The Best Urban Bicycle Ride In The Country

While any designation of "Best" is sure to be subjective, its hard to dispute that the best urban bicycle ride in the United States, if not the world, is the extremely popular ride over the Golden Gate Bridge, which starts from Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, and ends in Sausalito, California. This eight-mile ride has a bit of everything: surprisingly easy and level terrain (other than getting up to the bridge there is only one short hill), a route which is mostly on bicycle path, separated from automobile traffic, and stunningly spectacular scenery.

The scenery includes not only a ride over the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge, and visits to famous San Francisco destinations such as Fisherman's Wharf, Fort Mason, Chrissy Field, the Palace of Fine Arts and Fort Point, but also for those who opt to take it, a delightful 30 minute ferry ride across San Francisco Bay to return to San Francisco, passing Alcatraz Island along the way. Before boarding the ferry, Sausalito is a destination in itself, with weather that is almost always at least ten degrees warmer than cool San Francisco, and sunny skies, even when the Bay and San Francisco are experiencing fog.

The ride is so popular among visitors to the area, that city officials in Sausalito have even considered taxing those who arrive in their town riding bicycles, and the two ferry companies that service Sausalito have had to make adjustments to their procedures to accomodate the thousands of bicycles that board the ferries on summer weekends. Golden Gate Bridge officials have also considered charging a toll for bicyclists.

Many bicycle rental companies have sprung up in San Francisco to provide bikes to the city's tourists, who now often prioritize a ride over the Golden Gate Bridge on their list of must-do activities. There are at least five or six companies in San Francisco offering bicycle rentals, and some rent over 100,000 bicycles in a year.

Though only eight miles in length from its start in Fisherman's Wharf at the end of Jefferson Street, the ride usually takes most tourists two hours to complete, going at a leisurely pace and including stops to take photos of the sights along the way. Allowing for some time in Sausalito for lunch and the ferry ride return to San Francisco, most people who do the ride are back in San Francisco three to four hours after they begin.

While there are many san francisco bicycle rentals shops to choose from in the Fisherman's Wharf area, one that is easy to recommend is San Francisco Bicycle Rentals. They are located only half a block from the start of the bicycle path, they keep their fleet stocked with new bicycles, and their prices are generally among the best in the city. They also take their time with customers and offer maps, bags, locks, and helmets, as well as many helpful tips about the ride.

Don't miss out on this amazing ride!