Touring - San Francisco Airport to Half Moon Bay best route

My son and I will be flying in to SFO next month and doing a short trip to LA or San Deigo. We have cycled thru SF twice before and loved it but we don't think we want to bike back up into the city. So we basically just want to safest easiest route to get over the coast to start our ride down the coast.

it'd be cool if you could figure out a way to ride over Sweeney Ridge and thru the southern part of the GGNRA and the watershed there, but I don't know of any solid route.

Sweeney Ridge is notable for being where San Francisco Bay was first seen and discovered by the Spanish.



I know if you go thru Pacifica the 'planet of the apes' ride along the old pacific coast highway between Pacifica and Montera is a very scenic and enjoyable ride that avoids Devils' Slide.

I hope someone chimes in with a good route, I've often looked at riding that Southern San Francisco more thoroughly but haven't yet had the chance to. Theres got to be a way to get to HMB across the SF peninsula without riding the 92!

Golden Gate National Recreation Area Sweeney Ridge fact sheet (http://parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/sweeney-ridge.html)

it'd be cool if you could figure out a way to ride over Sweeney Ridge and thru the southern part of the GGNRA but I don't know of any good ways to do that ride.

I think it's very possible to be able to link the ride across Sweeney Ridge and thru the watershed? and the fish and game refuge to come out close to Half Moon Bay . Maybe someone with more local knowledge of that area?

I know if you go thru Pacifica the 'planet of the apes' ride along the old pacific coast highway between Pacifica and Montera is a very scenic and enjoyable ride that avoids Devils' Slide.

I hope someone chimes in with a good route, I've often looked at riding that Southern San Francisco more thoroughly but haven't yet had the chance to.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area Sweeney Ridge fact sheet (http://parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/sweeney-ridge.html)

Funny we actually just watched the original Planet of the Apes movie last night. lol anyway Whatever route we take I would prefer to bi-pass devils slid area.

...just did a little editing in my post above!

i think if you google 'planet of the apes ride' you can find the link to the guidebook description. Its' a great ride. But hopefully someone can link a route across the SF watershed for you.

Its well described in the book 'Short bike rides in and around San Francisco' by Henry Kingman, and is online.

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bump for more input

If you can get on maps.google.com and zoom in on the satellite images, starting at SFO, the following will make more sense.

Start by getting over near the bay. There are some small roads and paths and parks running right along the water's edge, just south of the airport.

There are several choices for going up into the hills from there. The one with the least climbing is farther south. The road runs along a creek through a small canyon, and takes you up to 280 and two long, narrow reservoirs. There is a beautiful bike path along those reservoirs. If you take one of the other, earlier routes up, you can ride more of that bike path. It's extra climbing, but not a lot, maybe a few hundred feet.

Then the idea is to head south, taking the road that connects the end of the bike path with Mountain Home Road in Woodside, near Robert's Market (great food there). Mountain Home Road connects with Sand Hill Road, which connects with Old La Honda Road, which takes you up to Skyline. Take Skyline south to the intersection with Alpine Road. Turn right, toward Portola State Park, Pescadero, and the Pacific Ocean. The route through Loma Mar is scenic but hillier than the more direct route to Hwy 1 and the ocean.

There are other roads over the mountains, between the bay side of the SF Peninsula and the ocean, and I've done them; but this would be my first choice.

There are additional details on an old thread. If you google 'Old La Honda Road, Robert's Market, Woodside site:bikeforums.net,' it should show up.

Hope that is useful, and that the ride is an enjoyable one (And please excuse any typos; the device I'm using presently is being a bit difficult at the moment.)

My son and I will be flying in to SFO next month and doing a short trip to LA or San Deigo. We have cycled thru SF twice before and loved it but we don't think we want to bike back up into the city. So we basically just want to safest easiest route to get over the coast to start our ride down the coast.

Do you want to stop in Half Moon Bay? Or just get to the coast? If it were me, I'd take take BART to CalTrain, then CalTrain to the California Ave. stop in Palo Alto. From there, I'd take Page Mill to Junipero Serra Blvd to Sand Hill Road.

If you want to end up in Half Moon Bay, take San Hill to Whiskey Hill Rd. to Woodside Rd to Kings Mountain Road. Cross Highway 35/Skyline Blvd heading down toward the coast on Tunitas Creek Rd. Once you hit Highway 1, turn north and backtrack to Half Moon Bay.

If you'd planning to head south, it's better to take Sand Hill to Old LaHonda Rd. Cross Highway 35/Skyline and continue down toward the coast on Old LaHonda Rd. When Old LaHonda ends, merge with Highway 84/LaHonda Rd. and continue toward the coast. Follow Pescadero Rd. to Pescadero Creek Rd. Norm's Market and Duarte's in Pescadero are good places to eat or grab provisions. Take Cloverdale Rd. to Gazos Creek Rd. to Highway 1. There used to be camping at Butano State Park and Costanoa also has camping.

If you can get on maps.google.com and zoom in on the satellite images, starting at SFO, the following will make more sense.

Start by getting over near the bay. There are some small roads and paths and parks running right along the water's edge, just south of the airport.

There are several choices for going up into the hills from there. The one with the least climbing is farther south. The road runs along a creek through a small canyon, and takes you up to 280 and two long, narrow reservoirs. There is a beautiful bike path along those reservoirs. If you take one of the other, earlier routes up, you can ride more of that bike path. It's extra climbing, but not a lot, maybe a few hundred feet.

Then the idea is to head south, taking the road that connects the end of the bike path with Mountain Home Road in Woodside, near Robert's Market (great food there). Mountain Home Road connects with Sand Hill Road, which connects with Old La Honda Road, which takes you up to Skyline. Take Skyline south to the intersection with Alpine Road. Turn right, toward Portola State Park, Pescadero, and the Pacific Ocean. The route through Loma Mar is scenic but hillier than the more direct route to Hwy 1 and the ocean.

There are other roads over the mountains, between the bay side of the SF Peninsula and the ocean, and I've done them; but this would be my first choice.

There are additional details on an old thread. If you google 'Old La Honda Road, Robert's Market, Woodside site:bikeforums.net,' it should show up.

Hope that is useful, and that the ride is an enjoyable one (And please excuse any typos; the device I'm using presently is being a bit difficult at the moment.)

Thanks that's all helpful information.

Do you want to stop in Half Moon Bay? Or just get to the coast? If it were me, I'd take take BART to CalTrain, then CalTrain to the California Ave. stop in Palo Alto. From there, I'd take Page Mill to Junipero Serra Blvd to Sand Hill Road.

If you want to end up in Half Moon Bay, take San Hill to Whiskey Hill Rd. to Woodside Rd to Kings Mountain Road. Cross Highway 35/Skyline Blvd heading down toward the coast on Tunitas Creek Rd. Once you hit Highway 1, turn north and backtrack to Half Moon Bay.

If you'd planning to head south, it's better to take Sand Hill to Old LaHonda Rd. Cross Highway 35/Skyline and continue down toward the coast on Old LaHonda Rd. When Old LaHonda ends, merge with Highway 84/LaHonda Rd. and continue toward the coast. Follow Pescadero Rd. to Pescadero Creek Rd. Norm's Market and Duarte's in Pescadero are good places to eat or grab provisions. Take Cloverdale Rd. to Gazos Creek Rd. to Highway 1. There used to be camping at Butano State Park and Costanoa also has camping.

We aren't set on camping at Half Moon Bay, it just didn't seem like there was many places after you leave there. But it sounds like there is other places that you mentioned. Thanks that gives me some good options.

We aren't set on camping at Half Moon Bay, it just didn't seem like there was many places after you leave there. But it sounds like there is other places that you mentioned. Thanks that gives me some good options.

There's also camping an Memorial County Park off Pescadero Rd. and I think that at least one of the other parks in that area allows camping. Maybe Sam McDonald County Park? No idea what they're like, how difficult it is to get reservations, etc.

Here's a link for a local bike mapper website which may help you find a good route. We used this site to find a route from San Fransisco Airport to the Coast. We wanted to get to the coast as fast as possible so elected to head West to Pacifica, then we headed South on Hwy 1. Fortunately, traffic was light when we climbed Devil's Slide.

http://511contracosta.org/bike/

i would totally NOT descend Tunitas Creek Road on a loaded tour bike. Or otherwise. Steepy-steep! (down)

when i flew into SFO with my bike to start a long tour in '95, i took San Bruno Ave W. to the end where it dead ends into 35. right (north) on 35 to Sharp Park Rd. left (west) on Sharp Park Road to the coast (downhill!).

as an alternative, you can turn left off of 35 onto College Drive before you get to Sharp Park Road. it eventually runs into College Road (turn right onto it) and IT runs into Sharp Park (left on Sharp Park). see google maps.

BTW, that first night out i stayed at the hostel at pigeon point lighthouse. i don't know if it still exists. but it was pretty nice in early december of '95. had it all to myself. kitchen, bunks, showers... nice.

i would totally NOT descend Tunitas Creek Road on a loaded tour bike. Or otherwise. Steepy-steep! (down)

Lots of people ride up and down Tunitas Creek every weekend. It's really not much worse than Old LaHonda Road or anything else that leads to/from Skyline. The pavement used to be in pretty bad shape in places, but they made some improvements in preparation for the Tour of California a couple of years ago. I haven't ridden it in a couple of years, but I certainly wouldn't hesitate to.

One word of caution: one Sunday a month Doc Wong (http://www.docwong.com/st-clinc/index.htm) leads large group motorcycle rides down Tunitas Creek Road. Best to avoid Tunitas Creek on those days...

This is all really helpful information.

Do you want to stop in Half Moon Bay? Or just get to the coast? If it were me, I'd take take BART to CalTrain, then CalTrain to the California Ave. stop in Palo Alto. From there, I'd take Page Mill to Junipero Serra Blvd to Sand Hill Road.

I agree. Leaving from Palo Alto you'll have several options for getting to the coast, all of them safer and prettier than riding through or around SF. Old La Honda Road is the easiest way to get up Skyline. You can head south on Skyline from there and descend Alpine Road (technical but beautiful). There's camping at Memorial Park, but my wife and I much prefer Butano State Park. The town of Pescadero has several tasty food options, including a general store with a wood burning pizza oven. Have a delicious pizza and then head over to Butano for a good night's rest.

You might check out this previous thread: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/531128-Need-advice-for-Bay-Area-start-of-tour

It has much of the same information but has other suggestions, as well.

when i flew into SFO with my bike to start a long tour in '95, i took San Bruno Ave W. to the end where it dead ends into 35. right (north) on 35 to Sharp Park Rd. left (west) on Sharp Park Road to the coast (downhill!).

as an alternative, you can turn left off of 35 onto College Drive before you get to Sharp Park Road. it eventually runs into College Road (turn right onto it) and IT runs into Sharp Park (left on Sharp Park). see google maps.

BTW, that first night out i stayed at the hostel at pigeon point lighthouse. i don't know if it still exists. but it was pretty nice in early december of '95. had it all to myself. kitchen, bunks, showers... nice.

The light house sounds really run, thanks for the suggestion.

We aren't set on camping at Half Moon Bay, it just didn't seem like there was many places after you leave there. But it sounds like there is other places that you mentioned. Thanks that gives me some good options.

There is an excellent hostel in Montara. You aren't going to touch a hotel room in that area for what you pay for the hostel.

I'm with sstorkel. I would take BART, But I might consider starting in San Francisco itself. There is lots to see there.

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used to live in SF, 20 years ago.. the hill to the west goes into the south SF area,
Then, I'd cut Over to the Coast road via west bound streets..
you don't have to go that far North.
i have un boxed my bike a couple times at SFO and rode home that route.

I live 5 minutes away from SFO (in Burlingame).
If you take sstorkel's route, instead of taking Bart and Caltrain, you can ride out of the airport south on S McDonnell Rd. About .5 mile away (at Broadway), there's a flat, nice 10 mile offroad bike path that goes along the bayfront to Redwood Shores. It's nice. From Marine Parkway you an take the ped bridge to Industrial Ave-> Brewster-> Alameda de las Pulgas... (continue on sstorkel's path). Email me an I might be able to escort yous depending on my sched.
If you go to SF, take Bart, no doubt about it.

My son and I will be flying in to SFO next month and doing a short trip to LA or San Deigo. We have cycled thru SF twice before and loved it but we don't think we want to bike back up into the city. So we basically just want to safest easiest route to get over the coast to start our ride down the coast.
Safest and easiest way might be to take Caltrain from the Millbrae station (which is near the airport) all the way to Gilroy. Then you could even catch a bus or shuttle to Monterey, and stay at the beautiful campground up on top of the hill there for the first night.

You would avoid a lot of traffic and be able to spend more time enjoying the Big Sur coast, or choice side trips.

This option might be a good one for some people. Others would lean toward some of the other options.

Trains depart Millbrae at 3:31PM and arrive Gilroy at 5:30 weekdays. The later trains will be more crowded.

* * * * * * *
Also, some of the other, previous options involve less traffic than others. And some are more scenic than others.

There are also additional Caltrain options besides those already mentioned.

Safest and easiest way might be to take Caltrain from the Millbrae station (which is near the airport) all the way to Gilroy. Then you could even catch a bus or shuttle to Monterey, and stay at the beautiful campground up on top of the hill there for the first night.

You would avoid a lot of traffic and be able to spend more time enjoying the Big Sur coast, or choice side trips.

This option might be a good one for some people. Others would lean toward some of the other options.

Trains depart Millbrae at 3:31PM and arrive Gilroy at 5:30 weekdays. The later trains will be more crowded.

* * * * * * *
Also, some of the other, previous options involve less traffic than others. And some are more scenic than others.

There are also additional Caltrain options besides those already mentioned.

The first time we biked thru SF was summer of 2006 my son was just 13 and devils slide was closed. I decided it just wasn't worth the risk to go the proposed alternate route and so we rented a truck and and drove to Monterey. In 2008 we didn't miss any of the coastline and tho the campground is nice at Monterey I really enjoyed riding into Santa Cruz and making our way along the boardwalk to the campground. I don't mind bypassing devils slide again but I don't think I want to miss much more than that.

If you choose to take Caltrain to the Palo Alto area, and ride from there, getting off at the Stanford stop, when available, would be my first choice, and then riding bike paths through Stanford University and seeing some of the campus, and then getting onto Alpine Road or Sand Hill Road for the ride to Old La Honda Road.The adjacent stations would allow you to do the same thing fairly easily. North is the Menlo Park Station, south is Palo Alto/University Avenue. Palo Alto and Stanford have a good, well developed network of bike paths and routes. One of the bike shops or other cyclists in the area could point the way. Or you could just watch, look, see....It's a beautiful campus, with some good bike paths.

hey, it's all of six miles from the airport to hwy 1, and 2 or 3 of that is clutter around SFO and the last 3 are all downhill with the ocean to the west. how much scenic riding is there to do? less than two miles? i say get to hwy 1 as soon as you can, THEN enjoy the much better scenery on the coast, IMHO. :):thumb:

I'd love to know which route gets you from the airport to Highway 1 in six miles! Looks to me like it's at least that far in a straight line, let alone all the twists and turns you have to take if you're on a bicycle...

From the airport, I would take the free tram to the car rental area and start from there. Take San Bruno Ave west all the way to Skyline. Turn left south on hwy 35. Right before you hit the Freeway 280 merge, there is a gate on the right for walkers and bikes. Use the gate heading south and it will take you to Crystal Spring reservoir. It is a bike/walking path that crosses the San Andreas fault. A nice area to bike. At the end of the other gate, turn right and you will hit Hwy 92 all the way to Half Moon Bay. There is ample shoulder space on the road for bikes.

If need be, let me know if you need me to plot it on google maps. ALso, what time are u getting into SFO ? If it is too late, we may have to plan an alternate plan

The first time we biked thru SF was summer of 2006 my son was just 13 and devils slide was closed. I decided it just wasn't worth the risk to go the proposed alternate route and so we rented a truck and and drove to Monterey. In 2008 we didn't miss any of the coastline and tho the campground is nice at Monterey I really enjoyed riding into Santa Cruz and making our way along the boardwalk to the campground. I don't mind bypassing devils slide again but I don't think I want to miss much more than that.

A couple of other possibilities: Take one of the buses to Halfmoon Bay. Or ride 92 at a very off-hour, low-traffic time.

There are many variations and choices. Different people want to see, do, or experience different things.

Some want scenic, some low traffic, some directmost; some like architecture, some like riding near the ocean; some like the redwoods, some like views, some like the quiet back roads.

If you should end up taking Caltrain to Palo Alto, and want to see Stanford, the best views and the most intuitive self-guided tours are probably from the University Avenue entrance.

If you should end up taking Caltrain to Palo Alto, and want to see Stanford, the best views and the most intuitive self-guided tours are probably from the University Avenue entrance.

This is also the area where you're most likely to be run over by an inattentive driver trying to cut through campus to get to the Stanford Shopping Center. Better to exit CalTrain at California Ave, cross El Camino Real on California Ave (or the less-traveled Cambridge Ave), merge onto Page Mill Road via Hanover. Turn right onto Junipero Serra Blvd, then enter the "back" side of the Campus on Campus Drive East or Campus Drive West. Lots of construction/traffic problems near the Medical Center (Welch Rd in particular) so avoid that area if possible.

This is also the area where you're most likely to be run over by an inattentive driver trying to cut through campus to get to the Stanford Shopping Center. Better to exit CalTrain at California Ave, cross El Camino Real on California Ave (or the less-traveled Cambridge Ave), merge onto Page Mill Road via Hanover. Turn right onto Junipero Serra Blvd, then enter the "back" side of the Campus on Campus Drive East or Campus Drive West. Lots of construction/traffic problems near the Medical Center (Welch Rd in particular) so avoid that area if possible.

Not at all the most likely area to be run over.

Also, I've spent a lot of time on California, and wouldn't recommend that stop at all, nor El Camino (??), Page Mill, Junipero Serra Expressway, etc., all of which makes for an unnecessarily longer, much more heavily trafficked and traffic-exposed route. And it is rather non-scenic as well.

If there is a blighted road in the area, it's the El Camino Real with its strip malls and motels.

University bypasses it, and is not particularly dangerous for cyclists, who are separated from both University and El Camino. It's a very short ride to campus, and the paths leading into the chapel area provide a much better introduction and entrance to the campus for those who are touring it briefly.

Google Street Views can confirm the above.

From the airport, I would take the free tram to the car rental area and start from there. Take San Bruno Ave west all the way to Skyline. Turn left south on hwy 35. Right before you hit the Freeway 280 merge, there is a gate on the right for walkers and bikes. Use the gate heading south and it will take you to Crystal Spring reservoir. It is a bike/walking path that crosses the San Andreas fault. A nice area to bike. At the end of the other gate, turn right and you will hit Hwy 92 all the way to Half Moon Bay. There is ample shoulder space on the road for bikes.

If need be, let me know if you need me to plot it on google maps. ALso, what time are u getting into SFO ? If it is too late, we may have to plan an alternate plan

So far this one is making the most sense of all the recommendations.(Although all suggestions have merit and I am considering). We are flying in later at night and have a hotel close to the airport that also has a shuttle. We plan on leaving the next morning. We are from rural Utah and so the more straight forward the better. I'm ok with riding on a four lane highway as long as there is a shoulder.

Note: One thing that I did remember from out past two rides thru SF was how helpful and kind everyone was. Our first time thru we were on the outskirts of SF and a local cyclist told us we looked lost and led us thru the city over the golden gate bridge and pointed us to the hotel district. At the time I though he must be an angel, I've since learned that just how people are in SF.

So far this one is making the most sense of all the recommendations.(Although all suggestions have merit and I am considering). We are flying in later at night and have a hotel close to the airport that also has a shuttle. We plan on leaving the next morning. We are from rural Utah and so the more straight forward the better. I'm ok with riding on a four lane highway as long as there is a shoulder.

Note: One thing that I did remember from out past two rides thru SF was how helpful and kind everyone was. Our first time thru we were on the outskirts of SF and a local cyclist told us we looked lost and led us thru the city over the golden gate bridge and pointed us to the hotel district. At the time I though he must be an angel, I've since learned that just how people are in SF.
Riding up Millbrae Avenue or Hillcrest might involve less traffic and be a bit shorter or more direct; you can ride through a quieter residential area; and you don't need to ride along 35. Near the top of Hillcrest is an entrance to the same bike path.

A couple of other points that haven't been covered much: The traffic on 92 is mainly beach traffic during the summer. It can be *very* heavy if you hit it at the wrong time. It's like a funnel for traffic. Most cyclists avoid it. If you are able hit it at a good, light-traffic time, it would be a better ride. The shoulder is not very wide in places.

Also, the weather is often warmer as you go farther south on the peninsula. So if you do end up riding Old La Honda Road, it might be a good idea to start early while the temperatures are cool.

It is typically cooler and foggier in Half Moon Bay and along the coast.

The views are spectacular in places along Skyline between Windy Hill and Russian Ridge.

If you want a better idea of what 92 is like, there are probably some good youtube.com videos, in addition to Google Street View.

The same would apply for some of the other options.

Also, I've spent a lot of time on California, and wouldn't recommend that stop at all, nor El Camino (??), Page Mill, Junipero Serra Expressway, etc., all of which makes for an unnecessarily longer, much more heavily trafficked and traffic-exposed route. And it is rather non-scenic as well.

Junipero Serra between Page Mill and Alpine/Sand Hill has very little traffic, except maybe during rush hour. Page Mill from Hanover to Junipero Serra is heavily trafficked but you're on it for less than a mile and there are plenty of nearby alternatives if the sight of a passing car is going to frighten you. All of the roads in this area have very wide shoulders, so it's not like you're ever very close to cars anyway.


If there is a blighted road in the area, it's the El Camino Real with its strip malls and motels.

Yep! That's why none of the routes I've suggested include it!


University bypasses it, and is not particularly dangerous for cyclists, who are separated from both University and El Camino. It's a very short ride to campus, and the paths leading into the chapel area provide a much better introduction and entrance to the campus for those who are touring it briefly.

Leaving from the University Ave. train station, you have two choices: share the street with aggressive car drivers (without the benefit of a shoulder or bike lane) or share the sidewalk with a train-load of clueless pedestrians and cyclists. Neither really appeals to me. Once you get past Arboretum Rd. car traffic drops off and the ride is generally more pleasant, though car drivers often seem more intent on finding parking than avoiding bicyclists.

As to whether the campus is worth a visit, that's up to the individual tourist. I, personally, wouldn't give it a second look given some of the other riding that's available in the area but I understand that opinions differ.

So far this one is making the most sense of all the recommendations.(Although all suggestions have merit and I am considering). We are flying in later at night and have a hotel close to the airport that also has a shuttle. We plan on leaving the next morning. We are from rural Utah and so the more straight forward the better. I'm ok with riding on a four lane highway as long as there is a shoulder.


92 becmes narrower, with two lanes and poor shoulders. If you google ''How bad is Hwy 92 between Halfmoon Bay and Canada Road site:bikeforums.net'' you can find additional testimonials.

If you catch it at a low-traffic time, there is another catch: some drivers, especially young males, will take these sorts of roads at scary speeds when there is little traffic. They often cut corners while doing so. I used to do it myself, and scared passengers to the point where some of them actually jumped out of the car at the first stop. If you've got a fast car that corners well and are in a certain age range you can almost get high on this sort of driving.

That said, it's downhill and a fast descent that doesn't last all that long. Still, there are alternatives that most cyclists prefer.

FWIW, I found the descent on 92 to Half Moon Bay quite pleasant.

Ok we have decided to take basically the most direct route to half moon bay. Using google maps bike route. If someone that knows the area could do the same route and just look it over as see that it's basically safe (no really bad neighborhoods etc would really appreciate it. I don't want a whole rewrite of it. Just is there is some small changes or just say it looks good. We are flying in Tues the 26 in the evening and plan on getting out on the road between 10 and 11 unless we have some problems assembling the bikes.

Ok we have decided to take basically the most direct route to half moon bay. Using google maps bike route. If someone that knows the area could do the same route and just look it over as see that it's basically safe (no really bad neighborhoods etc would really appreciate it. I don't want a whole rewrite of it. Just is there is some small changes or just say it looks good. We are flying in Tues the 26 in the evening and plan on getting out on the road between 10 and 11 unless we have some problems assembling the bikes.

How do you get Google Maps to show a bike route? I told it to avoid highways, but that still included an extended section of riding on El Camino Real which is one of the least bike-friendly streets on the Peninsula. It also suggested riding on Highway 92, which I wouldn't be wild about given some of the other options. Highway 92 isn't dangerous, it just has lots of traffic and isn't terribly scenic.

Ok we have decided to take basically the most direct route to half moon bay.

Wouldn't that be to take some kind of public transportation there? You can assemble your bikes in Half Moon Bay (HMB) just as easily as the airport.

If you have decided to ride directly to HMB, which means skipping any scenic component in the ride, why not just get to HMB and start your ride from there? You are taking about riding through a very busy metropolitan area and over some reasonably steep hills. The "direct routes" (non-freeway) will be the ones the cars take.

If all you want to do is to get some place quickly where you can start your tour, I'd take transport there and then start riding.

How do you get Google Maps to show a bike route? I told it to avoid highways, but that still included an extended section of riding on El Camino Real which is one of the least bike-friendly streets on the Peninsula. It also suggested riding on Highway 92, which I wouldn't be wild about given some of the other options. Highway 92 isn't dangerous, it just has lots of traffic and isn't terribly scenic.

Just click the bike icon

Ok about the route taking the road from San Bruno direct to the coast over to pacifica? And yeah I have already ridden devils slide and I can do that.

If someone that knows the area could do the same route and just look it over as see that it's basically safe (no really bad neighborhoods etc would really appreciate it.

I have already ridden devils slide and I can do that.

What, exactly, is your question? Are you concerned about getting mugged in a "bad" neighborhood? If so, that will not be a problem.

If Devil's Slide doesn't bother you, nothing on that route (or any other route you select) will.

What, exactly, is your question? Are you concerned about getting mugged in a "bad" neighborhood? If so, that will not be a problem.

If Devil's Slide doesn't bother you, nothing on that route (or any other route you select) will.

Probably asking both about going thru a bad neighborhood and also the danger issue. The reality is that I have cycled thru downtown San Francisco and also Devils Slide so we will probably be fine. Thanks for your help.

Just click the bike icon

Found it. I see two options: one that goes over Highway 92 and one that uses Sneath Lane and Sharp Park Rd. For either route, you'll need to be prepared to ride on busy streets without the benefit of a bike lane or shoulder. Neither route is particularly scenic. Neither route takes you through any especially bad neighborhoods. If you decide on the Sneath Lane route, I'd take BART from the airport to the San Bruno station; none of the roads around the airport are particularly suitable for bicycles, IMHO.

Just got finished with our tour. We ended up taking Westborough Blvsd? Sharp Park Rd, it was kinda crazy traffic and climb to start the trip but I always like the ride down the coast. A motorcyclist offered to block for us on the ride down Devils Slide. To me after just completing this ride, there are plenty of sections on highway 1 that is just as bad and wonderful as Devils Slide, and plenty of urban craziness after getting to LA.