Bridge to Sausalito Bike Tour, Close Up
The Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito Cycling Tour is a three-hour guided ride from 2661 Taylor Street at Fisherman’s Wharf, along the waterfront, up through the Presidio, across the bridge and down into Sausalito, where the guided part ends and you keep the bike for the rest of the day. It is for anyone who wants to cross the deck on two wheels with someone else reading the map.
What happens, in order
Arrive 30 minutes before the start with photo ID and a credit card for the security deposit. That half hour is for fitting the bike and helmet, and Barry mentions a safety briefing before setting off. Choose a regular bike or an electric one; electric bikes are for riders 13 and over. Contact the operator a day ahead if you need a children’s bike or a seat.
- Fisherman’s Wharf: leave Taylor Street on the flat waterfront path.
- Fort Mason, then the Marina District along the water.
- The Palace of Fine Arts.
- Crissy Field, with the bridge growing in front of you the whole way.
- The Warming Hut café at the end of Crissy Field: the break.
- Fort Point, the brick fort directly under the south end of the bridge.
- The climb up to the deck. This is the one real hill, and it is where the e-bike earns its keep.
- Across the Golden Gate Bridge on the sidewalk, 1.7 miles.
- Vista Point on the Marin side, then the downhill run into Sausalito.
- Sausalito: the guided part ends here and your free time starts.
It runs rain or shine; a cancellation for dangerous weather gets you a new date or a refund. Getting back is your job. 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 ferry ticket is not included, and the ferry page explains the options.
Included
- Guide for the three-hour ride
- Regular or electric bike for the whole day
- Helmet, lock and map
- Bike collection in Sausalito in high season
Not included
- Ferry ticket back from Sausalito
- Food and drink
- Hotel pickup
- Tips
What works
- The bike is yours for the day, not just the tour
- The break at the Warming Hut lands before the climb, which is the right order
- Free time in Sausalito with no clock on it
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before; weather cancellations are rebooked or refunded
Worth knowing
- You get yourself back, and the ferry ticket is extra
- Arrive 30 minutes early with ID and a credit card for the deposit
- The Presidio climb is real on a regular bike
- Rain or shine means rain or shine
Who it suits, and who should pick something else
This is the ride for people who want the crossing and the town, and do not mind an open afternoon afterwards. The sidewalk rules are the guide’s problem, not yours, which is most of what you are paying for.
If you would rather have the ferry planned for you and a tighter set of timed stops, the guided bike or e-bike tour from Leavenworth Street does that. If three hours in the saddle is more than you want, the one-hour bay cruise sees the bridge from below in a seat. Renting a bike yourself and riding the same route is the cheaper version; the bike tours page lays out what the guide adds.
What riders mention
Barry from the UK took the 10 am trip with Natalie, who gave a safety briefing before setting off and history along the way. Margot from the UK says cycling the bridge was the highlight of her trip. Cindie from Australia took the e-bike option with Jeff. Maria from Italy mentions kind staff. Catherine from the UK says Alex managed the time and dropped them at the ferry. Suzanne from the US rode with Ryan.
Take the e-bike unless you ride hills every week. The waterfront is flat, but the climb from Fort Point to the deck comes after two hours of riding, and the wind on the bridge pushes against you both ways.
Two alternatives
Bike or e-bikeSan Francisco: Golden Gate Bridge Guided Bike or eBike Tour
Under the bridgeSan Francisco: Golden Gate Bay Cruise (1-hour)
Frequently asked questions
Is the ferry back from Sausalito included?
No. The ferry ticket is not in the price. You ride back over the bridge, take the ferry with the bike, or in high season leave the bike with the operator in Sausalito. The ferry page covers Pier 41, the Ferry Building and the bus alternative.
How hard is the ride?
Mostly flat along the waterfront from Fisherman’s Wharf to Fort Point, then one climb through the Presidio to the deck, then the bridge and a downhill into Sausalito. The bike across page describes the climb and the sidewalk rules. An electric bike is available for riders 13 and over.
What do I need to bring?
Photo ID and a credit card for the security deposit, and arrive 30 minutes before the start. Layers and closed shoes; the deck is windier and colder than the Wharf, as the what to wear page explains. Helmet, lock and map are provided.