4 ways to explore San Francisco on a bike

An easy-to-use JUMP bike rental is now available in San Francisco, offering the freedom of the city streets. You can use the Uber app to locate electric assist bikes in most of the city’s neighborhoods. Seeing the streets of San Francisco from the saddle also means you can soak up the atmosphere of the city in a unique and fun way.

1. Explore Golden Gate Park

Enjoy a relaxed ride around the park’s scenic trails, passing lakes, waterfalls, and cultural attractions. Sightseeing highlights include the Japanese Tea Garden, Botanical Garden, California Museum of Science, de Young Museum, and Buffalo Pagoda. On Sundays and holidays, the park closes the road and the major entrance on JFK Drive to motor vehicles, allowing unhindered access for cyclists and pedestrians.

2. Start the weekend along the Embarcadero

Take a leisurely cycle along to the city’s foodie hub at the Embarcadero. The farmers market also opens on Tuesdays and Thursdays but is at its vibrant best on Saturday mornings, with a wide variety of stalls offering fresh farm produce and artisan foodstuffs. Spot the city’s top chefs foraging for the latest gourmet products, and enjoy regular cooking demonstrations and culinary events.

3. Relax at a local park

San Francisco has a wealth of public parks and green spaces. Pack a picnic and a cool drink and head out to Dolores Park, near the Mission, with its lush lawns, sports fields, and shady palms. Alternatives include Crissy Field, a former airfield that is now an environmental showcase area with windsurfing beaches, and Fort Mason, with its lively arts and cultural center at the hub of elegant, scenic gardens.

4. Challenge yourself at Twin Peaks

For the reward of fabulous views from the top, tackle the popular trail up the Twin Peaks. The summits of Eureka and Noe are 922 feet above the center of the city, with great vistas over the skyline and out to the ocean. The hill tops offer an oasis of green space, a tranquil spot to rest and recuperate from the climb, although an electric assist bike makes those gradients melt away.

At the end of your trip, simply park your bike at any public bike rack within the bike zone visible in the app. With a JUMP bike, you can see San Francisco at your leisure, taking advantage of the city’s bike lanes and park trails. It’s a healthy, invigorating way to explore the city, offering the opportunity to see the major sights at your own speed.