Golden Gate Bridge Bike Tours, Compared

Where each ride starts

Both meeting points are in Fisherman’s Wharf and a few blocks from each other, so read the address on your confirmation twice. The Bridge and Sausalito Cycling Tour meets at 2661 Taylor Street and asks you to arrive 30 minutes before the start with photo ID and a credit card for a security deposit. The Guided Bike or eBike Tour meets at 2800 Leavenworth Street, and also asks for ID, a credit card and comfortable clothes. From either shop the bridge is about four miles away along the waterfront, and the path is mostly flat until the climb to the deck through the Presidio. Rami, who rode the Leavenworth tour, put it plainly: get the e-bike, the hills are not smooth. Tamanna said the same thing.

The stops, in order

The Taylor Street ride goes Fisherman’s Wharf, Fort Mason, the Marina District, the Palace of Fine Arts, Crissy Field, a break at the Warming Hut café, Fort Point, across the bridge, Vista Point, then downhill into Sausalito. The guided part ends there and you have free time. Barry wrote that his 10 am group had a safety briefing before setting off and history along the way from guide Natalie.

The Leavenworth Street ride is timed stop by stop: Fisherman’s Wharf for 15 minutes, Ghirardelli Square for 10, Hyde Street Pier for 10, Fort Mason for 10, a 20-minute break at the Palace of Fine Arts, Fort Point for 10, 25 minutes on the bridge, and 15 minutes in Sausalito, where the tour ends. Dirk mentioned the history of the city and the bridge along the way. Both rides cross on the sidewalk that cyclists are assigned at that hour, and the sidewalk rotation is worth knowing so the west-side crossing in the afternoon does not surprise you.

Bikes, e-bikes and who can ride

The Taylor Street ride includes a regular or electric bike for the whole day, a helmet, a lock and a map, with electric bikes for riders 13 and over. Contact the operator a day ahead for children’s bikes or child seats. The Leavenworth ride includes a bike and a helmet, with a pedal-assist e-bike as an upgrade, again for riders 13 and over. It also sets firmer limits: riders under 18 must be with an adult, helmets are mandatory, and it is not for pregnant riders or anyone over 275 lb (125 kg). On that ride you may keep the bike after the tour and return it later the same day, which turns three guided hours into a full day on a bike if you want one. Paul described the bikes as easy; Florence said the e-bikes were good.

What is and is not included

Both include the guide, the bike and a helmet. The Taylor Street ride is explicit about what it leaves out: the ferry ticket back from Sausalito, food and drink, hotel pickup and tips. In high season the operator can collect the bike in Sausalito; otherwise you ride back over the bridge or take the ferry with the bike. The Leavenworth listing says the plan returns to Fisherman’s Wharf by ferry but does not say whether the ferry ticket is in the price, so assume it is not until the operator tells you otherwise. Lunch in Sausalito is on you with either ride.

The ferry question

Sausalito to San Francisco is by ferry to Pier 41 at Fisherman’s Wharf or to the Ferry Building, or by Golden Gate Transit bus back over the bridge. Bikes go on the ferry. Catherine wrote that her guide, Alex, managed the time and dropped the group at the ferry, which is how it should go. Ferry queues in Sausalito on a summer afternoon are long and everyone in them has a bike, so the ride that ends with you at the dock in good time is worth something. The ferry-back page has the options.

Deposit, rain and cancellation

The Taylor Street ride takes a credit-card security deposit for the bike; the Leavenworth ride asks for a credit card too. Both run rain or shine. On the Taylor Street ride a cancellation for dangerous weather gets you a new date or a refund. Both allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start. Summer fog is not rain, and the bridge deck is windier and colder than the Wharf, so pack a layer even on a bright morning.

Renting and riding it yourself

There are no bike rentals at the bridge. Rent at Fisherman’s Wharf or in the Presidio, ride the waterfront path to the Presidio climb, and cross on the sidewalk the schedule gives cyclists at that hour. On weekdays that is the east sidewalk from 5:00 am to 3:30 pm and the west sidewalk from 3:30 pm to closing; on weekends and holidays cyclists may use both until closing. The limit is 15 mph on the sidewalks and 5 mph around the towers, and cyclists yield to walkers. Cycling the bridge itself is free at any hour. What you give up without a guide is the narration, the timed stops and someone who knows the ferry schedule. The full self-guided route is on the bike-across page.

The two rides

Across by bike

San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito Cycling Tour

◷ 3 hours

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Bike or e-bike

San Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge Guided Bike or eBike Tour

◷ 3 hours

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Side by side

Check dates for the Sausalito ride

The Taylor Street ride is the one I steer families toward, because children’s bikes and seats can be arranged a day ahead. Pick a date to see the start times still open.

Frequently asked questions