teacherlady

Is there a reasonable route around the north end of the bay short of going as far north as Petaluma? Thank you.

DiabloScott

Go south to The City and then take the ferry to Vallejo.

teacherlady

Thanks, but I did want to pedal all the way. There really are as few alternatives as I thought?

teacherlady

Actually, the goal is Sacramento. So I'll rephrase my question: a pleasant and safe route from San Francisco to Sacramento, preferably without any major climbs. I've gone over the Pittsburg Antioch bridge, at 8:00 on a Sunday morning, and it was unpleasant. I'm not sure I'd do it again.

DiabloScott

well...

budkid

Well I am in Vallejo. HWY 37 is no good. I would say the only way is through Petaluma to Napa through Stage Gulch Rd and HWY 121. But that is sketchy too. That sure beats HWY 37. Then Napa to Winters on 121 to 128 by Lake Beryessa(some climbing) There would be no need to go down to Vallejo then back up towards Sac.

Not unless there is a bus from Novato to Sonoma or Napa....

turkey9186

I know you want to ride, however. Larkspur Ferry to San Francisco then Bay Link Ferry to Vallejo. Or, Ride to the San Francisco Ferry and across.
From there, this https://ridewithgps.com/routes/3945918. Alternately you could go Columbus Parkway to -80 Instead of Lake Herman and Lopes Roads. In Vacaville go south of the freeway down Elmira rd and thru Dixon then Davis. Most of the roads on the map are used by local riders.
Jerry

Bob S

"I would say the only way is through Petaluma to Napa."

Leaving Petaluma on Hwy 116 / Lakeville Hwy take a left on Casa Grande Rd. Right on Ely Blvd South, left on Frates Rd. curves right and becomes Adobe Rd. and later Stage Gulch Rd / Hwy 116 then before HWY 121 take left (at traffic light) on Arnold drive. Ride north on Arnold Dr. turn right on Leveroni Rd that becomes Napa Rd, Right on Hyde Rd, Right on Burndale Rd. (some maps also show this as Hyde-Burndale or Hyde) crossing Hwy 121 take 1st left on Acacia Ave. to end right on Ramal Rd, Ramal becomes Duhig when road turns north just before narrow bridge, continue on Duhig to Hwy 12 turn right for short distance to Old Sonoma Rd. continue to Right turn on Foster Rd (before Hwy 29) to left on W. Imola, right on Napa Vallejo Hwy. See Below.

I am familiar with and have driven the route from Petaluma to Arnold and on to Leveroni / Napa Rds. many times. There is a wide shoulder for most of this and I see a number of bikes using this on the weekends, note there are some rolling hills in this section but nothing steep, according to Strava the total elevation gain between Petaluma and Vallejo is 1,500 feet with the highest point 330 ft. I often ride the section including Hyde onto Hwy 12 but have not ridden Old Sonoma Rd. I have encountered a number of riders, men and women on this route that are riding from Novato to Vallejo and farther. I used both Strava and Google Maps for the section beginning with Old Sonoma Rd. so you should check this routing and map the rest of the route.

I suggest checking some of the cycling route websites, MapMyRide, Strava etc. to confirm my recommendations and for alternatives. Strava does not require membership and I believe the new route planner is available to all

turkey9186

Pleasant and safe...have you been on San Pablo Bay with an outgoing tide and a "refreshing delta breeze?"

Brodie01

What's wrong with Hwy 37 that isn't wrong with Hwy 101, or the other county roads?

DiabloScott

Well the Marin side is freeway. The Solano side has a nice shoulder but the traffic is insane - that's why they got rid of the suicide lane a few years ago.

Brodie01

45 years ago when I was a mid teenager living in Novato, a friend and I rode our bikes from Novato to Sonoma. We rode to Black Point by way of Atherton and then Hwy 37 to Sears Point and then 121 to Sonoma. The road hasn't changed much in those 45 years, but the traffic has increased by a fair amount. It could be an option to use the same route to Shellville and then continue on 129 to Napa. That would cut off a considerable distance from going all the way up to Petaluma.

curbtender

Wish I could help, shortest non bike route would be from San Quentin to Pt Richmond... https://goldengatetransit.org/schedul...t/route_40.php . 37 isn't even safe for cars most of the time.

hueyhoolihan

so San Francisco to Sacramento:

i'd take Bart, with my bike, from Embarcadero to Oakland or maybe even Richmond, then work my way north to around Hercules, get on Alhambra Valley road and take it to Martinez, then over the Benecia bridge to Benecia. Lopes road to Fairfield, then pleasant valley road to Winters. east to Davis and over the bike bridge into Sac. you could also forget about Alhambra Valley road and Martinez and go over the Carquinez Straight Bridge into Vallejo, then to Benecia and Lopes road to Fairfield. i've ridden this whole route at various times and never had a "please, god, get me out of here" feeling. on the contrary, much of it is pretty nice.

blt

Minor detailed questions, what is the best way to get from the Benecia Bridge to Lopes Road, and what is the best way to get from Lopes Road to Pleasants Valley Road? Not trying to get to Sacramento, but Pleasants Valley Road will get me to the part of Vacaville I want, I've seen various alternative routes listed on websites that detail routes, but I can't tell what makes most sense.

turkey9186

This is probably the most direct route. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/4154646
You can also stay on Lopes at Bridgeport and cross -80 to Green Valley, right on Rockville, left on Suisun Valley, right on Ledgewood, and right on Mankas Corner and pickup the map at Abernathy and Mankas. Or, take Suisun Valley Road all the way from Cordelia to Ledgewood Creek rd.

As mapped, Abernathy and a mile of Mankas is the only heavily traveled road without a wide shoulder or bike path. I am used to riding Green Valley and Suisun Valley, so the traffic isn't that much of an issue.

Jerry

blt

Thanks for the advice. It is always hard to tell just looking at routes on ridewithgps, mapmyride, etc. how much I'll get that "please god get me out of here" feeling, so your tips about alternatives are helpful and appreciated!

fietsbob

used to live in Napa . & SF
From GG bridge, there is a Bike route thru Marin paralleling 101,

from Novato Theres a connecting rd to Black Point on 37
you can cross the north bay to north of Vallejo on 37,

alt. left @ 121 towards Sonoma , rt thru Schellville go thru Napa stay on 121 to 128
cross the Dam that holds back Berryessa reservoir, then drop down into Davis , and head north to Sacto .

Or you continue thru Pope valley, via Butts canyon into Middletown, Lake County, then drop down from there into the Sacto valley

think its via Hwy 20 east..

old paper maps & fading memory..

Trinity Rd -Oakville grade is a killer climb from the Sonoma side
Tour of Cal sent the race over that a few times..