombardo Street

It’s time to ride back! But not without passing a couple more awesome landmarks on the way. Make your way through Golden Gate Park, then on to see the painted ladies and Lombardo street. If you want to skip hills though, go back along the coast once you’re out of Golden Gate Park.

• Follow Fulton to bypass Golden Gate Park, or John F. Kennedy Drive through it.
• Continue to Alamo Square
• If you want to pass Lombardo Street, go North on Steiner and then West on Union.

Renting a bike was a great way to see the city, and my favourite way to see the Golden Gate Bridge. During my time in San Francisco, I drove over it, bike it, and took a boat tour that went right underneath it. Cycling across was my favourite was to see it!

Renting a Bike

There are a few places that you can rent a bike. My recommendation is  Bay City Bikes . I rented a “City Bike,” which is essentially a hybrid. If you really want to relax on the hills, there are electric bikes too! The rental locations are right near the beginning of the bike route, in the tourist area near Pier 39.

It’s good to plan ahead a little, too. There’s a 20% discount if you book in advance online, and there are often discounts available through Groupon. A 24 hour bike rental is also one of the activity options on the San Fransisco C3 Pass , which gives you access to other great activities too .

Tips for Biking San Franciso

• The bikes from Bay City Bikes have bags on the front where you can keep your possessions, but nothing too big.
• Waterbottle, sunscreen, and remember to pack shoes that you can use for cycling in your luggage!

I hope you enjoy your day exploring San Franciso. If you’re following the root, tag me in your photos on Instagram @ninanearandfar so I can see your favourite spots! 

2 Replies to “The Perfect Self-Guided San Francisco Bike Tour”

Ohhhh I need to try this route next time I’m in SF! Thank you for the tips!

Do it! Wonderful way to spend the day and loads of great photo opportunities.

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The First Annual SF Three 2½ Bridge Bike Tour October 4, 2020

San francisco has always offered one of the most popular bicycle rides in the world–the world-famous ride over the golden gate bridge. with the openings of the bay bridge bike path in 2013 and the richmond bridge bike path in 2019, the stage has been set for the inevitable and ultimate round-the-bay bike tour…, 45 miles • 3 bridges • 3 counties • hecka fun.

Come together as we celebrate the Bay Area’s emergence from the recent coronavirus crisis in a healthy and communal way.

Support local charities and non-profits, as well as the eventual completion of the bay bridge bike path.

Start : 7am, Ferry Building, San Francisco Finish : 12-1pm Treasure Island Parking/Transportation : Public transit recommended. Parking available near Ferry Building. Logistics : Bike return from Treasure Island back to San Francisco provided. Options : One Bridge (11 miles), Two Bridge (25 miles), and Three Bridge (45 miles) Charity : Charity ride options. Portion of proceeds go to local bicycle initiatives, including completing the Bay Bridge bike path. Safety/Health : Ride will adhere to COVID-19 safety recommendations. Pricing : $69 – Bike Transportation Back to SF, Commemorative T-Shirt, Logistical Support, Post-Ride Celebration on Treasure Island $109 – Bike and Helmet Rental also included $129 – Electric Bike and Helmet Rental also included Note: The MTC has suggested that closing a lane to enable biking over the entire Bay Bridge for this event is possible, however given the current prioritization by public agencies on public health issues, such an option may not be available until next year.

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Immerse yourself in San Francisco’s vibrant city life and unique neighborhoods. Wander through the towering Redwoods of Muir Woods. Savor delectable cuisine with breathtaking views. Optionally, add a sip of wine country or discover the infamous history of Alcatraz.

With deeply local insights and over two decades of experience, we connect you to the real San Fran, guiding you to the city’s most iconic sights, hidden gems, and spectacular natural beauty — all in a single day that promises to become a lifelong memory. No matter which Dylan’s Tour you choose, you’ll leave with a profound appreciation for what makes San Francisco a one-of-a-kind destination.

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We offer private tours of San Francisco, tailored to groups large or small. Booking a private tour lets you see the city at your own pace, in comfortable and convenient transportation, with a local guide who can connect you to the best spots in and around San Francisco.

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Explore the beauty of California on full-day tours from San Francisco. Travel through the rolling hills of Wine Country and taste locally-crafted wines in Napa and Sonoma. Take in the magnificence of the Giant Sequoias and Sierra Nevada Mountains with a convenient guided tour to Yosemite National Park. Or capture the unbelievable views of the rugged California coastline with a trip to charming Carmel and Monterey.

Whichever adventure you choose, Dylan’s Tours is your one-stop hub for unforgettable experiences in and around San Francisco.

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San Francisco to Los Angeles

Trip Length

10 Riding Days

+1 Rest Day

Start & Finish

Start - San Francisco

End - Los Angeles

782 Kilometres

Challenging

From the Santa Cruz mountains, to Big Sur, and beyond, this journey takes you through the best of Southern California’s coastline. Redwood forests, curving cliffsides, California’s breadbasket, and SoCal’s famous beach towns are only some of the places you’ll experience along this journey. You’ll have the chance to visit towering trees, dip your toes in the Pacific, and gaze out from mountain tops over the coastline. Visit California’s most iconic cities, and opt to continue all the way to San Diego to bike the whole of California’s Southern Coast.

Arrival Day | San Francisco

Arrive into the beautiful city by the bay, and enjoy a night in town. From the Mission, to Hayes Valley, Haight-Ashbury, SOMA, North Beach, and the famous Golden Gate Park, you'll have plenty to explore. 

Day 1 | San Francisco - Big Basin | 52.1 miles

Skip the busy bay, and start riding in the South Bay. Climb up to beautiful forest covered bike paths along the San Andreas Lake and Crystal Spring Reservoirs, and ride along quiet cyclist filled roads into Big Basin Redwood Forest.

Day 2 | Big Basin - New Brighton | 32.3 miles

Riding downhill through the Santa Cruz mountains, pause for the awe inspiring views. Cycling through quaint mountain towns, enter one of California’s surf capitals, Santa Cruz.

Day 3 | New Brighton - Monterey | 42 miles

Biking through small communities, enjoy quiet residential roads, bike paths and seaside views with incredible wildlife on your way to Monterey.

Day 4 | Monterey - Big Sur | 44.5 miles

Start the day with the famous 17-mile drive through Pebble Beach, stopping in Carmel for a visit to a few galleries and a stop at the beach. After miles of rolling coastal bliss, enter Big Sur, where you’ll finish at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park for a night nestled amongst giant Redwoods.

Day 5 | Big Sur - Kirk Creek | 28 miles

Keep the day short and enjoy all the beauty around you. Stop for hikes, visit hidden beaches and check out the famous McWay Waterfall, while biking some of Southern California’s biggest and most beautiful climbs.

Day 6 | Kirk Creek - San Simeon | 40.5 miles

Enjoy epic views and soar down the curving coastal Highway 1. Pass sea lions and catch distant glimpses of the famous Hearst Castle before finishing in San Simeon.

Day 7 | San Simeon - Oceano | 56 miles

Head inland for quiet riding between rolling hills. Briefly ride along the coast in Morro Bay, before heading inland again to the town of San Luis Obispo, and South towards Pismo Beach's curious Monarch colony.

Day 8 | Oceano - Lake Cachuma | 78 miles

Pass Missions, forest lined creek roads, meadows, and small adorable towns on our way to Lake Cachuma.

Day 9 | Lake Cachuma - Foster Park | 57.5 miles

Starting with a major climb, you’ll soon be rewarded with some of the most incredible views Southern California has to offer. From the top of the Santa Barbara mountains, you’ll see rolling hills and coastline for miles.

Day 10 | Foster Park - Santa Monica, LA | 66 miles

The coastal stretch to Santa Monica is dotted with state beaches to the right and coastal mountains to the left. Passing Malibu, finish your ride just after the Santa Monica Pier. Welcome to LA!

A Glimpse at Day 1

San Francisco - Big Basin State Park | 52.1 miles

7 am: Wake up and get ready for day 1. Make sure you have all your personal belongings packed in your panniers.

8 am: Eat breakfast, load your panniers onto your bike, do a last minute check and hit the road!

8:30 am: Hop on BART, San Francisco's rapid transit system, and head to Millbrae, where you'll to begin the ride.

9:30 am: Ride out of town, along the bike path by the scenic Crystal Springs reservoir.

11:30 am: Stop at Robert's Market for lunch and pick up dinner and breakfast supplies. Perhaps grab lunch to go and enjoy a picnic lunch once you reach the Skyline Vista Point.

3 pm: Bike along the top of Skyline, catching views of rolling coastal moutains, the ocean, and the South Bay.

4 pm: Enter Big Basin Redwood Forest. Enjoy quiet roads lined with these magnificent giants. 

5 pm: Arrive at Big Basin Redwoods State Park and set up camp. Check out the walking trails, visit the camp restaurant, or simply relax by the campfire. 

Have questions? Check out our   

Bike Equipment

Touring bike, waterproof panniers & handlebar bag, pump, bike tools,  & essential spare parts. you'll also receive a custom biking jersey to keep, camping gear, tent, sleeping mat, tarp, cookware, flashlight, sleeping bag, route design, expertly designed day-by-day route suggestions, essential tips, campsite options, places of interest, and dining recommendations along the way., accommodation costs, we provide suggestions and details of the best campsites. they average $5 per person per night. , meals and beverages, we outline our favorite cafes, restaurants, and grocery stores., emergency services, 911 is always your first point of contact in an emergency situation. a list of hospitals and clinics are listed in the pre-trip manuals., travel medical insurance, it is recommended to purchase travel medical insurance before embarking on your journey if you are coming from abroad., personal travel expenses, plan for costs associated with personal travel to arrive at your starting point and heading home from your endpoint..

San Francisco T100 Triathlon World Tour: Start time, preview and how to watch live

The third round of the 2024 T100 Triathlon World Tour takes place this weekend in San Francisco, California and is set to be a phenomenal weekend of racing.

The T100 Triathlon World Tour returns to America this weekend for the third round of the series, with the San Francisco T100 welcoming the best athletes in the world to one of the sport’s most iconic locations.

Competing on the same weekend as the famous Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, athletes will swim to shore from a ferry in San Francisco Bay, bike six laps of a course that passes the famous Golden Gate Bridge and run along the Marina Boulevard.

In our preview of the race below, you can find all the information you need including start times, streaming information and a preview of both professional fields.

Start times and how to watch live

In San Francisco, both races will take place on Saturday June 8 , with the professional men kicking things off at 06:00 local time. This corresponds to 09:00 on the East Coast, 14:00 in the UK and 15:00 in Central Europe.

Starting just 45 minutes later, the women will begin at 06:45 local time. This corresponds to 09:45 on the East Coast, 14:45 in the UK and 15:45 in Central Europe.

The broadcast will begin at 05:45 local time. In Europe, the races can be watched on Eurosport or Discovery+. Elsewhere, you can watch the official broadcast here, available outside of Europe via YouTube.

In the men’s race, American home favourite and World #1 Sam Long leads the lineup, with the 28-year-old chasing a third successive podium after successive second-place finishes in Miami and Singapore.

With a podium streak which dates back to September 2023 and spans seven races, Long is the in-form athlete coming into the event, and will hope he can finally clinch a maiden T100 win after finishing on the podium on three separate occasions.

He will face some stiff competition, however, with Miami T100 winner Magnus Ditlev returning from injury, after the Dane sustained a broken wrist during race week at the Singapore T100. The 26-year-old, who sits at PTO World #2, will relish the hard bike in San Francisco.

Other athletes to watch out for include Pieter Heemeryck, Mathis Margirier and Jason West, who have all finished on a PTO podium in the last twelve months. West, who has struggled so far this season, will be particularly eager to kickstart his T100 Tour campaign this weekend.

Wildcards Kyle Smith, Mika Noodt, Menno Koolhaas and Jackson Laundry will also likely feature, with Smith looking to build more momentum on a magnificent win at The Championship in Slovakia last month.

PTO stalwarts Aaron Royle of Australia and American Ben Kanute , who was won the Escape from Alcatraz race four times, will hope that they can impress, and will bank on a strong swim-bike to get away from danger men like Long, West and Ditlev.

Marten Van Riel, a real dark horse, could also have a sizeable impact on the way the race plays out. A terrific swimmer and a fearless biker, the Belgian Olympian is a firm fan favourite and should garner a lot of support out on the course.

Finally, veterans Alistair Brownlee and Javier Gomez , who 12 years ago finished 1-2 at the London Olympic Games, are sure to make an impact on Saturday, given the hard nature of the race that favours both of their strengths.

Brownlee, who has been at the front of both T100 races early on in the run prior to this weekend, will hope to have a complete performance in California and finally get on to the podium. Gomez, who has had a tough year so far, will likely prioritize making it across the finish line.

In what might be the most competitive women’s middle distance field of all-time, seven of the top 10 ranked athletes in the world are racing in San Francisco, led by Australian Ashleigh Gentle, who in April won the Singapore T100.

Widely recognized as the “Queen” of the 100km distance, Gentle has the run pedigree to reel in anyone over 18km.

Gentle’s main threats will come from Taylor Knibb , the two-time IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion, and India Lee, the Miami T100 winner who recently defended her The Championship title in Slovakia.

Knibb, perhaps more than Gentle, is the favourite for this race, thanks to her unrivalled strength on the bike and phenomenal ability in the water. After cruising to the win at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside earlier this season, the Olympic medalist appears to be almost unstoppable over this distance.

Unfortunately Germany’s Anne Haug has decided not to race, saying on Instagram : Due to my severe medical history the last few months, I’ve still not completely recovered yet, the exposure to extreme cold water conditions (expected 12-13 degrees) would endanger my health and healing process in a way, we can not justify at the moment.”

But the presence of other top athletes like Laura Philipp , Emma Pallant-Browne , Paula Findlay and Kat Matthews means that no position can be taken for granted.

Outside contenders who could be within touching distance of the podium are Denmark’s rising star Laura Madsen, who recently finished second behind Lee at The Championship, and Tamara Jewett, the 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside champion.

The 2022 IRONMAN World Champion Chelsea Sodaro is a late withdrawal from the race but others to watch include IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship podium finisher Imogen Simmonds, plus Britain’s Lucy Byram.

Prize Money and Points

Racing for a total prize purse of $250,000, plus valuable T100 Tour points in SF, there is plenty at stake. On race day, the winners will take home $25,000 and 35 points, with the prize money and points for each position outlined below.

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Cyclists depart SF for LA in AIDS/LifeCycle's emotional 540-mile journey

The ride, which began in 1994 as the "California AIDS Ride," switched its name to the AIDS/LifeCycle ride in 2002 and has raised more than $300 million for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center to help support services for patients with HIV and AIDS. KTVU's Jana Katsuyama reports.

SAN FRANCISCO - Cyclists arrived before dawn Sunday for the 2024 AIDS/LifeCycle fundraising ride, that began at San Francisco's Cow Palace with a 6 a.m. opening ceremony to launch the epic 540-mile ride that takes participants on a journey from San Francisco to Los Angeles over the coming week.

"Trying to end the stigma. One mile at a time," said Ken Cook, an AIDS/LifeCycle participant and team trainer who has been involved in the event since 2016.

"It's a huge community. And it's all walks of life. There are people that are positive. People that are negative. We have young people, old people, straight people, gay people. All nationalities," Cook said.

The ride, which began in 1994 as the "California AIDS Ride," switched its name to the AIDS/LifeCycle ride in 2002 and has raised more than $300 million for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center to help support services for patients with HIV and AIDS. Participants raise a minimum of $3,500 to participate in the ride, which long-time riders affectionately call the "love bubble."

"We're like a family, and after 7 days together, I've made some of the greatest friendships and relationships I've had in my life," said Tamara Marsh, who is both an AIDS/LifeCycle participant and a mechanic with Mike's Bikes who volunteers her skills to help riders.  

According to the AIDS/LifeCycle organization, more than 139,000 people are living with HIV in California.  San Francisco has an estimated 15,811 people living with HIV, and Los Angeles County has more than 57,000 people living with HIV.

Cook is part of the generation that lived through the 1980s at the begining of the AIDS epidemic. He says he remembers when he and others were losing one friend a week to the disease.

Some survivors ride for themselves. Others ride for people they've loved and lost.

"I don't know of a gay person my age who didn't lose people during that period. And that's another reason we ride is to honor those people," Cook said.

Cook says his own battle for sobriety is what drew him to the ride.

"I know that I could not do that without being sober, and I wouldn't be sober without AIDS/LifeCycle," Cook said.

On his bright red bicycle, the words "I Ride for Jim" are emblazoned on the frame as a reminder of one friendship he'll never forget.

"Jim Ernst started riding the year I rode. He was an older gentleman 73-years-old. Also sober. And on Fridays, him and I would meet to have an informal AA meeting."

"While I was in the hospital, he got hit and killed by a car on his bicycle. And so I ride for my best buddy Jim," Cook said, looking down at his bike.

Along the seven-day journey from the Bay to LA, Cook says points of inspiration pave the way.

One of his favorite highlights is a woman who stands along the road just north of Santa Cruz. He says she has been there for decades with a sign showing her brother who died of AIDS.

"And she sits there every single year and passes out hugs. And there's no way you can get through there without crying, whether you're a survivor from the AIDS days or a brand-new rider," Cook said.

Justin Mora will be one of those first-time riders, who says he will be pedaling in memory of two friends who died recently.

"I think about them...artistic and excellence on their part," Mora said. "Back home in Mexico, they struggle with the stigma and also the resources."

The money raised by each rider helps the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and Los Angeles LGBT Center provide meals and medical treatments for patients in need.

"That really touches my heart and makes me feel more compassionate and engaged," said Charley Cramer, who will be on her first AIDS/LifeCycle ride this year.

"It's so challenging emotionally, psychologically," Cramer said. "I am not an endurance athlete. I had never ridden more than 5 miles before starting this training."

The theme this year is "Ride out loud."

"Not all of society is accepting and Ride Out Loud, I've had twice now, angry drivers yelling expletives to get back to San Francisco," Cook said, pointing down to his t-shirt with the slogan, "I got this yelled at last week in Sausalito of all places."

Those encounters are reminders, Cook says, that the stigma still exists and why the AIDS/LifeCycle ride is so important.

The riders hope their visibility during the week-long journey through California might also pave a path towards acceptance and hope.

"I actually also have an autoimmune deficiency," Marsh said. "The whole great thing about AIDS LifeCycle... if they find a cure for AIDS, the great thing is the trickle-down effect. It doesn't just affect people with AIDS. It affects people with any autoimmune deficiency, so cancer, leukemia."

"Bob Katz has been riding with us for 25 years. There are many riders who have been riding every single year," Cook said. "Bob is a longtime survivor, and we see him out there every year, so you know, I ride also to honor him."

One of Bob's expressions that I've sort of adopted myself is "We will ride until this ride doesn't happen anymore. And this ride will keep happening until HIV/AIDS is eradicated," Cook said. 

The AIDS LifeCycle ride is scheduled to wrap up on Saturday, June 8th with riders crossing the finish line at the Santa Monica pier.

Jana Katsuyama is a reporter for KTVU. Email Jana at [email protected]. Call her at 510-326-5529. Or follow her on Twitter @JanaKTVU and read her other reports on her bio page.   

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Eyes on the Street: 17th Street ‘Quick Build’ Taking Shape

A look at the start of construction on the parking-protected bike lanes on 17th, finally going in through Potrero Hill

4:31 PM PDT on June 3, 2024

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New parking protected bike lanes on a quiet Saturday afternoon on 17th in Potrero. Photos: Streetsblog/Rudick

Note:  GJEL Accident Attorneys  regularly sponsors coverage on Streetsblog San Francisco and Streetsblog California. Unless noted in the story,  GJEL Accident Attorneys  is not consulted for the content or editorial direction of the sponsored content.

A long-fought battle by advocates to get protected bike lanes on 17th is finally starting to show results, as seen in the lead image and photos below. From SFMTA's project page :

The 17th Street Quick-Build Project aims to implement safety and comfort improvements on 17th Street between Potrero and Pennsylvania Avenues. This section of roadway is a key connection in San Francisco’s bikeway network, linking areas east—like the Dogpatch and Mission Bay—with neighborhoods to the west, such as the Mission and Lower Haight. The project will prioritize the safety of cyclists and pedestrians and consider the varied needs of this mixed-use neighborhood, which includes large multi-family residences, eateries, parks, retail, commercial, manufacturing, services, and nightlife.

Advocate Peter Belden, founder of "Safer17th," told Streetsblog last March after the project was approved that he's thrilled things are finally in motion.

There's a certain irony to the fact that SFMTA continues to refer to these projects as " quick build ." In Streetsblog's Q&A with Belden , he recalled sending the first emails and starting the petition four years ago. The project went through years of outreach, leading to the usual protests by merchants over the loss of a few parking spots . Finally, the project was approved by the SFMTA board in March of 2024. More from a San Francisco Bicycle Coalition post on the struggle:

The project received the greenlight for  approval from the City’s traffic engineer  last year in September. We were confident the project would get final approval from the SFMTA Board of Directors by the end of the year and were gravely disappointed when that did not happen. Even with overwhelming support from residents and neighborhood associations like Potrero Boosters Neighborhood Association, the Dogpatch Neighborhood Association, and the South Beach Rincon Mission Bay Neighborhood Association, the project remained in limbo for six months over parking concerns from a handful of local businesses. 

In August 2022, Streetsblog covered part of that parking fight with the "Bottom of the Hill" music venue and one of its owners, Lynn Schwarz, who was behind the tweet and the petition mentioned below (the tweet has since been deleted, presumably because of the ire it raised from cyclists):

For the record, Bottom of the Hill still appears to be intact.

Streetsblog noted during its tour of the construction that there is still plenty of parking in front of the venue, although the driver in the image below somehow figured out how to block the bike lane, despite the availability of a legal parking spot just to the right:

As for the design, it's nice to see SFMTA using at least partially protected intersections. Speed bumps/turning wedges (see image below) are used to deter drivers from right hooking across the bike lane. In the past, SFMTA designed intersections with mixing zones that force turning cars to mix/zipper with cyclists trying to go straight .

The project, still only partially complete, nevertheless already underscores why unprotected bike lanes are useless. An entire block of the curbside stripes are not yet "protected," in the sense that there's no vertical indications that cars are not permitted to park on the lane. The results were typical, as seen below in front of Jackson Park and near the Parkside bar for the two blocks between Arkansas and Carolina: parked vehicles blocking the lane.

Streetsblog would submit that even plastic delineations fail to stop scofflaw parkers as soon as drivers figure out it won't damage their cars to drive over them. SFMTA has simply got to start using concrete dividers, even if it's as crude as dropping in a Jersey barrier.

The other glaring issue, of course, is the section of 17th to the west through the Mission, which isn't part of this project. As the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition concluded in its post from last March :

While we celebrate this success, it is important to remember that delaying projects means putting people’s safety at risk, not to mention this project is only one segment of the entire 17th Street corridor which needs improvements. The SFMTA must prioritize a protected bike lane along the entirety of 17th Street to keep people on bikes and active transportation safe. 

Streetsblog couldn't agree more. If San Francisco had strong leaders on the SFMTA board, they'd have already resolved to have staff continue building west as soon as they finish the already-approved blocks. But they haven't done so. Without significant changes , it'll take who-knows-how-many years more to complete the project under the agency's unique definition of "quick build."

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San to San (film)

Previous Dispatch From Wed Jun 5, 2024

What Jenny Tough Packed for the HT550 (video)

“San to San” is a film by videographer Patrick McGrady as he tackles his first big bike ride, a 650-mile cycling adventure up the coast of California from San Diego to San Francisco. Watch it here and find a recap from Patrick.

Words and photos by Patrick McGrady

When you surround yourself with people who go on epic adventures, you get a certain itch of your own. San to San was exactly that for me. It started with the idea: San Diego to San Francisco (San to San). After living in a van in this area for the majority of my van life, I wanted to explore a stretch along Highway 1 with another means of transportation. Bikepacking up the California coast whilst filming the experience was the challenge, and completing a fulfilling project and making a film out of it was the goal. Every day had its own ups and down, and it was one hell of an adventure. It’s hard to sum it up into words, but you can watch it here and scroll down for glimpses into each day while on the road.

“Great stories never come from comfort zones.”

Day 1: I started the day off at my friend Lewis’ place in San Diego. Had a slow morning with lots of filming. Final feelings and thoughts were shared over a cup of coffee and then we were off! The steel Poseidon bike is loaded and balanced with tent, sleeping bag and provisions for the trek. I arrived at San Clemente State Beach campground around 4:10 p.m., just in time to set up camp and catch the ocean sunset. What a day! I’m writing this in my tent and it is 6:30 in the evening. I’m tired, but also fired up for tomorrow. Taking highway 1 for most of tomorrow, all the way to Santa Monica.

Day 2: Started the day at sunrise around 5:50 and broke down camp at San Clemente State Beach. Didn’t get much sleep so the mission was to get to Laguna beach for breakfast and coffee (maybe 2 cups). Two flats today. Tough start but made it through the big city of L.A. Sunset right as I arrived in Santa Monica. 65 miles behind me today, tired though.

Day 3: Feeling it! I started my day in Santa Monica. 6:00 a.m. wake up was brutal but we got complimentary breakfast at 7:00, which we had to take advantage of. Got a boost from calling mom and dad this morning rooting me on from Austria! Onward to Ventura. Traffic was brutal up to Malibu. I can see now why people live here. A beautiful stretch of the country. I could never study at Pepperdine University, because I would be staring at the view all day.

Day 4: Wet and flat! Another day in the books. Started the day in Ventura. Got an early start at 6:20 a.m. and was rolling the wheels and on towards Santa Barbara. I reached the campground weaving through old trails around 4:00. I was drenched. Lots of heavy drops hitting the helmet. It’s been wet, but it’s keeping me distracted from being tired. The rain let off while I was setting up camp here at Refugio State Beach.

Day 5: Short and sweet. We woke up to a rainy Californian coast at Refugio State Park! Hopped on the bike and hit Hwy 1 until we got to Gaviota. This morning was hard to start. Feeling tired and just not motivated to get this stretch down. Pushing through to Lompoc was a blur. Cheers to halfway! 🍻

Day 6: Getting into a groove. I got to sleep 10 hours yesterday. Much needed rest time meant for a big set of miles today. Around 6:30, we (when I say “we” I mean the bike and I hahaha) were on the road again. Around 3:30 we made it to Morro Beach Campground! There was this ginormous rock near the beach. This campground is sweet! Today’s ride was powered by plenty of Sour Patch Kids.

Day 7: Day 7 started out in pouring rain. I mean just big drops and heavy winds made the breakdown of the camp not a dry one. When I thought it couldn’t go further up, the next turn proved me wrong. I was getting slower and feeling the legs from the past few days. Staying at Plaskett Lake Campground in the Big Sur Area tonight. Absolutely cooked. Not very descriptive today.

Day 8: Big push. I got up extra early. At 5:00 a.m. the alarm rang, packed up everything from the campground at Plaskett campground and off we went. I ran into this guy Larry who provided me with a bit of trail magic. Stickers and stories were shared during my lunch near the Big Sur campground. After what seemed the longest time I made it to Carmel By The Sea. Stopping at an inn tonight that is $100—not bad for Carmel!

Day 9: I didn’t want to wake up, but getting up at early hours has had me waking up naturally at 5:30 AM now. I had to move. Maybe muscle memory is setting in. Absolutely defeated. I don’t know how I pushed through the final 10 miles. Kind of a blur. Focused on the route and landmarks to know if I was going the right way. Santa Cruz, I am here.

Day 10: Easy peasy. Slept in a whole hour! Woke up at 7:00 a.m. and was on the road by 8:00. I was still feeling my legs for the first two miles but was getting back into rhythm. Overall, I expect to be emotional when I arrive tomorrow. Mixed feelings of accomplishment and pain will come and mix!

Final Day: Full circle. Today was the last day on the bike to finish the quest from San Diego to San Francisco. I woke up earlier than my alarm. I think I just could not wait to get up and go. Sunrise at the lighthouse was a spectacle! Greeted by the roomies with delirium beer and some cheers made this a super nice ending to the trip. My mind is still racing from the past 11 days of riding.

Each day was one to remember. The support around this adventure was an experience in itself. Always grateful to have people around me who are stoked about adventures like San to San! Here’s to more!

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Lee Tours E-Bike Rentals

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1351 Sibley Memorial Hwy

Mendota, MN 55150

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LeeTours Welcomes You to Explore, With Style and Ease. It is all about location, and LeeTours E-Bike Rentals offers the best location in the Twin Cities Metro Area! We are located in the heart of the Twin City Metro area in the Historic Village of Mendota, the original “Birthplace of Minnesota”, located at the junction of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. We are minutes from the airport and numerous hotels. LeeTours is the best choice for a leisurely bike ride exploring all the best the Twin Cities have to offer. With hundreds of miles of paved and unpaved bike paths, starting from our location on the Big Rivers Regional Trail, all you have to do is MapQuest bike directions to your destination (Stone Arch Bridge for instance) and off you go. Planning on attending one of the many events held around the Twin Cities over the summer? Avoid the traffic and parking, and rent an e-bike from LeeTours and arrive in style. LeeTours offers a variety of reliable e-bikes to suit your style and destination. Helmets, bike locks, phone holders, and travel bags are all included at request at no extra charge. The best part, no need to worry about getting up that last hill when you have an e-bike from LeeTours. So pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the day. Check our website for special events held throughout the summer. LeeTours welcomes you to explore with style and ease. Plan Your outing today. By Appointment Only. Same-day appointments are welcome and usually available. …

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We had a blast on the Lee Tour e-bikes! Jim was great to work with and the location is a good spot. So glad we found this shop!

What a great place to start a bike ride. We did a 20 mile loop in just over 2 hours. The owner was so considerate and knowledgeable offering to rescue us if we got stranded for any reason. But with great bikes and google bike maps we had a great afternoon. He even gave us a lock and saddle bags to ensure success.

Great place to rent bikes in the twin cities, Jim is knowledgeable and informative, he has some really nice e-bikes that are assist and throttle capable. Friends came to town and we needed a few extra bikes for a tour of St Paul, the rivers trails, and landmarks! Lee bikes didn't disappoint spent 6hrs enjoying the cities from a great mode of transportation!

Jim was great! My husband and I were in the Twin Cities visiting family and friends. We decided to try electric bikes at Lee Tours in Mendota Heights. If you are from out of town or a local, it's a prime location. Great trails to Minneapolis or St. Paul.

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San Francisco T100 Triathlon pits PTO world number ones Sam Long and Ashleigh Gentle

The San Francisco T100 Triathlon will see PTO World #1 Ashleigh Gentle take on World #2 Taylor Knibb for the first time this season. The Men’s race promises also to be one for the ages, with the men’s PTO World #1 Sam Long in action on home soil.

The 100km T100 race (2km swim, 80km bike, 18km run) will be set in the stunning San Francisco Bay area, who will start in time-honored fashion by plunging into the icy water adjacent to Alcatraz Island.

Since the first race in 1981, the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon has hosted top professional and amateur triathletes to attempt the impossible – Escape from Alcatraz Island. The infamy of Alcatraz Island is part of the attraction that draws more than 2,000 triathletes to San Francisco year after year. The mystique of the island and technicality of the course, most notably the challenging open water swim in the San Francisco bay, continue to draw competitors for the chance to make their Escape. The challenging course has continued to be a bucket list race for triathletes for more than 40 years.

Women’s Preview The Australian winner from Singapore will line up against the American Olympic medallist on the Mixed Relay in Tokyo on Saturday 8 June, in what promises to be an explosive 100km encounter for the third T100 race of the new 8-leg T100 Triathlon World Tour.

Gentle versus Knibb is just one of the intriguing head-to-head’s that will take place in the City by the Bay over the legendary Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon course.

Laura Philipp makes her first T100 start line and athletes like India Lee (GBR), Paula Findlay (CAN), Lucy Byram (GBR) or Imogen Simmonds (SUI) are also ready to toe the start line this Saturday.

You can check the full start list HERE :

Men’s Preview

The current PTO #1, Sam Long, is enjoying a blockbuster of a season, with two wins [Ironman 70.3 Pucon & Ironman 70.3 St. George] and a hat-trick of second places already [Miami T100, Ironman 70.3 Oceanside & Singapore T100], taking him to the summit of long distance triathlon for the first time. It’s also the first time any American male has been #1 since the PTO Rankings were formally introduced in 2019.

Long will line up against a stacked men’s field which sees 16 of the contracted T100 athletes towing the line, including Denmark’s Magnus Ditlev, a strong cohort of Americans featuring Jason West, Rudy von Berg and four-times Escape From Alcatraz winner Ben Kanute. As well as Double Olympic Champion from Great Britain Alistair Brownlee and Olympic silver medalist from Spain Javier Gomez.

The race will also see the introduction of Belgium flier Marten Van Riel for his first T100 race, before his Olympic date in Paris later this summer.

You can check the full start list HERE .

Both races will take place on June 8, and you will be able to watch them LIVE on TriathlonLIVE.org (please, note some restrictions in certain territories might apply) or here .

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