Next decision,to walk or bike the GG Bridge. Any input?

My husband and sons walked the whole span. I only made it half way and then looked down - had to turn around, lol

They would love to cycle next time, but really have no idea where to rent the bikes.

Have fun!

Does it have to be one or the other? We loved the trip over and back on the motorized trolley tour. Fabulous route all over the city - this tour!

I've always thought the way to do it, is to rent bikes and ride across and then down into Sausalito, having lunch there, and then bringing the bikes back on the ferry.

Yes, Patrick is very right, don't miss Sausalito, come back on a ferry. If you choose to bike, stop often for the views.

SeeTheWorld, the first time I made probably 3 yards or so. Felt it shaking. Now I am used to earthquakes, walked to Sausalito several times.

I like Patrick's suggestion. You can rent a bike near the north end of the Hyde street cable car line near Ghirardelli Square, ride along the San Francisco waterfront, through the northern edge of the Presidio (Golden Gate National Recreation Area)and across the bridge. Once across the bridge, it is pretty much downhill all the way into Sausalito, a good place to hang out and have lunch, and then hop the ferry back to San Francisco, landing at the Ferry Building (recently re-opened with some shops and restaurants) and riding from there along the waterfront past Pier 39 and through Fisherman's Wharf, past the Cannery, and back to the bike shop on Hyde Street. Keep in mind that on weekends you are not allowed to ride a bike on the east side of the bridge (the side facing the bay, the city, and the East Bay hills). The view from the east side is nicer than from the west side (though that is beautiful in its own way, looking out over the Pacific).
To walk across the bridge generally does require some other form transportation (bus, car) or a stiff uphill walk at either end to get started. But walking does provide, I think, a better appreciation of this beautiful marvel of engineering.

Walking the GG was a highlight of our SF stay a few years back -- fabulous views, we loved it.

We had been told that you could catch a bus back from the park at the Sausalito end, but sadly discovered that buses didn't run that day (a kind state trooper let us know). So we walked down the hill into Sausalito, which we also enjoyed -- then ferried back to the city. Easy walking (DH has problem knees, so if he can do it, most folks can).

And while biking across the GG Bridge is not a good way to die, it is a common way to die : please remember that the GG Bridge is -for many people- simply a point A to point B road. If you are so awestruck that you are not focused on the rules of the road, your safety could be compromised. After jumpers, cyclers are the #2 group of humans that perish.

Is there a separate path on the bridge for pedestrians and bike riders? I certainly wouldn't want to ride across the bridge sharing the road with the cars.

I didn't see any bikers sharing the road - that would be foolish. If my memory serves me, there is a bike path.

Yes, walkers are on one side of the bridge, on a sidewalk separated from the cars by a fence/handrail thing. Bikes are on the other side, also separated. If bikes are getting smashed on the bridge it's from other bikes, not cars.

Yep, need to clarify. Bicyclists are not being smashed on the bridge, rather : to and from.

Please rent a helmet. A couple of weeks ago I was driving into Sausalito and there were so many people riding the Blazing Saddles bikes down the hill to Sausalito without them. You don't know the curves and idiosyncracies of the road. Many of the drivers are tourists and don't know them either. You only have one head.

Also, consider riding further to Tiburon and catching the ferry from there.