The Five Best Bike Rides in the SF Bay Area!

When we're not out selling homes - one of the best parts of living in the San Francisco Bay Area is that there are a lot of really cool places -to bike!  There are more cyclists in our part of California than practically anywhere!  -and with gas rapidly approaching $5 a gallon, now's the perfect time to think about taking a local ride on your bike to enjoy your day in a brand new way.  You'll feel better and you'll be outside!  Here are my fabulous five:

Ride #1:

Mt Diablo State Park

http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=517

Map:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=mt+diablo+state+park,+walnut+creek,+ca&sll=37.831751,-122.136555&sspn=0.062638,0.149689&ie=UTF8&ll=37.912784,-121.935196&spn=0.125139,0.299377&z=12&iwloc=D

Ride description:  3700 foot gain over 12 miles to the summit

Best bet:  Begin at North Entrance (see map).  Ride at dawn when the temperatures are cooler

What you'll see:  wildflowers in spring (photo), golden eagles (photo) wildlife (bobcat, coyote, rabbit, eagles, red tail hawks, migrating birds of all kinds), views (San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge)

 photos by hank

Ride #2:

Danville Boulevard to Peet's Coffee

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=danville+boulevard,+walnut+creek,+ca&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=32.197599,76.640625&ie=UTF8&ll=37.88256,-122.051067&spn=0.007824,0.018711&z=16

Ride description:  Mellow, flat tree-lined street with bike lane, little or no elevation gain over 25 miles

Best Bet: Ride early or hook up with other riders at the parking off South Main (see map)

What you'll see:  cool places to live, lots of other riders, homes for sale, downtown Alamo and Danville, CA

Ride #3:

Redwood Highway to the University of California, Berkeley

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=pinehurst+rd,+moraga,+ca&sll=37.801511,-122.13192&sspn=0.062664,0.149689&ie=UTF8&ll=37.831751,-122.136555&spn=0.062638,0.149689&z=13

Ride description: hill climb through redwood forest and eucalyptus groves

Best Bet:  Ride early, take a vest for morning fog at the top!

What you'll see: old-growth redwood forest in metropolitan area, climb to top of ridge and look toward the Golden Gate Bridge

 photo by hank

Ride #4:

San Francisco to Muir Woods

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/SF-Muir-Woods

Ride description: cross the Golden Gate Bridge on your way to redwood forests extraordinaire!

Best bet: There will be wind after 11am so, as always, start early!  Think about lunch in Sausalito

What you'll see: Unsurpassed views, cool redwood forests, ocean views

 photo by hank

Ride #5:

Napa Valley Wine Country Tour

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Wine-Country-Century

Ride description: 100k ride through Russian River Valley and Wine Country of Northern California

Best bet: Take a lunch and 2 bottles of water

What you'll see: You will cross the Russian river 4 times and roam 62 miles of wine country back roads!  There is a course map on the roads beginning at the Santa Rosa High School - just follow the small yellow arrows and you're in for a fun ride!