A chill bike guide for a hilly city

49chills

San Francisco's Amateur to Awesome Biking Guide

Chill routes for navigating SF's hills and exploring the city.

Welcome

Don't let the hills fool you, San Francisco is a great town to bike around.

See something interesting? Point the handlebars and go. Stopping is simple, parking is abundant, and the ride itself is a feast for the senses.

Whether you've lived here ten years or arrived ten minutes ago, this guide has the chillest routes to everywhere(ish) — plus 49 delightful destinations to get your wheels turning.

Let's roll!

The Map

A network of chill, end-to-end.

Major routes hug the bay, cut through Golden Gate Park, and trace the heart of the city. Their tributaries reach into every neighborhood worth pedaling to.

49 Chills · San Francisco bike map showing chill routes through the city

Click the map to zoom in

Download the printable map (PDF, with all 49 spots)

Major route

Chill route

Decent route

Be careful / steep

Park

Commercial street

Start Here

Three rolling rivers through the city.

There are three main things you're aiming for when biking in San Francisco: the bay, parks, and neighborhood villages. Once you find these rolling rivers, the flow of the city becomes clear.

Route 01

Bay Trail

This one hugs the bay and takes you to the bridge. It's flat, beautiful, and fun, with panoramic views of the water the whole way. Perfect on a nice day.

Route 02

City to Sea

The city's best ride, without a doubt, is through the park along JFK Promenade. Go from the piers of the Ferry Building to the plovers of Sunset Dunes via the Wiggle.

Route 03

El Corazón

The heart of the city. This route passes through nearly a dozen neighborhoods — start in the Excelsior and end at Aquatic Park, threading through Glen Park, the Mission, Hayes Valley, Civic Center, and Polk.

Rolling Rivers

major routes

Tributaries

chill routes

Creeks

halfway decent

Be Careful

busy / steep

Chill routes are all about seamless connection. Lots of nature, less cars. Explore a new neighborhood, meet a friend, find a hidden gem, relax in a park, gaze upon the water — see how great the streets of San Francisco can be within this interconnected network of chill.

Before You Roll

Pack light. Roll easy.

Know before you go

There are two things we're trying to avoid: hills and busy streets.

Our map is focused on routes that are as comfortable, safe, and delightful as possible. That means no fast cars. As few cars as possible, actually. Your kids should feel safe on these routes. So should grandma.

The world is imperfect, so where hills and busy streets are unavoidable, we've outlined them in red. Busy streets aren't even on the map, except where you're forced to encounter them. Hills show you where to avoid — but also where to find good views.

Gear up

In SF there's no perfect jacket, only layers. Shirt, sweatshirt, jacket, beanie, etc.
Gloves. Trust us. We like the ones at Ornot.
You'd look cooler in a helmet. Your hair will be fine.
Ideal accessories: bike basket, bell, Arsicault croissant, water, this map.

On the road

Eye contact is magic. See pedestrians and drivers, and make sure they see you. Say hi.
Use your hands to signal turns. Good communication is a life skill and a bike skill.
Got friends with you? Baywheels is the way. Go electric!
Lock your bike to something metal. With a u-lock. Preferably in front of a store.
Don't rush. Slow is forever.

Roll Tape