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San Francisco, CA: Mount Tamalpais

Cruise across the Golden Gate Bridge before heading to the hills to summit the east peak of ‘Mount Tam’ on this 43-mile Bay area classic.

Author: Bicycling Magazine
Date: 27 Jan 2009 6:51:50 PM
Activity: Bicycling
State: California (CA)
Distance: 43.04 mi  (Change units)
Elevation: Total Gain: 6186 ft
Total Loss: 6186 ft
Net Change: 0 ft
Difficulty: 8 / 10
Tags: Mountain Biking, San Francisco, Mt. Tamalpais State Park, California, Sausalito
Rating:   1 rating(s) Rate it

Almost a rite of passage for Bay area cyclists, ‘Mount Tam’ (short for Tamalpais) beckons to local climbers from across the Golden Gate Bridge. Depart from the Sports Basement parking lot (a popular local meet-up), and navigate the new bike path that guides cyclists over the Golden Gate. Once across, cruise down Alexander Drive for an exhilarating (sometimes pedestrian-dodging) glide through Sausalito proper.

Once the ride hits Mill Valley (around mile 11), the route begins a winding and gentle climb into Mount Tamalpais State Park. Climbing the Panoramic Highway, enjoy treetop views before you hit the climb’s shelf (and a brief climbing respite) near the state park Ranger Station at mile 14. At Trojan Point, 4.5 miles up the road, the full expanse of the Pacific seems to open up as the road makes a broad switchback up the spine of Mount Tam. Keep pushing past West and Middle Peak up to the East Peak summit overlook. There you’ll enjoy stillness and solitude while overlooking the azure San Francisco Bay. Descend with caution and savor the return trip over the Golden Gate way below.

-Mapped by Pete Ferguson

TO TRAILHEAD: The ride departs from the Sports Basement parking lot on Mason St.

Position Format: Datum:
Tracks

Mount Tam Frontside

Dist: 43.04 mi Points: 1311
Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Distance Instruction   Distance to next
0.03 mi Turn Left Old Mason St. Then go 0.49 mi
0.52 mi Bear Right Crissy Field Ave. Then go 0.17 mi
0.70 mi Straight Lincoln Blvd. Then go 0.23 mi
0.93 mi Straight Get on Bike path Then go 0.29 mi
1.21 mi Cross bridge Then go 1.72 mi
2.93 mi Bear Left Then go 0.03 mi
2.96 mi Straight Then go 0.10 mi
3.07 mi Bear Right Then go 0.03 mi
3.10 mi Bear Left Sausalito Lateral/Alexander Drive Then go 0.84 mi
3.94 mi Straight Sausalito Lateral Then go 0.40 mi
4.34 mi Bear Left South St. Then go 0.10 mi
4.44 mi Turn Right 2nd St. Then go 0.20 mi
4.64 mi Turn Right Richardson St. Then go 0.05 mi
4.69 mi Bear Right Bridgeway Blvd. Then go 2.34 mi
7.03 mi Bear Right Onto bike path Then go 1.46 mi
8.49 mi Bear Left Then go 0.02 mi
8.50 mi Straight Miller Ave. Then go 1.89 mi
10.40 mi Turn Left Throckmorton Ave. Then go 0.29 mi
10.69 mi Turn Left Cascade Dr. Then go 0.07 mi
10.76 mi Turn Right Cascade Dr. Then go 0.42 mi
11.18 mi Marion Ave. Then go 0.86 mi
12.04 mi Turn Right Edgewood Ave. Then go 0.31 mi
12.36 mi Bear Left Walsh Dr. Then go 0.12 mi
12.47 mi Bear Left Sequoia Valley Rd. Then go 0.69 mi
13.16 mi Turn Right Panoramic Hwy Then go 4.48 mi
17.64 mi Bear Right Pan Toll Rd./Mountain Theater Rd./ South Side Rd. Then go 1.42 mi
19.06 mi Turn Right Bolinas Ridge Rd. Then go 1.21 mi
20.27 mi Bear Right Then go 1.44 mi
21.71 mi Bear Right Ridgecrest Blvd. Then go 0.28 mi
21.99 mi Stop Then go 8.83 mi
30.82 mi Straight Continue on Panoramic Hwy Then go 0.76 mi
31.58 mi Turn Left Shoreline Hwy. Then go 2.70 mi
34.28 mi Turn Right Shoreline Hwy. Then go 0.70 mi
34.98 mi Bear Left bike path Then go 0.72 mi
35.70 mi Bear Right Bridgeway Blvd. Then go 2.40 mi
38.10 mi Turn Left 2nd St. Then go 0.20 mi
38.30 mi Turn Left South St. Then go 0.10 mi
38.39 mi Bear Right Alexander Ave. Then go 1.23 mi
39.63 mi Bear Right Golden Gate Recreation Area Then go 0.05 mi
39.67 mi Bear Left Then go 0.16 mi
39.84 mi Bear Left Cross bridge Then go 1.98 mi
41.81 mi Straight Lincoln Blvd. Then go 0.21 mi
42.02 mi Bear Right Lincoln Blvd. Then go 0.21 mi
42.23 mi Turn Left Cowles St. Then go 0.13 mi
42.36 mi Turn Left McDowell Ave. Then go 0.06 mi
42.42 mi Turn Left Crissy Field Ave. Then go 0.08 mi
42.49 mi Turn Right Old Mason St. Then go 0.51 mi
43.01 mi Turn Right

Points of Interest

Sports Basement

Location: 37.803053°, -122.460115°
Stock up on supplies, or rent a bike at Sports Basement. The parking lot is a popular meet-up for local cyclists heading across the Bridge or down Highway 1. © Pete Ferguson

Bike Path to the Bridge.

Location: 37.805851°, -122.469578°
A newly constructed bike path guides cyclists up to and across the Golden Gate Bridge.

Golden Gate Views

Location: 37.808428°, -122.477818°
On clear days, Bay views from the Gold Gate Bridge are epic, to say the least. © Pete Ferguson

Skyline Views

Location: 37.853303°, -122.478826°
As the route enters Sausalito, look east across the Bay for postcard-worthy views of the San Francisco Skyline.

Mike's Bikes

Location: 37.872753°, -122.505026°
Another great place to meet up with riders and pick up last minute supplies. Stay right of Highway 101 and hop on the wide bike path.

Mill Valley

Location: 37.904387°, -122.546654°
There are a variety of coffee shops in Mill Valley that local cyclists use as starting points for this climbing route. © Pete Ferguson

Old Mill Park

Location: 37.905030°, -122.552919°
Old Mill Park offers a last-chance opportunity to use a restroom and top off your bottles before the climbing begins in earnest. © Pete Ferguson

Mount Tamalpais State Park Ranger Station

Location: 37.903981°, -122.604332°
About midway up the climb, the road levels off for a brief bit before the final 4 miles of climbing (which pitch up to a 5 % grade).<p>Stop here for water, restrooms, and directions (if you need them).

Mount Tam Summit

Location: 37.926461°, -122.586479°
Soak in bay views at the summit before continuing east to the end of Ridgecrest Boulevard for the turnaround. © Pete Ferguson

Shorline Route 1

Location: 37.881086°, -122.537727°
This is one option for the descent.

A Taste Of Rome

Location: 37.861980°, -122.490177°
Stop here on the return trip and reward yourself with a mocha and maybe even some stroudle. © Pete Ferguson

The Panoramic Highway

Location: 37.893550°, -122.557383°
Turn onto the Panoramic Highway and continue climbing above the treetops of Mount Tamalpais State Park. On the return trip, you'll continue straight here on Panoramic Highway, taking a more direct route to Marin City down Shoreline Highway.

Trojan Point

Location: 37.904387°, -122.613688°
Just before the road makes a broad switchback turn up the spine of Mount Tam, a pull-off here offers expansive Pacific Views.

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