Biking in San Francisco

With so much to see and do in San Francisco, hopping on a bike makes it easy and affordable to enjoy it all. From visiting one of the museums or parks to seeing a show or dining out, getting there on two wheels even allows you to sightsee along the way, while avoiding traffic jams and expensive rideshare fares.

Bike Sharing

Bike share is similar to bike rental, but with a few distinct advantages. It consists of a fleet of specially designed, sturdy and durable bikes that are locked into a network of docking stations throughout the city. The bikes can be unlocked from one station and returned to any other station in the system, making bike share ideal for one-way rides. You can also use it to take a longer round-trip rides for just $3 for each additional 15 minutes.

Bay Wheels

Bay Wheels is the Bay Area's official bike share program, designed to give residents and visitors a fun, affordable and convenient alternative to walking, taxis/rideshare, buses and subways. Once rollout is complete, there will be 546 Bay Wheels stations and 7,000 bikes across San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville and San Jose, making Bay Wheels one of the most accessible ways to get around and explore the Bay.

To use Bay Wheels, purchase passes and memberships here.

Traditional Bike Rental

If you plan to ride with children under 18 years old, are looking for a specific type of bicycle, are interested in a guided tour, or would like to keep a bike in your possession for several days at a time, traditional bike rental would be your best bet. You will typically need to decide in advance how long you want to keep the bike out, and when you’re finished, you will usually be required to return the bike to its original location.

There are a lot of bike rental places in San Francisco. Here are the ones we recommend:

  • Bay City Bike
    Bay City Bike offers bike rentals and guided tours.
    Prices: Starting at $32 per day ($10 restocking fee for returning bikes to different location)
    Options: Bikes for men, women, kids; hybrid, electric, road, tandem bikes, tagalongs, trailer bikes and child seat available
    Rental Length: Full day rentals
    Hours: Daily from 8 AM to 8 PM (hours vary according to location)
    Includes: Helmets, front camera bags, bells, maps, water bottle holders, puncture repair kits and locks
    Pickup & Drop-off Locations:
    • 501 Bay Street @ Fisherman’s Wharf
    • 2661 Taylor Street @ Fisherman’s Wharf
    • 2830 Jones Street @ Fisherman’s Wharf
    • 2800 Leavenworth Street @ Fisherman’s Wharf
    • 1669 Haight Street

  • Blazing Saddles
    This is a trusted bike rental company with 7 locations in San Francisco, offering specialty bikes and guided tours.
    Prices: Starting at $8 per hour
    Options: Bikes for men, women and kids; electric, road, mountain, tandem bikes; baby trailer, baby seat and tagalong equipment available.
    Rental Length: Hourly up to 24 hours
    Hours: Daily from 8 AM to 6:30 PM (hours vary according to location)
    Includes: Helmet, small pouch, bike lock, map
    Pickup & Drop-off Locations:
    • 2715 Hyde Street
    • Pier 41
    • 465 Jefferson Street
    • 550 North Point Street
    • 2555 Powell Street
    • 757 Beach Street
    • 433 Mason Street @ Union Square

  • Golden Gate Rides
    Golden Gate Rides provides bike rentals and tours as well as camera gear rental.
    Prices: Starting at $36 plus taxes per for full day on hybrids and $95 per day for road/mountain bikes.
    Options: Bikes for men and women; comfort, mountain, off-road, performance, race.
    Rental Length: Rent for half a day, full day, weekly or monthly.
    Hours: Daily 6 AM to 9 PM (when reserved online) or 8 AM to 8 PM (for walkins) Break between 2 PM - 4 PM.
    Includes: Helmets, locks, water, maps, free bike swap, roadside assistance if needed.
    Pickup & Drop-off Locations:
    • 609 O’Farrell Street

  • Parkwide
    Parkwide provides bike rentals and tours. They also provides “Spider Bikes” that seat 7 for special events.
    Prices: Starting at $32 for a full day
    Options: Bikes for men, women and kids; electric and tandem bikes, tag-a-long, kid’s trailer and child seats available
    Rental Length: Full day rentals
    Hours: Daily from 10 AM to 6:30 PM
    Includes: Helmet, small pouch, bike lock, maps
    Pickup & Drop-off Locations:
    • Golden Gate Park - Bandshell
    • Golden Gate Park - Stanyan & Haight Street
    • Justin Herman Plaza
    • Fort Mason
    • Union Square Plaza

  • San Francisco Bike Rental
    San Francisco Bike Rental offers rentals and guided tours.
    Prices: Starting at $16 for two hours; $6 extra to drop off at a different location; 20% online discount of full day rentals
    Options: Bikes for men, women and children; comfort, mountain, performance, race, tandem bikes; baby trailer, baby seat and tagalong equipment available.
    Rental Length: Rent for 2 hours minimum or full day
    Hours: Daily 9 AM to to 7:30 PM (hours vary depending on location)
    Season: Closed in winter during heavy rain
    Includes: Helmets, maps and locks
    Pickup & Drop-off Locations:
    • 425 Jefferson Street @ The Cannery at Fisherman’s Wharf
    • 1816 Haight Street
    • Ferry Building

  • Streets of San Francisco Bike Tours
    Named "Best SF Bike Tour" by U.S. News & World Report in 2017, Streets of San Francisco Bike Tours offers a great insider’s view of the city's most popular neighborhoods.
    Prices: Tours starting at $79/person
    Options: City bikes with multiple speeds and upright sitting position, or electric bikes with five levels of pedal assist
    Rental Length: Tours lasting 4-6 hours; private tours also available
    Hours: Tours offered daily with various start times
    Includes: Helmet
    Location:
    • 370 Linden St, between Octavia and Gough, in Hayes Valley

  • The Bike Hut
    The Bike Hut is a socially responsible company providing affordable bike rental.
    Prices: Starting at $7 per hour or $26 per day
    Options: Mostly hybrid and mountain bikes, along with some tandems, touring, road, cruiser, single-speed/fixie, and kids’ bikes; baby seats, one Burley trailer and two tag-along attachments for kids are also available
    Rental Length: Hourly, daily, weekly or long-term
    Hours: Wednesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM
    Includes: Helmet and lock
    Pickup & Drop-off Location:
    • Pier 40, near Oracle Ballpark at Townsend and the Embarcadero

  • Wheel Fun Rentals
    With a spectacular waterfront setting, gorgeous vistas, and exclusive amenities, Wheel Fun Rentals at Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 43 1/2 represent the best venue for recreation, education, and leisure in San Francisco!
    Prices: Hourly starting at $8 and 24 hour starting at $32.
    Options: Infinity Shifting hybrid bike, Road and mountain bike, Youth and tandem bikes, Kids' seats and trailers available.
    Rental Length: Hourly - 24 hours
    Hours: 8am - 8pm 7 days/week, all year
    Includes: Helmet if requested, and required if under 18.
    Shop Locations:
    • 2627-A Taylor Street @ North Point
    • Pier 43 1/2 Fisherman's Wharf