Riding your bike over the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the best ways to experience this world-famous bridge and world-class views!
If you don't have your own bike, there are many places where you can rent bikes at very affordable prices.
When you get across the bridge to Sausalito, you will quickly realize that it is a gorgeous little town full of small shops, restaurants, and parks with great bay views to enjoy.
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!
Tips For Biking Across the Golden Gate Bridge
There are a few things you may want to keep in mind before heading out for a bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge.
1. Wear a Helmet
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.
All bike rental and tour companies will provide a helmet for you to wear.
2. Expect a Long Ride
If you're coming from Fisherman's Wharf, you can expect to travel approximately 8 ½ miles to reach Sausalito.
From there, you can then take the ferry back to Fisherman's Wharf.
3. Set Aside 3-4 Hours
You can complete this entire trip in under 4 hours. However, the total time depends entirely on how you want to experience the trip.
We recommend taking your time when making this trip across the Bay.
MAP AND ROUTE
This is not a detailed route.
Our Golden Gate Bridge self-guided tour
Click on the map to expand it.
A (green pin): Start out at Fishermen’s Wharf and ride along the water towards the bridge.
The first part of this ride will be uphill, but in the second half of the ride, you get to really ease back going downhill.
You also get some great views of the Golden Gate Bridge in this direction.
NOTE: When you get to Crissy Field on Old Mason Street, you can either turn onto Crissy Field Ave. and continue toward the bridge or continue North to the Warming Hut.
If you choose the latter path, you'll have to turn left and go up Long Ave until you reach Battery E Trail.
This is a longer way around, but it offers more opportunities to take in the views.
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.
We recommend using our self-guided tour of the Golden Gate Bridge.
On the bridge, bikers share the sidewalk with pedestrians and there are sidewalk hours for the east or west side to ease the traffic.
The west sidewalk is open to bikes from 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm Monday through Friday and from 5 am - 6:30 pm on weekends.
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.
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.
You don’t have to remember the times, just follow the signs.
Check out this 15 min GoPro video from Fisherman's Wharf to Sausalito.
Once you are on the bridge, you will realize that you are actually riding up a slight hill. In combination with the wind, the ride can be a bit tiring.
But don’t get discouraged, just take a couple of breaks and take some great pictures or enjoy the spectacular view of the Bay.
C: Once you made it across the Golden Gate Bridge, there is a viewing point called North Vista Point.
Enjoy the view and slap yourself on the shoulder: You just biked the Golden Gate Bridge!
D: From North Vista Point, take the curvy road down the hill.
You will ride down Alexander Ave and share the street with vehicle traffic. It is a relatively easy ride, as it is mainly downhill.
Once you get closer to the water, you will be going in the right direction towards Sausalito.
From there, you can easily take the ferry right back to Fisherman's Wharf.
But we definitely recommend spending some time in Sausalito first!
E: Make sure you know the ferry times in advance. For ticket prices, click here.
And when you're ready to go, enjoy the ferry ride and the great views of the San Francisco skyline, and the Golden Gate Bridge.
You will also pass Alcatraz on your cruise but you won't stop there. (For more info on Alcatraz read our blog post on Alcatraz.)
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