Bridge to Tiburon

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 19.5 miles / 31.4 km
Duration: Full day

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Overview: We trace a route along the shores of San Francisco Bay, over the Golden Gate Bridge and through the picturesque towns of Marin Country to take you on a tour you'll never forget.

Beyond the attractions of San Francisco, you'll also get to experience the towns of Sausalito and Tiburon which are famed equally for their restaurants and shopping opportunities.

Pedal down long flat stretches of bike trail and admire the views across the wetlands, the towering mountain of Mount Tamalpais and the dramatic misty skyline of San Francisco.

We also detail a 4 mile side-trip inland to Mill Valley where you can get up close and personal with some large redwood trees and learn about the logging history of the town.

Bridge biking hours:
• Bikes have access to the bridge 24 hr/day!
• Weekdays east walkway open at all times except 3.30pm - 9pm when only the west walkway can be used.
• Weekends east walkway open at all times. West walkway is open between 5am and 9pm.
• Check the signs for seasonal adjustment of times.
• Late hour access on the east walkway uses a gate and remote buzzer system.

Ferry service:
• Blue & Gold Fleet - (415) 705-8200.

Tips:
• Weather can be variable in the San Francisco Bay, but even when the weather's foggy around the bridge its often gloriously sunny in the towns. Be sure to pack layers.
• Water fountains are available throughout the route, but bring a suitable container with you.
• Read the Blazing Saddles safety tips at the front of this guide.

Points of Interest

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Start Here

The trip to Tiburon traces its route around the edge of the San Francisco Bay, keeping your journey as flat as possible.

There are two short hills between you and the bridge, then its mostly either downhill or flat after that!

Click on the image to see more information about the small hills you'll face. Vertical elevation is exaggerated - if we matched the horizontal scale, then you'd hardly even see the hills at all!

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Side Trip: 'Twisty' Lombard St.

A side trip here would add 0.9 miles to your total journey. There's elevation gain of 174ft (53m) to reach Lombard Street.

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'Twisty' Lombard Street

One of the most iconic images of San Francisco, Lombard Street is also one of the crookedest streets in the world. The quarter-mile long switchback road was designed this way in order to reduce the hill's natural 27% grade, which was considered too steep for cars and pedestrians alike.

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SF Maritime National Park

Travel back in time to see how 19th Century sailors fared on the Pacific Ocean at the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park, which includes tours of historic vessels, a visitor center, a maritime museum, and a library/research facility.

(415) 447-5000
Free admission to Hyde Street Pier.
Paid admission required to board vessels.
http://nps.gov/safr/index.htm

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Ghirardelli Square

Formerly the headquarters of the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company this preserved block of historic brick buildings is now home to a selection of stores and restaurants.

(415) 775-5500
Free admission.
http://ghirardellisq.com

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Short Hill: Fort Mason

If you're feeling uncomfortable on this short hill, dismount and walk your bicycle.

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Side Trip: Palace of Fine Arts

A side trip here would add 0.3 miles to your total journey. There are no hills on this side trip.

Celebrating the life and achievements of the father of Mickey Mouse, the Walt Disney Family Museum is a relatively new addition to San Francisco having opened in 2009. The museum is a great attraction for both children and adults alike, as it presents the story of the man's rise to great things, as told by himself and those who knew him well.

(415) 345-6800
Paid admission.
http://disney.go.com

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Crissy Field

Once the military’s first Air Coast Defense Station on the Pacific Coast, Crissy Field is now a great place to take a break at one of the cafes or picnic tables that sit along a promenade trail. After a quick break you can head to the beach and watch the kiteboarders and windsurfers weave and bob under the Golden Gate bridge or check out the wildlife along the shore.

(415) 561-3000
Free admission.
http://parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/crissy-field.html

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House Of Air

Want to catch some air? House of Air is an indoor trampoline park that lets the kid in you jump and twist on a floor covered with 42 trampolines!

The trampoline floor is also surrounded on all sides by full-sized trampoline walls set at angles to the floor, allowing flyers maximum uninterrupted bounce.

(415) 345-9675
Paid admission.
http://houseofairsf.com

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Side Trip: Fort Point

A side trip here would add 0.8 miles to your journey. There are no hills on this side trip.

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Fort Point

The once grand military fortress guarding the entrance to San Francisco Bay is now dwarfed by the bridge stretching above it. Fort Point National Historic Site has been well preserved for its architectural and historical appeal and can be explored for free by the public.

(415) 556-1693
Free admission.
http://nps.gov/fopo/index.htm

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Short Hill: Long Avenue

In contrast to its name, Long Avenue is quite short. Dismount and walk if you're feeling uncomfortable.

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Golden Gate Bridge

The World Records that the Golden Gate Bridge held back in 1937 may have now been surpassed, but the jewel in San Francisco's crown remains proud as an icon of engineering and art-deco design and possibly the most recognizable bridge in the world.

Held in place by cables supported by the two 750ft tall towers, the 1.7 mile span connects the San Francisco peninsula with Marin County and carries five lanes of traffic as well as walkways for cyclists and pedestrians on both sides.

Cyclists can travel across the bridge for free at any time day or night. The following times may vary slightly depending on the season:

• Weekdays east walkway open all times except 3.30pm-9pm when only west walkway is open.
• Weekends east walkway open all times. West walkway open 5am-9pm.
• Late hour access on east walkway uses gate and remote buzzer system.

(415) 455-2000
Free admission for bikes.
Golden Gate Bridge - Bikes and Pedestrians
Golden Gate Bridge - on Wikipedia

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Side Trip: Fort Baker

This alternate route would add 0.7 miles to your journey and would take you past the Pulpit Rock Golden Gate Bridge viewpoint, Fort Baker and the Discovery Museum. Check out the elevation profile image for more details of the hills on this route.

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Pulpit Rock Viewpoint

The diversionary route via Fort Baker is a great chance not only to freewheel under Golden Gate Bridge all the way to the water’s edge but also a perfect place for a photo opportunity and a classic, yet less well known picture-postcard view of the bridge with Pulpit Rock in the foreground. The jetty at this location is also a great spot from which to admire the whole area.

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Bay Area Discovery Museum

This isn’t just a museum, it’s a wonderful play area for your 6 month to 8 year old to be curious, creative and adventurous. Indoor and outdoor exhibits include an art studio, a simulation of the San Francisco and Oakland ports, and an outdoor play area featuring natural, cultural and built icons of the Bay Area.

Not only is this a great place to watch your kids play, but it also has breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.

(415) 339-3900
Paid admission.
http://baykidsmuseum.org

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Sausalito

At the former fishing village of Sausalito you’ll find a perfect place to browse the little boutique stores that line the bay-side road. Follow this up with refreshments or a meal at one of the many well regarded restaurants near the center of the town where you can also enjoy views of the San Francisco skyline across the water.

(415) 332-0505
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sausalito,_California

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Sausalito Ferry Dock

Blue & Gold Fleet sails back to San Francisco's Pier 39 (Fisherman's Wharf) whilst the Golden Gate Ferry service returns to the San Francisco Ferry Building.

(415) 705-8200 | Blue & Gold Ferry website
(415) 455-2000 | Golden Gate Ferry website

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Bay Model Visitor Center

Want to visit the entire bay area in less than an hour? The Bay Model is a giant hydraulic model of the San Francisco Bay, Sacramento River and San Joaquin Delta.

About the size of two football fields, the model was built in 1957 by the US Army Corps of Engineers to study the water flow, tides and current of the bay and humans’ affect on this unique water system. Renovations are common on the Bay Model - we suggest calling in advance to confirm their status before visiting.

(415) 332-3871
Free admission.
http://www.spn.usace.army.mil/bmvc

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Waldo Point Houseboats

The lucky few who own a houseboat at Waldo Point have the San Francisco Bay as their backyard. This part of Sausalito was used to construct the Liberty Ships during WWII. After the war, beat-generation folks and hippies called these houseboats home.

Today 245 houseboats are privately owned and have a lease with the harbor for their berth. Feel free to tour the neighborhood, but please be respectful of the residents who call this place home.

http://waldopointharbor.net

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Side Trip: Mill Valley Old Park

A side trip here would add 3.8 miles to your total journey. There are no hills on this side trip.

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Mill Valley

Seated in the shadow of Mount Tamalpais, the modern town of Mill Valley grew out of the lumber business which supplied wood for San Francisco's Presidio.

Today Mill Valley is very popular residential neighborhood, in part due to the town's setting and the great weather the area has compared with San Francisco. Many popular restaurants serve the town, most situated at the end of Miller Avenue.

http://en.wikipedia.org/Mill_Valley

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Old Mill Park

Named for the old wood mill which gave Mill Valley its name, its with some irony that the park contains some of the few remaining large redwood trees in the area. The timber-framed structure by the river is a faithful recreation of the shell of the former mill building.

Visiting this small park is a worthwhile excursion if you're already in the area to enjoy the attractions of Mill Valley or perhaps ending a Mt. Tamalpais hiking or biking trip.

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Alt Route: Tiburon Rd

This alternate route would reduce your journey by 2.6 miles and slightly lessen the elevation.

This alternative bypasses a meandering but pleasant 4.2 mile route around the suburban bay-side communities of Strawberry Manor and Harbor Point.

The route does involve a section of busy highway that is frequently used by cyclists but is not a demarcated bike route.

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Alt Route: Belvedere

This alternate route would add 0.3 miles to your total journey and bypass the main commercial street in favor of more bay view roads. Minimal elevation difference.

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Tiburon

Tiburon in Spanish means 'shark' and is named for the many leopard sharks that frequent the San Francisco Bay. You're unlikely to see many sharks in Tiburon, you will see great views of the San Francisco skyline, Angel Island and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Tiburon is a small, usually sunny town which sports boutique stores and a whole host of waterfront restaurants including Sam's Anchor Cafe, one of the oldest and most popular restaurants in Tiburon.

http://shoptiburon.info/

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Tiburon Ferry Dock

Blue and Gold Fleet provide a ferry service between San Francisco Pier 39 boarding from the left of the restaurants. A service to Angel Island is also available from here - proceed to the Angel Island-Tiburon Ferry Company, who sail from a dock to the right of the Blue & Gold service.

(415) 705-8200 | Blue & Gold Fleet (to SF Pier 39)
(415) 705-8200 | Angel Island Ferry (to Angel Island)

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Blue and Gold Fleet Ferry

The Blue and Gold Fleet ferries serve the routes listed below. The company additionally operates a RocketBoat during summer season and cruises around the bay.
• Pier 39/41 to Angel Island, Sausalito, Tiburon and Vallejo
• Ferry Building to Vallejo, Alameda/Oakland

(415) 705-8200
Paid admission.
Blue & Gold Fleet website.

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Drinking Water