Things to do / Travel Guide
Biking in the central California coast region can be an easy, economical, and environmentally-friendly way to get around various cities and towns. Bikes can be rented in many places in the region. In areas like Monterey, where biking is particularly popular, most bike stores provide bike rentals. Prices, in general, are reasonable; expect to pay around $5 per hour or about $30 a day.
Biking around Napa Valley and Sonoma County
One of the best ways to get around the wine country of the Napa Valley is to hop on a two-wheeler and peddle around the many miles of paved and rural bike trails that abound through the area. The Silverado Trail is one of the best and safest routes in Napa Valley and it runs from the east side of Napa all the way to the town of Calistoga. It's a little less than 20 miles and shouldn't take more than two hours or so. There are plenty of places to rent bikes throughout this region,
Biking around San Francisco, California
Mt. Tamalpais is considered the birthplace of mountain biking when Gary Fisher invented the first mountain bike here over 30 years ago. There are miles and miles of trails throughout the area, contact Marin Trails for more information.
A very popular bike route in San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge to Lake Merced route, which totals 7½ miles in length through Golden Gate Park and across the Golden Gate Bridge, coming to end at Lake Merced.
Another bike route which can be found along Ocean Beach and includes a five-block run along the Great Highway between Santiago and Noriega Streets. Both of these routes are considered relatively easy and are suitable for bikers of all levels.
There is also a route that is great for both beginners and advanced bikers which runs from San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge and through Sausalito before ending in Tiburon, which totals about 24 miles in length and will take less experienced bikers about three to four hours to complete.
The Presidio and Golden Gate Bridge route runs through Fisherman's Wharf, the Marina, the Presidio, and past the Palace of Fine Arts, the Cliff House, Ocean Beach, and the Golden Gate Park. This route totals about 20 miles and is suitable for cyclists of all skill levels. Expect this spin to take at least an hour and a half to three hours.
Biking in Santa Cruz, California
As a college town, biking is a popular activity in the city of Santa Cruz. In town there is a popular route for bikers along West Cliff Drive, a twisting, turning road that is easy and pleasant as it meanders along the rugged coastline. West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz leads cyclists along the boardwalk up to Lighthouse Point and further over to the Natural Bridges State Beach.
Another spot up in the hills near Santa Cruz is the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, which is crisscrossed with bike paths going up and down through local redwood forests. These bike routes in the hills are suitable for the whole family.
Biking in Monterey, California
One of the best places for biking in the region is Monterey. Monterey has lots of well-worn bike paths that have turned the entire Monterey Peninsula into one of the most popular places in the state for bikers. The Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail is an 18-mile route comprised of undisturbed biking trails that are paved in some parts but otherwise clear, well-marked, and, in a word, “smooth.” It parallels the coastline from Lovers Point in Pacific Grove all the way up to Seaside, as it runs through Monterey, passing by Fisherman's Wharf and Cannery Row. This route takes about two hours to complete and is considered easy. At various points, the route crosses a few busy city streets
Biking Routes in San Francisco Bay Area, Carmel, Napa Valley, Central California Coast
Biking
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