James Lick Fwy, Bayview Heights

I love the Golden Gate as much as the next person, but other than that part of it, the rest of the 101 is a busy mess. Unless you like sitting in traffic you should probably avoid it. Also, the signs telling where to go are not that well posted so that if you are new to the city you are likely to get lost or miss your exit. The junction with the 80 is especially bad. It is certainly not one of the best streets in SF.

This is the iconic drive across the Golden Gate Bridge. Seems weird, I know, but I felt lucky to get stuck in traffic on the bridge during rush hour. Be prepared for it-- we almost ran out of gas and it would have been a disaster. But, spending time on the bridge was great. We got to really look at the structure and the bay and enjoy being there. Just across the bridge is a little spot where you can pull off and take some really nice shots of the city and the bridge. It's a great shot -- in sunshine and fog.

Highway 101 is a famous American road-trip highway that is perhaps at it's best where it passes through San Francisco. Crossing over the Golden Gate Bridge, it offers both pedestrian & bicycle access to this stunning orange icon. With it's lovely parks, attractions, nearby restaurants & Olympian scale, the bicycle is definitely the best way to see this stretch of road.

On the bridge itself, prepare for wonderful views & often a transition from fog to sun. You may even be treated to a mainstay of San Francisco culture in the form of a costumed protest gathering.

To the north, the route continues on to the fishing village turned tourist haven of Sausalito where you can catch a ferry back to the city if your biking legs are shot.