San Francisco Vacation : Biking the Marin Headlands

My third visit to the city so far, and what a day it was! the first 2 visits were with my friends Matt & Jen, and they had been rather foggy... not chance for good views, though there's still plenty to do and see.


The view from Coit Tower looking westward on a foggy Saturday.. That's Lombard St., the crookedest street in the world, just left of center.

Today I headed into the city alone while Matt & Jen were working to get in a little biking. If I can't get out on 2 wheels, after a few days I feel rather lethargic. Besides, SF is the biking capital of the world (unofficially, of course).

...I expected fog today, all the weather reports predicted it. So I was going to bike the Presidio, or Golden Gate Park... places where the sights were up close and there was no vista for the fog to cover.

Imagine my surprise when I saw the sky as clear as a bell....

Change of plans. I have wanted to bike the Marin Headlands, and they're supposed to have the best views of the Bay, period. Today was my chance.



Here I am at the vista from the Spencer Battery, an artillery post that defended the Bay during WWII.... and there was much more hill to climb. In many stretches I was in first gear, but I didn't stop (except for photos, of course).

All in all the elevation change from where I started was about 1,500 feet. Then there is a HUGE drop off from Hawk Hill that is over a mile long. One fellow on a racing bike flew right by me (and I was going pretty fast too!), darting through each turn... he had to have done this plenty of times. There are only a few guard rails, sheer drops off the roadsides, and dozens of winding turns. Thank God they've made this a one-way street.


The long drop off from Hawk Hill to Point Bonita.

Three hours later, after many stops for side trips and photo opportunities, I made it back, muddy, a little sore, but I did it! I pushed my limits, challenged myself physically, and took on these hills I found big and intimidating. And I did it!

What an experience!