The worst reaction I get to saying "excuse me" or "I'd like to pass" is an unnecessary apology. I've never had anyone refuse to clear the path. I've yelled something impolite to someone unintentionally playing chicken with me on their bike in my lane, but.that's because I really need them to move fast and they're obviously being an idiot who needs to be told what to do.
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I mostly ride deserted MUPs and have standardized on a bell for each bike. 98% effective after a light, ice cream truck “ding ding”. Most often I get a wave of acknowledgement or even appreciation. However on rare occasions I encounter someone who has no clue what the M in MUP means. Then it’s an escalation of dings, louder and more frequent until I blow by. On very rare occasions, when they persist in blocking the way, I’m forced to use some of the editorial vernacular I learned in the steel mill. I ain’t proud of it but they earned it. No regrets!

Loud blaring speaker + on your left works pretty well.

SF Bay area? I'd be mostly worried about encountering "surprises" on the path.

I was running on a MUP/path around a lake yester evening. Encountered a large gaggle of geese crossing the path. One of them was limping badly. No reason to get loud or make a scene. They'd just start honking back at me. Waited till I could walk around peacefully then started back up. They have just as much right to that area as I have. Probably have more right since they are part of the grounds maintenance crew.

Heh. Many years ago, the management of our former office building in NJ did some new landscaping that included the planting of certain foliage that turned out to make perfect nesting grounds for geese. A few pairs set up shop around the building and laid eggs. One of the nests was near the front entrance. The parents used to chase people. Our head of HR hand to defend himself with his briefcase one morning to avoid getting pecked.

They are very aggressive when nest and young are around. I have seen many a cyclist get chased on a canal path where many geese parade around with their chicks in the spring.

Today as I tried to walk to the kitchen for another cup of coffee, a cat walked into my path and started walking slowly. I said, "Get out of my way!" and the cat just sat down and looked at me like I did something wrong.

HTFU. Get back to me when you have had to deal with these while riding. You don't tell them what to do.

I'm taking OP to mean they were standing on the path having a conversation. I find "on your left" is confusing in that situatn as they're generally facing each other over the middle of the path.

I find passing geese rather comical because they're hissing and snapping is really for effect. They usually ignore me unless they think they need to protect their young. When it's just a group of adults, they pretty much act like they don't know I'm there. If I roll through the flock slowly, they'll generally clear my way without much fuss. I'm not a fan of the crap though.

and people think cats are stoopid. Mine is a master manipulator. Our 65 lb dog is in awe of her power.

I think 99 times out of 100, the blocking conversation happens because people just kind of forget they're on a MUP and act like it's a sidewalk. A gentle reminder works really well. Around these parts, though, I think people are more likely to be confused by a bell than an actual "excuse me".

I moved away from Santa Cruz but still visit as my father and brother still live there and Wildwood speaks truth. Just stay away from touristy areas. Plenty of good riding along the coast and back roads.

After I announce ‘on your left’ or ‘passing left’ and the peds move, I always follow-up with ‘thank you’. A little positive reinforcement never hurts, unless there are too many peds. I usually avoids MUPs because of the inherent danger of people, dogs and small children.

Not actually polite. I suspect the pedestrians have the right of way.

Some pedestrians just refuse to follow any rules. There's one mile of MUP that I take on Sundays sometimes, because it avoids a climb after 55 miles of riding. The path has a dashed yellow line down the middle, and then each side is divided with a solid white line. Most single walkers stay to the right of the line, in their lane. Most doubles stay to the right, too. Then there are people who walk in clumps that spread 3/4 of the way across the path, and people who walk on the opposite side, and people who walk right in the middle of the path.

But it's not like there aren't cyclists who behave similarly. For example, Canada Road on the Peninsula is closed to motor vehicles on most Sundays, so the Park Rangers cone it off, leaving a couple spaces for cyclists to go through. Group rides will meet up there, often just inside the cones, so when the group gets up to about 5 or 6, they end up pretty much blocking the entrance, and they just stand there.

Also on Canada Road - which has big, wide bike lanes and a 50 mph limit, and a bit of traffic - slow riders who hug the inside of the bike lane, just at the line, so you have to go way out into the traffic lane to pass them, rather than riding more to the right, in a bike lane big enough to ride two up in.

Is that La Canada Rd?

Of course, cats actually started the Illuminati.

Are you an old time Herb Caen fan? That famed SF columnist made a career out of slamming us suburban hicks compared to the city sophisticates. As far as snooty, it’s hard for me to tell, I’ve lived here (mostly) my whole life so I just think it’s normal. Thanks for asking though.

If you are looking for snooty, try Atherton or Woodside. I lived in Menlo Park which is a runner up. and yes, that’s why I am the way I am.

In CA = I lived San Jose, Campbell, Los Gatos, Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley. Across almost 25 years. Oh, San Diego my last Navy year. ADHD keeps me on the move. West cost amalgam. My body requires temperate weather.

or absorbed in the moment or conversation. Not excusing them, but life is not that black and white.

Intersting. I lived in Hayward, Santa Clara, San Jose, Campbell, Santa Cruz, Irvine, Laguna Beach (going to UCI), Fountain Valley, Menlo Park, Atherton, Davis (UCD) before moving to th PNW and a series of moves there. I hate to count how many times I have moved. Been now in the same home for 16 years with no plans on moving until someone moves me out.

No, just plain old Cañada Rd. Runs between 92 and 84 down the Peninsula between San Mateo/Belmont and Woodside.

Ah yes! I know that one. It runs into Woodside Dr.

led a company ski trip years ago.

I was talking to someone on the lift who says "did you see the crazy guy who cant ski bombing straight down the hill yelling "out of my way, out of control" sure enough one of the guys on the trip