The Ultimate San Francisco Cycling Guide
I am very proud to be born and raised in San Francisco. San Franciscans like to believe that they live in the best city in the world. We have the Pacific Ocean to the West, Mount Tamalpais and the Marin Headlands in the North, and of course the City by the Bay on the Peninsula. We also have some of the best roads in the world to ride a bike.
For Europeans, I can compare riding in San Francisco and Marin County to riding in Mallorca or the Côte d’Azur. The roads are constantly changing from the seaside to hills and mountains. The combination of endless views of the Pacific Ocean, and riding through countless National Parks makes San Francisco and Marin County one of the best places to ride a bike.
The Best Cycling Routes in San Francisco and Marin County:
- The Marin Headlands - The San Francisco Classic Route
I first fell in love with cycling in the Marin Headlands. Local San Francisco cyclists like to call the Headlands our very own cycling playground. The Headlands overlook the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco Bay, and they also provide the best views in the Bay Area.
In total, the Marin Headlands provide cyclists with 30km / 18 miles of paved roads. There are multiple climbs in the Headlands, but the most popular climb is called Hawk Hill. Hawk Hill starts at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge and ends at one of the highest points in the Marin Headlands. Hawk Hill has been ridden by over 72.000 cyclists on Strava, and it has always been the place where local amateurs and pros have tested themselves.
If you are in San Francisco, riding to the Headlands also requires riding across the Golden Gate Bridge. However, no need to worry! Cyclists always have 24/7 toll-free bike path access on the Golden Gate Bridge. When I think about home, I generally think about riding across the Golden Gate Bridge and into the Marin Headlands. The freedom I feel riding in the Headlands, along with the smell of the salty Pacific breeze brings me back home immediately.
Classic Headlands Route from San Francisco:
Hawk Hill Strava Segment:
