I know you’ve heard that Mark Twain said that the coldest winter he ever spent was a summer in San Francisco but #1 – that wasn’t even Mark Twain, and #2 – whoever did say that was a liar. Our weather is amazing. It’s like 70 degrees and sunny year-round (with some fog sometimes, yes) but the point is that we have the best biking weather. And this is the best bike route in San Francisco. If you’re a tourist, the stops on this ride are most likely on your list – but they’re fun for locals too!

Here is the itinerary for the epic-yet-leisurely 10-mile, 10-stop bike ride that I go on whenever someone visits me from out of town and I want to show them our POIs. It’s arguably the most scenic bike ride in San Francisco (and one of the safest) – mostly an Embarcadero tour, starting at Oracle Park and ending in Sausalito. And yes, we bike across the Golden Gate Bride.

So let’s get some sun and some exercise while on our tour of perpetual indulgence!

You are now approaching the Buena Vista Cafe – an iconic establishment founded in 1916 and renowned for its contribution to the popularization of the Irish Coffee in the United States.

If you’re not familiar, an Irish Coffee is hot coffee with Irish whiskey, sugar, and a very generous dab of cream on top. Whether or not the Irish Coffee was actually invented here, as claimed, Buena Vista is a beloved San Francisco tradition.

You’re right next door to Ghirardelli, if you’re craving a Sundae, but the best advice is to stay light so that you can make it up the hill to our next stop.

Congratulations! You made it up the hill to the Great Meadow Park at Fort Mason. Now it’s time for the mid-trip R&R. Bust out the sarongs, Four Point beers, and speaker that you brought with you and get ready to be attacked with love by 1,000 Fort Mason-regular dogs. Sit back, chill out, and watch the college kids play drinking games on the giant lawn with views of the Golden Gate Bridge behind you.

Pro Tip: Check for events happening at Fort Mason – they have an amazing artisan fair called West Coast Craft, and the elusive El Sur Empanada truck has reportedly been sighted there lately.

You are now in the GGB era of your life. She’s in your view for the next few miles, as you approach the lookout point, and then continue on over the bridge. Enjoy it! Obviously stop at the lookout point for pics but it’s also a great proposal spot so keep an eye out for those, as well.

Once you get out of the barracks and onto the bridge be wary of the wind – it has been known to knock water bottles out of hands and blow bikers’ hair into their faces, making for unsightly pictures.

If you happen to embark on this trip on a foggy day, don’t be discouraged. The sun is nice but meeting celebrities is nicer and you, my friend are meeting San Francisco’s most famous weather celebrity, Karl the Fog. No, really, he even has his own Insta with 275k followers.

Follow the signs (and the crowds) to find your way from the Golden Gate Bridge to San Francisco’s wealthier and more upscale neighbor, Sausalito. Take your time on the way in – you’ll have a vantage point of the City that you can’t get from anywhere else.

After you park your bike in the designated bike parking lot next to the ferry station – the only place you’re allowed to park your bike in Sausalito (I told you they’re bougie) and get your ferry ticket, head to Bar Bocce, an al fresco restaurant that serves pizzas, sharable Italian-inspired plates, seafood, and – Bocce Ball courts! They don’t take reservations and they do get packed on weekends so go put your name in before you go shop around this adorable little town.

If the wait is just too long, never fear – Joinery is a close second option and is right next door. They do counter service and have a patio right in the middle of the harbor, so you really can’t go wrong.

Now to my favorite part of the trip – the floating homes of Sausalito. Not houseboats. Floating homes. The locals will be sure to correct you if you get it wrong. The floating homes are a unique and charming part of the city’s waterfront community and their history dates back to the mid-20th century.

During and after World War II, surplus military houseboats and other vessels were repurposed into floating homes in the city’s waterfront areas. Over time, these homes evolved into unique and eclectic communities, attracting artists, bohemians, and individuals seeking an unconventional, waterfront lifestyle.

The floating homes range in size and stylistic taste, from small houseboats to multi-story floating residences. Many of them have been creatively customized and renovated by their owners, resulting in a fascinating mix of designs and aesthetics.

Visitors enter the docs from time to time but access varies depending on factors such as local regulations and the preferences of the dock’s residents. It is a sight to behold so check our link below and either set up a tour or make sure you’re visiting a public doc that’s cool with having visitors.

As with all housing in the Bay Area, these floating homes are in high demand and have price tags to match.

If you have energy to spare check out the Fort Point military barracks. Clubhouse-style lodge, Travis Marina bar is hidden on the edge of the harbor in Horseshoe Cove. Outfitted in aging wood and military and yacht mementos, this secret haunt has a full service bar with draft and bottled beer, liquor, and wines, as well as some basic pub fare.

On the other side of the parking lot is the Presidio Yacht Club – a more lofi version of it’s former self from 1959. The club and is active in Bay Area yacht racing, power and sail cruising, and boating community, and the bar is cute and inviting

The ferry schedule has been a little dicey since the pandemic so best practice is to make sure you get your ticket as soon as you get into Sausalito. At the very least, check out the schedule in person and plan your trip back. The kiosk is right next to the park parking lot so you’ll be there anyway.

It’s common on the San Francisco Epic Bike Trip to take the last ferry, which is around 5:00 or 6:00, depending on the season. The ride is about 40 minutes and is beautiful. You get up-close and personal with Alcatraz and see more City views (you can never have too many City views). You’ll disembark at Pier 39 and either return your bikes or continue on with the night on 2 wheels.

2. Are city bikes good for long rides?

They’re perfectly fine to ride but can get expensive. Make sure you get a day pass so you know how much you’re going to spend.

3. How long does it take to bike across the Golden Gate Bridge?

The actual ride across the bridge can be as fast as 10 minutes but you should stop and take pictures and take in the scenery. Don’t rush, ya know?

4. Why are San Francisco roads so bad?

San Francisco’s entire workforce is mandated to work on the Golden Gate Bridge around the clock so we neglect our roads.

5. Can you ride a bike on the sidewalk in San Francisco?

You’re not supposed to but sometimes it just makes sense.