San Francisco Bicycle Tours Resource-Scenic Tours

Numbers are difficulty, scenic value, and traffic on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the highest
amount of each.

  • Great Highway, 2/7/5
    An excellent way to ride along in the coast for about 4 miles. To head north, begin at the Sloat Blvd. and Great Highway intersection. To head south, begin at the Great Highway and Lincoln Street intersection. Head straight along the side of the road or on the paved path alongside the road for as long as you want. The road is very flat, but with heavy traffic. The paved path has slight undulations, and is car free, but will be crowded with other cyclists, rollerbladers, joggers etc. The path right on the beach is less crowded but the sand is thick enough in some places to stop even the fastest bike. Ideal for people that live in the neighborhood and want something close. AquaCulture Surf Shop on Sloat Blvd. near the Great Highway rents bikes.
  • Lake Merced Laps, 4/6/3
    Some people say Golden Gate Park is a jewel of SF, I believe Lake Merced is a close second. This jewel in the southwest corner of the city is often less crowded than the Great Highway or Golden Gate Park, with a wide paved path all the way around, and some fun off road singletrack at Lake Merced Blvd and Gellert. The best place to begin a lap is at the intersection of Font and Lake Merced Blvd. Get on the path and head south. You will see a golf course on the right for about 1/2 mile. Then, you will go down hill gradually. If you have a mountain bike, after the descent you can continue going straigh through the parking lots with the momentum. Otherwise, slow down quick. The path will take you through two parking lots with lots of pedestrian traffic. Continue around the south tip of the lake and up John Muir Drive. You will pass an apartment complex on your left and a gun range on your right. The path will then bear right on Skyline Blvd. About 1/4 mile past the large parking lot near the Sunset and Lake Merced intersection a singletrack opportunity will appear. If you go down this track, be careful. Although it is not steep, it is narrow with high brush on both sides and it will take you very close to steep edges. The singletrack will lead you to the Lake Merced/Middlefield intersection. Keep going and you are only about 3/4 mile from the Font intersection starting point. About 5 miles/lap.
  • Expanded Lake Merced Laps, 5/6/5