For the spring and early summer, I made a list of the 100 best bike trails in the Bay Area and near Monterey Bay. Of those, I picked my favorite all-round rides for intermediate cyclists, mostly mountain biking. The climbs aren't like Mount Diablo, but the payoffs are special. Here they are:
San Francisco
To Sausalito: This is the most popular ride in California, where you cruise across the Golden Gate Bridge and return by ferry boat to Pier 41, with rental bikes available. The trip starts along the bay on the Golden Gate Promenade, from Marina Green to the Presidio, and then up through the tunnel to the bike lane on the west side of the Golden Gate Bridge. The views are spectacular along the
San Francisco
To Sausalito: This is the most popular ride in California, where you cruise across the Golden Gate Bridge and return by ferry boat to Pier 41, with rental bikes available. The trip starts along the bay on the Golden Gate Promenade, from Marina Green to the Presidio, and then up through the tunnel to the bike lane on the west side of the Golden Gate Bridge. The views are spectacular along the
Marin Headlands and out to sea. Then glide down to Fort Baker and complete the trip to Sausalito for lunch. Roughly 8 miles, one-way. Info and rentals: Blazing Saddles, (415) 202-8888;www.blazingsaddles.com.
South Peninsula
Bay Ridge Trail, Crystal Springs: You need trail reservations, but you and your riding pals can have paradise to yourselves. This is an 11-mile one-way ride with a shuttle on the Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail. The route spans from Quarry Gate north to the gate at Sneath Lake in San Bruno. In the process, you pass through forest, view points to the east of Crystal Springs, then on past 5 Points to a remote sub-ridge; to the west is the seldom-seen east flank of Montara Mountain, to the east are weeping views of the South Bay. Info: Reserve at www.sfwater.org - click on "Community" and "Explore," then "Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail."
Crystal Springs Trail, San Bruno to Woodside: This gets packed with bikes every weekend, and weekday evenings are popular, too. It's gorgeous and feels secluded much of the way - a long, sustained, easy ride with lake views. Start at the northern trailhead and ride the San Andreas Trail, Sawyer Camp Trail to Crystal Springs, and Cañada Road (closed to motor vehicles on Bicycle Sundays); 13 miles one-way, 15-mph speed limit. You can connect to Woodside for lunch. Info: San Mateo County Parks, (650) 363-4020; http://parks.smcgov.org.
Haul Road, Portola Redwoods State Park: A personal favorite. A 10-mile round trip from Portola Redwoods State Park gently down to Memorial County Park. The Haul Road is a smooth dirt road that is routed through redwoods near the headwaters of Pescadero Creek. A great family ride in wildlands. Info: Portola Redwoods State Park, (650) 948-9098,www.parks.ca.gov.
Marin County
Tamarancho Loop: Camp Tamarancho is the No. 1 mountain bike park in California, where you pay $5 for a month for unlimited riding with like-kinds on single-track trails. The 9-mile Tamarancho Loop, single-track on the east side of White Hill, is the centerpiece. The long-range plan is to complete the Tamarancho Flow Trail and other single-track routes. Owned and operated by the Marin Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Info: www.boyscouts-marin.org - click on "Tamarancho Biking."
Perimeter Road, Angel Island: The 5.5-mile ride on Perimeter Road around Angel Island is probably the best ride for all ages in California. The views are spectacular at a series of lookouts across the bay to its landmarks, with easy side trips available to Camp Reynolds, Perles Beach, Battery Ledyard, East Garrison, Quarry Beach, North Garrison, and theImmigration Station. Bike rentals available. Info: Angel Island cafe (bike rentals), (415) 435-3392, www.angelisland.com; Angel Island State Park, (415) 435-5390; www.angelisland.org or www.parks.ca.gov.
Tennessee Valley, Marin Headlands: This is also a great family ride, nearly flat most of the way, 8.5-mile round trip. You ride through a valley west, and then park, lock and walk a short distance to a gorgeous secluded beach at Tennessee Cove, named after a shipwreck. Info: Marin Headlands, (415) 331-1540, www.nps.gov/goga - click on "Plan Your Visit."
South coast
Coastal Trail, Half Moon Bay: The best way to do this trip is to start at Half Moon Bay State Beach (or nearby at the Bike Works for a rental). Then ride north on the Coastal Trail all the way to Pillar Point Harbor (with one section incomplete at Surfer's Beach) for lunch. You'll pass bluff tops, a series of beach access points, and get big views of the Montara Mountain ridge on one side, the ocean to the other. Info/rentals: The Bike Works, (650) 726-6708, www.bikeworkshmb.com.
Rancho del Oso, Big Basin Redwoods: My favorite bike-and-hike anywhere is the ride on the dirt road from Rancho del Oso into the interior of Big Basin Redwoods. It starts out flat, but then rises up and down three hills. You then park, lock up at a rack, and hike 1 to 3 miles to see Berry Creek Falls, and then up the canyon to Silver Falls and the Golden Cascade. A 13-mile round trip ride, plus hike. Info: Rancho del Oso Nature Center, (831) 427-2288, http://ranchodeloso.org.
Wilder Loop, Wilder Ranch State Park: Wilder Ranch is the best state park around for mountain biking. From the ranch (dismount and walk), ride under Highway 1, turn left on the Wilder Ridge Loop. You then climb up a series of small hills and then terraces to catch your breath. Climb at least 500 feet (look for the spur on your left) for a lookout point of Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay, or make the 9-mile loop. Info: Wilder Ranch State Park, (831) 423-9703; www.parks.ca.gov
East Bay hills
Nimitz Way, Tilden Regional Park: From Inspiration Point, the trail is crowded for the first mile, then becomes more your own (still paved) for 4 miles to a turnoff on the left (becomes dirt) and a gate. Ride through the gate and continue to the foot of one of the hills. Lay down your bike and then walk up to a summit for a world-class 360 of the bay, foothills and distant peaks. 10-mile round trip. Info: Tilden Regional Park, (888) 327-2757, option 3, Ext. 4562; www.ebparks.org.
Chabot shoreline, Lake Chabot: This is a family ride, great for youngsters or those getting in shape. From the marina, ride out to the left along Lake Chabot on the Shore Trail. It's a service road with mild undulations en route to the dam - easy and short, with pretty lake views. If you want more, at the marina, continue on the East Shore Trail. It extends to pretty Honker Bay. Info: Lake Chabot Regional Park, (888) 327-2757, option 3, Ext. 4536; www.ebparks.org.
Alameda Creek Regional Trail: From Niles Canyon to Coyote Hills Regional Park, you'll find a paved trail on the southern side of the Alameda Creek that extends 12 miles (one way). You ride past Shinn Pond and Quarry Lakes en route to Coyote Hills, wetlands, marsh and the South Bay. Info: Alameda Creek Regional Trail, (510) 544-3137; East Bay Regional Park District, (888) 327-2757, option 3, Ext. 4501; www.ebparks.org.
South Peninsula
Bay Ridge Trail, Crystal Springs: You need trail reservations, but you and your riding pals can have paradise to yourselves. This is an 11-mile one-way ride with a shuttle on the Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail. The route spans from Quarry Gate north to the gate at Sneath Lake in San Bruno. In the process, you pass through forest, view points to the east of Crystal Springs, then on past 5 Points to a remote sub-ridge; to the west is the seldom-seen east flank of Montara Mountain, to the east are weeping views of the South Bay. Info: Reserve at www.sfwater.org - click on "Community" and "Explore," then "Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail."
Crystal Springs Trail, San Bruno to Woodside: This gets packed with bikes every weekend, and weekday evenings are popular, too. It's gorgeous and feels secluded much of the way - a long, sustained, easy ride with lake views. Start at the northern trailhead and ride the San Andreas Trail, Sawyer Camp Trail to Crystal Springs, and Cañada Road (closed to motor vehicles on Bicycle Sundays); 13 miles one-way, 15-mph speed limit. You can connect to Woodside for lunch. Info: San Mateo County Parks, (650) 363-4020; http://parks.smcgov.org.
Haul Road, Portola Redwoods State Park: A personal favorite. A 10-mile round trip from Portola Redwoods State Park gently down to Memorial County Park. The Haul Road is a smooth dirt road that is routed through redwoods near the headwaters of Pescadero Creek. A great family ride in wildlands. Info: Portola Redwoods State Park, (650) 948-9098,www.parks.ca.gov.
Marin County
Tamarancho Loop: Camp Tamarancho is the No. 1 mountain bike park in California, where you pay $5 for a month for unlimited riding with like-kinds on single-track trails. The 9-mile Tamarancho Loop, single-track on the east side of White Hill, is the centerpiece. The long-range plan is to complete the Tamarancho Flow Trail and other single-track routes. Owned and operated by the Marin Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Info: www.boyscouts-marin.org - click on "Tamarancho Biking."
Perimeter Road, Angel Island: The 5.5-mile ride on Perimeter Road around Angel Island is probably the best ride for all ages in California. The views are spectacular at a series of lookouts across the bay to its landmarks, with easy side trips available to Camp Reynolds, Perles Beach, Battery Ledyard, East Garrison, Quarry Beach, North Garrison, and theImmigration Station. Bike rentals available. Info: Angel Island cafe (bike rentals), (415) 435-3392, www.angelisland.com; Angel Island State Park, (415) 435-5390; www.angelisland.org or www.parks.ca.gov.
Tennessee Valley, Marin Headlands: This is also a great family ride, nearly flat most of the way, 8.5-mile round trip. You ride through a valley west, and then park, lock and walk a short distance to a gorgeous secluded beach at Tennessee Cove, named after a shipwreck. Info: Marin Headlands, (415) 331-1540, www.nps.gov/goga - click on "Plan Your Visit."
South coast
Coastal Trail, Half Moon Bay: The best way to do this trip is to start at Half Moon Bay State Beach (or nearby at the Bike Works for a rental). Then ride north on the Coastal Trail all the way to Pillar Point Harbor (with one section incomplete at Surfer's Beach) for lunch. You'll pass bluff tops, a series of beach access points, and get big views of the Montara Mountain ridge on one side, the ocean to the other. Info/rentals: The Bike Works, (650) 726-6708, www.bikeworkshmb.com.
Rancho del Oso, Big Basin Redwoods: My favorite bike-and-hike anywhere is the ride on the dirt road from Rancho del Oso into the interior of Big Basin Redwoods. It starts out flat, but then rises up and down three hills. You then park, lock up at a rack, and hike 1 to 3 miles to see Berry Creek Falls, and then up the canyon to Silver Falls and the Golden Cascade. A 13-mile round trip ride, plus hike. Info: Rancho del Oso Nature Center, (831) 427-2288, http://ranchodeloso.org.
Wilder Loop, Wilder Ranch State Park: Wilder Ranch is the best state park around for mountain biking. From the ranch (dismount and walk), ride under Highway 1, turn left on the Wilder Ridge Loop. You then climb up a series of small hills and then terraces to catch your breath. Climb at least 500 feet (look for the spur on your left) for a lookout point of Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay, or make the 9-mile loop. Info: Wilder Ranch State Park, (831) 423-9703; www.parks.ca.gov
East Bay hills
Nimitz Way, Tilden Regional Park: From Inspiration Point, the trail is crowded for the first mile, then becomes more your own (still paved) for 4 miles to a turnoff on the left (becomes dirt) and a gate. Ride through the gate and continue to the foot of one of the hills. Lay down your bike and then walk up to a summit for a world-class 360 of the bay, foothills and distant peaks. 10-mile round trip. Info: Tilden Regional Park, (888) 327-2757, option 3, Ext. 4562; www.ebparks.org.
Chabot shoreline, Lake Chabot: This is a family ride, great for youngsters or those getting in shape. From the marina, ride out to the left along Lake Chabot on the Shore Trail. It's a service road with mild undulations en route to the dam - easy and short, with pretty lake views. If you want more, at the marina, continue on the East Shore Trail. It extends to pretty Honker Bay. Info: Lake Chabot Regional Park, (888) 327-2757, option 3, Ext. 4536; www.ebparks.org.
Alameda Creek Regional Trail: From Niles Canyon to Coyote Hills Regional Park, you'll find a paved trail on the southern side of the Alameda Creek that extends 12 miles (one way). You ride past Shinn Pond and Quarry Lakes en route to Coyote Hills, wetlands, marsh and the South Bay. Info: Alameda Creek Regional Trail, (510) 544-3137; East Bay Regional Park District, (888) 327-2757, option 3, Ext. 4501; www.ebparks.org.
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