Biking across the Golden Gate Bridge

We biked across the Golden Gate Bridge. You can rent bikes at Fisherman%26#39;s pier, they will give you directions (not always clear) and you bike across the bridge into Sausalito, you can then take a ferry back to SF or bike back. The trip is 8 miles one way. We took our daughters 9 and 7. The 7 yr old had a tag along and the 9 yr old did it herself.

This was last minute and not my idea. My DD9 wanted to do it so I ran to Ross%26#39;s (great prices) to buy more appropriate biking clothes.

PROS: Heavenly views, great adventure, Sausalito%26#39;s beautiful and great place to visit. The view riding in was very memorable. We had allot of fun and might do it again The ferry back was a nice ride. The ride along the beach was wonderful.

CONS: BEWARE of taking the ferry back. We did the weekend and they limited the number of bikes on the ferry so we had to take the next ferry. That may change with an upcoming new ferry. The line was long to return and we had to stand in the hot sun to wait (OK, My hubby stood while my DD%26#39;s and I got ice cream for them and a glass of wine for me at a lovely little place right in the square. If you are facing the ferry it is on the right.)

Unless you are an excellent biker you will have to walk your bike part of the way. My 9 yr old made the trip but only because she is an excellent athlete, the 7 yr old would never have made it if my hubby didn%26#39;t have her attached. The bike traffic can get busy over the bridge on weekends but the car traffic was supposedly lesser but made me very nervous. There are many inexperienced bikers along the way (myself included) so watch for odd stops, weaving, etc. Also, I%26#39;m in reasonably good shape so I did OK. SF is flat along the wharf/beach but hilly to the bridge and Saulsilito.

To return the bikes you have to bike from the ferry building to where you rented the bikes which means going past Pier 39. The foot traffic was unbelievable and not only wouldn%26#39;t people let you past, they stepped in front of you and looked surprised when you couldn%26#39;t stop on a dime. Despite me ringing my little bell like a mad woman. We walked the bikes as much as we could but because we couldn%26#39;t get on the ferry we needed to hustle to return the bikes on time. I was so tired at that point I would have loved to ditch the bikes closer to the ferry building.

Overall, we enjoyed the experience. We proud we made it and would have loved to spend more time in Salsilito.

Biking across the Golden Gate Bridge

Great report - I was planning on doing that next time I go. Thanks!