San Francisco
Bike Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach from downtown
Rides from the Ferry Building west through Golden Gate Park to Stow Lake, Ocean Beach and Lake Merced. Getting there means crossing the city; the Wiggle avoids the worst of the hills.
The 4 rides side by side
| Ride | Distance | Climbing | Bike paths & quiet streets | Busier roads | Steepest 500 m | Riding time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stow Lake | 13.5 mi | 450 ft | 58% | 1% | 5.5% | 55 min–1 h 15 |
| Ocean Beach | 16.5 mi | 610 ft | 69% | 1% | 5.5% | 1 h 10–1 h 35 |
| The Wiggle, Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach | 19.8 mi | 1,030 ft | 49% | 12% | 11.0% | 1 h 30–2 h 00 |
| Lake Merced | 23.3 mi | 810 ft | 50% | 2% | 8.2% | 1 h 35–2 h 10 |
Distances are the whole ride, there and back (mi). Riding time is our estimate at a sporty pace and counts the climbing; allow more for stops.
Each ride
1 San Francisco to Stow Lake
- Along the water for 2 mi
- 58% on bike paths and the quietest streets
- Main climb 280 ft over 6.2 mi, 0.9% average
- On the way: café, drinking water, viewpoint
On the way: 6 toilets, 6 water points, 33 cafés mapped.
2 San Francisco to Ocean Beach
- Along the water for 2 mi
- 69% on bike paths and the quietest streets
- On the way: café, drinking water, viewpoint
On the way: 6 toilets, 7 water points, 32 cafés mapped.
3 San Francisco · the Wiggle, Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach
- Along the water for 2 mi
- Main climb 320 ft over 3.9 mi, 1.5% average
- On the way: café, drinking water, viewpoint
- 12% on busier roads
On the way: 18 toilets, 16 water points, 1 beach, 37 cafés mapped.
4 San Francisco to Lake Merced
- Along the water for 3 mi
- 50% on bike paths and the quietest streets
- On the way: café, drinking water, viewpoint
On the way: 9 toilets, 9 water points, 49 cafés mapped.
How we chose them
From every ride we publish around San Francisco, these are the ones that meet all of:
- at least 1.9 mi beside water
- at most 12% on busier roads
- at least 49% on bike paths and the quietest streets
The numbers come from OpenStreetMap and terrain data, measured along each route by our engine (how rides are made). They are modelled, not checked on the ground, and say nothing about who should ride them: you know your riders best.
Before you go
- JFK Drive in the park is car-free; other park roads carry traffic.
Questions
How far is Ocean Beach from downtown San Francisco by bike?
The Ocean Beach ride here is 16.5 mi there and back from the Ferry Building.
More rides around San Francisco
Route data: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Elevation: Mapzen Terrarium; 3DEP data courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey. Catalogue san-francisco-e390be125c35c594e495.