Recent years have sparked an insurgence of cycling activity in San Francisco, California. Some say it’s the mild weather, others the availability (or lack thereof) of parking, but biking in San Francisco has definitely grown in popularity. Many of the bike paths are located on the west side of the city, and bike lanes give your quads a break, as most of them traverse the flatter parts of town.

Riding across the Golden Gate Bridge is a must, starting at Fort Mason and making the 11-kilometer journey to view the iconic and dreamy cityscape. For the lovers of hustle and bustle, a trip in the bike lane through Valencia Street allows you to take in all the hubbub of nearby shops, restaurants and retail outlets. Bike parking stalls, quirky biking events (New Belgium’s sponsored Tour de Fat, no doubt an exercise in whimsy), and a detailed bike route map round out San Francisco’s cycling appeal.