“There are some cities that don’t need a filter; they don’t need an introduction either. Once you experience them for first time, your heart gives in to their subtle charm, you lose yourself in the city vibes and you’re left longing to return. San Francisco is one of those cities.”
—Katrina Barriga Albring
My son-in-law Kyle, and good friend Bill loaded our bikes onto Bill's SUV at 8:15 AM Sunday morning and caravanned to San Francisco with our biking buddies Jimi and Jennifer Hunter out in front. It’s not often that the stars align so that we can take a group bike ride in the City. After parking at Fort Point, the Hunters led us on a frigid and invigorating ride over the mostly car-free Golden Gate Bridge, a historical landmark known worldwide. We had expected sunny skies, but the fog shrouding the bridge hadn’t lifted yet. After navigating the bridge crossing we rode along the waterfront to Sausalito, with its colorful home and Italian ambiance, nestled on the shore of the Marin Headlands. We then continued on to Tiburon and Belvedere. After lunch we cycled back onto the Marin ferry at 2:30 PM to return to San Francisco. Bill, Kyle, and I got back home just before 6 PM. It was a long but fulfilling and exuberant day, having completed about 34 miles.
With beautiful views of the coast, and picturesque neighborhoods, San Francisco is the ideal playground for anyone who enjoys exploring a city and the best way to experience what the City by the Bay has to offer is by hopping on a bike whether it’s your own or a rental.
Postscript: On the ferry back from Tiburon, Kyle and I agreed that in spite of the bad rep San Francisco gets in the media, by and large it is quite safe for visitors. Some places may be tricky to navigate like the Tenderloin, the Mission, and sometimes Union Square, and car break-ins, especially near the beach are extremely common, but for our purposes as bike riding enthusiasts, it is not a problem. And, in general people were out en masse along the Bay having a great day, walking their dogs, playing soccer and dining at the favorite restaurants, and riding their bikes all over town.
