Play Hooky in the Marin Headlands: San Francisco's Cycling Playground Across the Golden Gate Bridge

Climb and descend Hawk Hill to experience one of the world's most scenic and thrilling downhills on a road bike.

Ride the gravel trails on either a gravel or mountain bike. Along the way, spot bobcats, deer, coyotes, hawks, and other birds.

Explore WWII and Cold War historical sites, such as Battery Townsley—its 16-inch caliber gun could fire a 2,100-pound shell up to 25 miles out to sea—or Nike Missile Site SF-88, which was used to defend against potential Soviet bombers.

Picnic at Rodeo Beach while watching the surfers and curious seals.

Ride out to Muir Woods National Monument and hike the majestic, ancient redwood forest, characterized by towering, centuries-old trees, lush fern-carpeted floors, and a serene, cathedral-like atmosphere.

Bikepack to and spend a night at Hawk Camp, overlooking the San Francisco skyline, watching ships enter the bay and listening to owls. I can organize all the equipment and supplies you’ll need.

The Pelican Inn: This quaint English pub next to Muir Beach is right off the trails and the perfect place to refuel along the way and enjoy a draft beer. I call it my “secret rifugio.” Their lawn is heavenly on a sunny day. I recommend their fish and chips—you earned it, if you made it this far.

Cavallo Point Lodge: Not only a great place to stay, do post-ride spa recovery, and start the ride from, but also a great place to enjoy lunch and a beer while overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge before riding across it to return to San Francisco.

The Junction Beer Garden: Get off the trails and ride down Tennessee Valley Road to The Junction. You can also easily access it via a road bike from Sausalito or Mill Valley. There, you can enjoy delicious pizzas in their beer garden. Local non-alcoholic beer options are available since you still have a few more miles to ride back to San Francisco, though you can shorten your ride by taking the ferry from Sausalito back to San Francisco.

Fish: This harborside Sausalito restaurant has stood the test of time and serves fresh fish done many ways, which you can enjoy while your road bikes are safely inside on their bike racks.

Radhaus: Rather wait on that beer until safely back in San Francisco? Radhaus is a popular post-ride beer spot for cyclists in Fort Mason overlooking the bay. It’s a short walk back to the Argonaut Hotel or the Fairmont Heritage Place hotel.