By Bicycle in San Francisco

San Francisco's famous hills present a challenge for bike riders, but if you know which routes to take, you can usually avoid them. Plenty of residents rely on bikes as their primary means of transportation. The Embarcadero, Marina Green, and Golden Gate Park are popular cycling areas. The San Francisco Biking and Walking Guide is an excellent biking map that shows street grades and routes. It's available at most bike shops and some city bookstores for $3 (or $5 by mail from the publisher). Contact the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition for resources and details about the ins and outs of biking in San Francisco.

Bike Maps & Resources

San Francisco Bicycle Coalition (415/431-2453. www.sfbike.org). San Francisco Biking and Walking Guide (www.reineckandreineck.com/rufus).

Bike Rentals

Bike and Roll (888/544-2453 or 415/771-8735). Blazing Saddles (415/202-8888). San Francisco Cyclery (415/379-3870).