Bike the Bridge

During my second visit to San Francisco I had the opportunity to bike across the Golden Gate Bridge with Blazing Saddles. Blazing Saddles Golden Gate Bridge Guided Tour was a unique tour of San Francisco! I loved it! I was able to cover a lot of ground in San Francisco while on a bike! How much cooler can it get? I biked from San Francisco’s Aquatic Park, by Fort Mason (with an excellent view of Alcatraz) and the Palace of Fine Arts, along the Golden Gate Promenade in Presidio National Park, up to Fort Point (looking for surfers), over the Golden Gate Bridge to Visa Point, and down hill to the adorable town of Sausalito. My 10 mile bike ride on a beautiful sunning and calm day was the perfect tour to see all of San Francisco’s iconic sights. I couldn’t have a picked a better tour to see San Francisco in one day.

Blazing Saddles

Once I arrived to the Blazing Saddles Hyde Street location, I was properly equipped with the safety information I needed, a bike suited for my height (comfort bike), a helmet to fit me perfectly, and an opportunity to test drive my bike. Talk about organized! The staff were energetic, professional, and quick to set up the guests. Once everyone was ready to ‘blaze’ away we began our tour at nearby Aquatic Park. Throughout the guided bike tour, my guide provided the group with a wealth of information about San Francisco. I learned more about San Francisco’s history, California’s gold rush, San Francisco’s Bay, and each view point along our tour: Aquatic Park, Fort Mason, Alcatraz, Marina, Palace of Fine Arts, Presidio National Park, Golden Gate Promenade, Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Point, Vista Point, and Sausalito. Instead of reading the information from a brochure, I was able to listen and learn while en-route peddling my own bike.

Aquatic Park

Biking in beautiful San Francisco

With over 25 years of experience Blazing Saddles got it right! Blazing Saddles allowed me to go at my own speed, while taking in the magnificent views. With frequent stopping points throughout the 3 hour tour, I had ample opportunity to take the pictures I needed and to take a quick rest before continuing on. I enjoyed stopping at the warming hut bookstore/café along the Golden Gate Promenade to get the best picture of the Golden Gate Bridge (and to warm up on the cool fall day). With a few hills on the tour, I got an excellent workout, yet the tour is custom designed for anyone at any fitness level. Biking the 1.7 miles on the Golden Gate Bridge was both relaxing and tranquil. Stopping mid-point on the Bridge to take in the best views of San Francisco, Alcatraz, and the San Francisco Bay area was breathtaking. My ride clear to Sausalito was bliss.

Palace of Fine Arts

Fort Mason and Alcatraz

Sausalito is one of my favorite towns in the bay area because of its one of a kind shops, galleries, restaurants, and artsy houseboats. The community has a very relaxing and “island-like” feel to it. The guided part of the tour ends in Sausalito, yet I could have continued on to Old Mill Park in Mill Valley and the Redwoods at the base of Mt. Tamalpais if I so desired. I could custom build the tour exactly how I wanted it. I fell in love with Sausalito the first time I visited, so I wanted to spend more time there after the guided tour ended. I went to Café Tutti recommended by my guide and had a fresh bakes bear paw (see picture below) as a reward for my hard work that day. I wondered around Sausalito with my bear paw in hand basking in the warm afternoon sun. I can’t remember a better afternoon in San Francisco.

Golden Gate Bridge

At the end of the tour, I was provided with a full day bike rental for free (a $36 value) bundled with the guided tour. There was no rush for me to end my tour. I liked being able to take my time on the way back to San Francisco and if I wanted to stop somewhere on the way back I had the option to do so.Once I was finished window shopping in Sausalito I was able to hop on the next Ferry (with my bike) to Fisherman’s Warf in San Francisco. (Or if I wanted to, I could have turned around and biked the 10 miles back). I opted to spend some time in Sausalito, take some pictures, and leisurely make my way back. Although the tour was guided, I still felt in control of my day and made it what I wanted. Biking the Bridge was the perfect combination of a guided tour and a self-guided adventure.

Sausalito

I can’t wait to bike with Blazing Saddles again the next time I am in San Francisco and go on their Bay Area & Wine Country Private Guided Tours.

Other conveniences:

-Each rental includes: maps, helmets, locks, handlebar bags, and rear racks with bungie cords to attach personal items (free).
-24 hour bike drop off locations
-Weekly rates and promotions

FYI- If you are not into biking, but want to try a bike tour, rent one of their electric bikes and enjoy biking by doing half the work.

Bridge View

When traveling do you like doing active tours?

*Media coverage for Blazing Saddles.