Leaving Friday for S.F. - I want to Bike ride across the Golden Gate to Sausalito(my husband and 2 kids 19yrs and 22 yrs.-we're all in decent shape but not regular bike riders). Questions....
Where is the best place to rent?
How difficult is the ride? Hills?
How long should it take to get across and to Sausalito? Are the bikes safe if we are shopping and eating there? Also, DH has hight fright - will he freak on the GG Bridge?

Also, DH has hight fright - will he freak on the GG Bridge? - possibly. I think bikes are allowed on the ferry. Not sure how many bikes can a bus take - if you are exploring all possibilities.

We rented from Blazing Saddles at Fisherman's Wharf. You don't need reservations, just walk up and they fit you on a bike. They charged us for the ferry ride back from Sausalito (but if you don't take the ferry they deduct it when you return the bike). Bikes are allowed on the ferry. We didn't ride down to Sausalito since we were there the day before.

I don't like heights, and it didn't bother me, but could be a problem I imagine. You can go to the viewing area right before the bridge, walk on it a ways, and he can decide for himself before you rent them.

We stopped at the Palace of Fine Arts on the way back and locked our bikes while we wandered around there. I would feel safe doing the same in Sausalito. We got hamburgers at Hamburgers and ate them in the park when we were there.

Time -- check out the Blazing Saddles web site if you haven't already -- they have different routes and anticipated length of times to do them there.

There are some hills and I walked up a couple of them (with others I might add), but it isn't a difficult ride. (you don't have to be a regular bike rider to do this -- we definitely weren't) I would suggest that if you haven't ridden a bike in a while you practice at least once before you leave. You are riding on the same paths as people walking dogs, other bicylists (some that obviously haven't ridden in a while) -- and nobody is getting out of your way. In fact, I think it says that pedestrians have the right of way.

It is a great experience. The area you go through to get to the bridge is fantastic.

Biking over the bridge was definitley a highlight of our trip! It is not a difficult ride, but going down the hill to Sausalito was a little scary. They give you a lock and key for your bike.

It would be a good idea to practice riding the bike before you set off- the area where you rent is crowded!

You can also get across the GG Bridge by renting a Segway.