This easy 31-mile ride from the Golden Gate Bridge to San Rafael and back is perfect for the casual rider who wants to tackle a few small hills, and whose desired cuisine extends beyond Sausalitan Fish and Chips. With 2,000 feet of total elevation gain, the frequent rolling terrain makes the uphills very manageable. To do half the ride, take public transit home.

The bike side of the Golden Gate Bridge is closed through April; bikes and pedestrians currently share the eastern pathway. Start your morning early so that you’ll have a little more room for the way there, at least. If you venture onto the bridge in the afternoon, beware of wandering children, dazed tourists, aggressive roadies, and large bicycle tour groups. Call out, use signals, and proceed slowly, especially if you see someone not paying attention. We got lucky with sunshine galore, but faced strong headwinds over 25 mph on the road home.

Sol Food features a fantastic array of home -roasted, -braised, and -stewed Puerto Rican food. The decor is vibrant, and floor-to-ceiling windows make the space airy during the day. Seating is family style. Order at the register, and they will speedily bring your meal. Highlights are their Veggie Deluxe sandwich, and their Bistec steak sandwich. Their tasty drinks are served in large mason jars and include their delicious home-brewed Te Helado orange mango iced tea. Their salad is dressed with a garlicy vinaigrette, and if you like their secret recipe hot sauce, you can order a bottle to take home with you. We arrived before 12 and didn’t see a line, but you can order to-go next door if the wait is too long.

Directions

From the Marin side of Golden Gate Bridge, take your pick of the following routes to Sausalito.

1. While the western bike lanes on GG Bridge are still closed, you will see designated bike lanes through a parking lot and signage towards Sausalito and Tiburon. Either follow the cyclists or signs down Vista Point Rd. Continue onto Alexander Ave for 1.3 miles. Continue reading →