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Bicycle Tours San Francisco: Discover the Five Best SF Bike Tours
by Jill Loeffler •
Updated: May 11, 2022
There is no better way to get to know San Francisco than on a bicycle tour. You can either choose to go with a group or on a self-guided bike tour through the city's streets.
On this page, you'll discover the top guided biking tours, and you'll also find some tips for venturing out on your own.
Disclaimer: I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.
1. San Francisco Golden Gate Bike Cruise
Duration: 3 hours
This is by far the most popular bicycle ride in San Francisco. It offers spectacular views of the city and the Golden Gate Bridge. It's also a great chance to learn the history and other key facts about one of the most famous bridges in the world.
You start your bike ride in Fisherman's Wharf. From there, you take a leisurely ride along the beautiful SF waterfront.
You then tackle a steep hill to the Golden Gate Bridge bike path. Your 1.7-mile ride across the bridge affords you some of the city's most stunning views.
Your ride continues with a mostly downhill ride into the quaint coastal town of Sausalito on the other side of the bridge. This is where the official guided portion ends.
Since you don't have to return your bike until the bicycle shop closes (usually around 6 pm), you get to decide what to do next. Here are a few of your options:
- You can spend some time walking around Sausalito and enjoying its restaurants, shops, and galleries.
- You can take the ferry back to San Francisco (this ferry ticket is not included in the tour price) and drop off your bike.
- You can head back over to San Francisco and continue to explore the streets. A city street map is included if you take this option.
- If you are an advanced biking enthusiast, talk to your guide about a ride up to the Marin Headlands. It's a tough climb up but has some of the most amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge with the San Francisco city skyline behind it.
Overall, this is an easy to moderate bike ride, and it's one of the best ways to see and learn more about one of the most visited SF attractions.
>> You can learn more about what it's like to ride over the bridge here
2. Streets of San Francisco Guided Electric Bike Tour
Duration: 4 hours
This is one of the San Francisco bicycle tours gaining in popularity. On this bike ride, you cruise through some of the most exciting neighborhoods of San Francisco with 10 photo opportunities.
I like this one because you get to see so many hidden gems that you may not see if you head out on your own.
Highlights of the tour include riding along the waterfront in Fisherman's Wharf, discovering the North Beach District, and then cruising on the flat streets down to Oracle Park.
You also get the chance to see SF's Mission District with its amazing colorful murals and Alamo Square with a view of downtown SF behind it. Your journey continues through the Civic Center neighborhood, Polk Gulch, and finally back to Fisherman's Wharf.
This tour offers all riders an e-bike, so you can either pedal on your own or turn on the e-bike function to make it a little easier.
Throughout the ride, your local guide shares interesting facts and stories about the different places you visit. It's a fun way to cover a lot of ground and get to know the 'real' San Francisco.
>> More about this tour and details to book your tickets
3. Golden Gate Park Bike Tour
Duration: 2 hours
This fun cycling tour takes you to the best spots around Golden Gate Park.
On this tour, you'll learn all about the history of this park. You'll stop by the Dutch Windmill and learn about its importance. You'll also see the Bison Paddock, cycle over Hippy Hill, and learn about the Japanese Tea Garden.
While not a rigorous or hilly ride, it's still a great way to get some cardio as you learn about one of San Francisco's top attractions. (You also have the option to choose an e-bike if you want a little assist.)
The tour starts and ends in the same location. It runs for about 2 hours and usually runs in the afternoons.
>> Find out more about the tour and check for availability
4. The Original City Loop Electric Bicycle Tour
Duration: 5 hours
This is an excellent tour for those looking to explore top San Francisco districts on an electric bike. The five-hour route covers nearly all the most popular SF attractions with tons of photo opportunities along the way.
The tour starts in North Beach. You'll then head over to Fisherman's Wharf, a popular waterfront tourist district. From there you'll cruise through the Marina and Presidio districts as make your way to the Golden Gate Bridge.
From the bridge, you'll head south to Sea Cliff and then start making your way back by biking through Golden Gate Park, then the hippie Haight-Ashbury district, and the Painted Ladies of Alamo Square.
Finally, you'll see the mansions of Pacific Heights, more of the Little Italy that is North Beach, and Chinatown.
This tour covers a lot of ground, and though on e-bike, it's a good idea to have a moderate fitness level for the five-hour adventure.
>> Find out more about this tour
5. Self-Guided Biking Tours
If a guided tour is not your thing, you can also venture out on your own. This gives you the freedom to visit the neighborhoods and attractions that interest you the most at your own pace.
An all-day bike rental includes everything you need to enjoy your adventure safely, complete with a helmet and a bike lock. This way, you can stop and see SF's main attractions without worrying about your bike.
You can pick up your bike anytime after 8 am. It must be returned at least 15 minutes before closing time (6 pm most nights and later during the summer months).
In addition, the rental office provides you with a San Francisco city map and a few suggested routes. This way, you don't have to do too much planning before setting out.
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
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It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.
You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!
