Biking to the Golden Gate Bridge from the Visitor Center

Begin your journey at the Presidio Visitor Center and hop on your bike and get started! 

Tip: If you choose to drive and park at the parking lot near the Main Parade Lawn, payment is required. If parking isn’t available in that area, there are other paid parking lots located nearby.  

Directions: Head west along the Main Parade Lawn and cross Lincoln Boulevard to begin biking uphill towards Battery Bluff. Look out to your right to enjoy views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay, and Crissy Field, and look to the left for views of San Francisco National Cemetery. 

This spot along the Presidio Promenade is built on top of the western set of the Presidio Parkway tunnels that connect drivers to the Golden Gate Bridge. 

What makes Battery Bluff truly unique are the four recently restored historic gun batteries that once defended the San Francisco Bay during the Presidio’s time as a U.S. Army post. It’s a spot where history, nature, and recreation come together seamlessly. 

Tip: If you’ve got some extra time, cross the street and explore the San Francisco National Cemetery, which was established in 1884 and is the resting place of Civil War generals, Medal of Honor recipients, Buffalo Soldiers, and a Union spy. 

Directions: As you reach the top of the hill, turn right to head west along the Presidio Promenade. Stay along the road for a direct route or head down into the park to explore some of the views along Crissy Field. 

Stop to take in views of the wide, green expanse of the former airfield, the Presidio’s northern shoreline, Alcatraz, and the San Francisco Bay from this perch high above Crissy Field. 

Tip: Keep your camera near at-hand. You’ll want to capture the panoramic view from this vantage point – take in the sailboats bobbing on the San Francisco Bay, the perfect shot of Alcatraz in the distance, Angel Island right at center stage, and the iconic San Francisco skyline in the distance.  

Directions: Once you reach the top of the hill on Crissy Field Avenue, turn right and bike along the Presidio Promenade Trail. 

With sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay, Crissy Field, and the City, Pilots Row is one of the most visible neighborhoods in the Presidio as you approach the Golden Gate Bridge. Once home to the pilots who worked out of Crissy Field, the neighborhood was built in 1921 with a distinctive “V” shape, echoing the form of an airplane and served as officers’ quarters during the 1920s, highlighting the area’s rich aviation history. 

Tip: If you love the thought of living in historic homes like Pilot’s Row, learn more about the different neighborhoods you could call home.   

Directions: Continue along Lincoln Boulevard on the Presidio Promenade Trail heading west towards the Golden Gate Bridge.

Built in 2015, this vista lies between the Battery East Trail and Lincoln Boulevard/Presidio Promenade Trail and offers fantastic views. As you make your way past the vista, you’ll see historic brick and earthen batteries constructed in the 1870’s to defend the bay when the Presidio was a U.S. Army post.  

Tip: Biking along the Presidio Promenade trail, you’ll see Fort Point National Historic Site below the Golden Gate Bridge in the foreground. 

Directions: Continue to bike along the Presidio Promenade Trail on Lincoln Boulevard. When the trail splits from the road, continue on and enjoy the bike path for visitors to use on their way to the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center. 

The Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center tells the story of San Francisco’s most beloved icon, the Golden Gate Bridge. Explore history exhibits, chat with helpful staff, pick up a map of the Presidio, grab a snack, use the restroom, and buy a souvenir to remember your adventure before heading across the bridge. 

Tip: Once you’re at the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center, there are lots of great places to snap your photo of the Golden Gate Bridge. 

Directions: Turn off the Presidio Promenade Trail to stop and enjoy the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center and get any necessary supplies, souvenirs, or information before biking the 1.7 mile span of the Golden Gate Bridge. 

The striking International Orange color, Art Deco design, and fascinating history of the Golden Gate Bridge make it a must-see San Francisco landmark and one of the seven wonders of the modern world. Continue biking to the western side and along the iconic landmark and take in the views of the Pacific Ocean, the Marin Headlands, and the San Francisco skyline.  

Tip: While you’re biking across the bridge, take in the views – you might even catch a glimpse of surfers riding a wave under the bridge. Note: if you’re biking in the morning, bikers ride on the eastern side of the bridge only.  

Directions: From the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center, bike back along the Presidio Promenade Trail, under the Golden Gate Bridge, to the western side to enter the bike lane.  

On the far north side of the bridge, the H. Dana Bowers Rest Area & Vista Point offers iconic views of the Golden Gate Bridge with the Presidio and the larger San Francisco area in the background.  

Tip: Vista Point has public bathrooms. You can also head west and bike under the bridge to go down to Cavallo Point. This is a great addition to the bike ride, but you’ll need to bike back up the hill to head back. 

Directions: Take the road that winds east towards vista point. You’ll go through a short tunnel under the freeway and will come out right at the Vista Point.  

You can get back to the Main Parade Lawn a few different ways. You can either cruise back down Crissy Field Avenue’s hill (next to the Crissy Field Overlook) or you can stay on Lincoln Boulevard by the Pilot’s Row and cruise back to Sports Basement past Battery Bluff, San Francisco National Cemetery, and the Main Parade Lawn to get some fresh views. You’ll then take Halleck Street or walk your bike through Presidio Tunnel Tops to make your way back to the Visitor Center.  

Tip: If you’re hungry, stop off at the Presidio Pop Up food trucks, carts, and tents and check out the delicious array of food that celebrates the Bay Area’s diverse cultures. Or visit Il Parco at Presidio Tunnel Tops, Presidio Bowl near the Main Parade Lawn, and coming in 2025 the Mess Hall for more food options. 

This inviting art deco cafe near the Golden Gate Welcome Center serves up refreshing hot and cold drinks, pastries, and savory food options like soups and sandwiches — with a stunning backdrop of Golden Gate Bridge views.   

Tip: Explore the area nearby and snap a selfie of you with the Golden Gate Bridge. At the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center, get your Golden Gate Bridge souvenirs, snacks, and visit the restrooms.