mc4wp.forms.on('subscribed', function(form) { If you want to bike across the bridge but dont feel like pedaling, you can rent an electric bike. We rented bikes at Blazing Saddles and started on our way. In the winter, typically wear a light, long sleeved shirt as highs this time of year are usually in the upper 50s. Just know ahead of time that you must pedal the electric bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. Enter and space open menus and escape closes them as well. Cost: $32 for 24 hours, but $25.60 if booked online! 5. The Golden Gate Bridge is 2.1 miles long and it takes about 10-25 minutes to bike across the Golden Gate Bridge, depending on how strong of a cyclist you are and how often you stop. 9:00 pmto 5:00 am: Eastsidewalk, via remotely-controlled security gates located at both ends of the east sidewalk. C: Once you made it across the Golden Gate Bridge, there is a viewing point called North Vista Point. 2. Its time to cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge! 4. This will keep your hands warm as you cycle across. On particularly windy days, be prepared for strong gusts as you round the pillars. Blazing Saddles - Blazing Saddles is one of the bigger bike rental companies in San Francisco, offering rentals and bike tours. This section will provide information about the best ways to save money on bike tours of the Golden Gate Bridge. If so, you've come to the right place. The rental companies offer you everything you need to keep you safe and to lock up your bike. Once youve completed the tour, youll take a ferry back to your starting location to complete the cycle with a nice and relaxing boat ride. They have several locations throughout San Francisco. All classes of eBikes are allowed on the Bridge and expected to adhere to rules for cyclists. It can be a bit confusing if you just arrive without a little research. It's just as much a route and a road as it is an iconic tourist attraction, with many San Francisco cyclists using it as the jumping off point for longer cycling trips in the North Bay and Marin. Your trail will take you up to the parking lot at Vista Point. Thanks for the useful tips! callback: cb We chose Blazing Saddles because their shop was conveniently located on the route to the Golden Gate Bridge. rent a bike to ride over the Golden Gate Bridge. Your email address will not be published. You can choose between a regular bicycle rental or an electric bike rental. This allows me to warm up on the ride across as I usually ride slow and stop quite a bit as I go. This makes it easier to get on and off the bike. Self-Guided: The self-guided tour offers you more freedom to go at your own pace and stop more (or less) along the way. 1. Here are a few more pieces of advice on what to wear when you bike across the Golden Gate Bridge: Pants: I typically wear light pants that don't interfere with the peddles or chain on the bike. You will also pass Alcatraz on your cruise but you won't stop there. If you're biking from within the city, go through Golden Gate Park for a scenic, redwood-filled ride before you reach the bridge. They offer Comfort Hybrids, Deluxe Comfort Hybrids, a couple of electric bike options, and several others to choose from. As a Bay Area cyclist, I think it's great travelers can bike the Golden Gate Bridge (GG Bridge). Location: Multiple, but most convenient is 425 Jefferson Street. In addition to their guided bike tours across the Golden Gate Bridge, they also provide a self-guided tour and an electric bike option as well. I might do this if I drop by San Francisco! Some tourist passes include a free bike rental which you could use to bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. You can either book in advance or try to find a bike when you arrive. Again, you can walk your bike at any time (even on tours). It's easy and you don't have to make any decisions along the way. If youre biking on a weekday or before 3pm on Friday, take a left before the tunnel. All rights reserved. He has traveled to over 30 countries, and has never found a place he loves as much as this one! I broke this down into three parts, so you can get a feel for what each section is like. Groupon and LivingSocial frequently offer deals on local activities and services such as bike rentals, so you might be able to save some money by using their websites or smartphone apps. It is completely flat and the entire way you have a great view of the bridge. What a view! You'll probably want to think through your route before you go, so you are comfortable with where you need to go to bike over to Sausalito. This one is a little further and a little steeper. It's also safer this way, since the bridge supports two-way traffic and no one wants a head on collision (yikes!). The western sidewalk is usually reserved for bicycles and the eastern sidewalk is reserved for pedestrians. The downside of this option is that you will be on your own. event : evt, Cyclists must observe 15 mph bicycle speed limit on Bridge sidewalks, and slow to 5 mph around the towers. However, this can change depending on the time of day and on weekends and holidays. You will ride down Alexander Ave and share the street with vehicle traffic. There are two sidewalks for use by pedestrians and bicyclists to cross the bridge. Do not enter the highway, as it's not legal to ride a bike on it. Their address is610 Old Mason Street. Charleston You won't have someone taking you around, so you'll need to find your own way. Once we crossed the bridge and entered Marin County, we turned left onto Conzelman Road for an awesome viewpoint of San Francisco. If you do bike from San Francisco to Sausalito, you have a few options to get back to SF. People are so taken with this view and there's so much chaos, that you will need to make sure to make eye contact with drivers to ensure they see you as you are crossing. Here are just a few of my favorite times: With average highs in San Francisco only in the 60s, you will find it's actually quite cool and windy on the bridge. At Fort Mason we came to our first of just a few hills on the entire route. Their address is 2715 Hyde Street. 9:00 pm to 5:00 am: Eastsidewalk, via remotely-controlled security gates located at both ends of the east sidewalk. Here you will find 11 tips to help you prepare for this fun, unique journey. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. It's also steep, but not very long. There, we took the ferry back to San Francisco. My guide starts with a few things to think about before you As with bike rentals, you'll find that some San Francisco tourist passes offer free Golden Gate Bridge bike tours. Especially in the summer and early fall, the bridge starts to get more crowded around 10 or 11am. When you are finished in Sausalito, you can simply hop on the ferry and come right back to San Francisco and relax back at your hotel! Anyone under the age of 18 must wear a bike helmet according to California state law, and it's just a good idea in general. Bike rides to Tiburon can take between 3-4 hours on average. Wear the helmet. Rentals start at $60 per day. Electric Bike for the Golden Gate Bridge: On the other hand, you are on vacation, and if you want to relax a bit more, then check out the electric bike option. To be respectful to other bikers, especially those who need to pass you, it helps to stay to the right and ride single file. I want them all PLUS general travel tips. If you'd like to bike the Golden Gate Bridge on your next trip to San Franciscoor if youre a local who has it on your bucket listheres what you need to know before biking the Golden Gate Bridge. Before you stop, signal that you're about to stop (most cyclists will place an open palm behind their back with the palm facing the cyclist behind them) then pull over completely. The ride is mostly flat, and you never have to cycle quickly, so it's easy to keep up if you are on a manual bike. This allows me to cool down after the ride up the hill to get to the Golden Gate Bridge trail entrance. If youre biking on the weekend or after 3pm on Friday, continue uphill and through the tunnel under the highway. Electric bikes must not have their power mode on. These cost a little more per person (usually about another $30 to $40 per person). The first map and description show what the route looks like if you are going from Fishermans Wharf to Crissy Field. forms: { There are several bike rental shops in San Francisco. If you come to San Francisco, you might join one of Britt's tours of the city. You can also bike around the Presidio for a while before you bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. Its best to consider a 24-hour rental if you plan to go from the bridge to Tiburon. Sites such as Groupon, LivingSocial and even Goldstar often provide discounts on bike tours in San Francisco, and sometimes they also offer additional coupon codes so you can save even more! Palace of Fine Arts (Optional Stop): If you want to visit one of our best free attractions, then make a quick stop at the Palace of Fine Arts. Return to SF: If you don't want to ride all the way to Sausalito, you can also turn around and head back into San Francisco. This journey can take 2 to 3 hours, not including the time you spend in Sausalito. Once on the bridge, accidents are still possible. We partner with San Francisco Suicide Prevention and Crisis Text Line to provide a lifeline when it's needed most. Amsterdam It was a holiday weekend so there were tons of tourists everywhere, including us. } Note: My husband found this article after our travels. What should you do after you cross the bridge? 3. Ferry to SF: This is where you will find the terminal for the ferry back to San Francisco. And if you really want to cycle in style, they also rent road bikes, in which you could cruise up those hills much easier than on a hybrid. Prices will vary depending upon the tour you select, but a bike rental is included with each trip. The downside is that you have to show up at a specific time, ride as fast (or slow) as the group, and only stop at their designated locations. Golden Gate Bridge Bike Rental with Sausalito Ferry Ticket. They will take you along a predetermined route with a few stops along the way. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( The hardest, and sometimes the most dangerous part of this ride was just passing and being passed by other cyclists. Join our free FTBF Travel Community. 2. We got lucky. If you have any questions or advice for our readers, comment below! Marina Green: After you exit Fort Mason, you'll take a right and head toward the waterfront to bike along the Marina Green. Distance across the Golden Gate Bridge: 1.7 miles (one way) Ghirardelli Square to Sausalito: 8.5 miles (one way) Ghirardelli Square to the Golden Gate Bridge Viewpoint: 6 miles one way, 12 miles round trip. The majority of the bike rental shops are in Fisherman's Wharf or the Marina. If you plan to bike across the Golden Gate Bridge on your own, you will want to familiarize yourself with the rules and which side you need to be on before you arrive. Check out this 15 min GoPro video from Fisherman's Wharf to Sausalito. 4. Pedestrians, including persons with disabilities using mobility devices such as wheelchairs, are only allowed on the east sidewalk (side facing San Francisco). Both tours and bike rentals are available daily from several places in Fisherman's Wharf. Great way to get the kids involved. Then, take your first right and go uphill towards Hawk Hill. SIGN UPFOR OUR EMAIL TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE2022 SAN FRANCISCO PLANNING GUIDE. I've seen a few collisions here, so to be safe, try and go a little ways away to pull over and watch for others coming around the bend. A basic bike rental starts at $36 per day. Click here to visit their website. Light Jacket or Windbreaker: I always bring a light jacket with me. Then, youll see an entrance to the bike path. TIP: If youre comfortable with finding your way around the city, you might want to consider obtaining a full-day bike rental with the San Francisco Go Card. 2. Here are a few tips for those arrive on the northern side from the east sidewalk. Please wear a helmet. Their address is 1465 Lombard Street. Sometimes walking around San Francisco can be a bit impractical, and it can also be physically demanding for some visitors. (For more info on Alcatraz read our, Bay City Bike Rentals and Tours are generally very well rated on TripAdvisor and Get Your Guide (, A majority of the reviews for Blazing Saddles are overwhelmingly positive, earning the company a. Although it's steep, it isn't very long and only takes a couple of minutes to bike or walk to the top. This path is open to cyclists only. The Golden Gate Bridge is biked by tourists, distance cyclists, and commuters alike (if you're into distance cycling, getting across the bridge into the North Bay is the first step to hopping on some pretty amazing bike ridesone of my favorites is biking up to Point Reyes National Seashore). They only offer rentals and do not offer guided tours. Depending on how you use these services, you could save 20% - 50% off or more. The ride to Sausalito from the Golden Gate Bridge is about three miles. When we arrived back to the pier, we continued (on our rented bikes) to Chinatown and biked down Lombard Street. Cycling is definitely the way to go. This is the final piece of the route from the bridge over to Sausalito. The ferry was very relaxing especially after a full day of biking. It was easier going back, with less climbing and a nice tailwind to push us back to the city. A few more tips so you can have the Best Experience, Cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge on a Tour. But having that motor will come in handy getting you up the hills! Are you planning a trip to the United States? } Washington DC. They have a wide variety of bikes to rent including Hybrids, Sport Hybrids, Electric, Mountain, Road, and Kids' bikes. New York City Each one has different hours for cyclists. Here are a few additional call outs for this section. 5. You can walk them if needed. Most offer free, self-guided tours to enhance your ride. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { Bikes cost $8-12 per hour to rent. You also get some great views of the Golden Gate Bridge in this direction. If you're renting from somewhere not on this route, use Google Maps to plot your route -- its bike directions are almost always spot on, and will even give you an idea of elevation (re: hills) in advance. Once you get closer to the water, you will be going in the right direction towards Sausalito. Before passing slower cyclists in front of you, look over your left shoulder to make sure someone isnt already trying to pass you. Bikes in front of Blazing Saddles in Fisherman's Wharf. Left and right arrows move across top level links and expand / close menus in sub levels. It is two-way bicycle traffic here. It's basically like getting your money back for the rental fee! Most rent a bike spots will be along the water. Cyclists can cross the bridge on their bikes 24 hours a day, 365 days a week. This website does not sell any personal information. Our website uses cookies. Rome Guided: The great thing about a guided trip is that everything is set up for you. If you plan to rent from either Sports Basement or another place in the Marina, you cut off about a mile from that distance. If you want to travel across the Golden Gate Bridge without using a car or bus, bike tours are one of the most exciting and interesting alternatives. 6:30 pm to 5:00 am: Eastsidewalk, via remotely-controlled security gates located at both ends of the east sidewalk. The east sidewalk is open to bikes from 5 am - 3:30 pm Monday through Friday and after 6:30 pm every day of the week. To get to the west side from the welcome center, go up the hill on the right side of the highway and curve around to go underneath the bridge. Enjoy the view and slap yourself on the shoulder: You just biked the Golden Gate Bridge! Automatically-controlled gates close at 6:30 pmand reopen at 5:00am. 2. It makes for a pleasant ride, but you can also return back by bike if you want to make your ride a little longer and more challenging. They stop quite a bit and ride pretty slow. I like leggings or pants that have a tight fit around the ankles. Now I usually bike with a light windbreaker (I have a basic windbreaker from Columbia that I love). The second big hill is the approach up to the bridge itself. In combination with the wind, the ride can be a bit tiring. If you don't have your own bike, there are many places where you can rent bikes at very affordable prices. Walkers and bikers on the bridge in a variety of layers. As you bike to the Golden Gate Bridge, you can stop along the waterfront, have some lunch along Chestnut Street in the Marina, or check out the Palace of Fine Arts. Cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge was one of our favorite experiences in San Francisco. on: function(evt, cb) { The west sidewalk is intended specifically for cyclists, so we recommend using that side if at all possible, but the east sidewalk offers excellent views of the San Francisco Bay. Blazing Saddles: One of the most popular options in Fisherman's Wharf is Blazing Saddles. They also offer some electric bikes, if you plan to rent one of those instead. Required fields are marked *. Hours vary seasonally as follows: Pacific Standard Time (early November to early March - dates vary): East sidewalk hours are 5:00 amto 6:30 pm. Winter Standard Time Hours: First Sunday in November to the second Monday in March, Summer, Spring & Fall Hours: Second Monday in March to the first Sunday in November, Contact Me | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Site Map | Advertising Disclaimer. Ive seen cyclists break too fast and flip over their handlebars or run into other cyclists on the bridge. 1. All you need to do is show up and the guide will do the rest. B: When entering the Golden Gate Bridge, you will probably have to get off the bike, as there the area will be crowded with pedestrians. On the Bridge: You made it! 4. In the end, biking across the Golden Gate Bridge is a wonderful experience, and even on the crowded days, I think it's so cool that Bay Area cyclists get to cross it so often. Plus, at times, you'll need to walk your bike, and this will make it a more comfortable adventure. 3. Sports Basement - If you live in the Bay Area, Sports Basement is the best place to rent from because any money you spend on a bike rental here can also be used towards the purchase of a new bike through them. Cost: $32 for 24 hours, but $28.80 if booked online! Here are a few guided tours including some "combo tours" that include another tour as well as the Bike Tour over the Golden Gate Bridge. The first thing you will want to determine is if you want to The entire elevation from those uphill sections totals about 500 feet.

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