See the Sights of San Francisco by Electric Bike
San Francisco is one of my favourite cities in the US. Even after three visits I’d still go back again if given the opportunity. There’s always something new to see and new neighbourhoods to explore. Last time I was in town I wanted to get out and try something a bit different. I’ve done the bus tours and walking tours are always great, but those hills! Having travelled with Dylan’s Tours before and really enjoying it I checked out their other options. This is how I discovered the Original City Loop Bike Tour. It was exactly what I was looking for, a bike tour of the city without all the peddling!
The Tour
The Original City Loop Bike Tour is the perfect way to explore San Francisco and get a great overview of the city. The tours are led by local guides with in-depth knowledge and plenty of great stories to keep you informed and entertained all day.
The Tour is five hours long and effortlessly covers 20 miles of sightseeing. You get to explore areas that are off limits to tour buses and it’s the only tour that features the beautiful 1,000 acre Golden Gate Park. There’s plenty of stops and lots of opportunities for photos as well as a lunch stop at a local market.
The Bikes
Our tour began at the Dylan’s Tours office on Columbus Avenue. A 10-minute walk from our hotel in Fisherman’s Wharf. After a quick safety briefing we all got the chance to get acquainted with our E-bikes before hitting the road. I’d never been on one before but they are now my new favourite thing!
It’s the same as riding a regular bike. Throughout the tour you can choose to pedal as much or as little as you want. Once your legs start to tire (or if you can’t be bothered peddling at all) just turn on the little motor strapped to the back and away you go. You throttle the power up and down with the handle bar control which sets your speed and gets you up the big hills.
Itinerary
As the name implies, the tour route is a giant loop around the city. After learning about the great neighbourhood of North Beach (home to Little Italy), we cruised down to Fisherman’s Wharf. If you’re staying in another area of town this is a great opportunity to get a feel for the area and scope out what parts you might like to revisit later in your stay.
Continuing west we rode out onto the Pier at Aquatic Park, a national historic landmark on the San Francisco bay. From here we had great views of both Alcatraz Island across the bay and the city skyline. Next stop was the Palace of Fine Arts. Constructed for the 1915 World’s Fair, it was meant to come down when the fair ended but was so beloved by the people of San Francisco that funds were raised to save it. It’s not hard to see why, the Palace and grounds make for a beautiful stop and a great photo opportunity.
Following the bike path along the waters edge we passed by Crissy Field before arriving at Fort Point. Nestled under the Golden Gate Bridge is a former military fort used during both the Civil War and World War II. It’s a unique vantage point from which to view the bridge.
Speaking of the bridge, up next we had an extended stop at the Golden Gate Bridge Visitor Centre. With plenty of time to look around we were able to grab a coffee and use the restrooms before exploring further. From the Visitor Centre you can actually walk out onto the bridge itself. There is a pedestrian walkway running the full length, we made it out to the first pillar before turning back.
As the famous fog started to roll in we jumped back on the bikes and cruised through the Presidio to the Legion of Honour. While we didn’t have time to look inside we leant about this beautiful museum before continuing on to the fog covered and chilly Ocean Beach. Riding along the beachfront you’d never know what a beautiful sunny day it was back in the city.
From Ocean Beach the tour moved east into Golden Gate Park. At over 1,000 acres it’s the largest man-made park in the world. We travelled down John F Kennedy Drive, passing the Bison Paddock (yes, real bison!), Stow Lake, the de Young Museum and the Conservatory of Flowers. You could fill an entire day in San Francisco just visiting this park and all it has to offer.
After all that peddling (cough), it was time for lunch. Exiting the park we rode into the famous Haight Ashbury neighbourhood. We parked our bikes and headed off in search of food. At our guides suggestion we enjoyed enormous sandwiches and fresh poke from the deli at the Haight Street Market before wandering down to Magnolia Pub & Brewery for a cold beverage. Haight Ashbury is a really interesting neighbourhood to visit, full of history and great stories. Right next to our lunch stop was the Jimi Hendrix “Red House” where the legendary guitarist/singer lived during the 1960s.
Fuelled by our delicious lunch we climbed back on the bikes and made our way to one of San Francisco’s most popular landmarks – The Painted Ladies at Alamo Square. While you may not recognise the name, everyone knows the multi-coloured Victorian houses from the tv series “Full House”.
The site is so popular that tour buses are no longer allowed in Alamo Square due to the disruption caused to residents. This is another reason why a bike tour is a great sightseeing choice. We were able to ride up into Alamo Square and take advantage of the great viewpoint for this photo stop.
Just around the corner in Pacific Heights we found another homemade famous by Hollywood – the Mrs Doubtfire house, at 2640 Steiner Street. It was just one of the many stunning homes in a neighbourhood that features the estates of politicians, tech giants and celebrities. It’s not hard to see why “Billionaire’s Row” is located here as these streets have some of the most impressive outlooks in the city.
Heading further east we discovered some of the steep streets San Francisco is famous for. Some have such a steep incline that cars have to park at a right angle to the curb to avoid rolling away! One advantage of these heights however is the views. From the top of Nob Hill the outlook over the city and bay are stunning.
Moving on to (relatively) flatter ground we cruised through the oldest and largest Chinatown in the US. Covering an amazing 24 blocks it is the most densely populated neighbourhood west of Manhattan. There’s plenty to see should you choose to return later on. Chinatown has traditional eateries, herbalists, souvenir shops and bakeries as well as temples and museums.
Completing our city loop we arrived back in North Beach by mid-afternoon. Our guide was great and took some final group shots before giving us some local tips for dinner that night. After riding for 20 miles you’d expect to be pretty sore and worn out but thanks to the amazing electric bikes we felt great!
Tips
Keep these tips in mind when planning your ride to make the most out of your tour.
Know how to ride a bike! E-bikes are not scooters. You need to know how to ride a regular bike to be allowed on the tour.
Book online ahead of time to reserve your place. Tours are popular and can sell out during peak seasons.
Wear layers. The weather in San Francisco is unpredictable and can vary greatly between neighbourhoods. Layers, as well as a hat, sunglasses and poncho/raincoat are a good idea.
Wear comfortable clothing and closed toed shoes. You’re going to be on a bike all day.
Bring cash/credit card. The tour stops for morning tea and lunch, these are not included in the price.
Bring your camera!
If you want to cover a lot of ground while in San Francisco but don’t want to wear your legs out or be stuck on a tour bus all day, the Original City Loop Bike Tour is the way to go. It was one of my favourite experiences while visiting San Francisco and has got me addicted to E-Bikes! Dylan’s Tours are a great company to book with and I highly recommend not only the Bike Tour but the Original City Tour + Muir Woods as well (a story for another day).
What’s your favourite way to explore San Francisco? Let me know in the comments!
related posts:
10 Must-See Sights in San Francisco
Alcatraz Night Tour
5 Essentials for your San Francisco Packing List
Where to Stay When Visiting San Francisco
Discover Fisherman's Wharf: Everything to See & Do
10 Unique Ways to Cruise San Francisco Bay
San Francisco's Secret Spots and Hidden Gems
Top Things to Do in Yosemite National Park
This post is not sponsored. As always all views and opinions expressed are my own.
