Blazing Saddles Bike Rentals and Tours Reviews (San Francisco, California)

More than we Bargained For

Moreno Valley, California

May 2, 2009

Email
Print

Best of IgoUgo On our long weekend in San Francisco my wife and I (really just me) thought it would be great to bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. Sounds innocuous enough doesn't it? Well, when you haven't rode a bike in 10 plus years, and you do it on a weekend ...Read more

From journal San Francisco Whirlwind Tour

Coast the Coasts

by MikeInTown

Leesburg, Virginia

June 8, 2009

Email
Print

Best of IgoUgo There are several bicycle rental places at Pier 39 and vicinity that offer the opportunity to bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. It is an 8-mile ride on a mainly flat or downhill paved path that takes you along the coast of San Francisco, across ...Read more There are several bicycle rental places at Pier 39 and vicinity that offer the opportunity to bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. It is an 8-mile ride on a mainly flat or downhill paved path that takes you along the coast of San Francisco, across the bridge, and into Sausalito. From Sausalito, you can catch the ferry back to San Francisco or you can continue another 8 miles to Tiburon and catch the ferry from there. Those who want more time on the bicycle can always bike their way back across the bridge instead of using the ferry.

We knew from our walk the previous day that all the rental places have pretty much the same rates. We chose Blazing Saddles at Pier 39 because it was close to our cruise ship. Additionally, we were able to use the online discount coupons we had printed from BayCityGuide.com before the cruise.

My wife and I wanted to rent a tandem bike. We decided to abandon that idea after the friendly rental guy let us take a test ride. My wife was on the back seat and did not like the idea of not being able to steer the bike from there. Therefore, we each rented a Comfort Model bicycle.

We were given a map, ferry tickets, helmet, and key for the bike lock. The bike had a convenient pouch for storing other items we brought with us or purchased along the way. We had to ride on busy Jefferson Street for 3 blocks before we reached the start of the bike path.

Although most of the path is flat, we did have to huff and puff up two hills before we got to the Golden Gate Bridge. The pavement on the bridge is wider than the typical sidewalk. This was good because there were several walkers and riders out that morning. Our ride across was smooth. Even with all the motor vehicles speeding by, we felt no bouncing or swaying.

The path runs out after crossing the bridge. We coasted the rest of the way down a winding road into the town of Sausalito. Fortunately, most of the road has a wide shoulder and we did not have to worry too much about motor vehicle traffic.

It was an overcast and chilly morning when we began our bike ride but by the time we reached Sausalito, it was sunny and mild. Therefore, it is best to dress in layers. The bike ride from San Francisco to Sausalito normally takes about 1.5 hours but it took us 2 hours because we stopped several times to take pictures.

Sausalito is a quaint bayside town with shops and eateries. My wife did a little shopping before we took the 25-minute ferry ride back to Pier 41 in San Francisco. We returned the bikes and settled the bill. Blazing Saddles will charge you the hourly rate ($8) or day rate ($32) depending on whichever is cheaper for the amount of time you rented the bike. I thought the bike ride was a nice, relaxing way to enjoy the bay area.
Close

From journal Pacific Northwest Cruise: The Swine Flu Switch-a-roo

Fun and Not Too Challenging

by artslover

Calgary, Alberta

November 17, 2008

Email
Print

Best of IgoUgo Biking across the bridge if the sun is shining or at least, no rain is falling, combines exercising off some of the calories everyone puts on as they enjoy the bounty of San Francisco cuisine, an opportunity for great views of the Bay, a close up of ...Read more Biking across the bridge if the sun is shining or at least, no rain is falling, combines exercising off some of the calories everyone puts on as they enjoy the bounty of San Francisco cuisine, an opportunity for great views of the Bay, a close up of the Golden Gate Bridge, and a stroll around Sausalito.

Blazing Saddles is one of many companies offering bike rentals but they seem to have the most numerous locations. When we went to lock our bikes in the bike rack at Sausalito, it looked like a Blazing Saddles rental location. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Renting a bike is quite painless. We went to one of the many locations at the piers. Fill out the form, pay and they outfit you with the right size bike, helmet and bike lock. You can either pay by the hour or for the day. We didn’t need to pre-book on the Friday we decided to cycle across the GG bridge.

The ride from the waterfront to the bridge is very picturesque with a few steep but mercifully short hills. Once on the bridge, the trick is to manage the crowds. Soo many people wandering along, three bodies wide, oblivious to those of us on bicycles coming from behind them or trying to squeeze past baby carriages and bikes that have stopped to enjoy the views.

The route that day was on the east side, so with the clear skies, the view was outstanding. We stopped along the way to watch dolphins. I don’t like heights so was not certain I would enjoy the bridge crossing but found it no problem at all as long as I didn’t stop next to the railings and look down, way down. We had another warm sunny day and were fortunate we had put on sunscreen before we set out.

The trip does not take long. We left Pier 41 about 10 a.m. and were in Sausalito by about 11:15 a.m. Once in Sausalito, there are a number of shops to explore and numerous restaurants on the waterfront. As mentioned earlier, there are bike racks to lock your bike to if you can find the room among all the other Blazing Saddles bikes. We had lunch in Sausalito at Horizons restaurant which is situated along the waterfront. We sat on the patio under an umbrella and cooled off while still enjoying a beautiful view of the water and San Francisco skyline in the distance. We all had salads which were fresh and tasty. Service was good and we were finished our meals before 12:30. We strolled into a few shops then caught the 1:20 p.m. ferry back to Pier 41. As we were waiting on the ferry, we could see the fog rolling down towards the GG Bridge and into the bay. It was a very dramatic sight for us who are landlocked in a dry climate and even more fascinating to ride the ferry through the fog which took us from very warm sunshine to cool damp air, then back out again to sunshine as we approached Pier 41.

Close

From journal Family Weekend in San Francisco

Bike Across the Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalito

by Virtually There

Dallas, Texas

April 3, 2001

Email
Print

Best of IgoUgo One of my favorite things to do in San Francisco. A great way to get some exercise while getting some great vistas of the most beautiful city in the United States. Bike across the Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalito and take the ferry back to San ...Read more

From journal Weekend Getaway to San Francisco

Bike the Bridge

by Foxboro Marmot

Foxboro, Massachusetts

January 14, 2005

Email
Print

Best of IgoUgo If you have good weather and the better part of a day to spare, rent a bike and ride across the Golden Gate Bridge. Have lunch in Sausalito and take a ferry back to Fisherman’s Wharf. There are a batch of bike-rental shops near Fisherman’s ...Read more If you have good weather and the better part of a day to spare, rent a bike and ride across the Golden Gate Bridge. Have lunch in Sausalito and take a ferry back to Fisherman’s Wharf.

There are a batch of bike-rental shops near Fisherman’s Wharf—Blazing Saddles and Bike and Roll have seven outlets between them. Looking at price and equipment, they’re pretty much interchangeable. Maps and written directions are provided for a variety of routes. Helmets and bike locks are included. A basic rental is $26 to $28 per day, but invest a couple of minutes in skimming through one of the free tourist guides; you should find a coupon good for $2 to $4 off.

Generally, the ride is flat and protected from traffic. After some chaos around Fisherman’s Wharf, it’s mostly a protected route through Aquatic Park, Crissy Field, and Fort Point. There’s an uphill to get onto the Golden Gate Bridge and begin the spectacular one-mile ride across on the bike/pedestrian sidewalk.

It’s interesting. Riding on the bike, the bridge seemed solid and steady, but when we got off the bikes halfway across to gawk at the view, everything rattled and shook as cars and trucks hurtled across. We actually felt more secure on the bikes than while walking or standing.

After crossing, it's a short downhill ride to Sausalito and lunch. Total distance to this point is 8 miles. Now, there are options: if you’ve had enough riding, it’s easy enough to catch a ferry back to San Francisco. Otherwise, you could retrace your steps to go back over the bridge or pedal on to Tiburon and grab the ferry to Fisherman’s Wharf there. Either way adds about 8 more miles.

We chose to continue on to Tiburon. It was less comfortable, with more riding on the side of the road while traffic whizzed by, but still, at least half the route was on well-protected bike paths along the bay.

The ferry back to San Francisco was amazingly fast—this wasn’t any tourist sightseeing trip but a functional part of the Bay Area transportation system. It’s got an unusual quirk, however. You buy a ticket upon boarding the ferry, then give it to the ticket-taker while getting off. Unfortunately for one cyclist, there’s a serious breeze on the ferry; his ticket blew out of his pocket and into the bay. As we left, he was still arguing/pleading with the ticket-taker that he shouldn’t have to pay a second time. You’ve been warned: hold onto your ticket!

The best thing about biking is freedom to explore odd bits of the city you encounter in passing: check out the Palace of Arts and Culture, ride out to the end of a marina wharf, spin down side-streets in Sausalito, or go wherever something looks interesting.

Close

From journal Return to San Francisco

IgoUgo

Blazing Saddles Bike Rentals and Tours

Avg. User Rating:

User Reviews

More than we Bargained For

Coast the Coasts

Fun and Not Too Challenging

Bike Across the Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalito

Bike the Bridge

Blazing Saddles Bike Rentals and Tours

What's Nearby?

Nearby Things to Do

Popular San Francisco Hotels

Popular Things to Do in San Francisco

Avg. User Rating:

User Reviews

More than we Bargained For

Coast the Coasts

Fun and Not Too Challenging

Bike Across the Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalito

Bike the Bridge