SAN FRANCISCO
TO SACRAMENTO
131 MILES / 5,530 FEET
Travel between Sacramento and San Francisco via the Golden
Gate Bridge.
Sacramento Valley, Coast
Range, Marin County, Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park.
Sacramento: mile 13.5 of the American River Bike Trail, William Pond Recreation Area, Carmichael, CA
Travel to the intersection of Arden Way and Fair
Oaks Blvd in Carmichael, CA (immediately east of Sacramento).
Park in the Five Points
parking lot (SE corner of Arden Way & Fair Oaks Blvd, away from
retail outlets) or on Arden Way, west of restricted parking. Mile 13.5 is at the intersection
of the American River Pkwy Bike Trail and the Arden Way access path.
San Francisco: windmill in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA
The windmill is located at the northeast corner of
the intersection of Bernice Rodgers Way and the Great Highway in
Golden Gate Park. Park wherever legal
and secure.
Climbing: 5,530 - 5,675 feet. The climbing is not remarkably difficult. Highway 121 between Highway 128 and Napa is the most difficult climb.
Difficulty: moderate. Although the climbing is not extraordinary, this is a long ride. Allow sufficient time to complete during daylight hours (night biking would be hazardous in Marin County & San Francisco).
Risks: Urban cycling (moderate but generally not bad). Boat trailers on Highway 128. Highway 121 somewhat twisty and narrow. Two narrow bridges on Highway 37. Section of Hwy 121-Hwy 12 narrow and without shoulder (scary).
The two courses are virtually identical except for different streets passing through the cities of Sacramento, San Rafael, and San Francisco.
