Bike to the Golden Gate Bridge – For an Abandoned Pet Cemetery!

Cycling to the Golden Gate Bridge is a definite must in San Francisco. It’s a very pleasant ride by the shore, with postcard-perfect views of the alluring bridge and the island of Alcatraz. Combine the bike trip with a cable car ride and make a detour to a peculiar pet cemetery to capture the essence of the fog city in just one day.

Ride the Iconic Cable Car of San Francisco

Start your day from Powell Street Cable Car Turnaround. The queues are usually long, but they can move fast. If so, hop on a cable car, grab a leather strip and enjoy the steep roller-coaster climb through Nob Hill. We were so impatient that ended up walking up a couple of stops, where we were able to hop on the passing tram immediately. If you take the Hyde-bound cable car, you’ll see Golden Gate Bridge popping up between the buildings and the bike trip will be shorter. We took the Powell-Mason line, which conveniently brought us near several bike rental shops. Our bike trip started by pedaling through the chaotic tourist masses of Fisherman’s Wharf.

“Approaching Golden Gate Bridge slowly with a bike becomes intolerably enticing. It’s a rite, where you unwrap the sweeping, urban beauty of this world-renown landmark one kilometer after another.”

Bike Pass Fort Mason and Marina Boulevard

Most bikes come with an attached map showing the route. It’s impossible to get lost if you just hug the shore all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge. The first kilometers will take you through small Aquatic Park, passing Fort Mason, a former Army post. Feel free to make a short detour to Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory on the way.

Ride all the way to the end of Aquatic Park Pier to snap an iconic photo of the city’s skyline. Alcatraz is glimmering on the horizon most of the time, but the pier gives yet another photo opportunity that you shouldn’t resist.

Next up is Marina Boulevard with some fancy yachts, and you’ll pass Palace of Fine Arts before reaching Golden Gate Park. At this point, Golden Gate Bridge seemingly grows on the horizon as you proceed closer and closer.

“Watch the famous fog crawling in and out, revealing the dramatic art deco skeleton in its blazing redness.”

Make a Detour for Presidio Pet Cemetery

When you reach Crissy Field, a former Army airfield turned into a park, it’s time to make a detour for the pet cemetery. Turn left and ride until you reach Old Mason Street (if you’ve been pedaling at the shore like we did), take a left just before University of San Francisco’s Presidio Building, and one more left to Crissy Field Ave. You’ll stumble upon a tiny pet cemetery just below a highway bridge.

Unfortunately, the pet cemetery is closed now that there’s a highway upon it, but you’ll get some lovely shots behind the fence, nevertheless. Presidio Pet Cemetery is the final resting place for military pets. Hence, the gravestones list owners’ ranks and pets’ positions. Some tombs date back to 1950’s, but a legend tells that guard dogs have been buried here already during the World War II. The roaring traffic and on-going construction work create a gloomy atmosphere that hangs upon the crooked tombstones. Still, this tiny necropolis felt an utterly happy place for us.

“The roaring traffic and on-going construction work create a gloomy atmosphere that hangs upon crooked tombstones. Still, this tiny necropolis feels an utterly happy place.”

Pedal through Golden Gate Park

Return to shore and take a break at Warming Hut Café – you might already need a quick energy boost before climbing the last leg to the Golden Gate Bridge. After photobombing the bustle of Golden Gate and sceneries to the endless Pacific and San Francisco Bay alike, we returned the same way, still spellbound.

“In Summer’s quilt of joy: the towers,
High built, red-gold, with their long span
—The most majestic spun by man—
Whose threads of steel through mists and showers,
Wind, spray, and the momentous roar
Of ocean storms, link shore to shore.”
-Vikram Seth: The Golden Gate

Approaching Golden Gate Bridge slowly with a bike becomes intolerably enticing. It becomes a rite, where you unwrap the sweeping, urban beauty of this world-renown landmark one kilometer after another. Watch the famous fog crawling in and out, revealing the dramatic art deco skeleton in its blazing redness. The fleet ships glide on the blue channel, through the wide, steel mouth. The geometrical monster pierces the blue sky, throwing its constantly changing shadow on the ground.

Once you finally reach the suspension bridge, after an excruciating ascent, it’s time for the final transition. You can cross the Golden Gate Bridge to explore a small seaside town of Sausalito and take a ferry back. Or you can just admire the views from the bridge and pedal back to the fog city like we did. Whatever you choose, I bet that the most famous bridge in the world will leave its mark on you.

On our way back we tramped through Russian Hill before waving down a taxi; a cable car is a slower option if you still have the energy to squeeze in one of them. In my opinion, walking is the best way to blend in and feel the differences between neighborhoods. The only downside is that the day can become extremely long and a bit exhausting. So just skip walking, if you feel weary from the bike trip, and head to the well-deserved dinner.

Have you cycled to the Golden Gate Bridge, if so, which were the highlights of the bike trip for you?