choteau

Good morning,
The wife and I are going to be in SF this week. Was thinking about bringing my 3 speed and riding a bit. We're going to be in Daly City and I'd like to see Golden Gate Park. After looking at google etc, I stumbled onto the SF Bike Coalition website, and noticed Route #5 that seems to connect the two. Any input on the route would be appreciated. Tim

bikingshearer 

Where in Daly City will you be? Looking at the map you referenced, I think you may mean Route 85 or 95, as Daly City and Golden Gate Park are both on the westerns side of the peninsula and Route 5 goes up the eastern side. And Third Street, where much of it goes, is utilitarian, not scenic, on a bike.

If I am correct. I would suggest Route 95, as it goes right along the ocean and there is a bike path (watch out for sand on the path). Warning - assume it will be between chilly and cold along the ocean. Not a problem as long as you are prepared. This route lets you enter GGP from the west, which is significantly less populated by driving tourists than is the eastern end. Also, it will be a gentle uphill going into GGP from this side, which means it's a lovely gentle downhill on the return trip. Always a bonus.

Route 85 goes along Sunset Blvd, which means a choice between the main street with a fair amount of pretty high-speed traffic and not a ton of room or taking the "frontage" street, with less traffic and more room, but much more likely to have to stop or slow significantly at every one of the many cross streets. Also, the drivers on the cross streets far too often are focused on getting across Sunset and forget that their may be somebody might be on the "frontage" street. Sunset/frontage streets is not as pretty as riding along Ocean Beach, but it pleasant and much, much nicer than Third Street. At least in my opinion. YMMV.

Enjoy your stay and your ride.

ricebowl

I agree with Bikingshearer's post. Only nitpick he's being too kind in his description of 3rd st. .