By Alex Hendricksen
The Bay Area is a super densely populated part of California. Unfortunately, this forces us to go out of our way to enter nature. Biking is a faster and more efficient way to explore new places than just walking and can be a fantastic way to exercise while enjoying the scenery this summer.
Your first thought of biking locations may be in Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz mountain biking used to be and still is extremely popular. However, let us start with biking locations right near us in Benicia. If you’re local, then the Benicia State Park would be a great first option for getting outside and dipping your toes into the world of biking. This location offers roughly a 2.5-mile paved trail for walking and biking. This long, smooth path offers tree canopies and views of the scenic Carquinez Strait. For inexperienced riders, you can stick to the normal path, but for the bikers seeking a challenge, there are many dirt trails with steep inclines that jut off of the main paved road. We’re very fortunate to have access to a state park so close to us that is free to visit from sunrise to sunset, so make sure to check it out!
If you live in San Francisco, it can feel impossible to enjoy a bike ride because of the massive hills and the congested traffic. However, you’re fortunate enough to have access to the Golden Gate Park! This nearly 7-mile loop is a popular location for road biking and walking, and you’ll end up finding the Academy of Sciences, Conservatory of Flowers, Botanical Gardens, the de Young Museum, and Japanese Tea Gardens. These spots prove time and time again to be crowd favorites, as the Golden Gate Park is the third most visited park in the United States! That poses a potential issue, since, if there is good weather, you’ll tend to get quite a few people clogging up the pathways. Though it gets busy, it is definitely worth checking out this iconic park nestled on the west side of this affluent city.
I needed to include the China Camp State Park Loop in San Rafael because it has extraordinarily long dirt trails for the mountain bike enthusiasts. This ride will take you to places that have a great view of the San Pablo Bay. This trail is described as being somewhere in the middle of beginner and intermediate, as it includes some mild technical dirt sections. There is around a two-mile switchback climb, but after that you get around six miles of rolling downhills of singletrack. This ride also tends to have high traffic due to its ease of access and its ability to be used by all kinds of riders.
Other than these select trails, there are places all over The Bay to try riding in. I would also recommend street riding in downtown Benicia. Many people don’t like riding in the street, but Benicia’s First Street and surrounding area have flat terrain where drivers typically don’t go over 25 miles per hour.
Do your own research, too! Discover new places this summer and make sure to stay safe while riding your bike.
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