San Francisco is unequivocally a bike-friendly city. With our many bike and pedestrian-friendly streets, the city's layout lends itself easily to providing several effortless routes for leisurely or work commutes, not to mention the breathtaking views that come with them.
We have provided you below a few of the most picturesque bike routes to complete around our hilly 7x7 that range in easy to more challenge, all with a shared commonality of being gorgeously scenic.
See also: These Family-Friendly Hikes Are Perfect For Kids Of Any Age
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Difficulty: Easy / Length: 3-5 miles
We begin with a relatively short and easy one that's packed with spectacular sights. Simply cruise along on the Great Highway to experience the glorious Ocean Beach views that span from Lands End all the way down to the Dutch Windmills and the sand dunes.
This is the most beautiful and relaxing path if you're on the western edge of the city, all with the refreshing ocean breeze and calm views of the water.
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Difficulty: Easy / Length: 3 miles
On the antipode of the city is the Embarcadero on the east. Covering all the piers down to the Chase Center and Mission Bay, this is another highly stunning path that is easy, lovely, and includes multiple picture perfect sites. No matter where you start, you are sure to pass the Ferry Building, the Cupid Span sculpture, and the tremendous view from underneath the Bay Bridge.
Bonus challenge if you desire to start from or go all the way to Fisherman's Wharf!
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Difficulty: Moderate / Length: 7-12 miles
Moving onto a slightly more intense bike route, riding the entirety of the Golden Gate Bridge is sure to get your heart pumping, even just from the view alone! Biking across the bridge alone is an immensely fun rush as you look out to the vast Pacific Ocean, but for extra sights and a longer ride, definitely follow the trails onto the Marin or Sausalito headlands.
See also: Our Ultimate Tourist Route For Optimally Sightseeing All Of San Francisco
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Difficulty: Moderate / Length: 3+ miles
Golden Gate Park is expansive, and is actually even bigger than New York's Central Park, so you can expect there will be plenty of bike-friendly paths and lush nature. Biking here is truly a "choose your own adventure," as you can customize your path to see of the park's neighboring attractions, such as the de Young Museum to the Conservatory of Flowers, or the Japanese Tea Garden to Hippie Hill, as just a few enticing examples!
If you feel up for it, try traversing its entire length of three miles end to end, just be sure to say hi to the bison and reward yourself at the many ice cream shops and cafes along its span.
See also: Golden Gate Park's JFK Drive Promenade Now Officially Car-Free
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Difficulty: Challenging / Length: 4+ miles
Onto our difficult picks- if you're looking for a true workout, climb our grand Twin Peaks. This mountain range might be daunting, but it is only about 3.7 miles to ascend. Attempting this winding hill will grand you panoramic views of Glen Canyon Park, downtown's Market Street, and more along the way, which will reinvigorate and inspire you to keep going. Just make sure to snap an instagrammable photo of your success once you make it to this popular summit.
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Difficulty: Challenging / Length: 12 miles
Heading over to Berkeley, we are including Grizzly Peak for its undeniably captivating view of the East Bay and the city. This is definitely a trail for those who seek a proper workout and adventure, as ascending this hill will have you starting at either East Oakland's Redwood Road or the shaded canopy of Berkeley's Claremont Avenue before winding up some harrowing hairpin turns on Grizzle Peak Road. Talk about earning the view!
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Difficulty: Moderate / Length: 6 miles
Lastly, our wildcard addition is Tiburon's Angel Island State Park, which is a moderate loop around the circumference of its island. Catch the skyline of San Francisco as you casually complete this serene waterfront route, beginning and finishing at Ayala Cove. You will definitely feel as though you have entered a tropical oasis getaway.
Wherever you decide to embark on your biking journey, you can ensure you will be seeing only the most magical views of the city and water at whatever level you feel like. You might even be inspired to conquer every one of these paths on this list!
See also: Our 10 Favorite Privately Owned Public Open Spaces, Ranked
Photography by: Sandro Gonzalez/Unsplash
