Best motorcycle routes in San Francisco
Best motorcycle routes in San Francisco
Motorcycle Routes in San Francisco
San Francisco is one of the best starting points for motorcycle riding in California. Within a short ride from the city, you can access coastal highways, mountain roads, redwood forests, and some of the most iconic motorcycle routes in the United States. From the Pacific Coast Highway to the twisty roads of Marin County and the Santa Cruz Mountains, the Bay Area offers incredible variety for motorcyclists. On this page, you can explore motorcycle routes in and around San Francisco that have been saved and shared by riders using Detecht. These routes highlight real roads that local motorcyclists ride regularly. Many of these routes feature roads that are:
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twisty and technical
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scenic and iconic
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popular among Bay Area riders
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perfect for day rides and weekend trips
If you're looking for the best motorcycle roads near San Francisco, this is a great place to start.
Riding a Motorcycle Around San Francisco
San Francisco is uniquely positioned for motorcycle riding in multiple directions. Within 1–2 hours, you can reach:
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Marin County – coastal roads and mountain twisties
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Santa Cruz Mountains – forest roads and tight curves
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Napa & Sonoma – scenic vineyard routes
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Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) – world-famous coastal riding
This makes San Francisco one of the most diverse riding hubs in the United States. Many routes shared in Detecht begin in San Francisco and extend into these regions.
Local Favorite Motorcycle Roads in San Francisco
The Bay Area is full of legendary roads that are well known among local motorcyclists.
Highway 1 – Pacific Coast (North of San Francisco)
Heading north over the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway 1 offers one of the most iconic motorcycle rides in the world. Highlights include:
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coastal cliffs and ocean views
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sweeping curves
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access to Point Reyes and beyond
Mount Tamalpais (Mount Tam)
The roads around Mount Tamalpais are extremely popular among local riders. Here you'll find:
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tight technical curves
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elevation changes
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forest and mountain scenery
Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35)
Skyline Boulevard runs along the ridgeline of the Santa Cruz Mountains and is a favorite for Bay Area motorcyclists. It offers:
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long sweeping curves
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scenic overlooks
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connections to multiple side roads
Highway 9 – Santa Cruz Mountains
Highway 9 is one of the most well-known twisty roads near San Francisco. It features:
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tight corners
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forest riding
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elevation changes
Often combined with Skyline Boulevard for a full loop.
Lucas Valley Road
Located in Marin County, Lucas Valley Road is a hidden gem among local riders. It offers:
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smooth pavement
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flowing curves
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less traffic than more popular routes
Popular Motorcycle Roads Near San Francisco
Many motorcycle routes in the area are built around these well-known roads.
Highway 84 – La Honda Road
A favorite route connecting the Bay to the coast. Popular for:
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tight curves
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scenic riding
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connections to Highway 1
Grizzly Peak Boulevard (Berkeley Hills)
A short but scenic ride offering:
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views over the Bay Area
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quick access from the city
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popular sunset rides
Napa Valley Roads
Roads through Napa and Sonoma offer:
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rolling hills
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vineyard scenery
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relaxed cruising
Motorcycle Cafés and Popular Stops
Motorcycle culture in the Bay Area is strongly tied to iconic stops along popular routes. Some well-known gathering spots include:
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Alice’s Restaurant (Woodside) – one of the most famous motorcycle stops in California
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Bovine Bakery (Point Reyes Station) – popular stop along Highway 1
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Philz Coffee (various locations) – common meetup spot in the city before rides
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Half Moon Bay cafés – popular coastal stop after riding Highway 1
On weekends, these locations often attract large groups of motorcyclists.
Motorcycle Community in San Francisco
San Francisco and the Bay Area have a large and diverse motorcycle community. The region includes:
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sportbike riders
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touring riders
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adventure riders
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café racer and custom communities
There are also many local riding groups and meetups, as well as national organizations such as:
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American Motorcyclist Association (AMA)
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brand-specific clubs (Ducati, BMW, Harley-Davidson, etc.)
Many riders also use Detecht to share routes and discover new roads across the Bay Area.
Find Motorcycle Routes in San Francisco
The routes shown on this page are created by motorcyclists using Detecht. They represent real rides taken in and around San Francisco and highlight some of the best roads in the Bay Area. By exploring these routes, you can:
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discover new roads
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plan your next ride
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explore beyond the city
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find both short and long motorcycle routes
Scroll down to explore motorcycle routes near San Francisco and find your next ride.
Fast
Terrain
Curvy
Forest
Mountain
Water
Fields
City
Top Routes
- #1Sunol Peak
Eugene Pearson
Beautiful sunny day in California. Very windy… Recorded a bit of the hike as well.
Elevation
664 m
Distance
184 km
Est. Time
2 h 32 m
- #2SF to Yosemite - May Lake
Eugene Pearson
The only thing better than the road conditions is the scenery. Living the dream.
Elevation
2824 m
Distance
333 km
Est. Time
3 h 51 m
- #3🐣
Eugene Pearson
When you need fertilized chicken eggs, half Moon Bay feed and farm is the place to go!
Elevation
262 m
Distance
83 km
Est. Time
1 h 7 m
- #4The loop 4 to 88
SML
Elevation
2670 m
Distance
670 km
Est. Time
8 h 23 m
- #5🧗🏼♂️💪🏼🏍️💨
Eugene Pearson
Elevation
82 m
Distance
40 km
Est. Time
40 m 44 s
- #6Last year of winter commutes
Eugene Pearson
I love the low, golden light of Winter. Feeling reminded of my privilege and blessed to continue to be able to ride my stonewashed pearl chariot daily to work through the winter, and park in front of my classroom as a reminder of all my many blessings.
Elevation
97 m
Distance
10 km
Est. Time
13 m 40 s
- #7Picking-up Fertilized Eggs in Half-Moon Bay
Eugene Pearson
Oh, what a blessed life I live 🐣
Elevation
267 m
Distance
86 km
Est. Time
1 h 20 m
- #8SF to Mount Tam for Camping 🏕
Eugene Pearson
Elevation
429 m
Distance
31 km
Est. Time
31 m 40 s
- #9🥵 SF to Grass Valley via the Delta
Eugene Pearson
Don’t ever do this ride in the middle of the day when it’s 110°F out 🤦🏼♂️
Elevation
772 m
Distance
260 km
Est. Time
3 h 11 m
- #10🏠🏍️🌆🤤👨🏼🏫
Eugene Pearson
This morning commute scenery has been a blessing over the last 14 years of my life. I look forward to the new sky porn my new home. We’ll have for me after the move.
Elevation
96 m
Distance
10 km
Est. Time
12 m 32 s
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