Bicycling
San Francisco is known for its treacherously steep hills, so it may be surprising to see so many cyclists. This is actually a great city for biking—there are ample bike lanes, it's not hard to find level ground with great scenery (especially along the water), and if you're willing to tackle a challenging uphill climb, you're often rewarded with a fabulous view—and a quick trip back down.
San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition has extensive information about the policies and politics of riding and lists local events for cyclists on its website. You can download (but not print) a PDF version of the San Francisco Bike Map and Walking Guide. 1720 Market St., San Francisco, California, 94102. 415/431–2453; www.sfbike.org.
Where to Rent
Angel Island. This former military garrison and beautiful state park has some steep roads and great views of the city and the bay. Bicycles must stay on roadways; there are no single-track trails on the island. There is a small café offering a wide variety of lunch options, or bring your own grub and grab one of the many picnic tables scattered around the island. You can rent bikes on the island for $13.50 an hour or $50 a day (rentals during winter months are weekends only). Segway tours are also available for $68 per person. Tiburon, California, 94920. 415/435–5390; www.angelisland.org.
Bay City Bike. With three locations in Fisherman's Wharf and one in the Haight, Bay City Bike isn't hard to find. The shop has an impressive fleet of rental bikes—many sizes and types—and friendly staff to help you map your biking adventure. 2661 Taylor St., at Beach St., Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, California, 94133. 415/346–2453; baycitybike.com. From $32 per day.
Bike Hut. Known for its mom-and-pop–style service, the Hut is a small rental, repair, and used-bike shop. Rentals begin at $6 an hour. Pier 40, SoMa, San Francisco, California, 94107. 415/543–4335; www.thebikehut.org. Closed Mon. and Tues..
Blazing Saddles. This outfitter with multiple locations around San Francisco also offers guided tours—most of which involve biking the Golden Gate Bridge—as well as self-guided options with their app. Go slowly on the bridge and watch for pedestrians. 2715 Hyde St., near Beach St., Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, California, 94109. 415/202–8888; www.blazingsaddles.com. From $26 per day for rentals.
