Outdoors
Golden Gate to Sausalito Bike Ride
Ride the San Francisco waterfront past Aquatic Park, Fort Mason, the Marina, the Palace of Fine Arts, Crissy Field and the Presidio, cross the Golden Gate Bridge on its shared sidewalk, then roll downhill into Sausalito. Most riders come back across the bay on the ferry rather than riding the bridge twice.
- Where
- California, USA
- Distance
- About 13 km (8 miles) one way from Fisherman's Wharf to Sausalito; the bridge crossing itself is 2.7 km (1.7 miles)
- Time
- About 1.5 hours of riding to Sausalito, not counting stops
- Difficulty
- Moderate
The route
Fisherman's Wharf to Sausalito over the Golden Gate Bridge, returning by ferry.
Bike rental shops cluster near Fisherman's Wharf, close to the Powell/Hyde cable car turnaround, and most riders start there. There are no rentals at the bridge itself; the nearest is Sports Basement at Crissy Field.
When to go
Rideable all year. Cyclists can use the bridge sidewalks 24 hours a day, but which sidewalk is open to bikes changes with the time of day and with the season (daylight saving time from early March to early November, standard time the rest of the year).
Permits and fees
No permit or toll is needed to ride across the bridge.
Before you go
- Check the posted sidewalk hours: on weekdays bikes use the east sidewalk from 5 am to 3:30 pm and the west sidewalk after that, and at night only the gated east sidewalk is open (press the buzzer and security opens the gate).
- Keep to the 24 km/h (15 mph) limit on the bridge sidewalks and slow to 8 km/h (5 mph) around the towers. All classes of e-bike are allowed and follow the same rules.
- Golden Gate Ferry takes bikes first come, first served, and Sausalito is busy with bikes in summer, so queue early. You may have to carry your bike up or down stairs, e-bikes must be switched off, and Bay Wheels (Lyft) share bikes are not allowed on board.
- Bring layers: the weather on the bridge can turn windy, cold and foggy quickly, even when Sausalito is sunny.
What to bring
- Helmet
- Spare tube, tyre levers and a pump
- Water and snacks
- Front and rear lights
- A layer for descents and stops
Getting ready for it
Time in the saddle matters more than speed.
If you have not ridden for a while, do two or three rides of an hour or two first so your legs and your seat are used to it.
Staying safe
- The bridge sidewalk is shared with pedestrians and you must give way to them; space and sight lines are tight around the towers.
- There are some hills near the bridge and a long downhill into Sausalito, so check your brakes before you set off.
- Wear bright clothing and use lights wherever there is traffic.
- Check your brakes and tyres before you leave.
Route details checked September 30, 2026 against goldengate.org, nps.gov, blazingsaddles.com and goldengate.org. Rules and closures change, so check before you go.
