Most Scenic Bike Climbs in the San Francisco Bay Area

#1
Mt. Tam via Alpine Dam
USA, CA
#2
Mt. St. Helena
USA, CA
#3
Geysers Road South
USA, CA
#4
Mt. Hamilton
USA, CA
#5
Hicks Road - Mt. Umunhum (south)
USA, CA
#6
King Ridge
USA, CA
#7
Tunitas Creek
USA, CA
#8
Welch Creek Road
USA, CA
#9
Mt. Tam via Panoramic Hwy North
USA, CA
#10
Alba Road
USA, CA

Climb List: Bay Area
(sort by distance, difficulty, elevation and more)

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Total Climbs: 10
Top 100 USA: 10
Avg. PDI (Top 5): 18.7

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51 - 75
76 - 100
over 100
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San Francisco Bay Area: Most Scenic Bike Climbs
United States (CA)
10 ROUTES
0 POIs
ROUTE STATS (TOTAL)
86.9
mi
DISTANCE
25,759
ft
ELEV. GAIN

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FULL SUMMARY

The most scenic climbs in the Bay Area: Top 5 clockwise from top left

#5 Mt. Umunhum; #1 Mt. Tamalpais; #2 Mt. St. Helena

#4 Mt. Hamilton; #3 Geysers Road

THE FIFTH MOST SCENIC CLIMB IN THE BAY AREA

MT. UMUNHUM SOUTH, SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Mt. Umunhum is Most Scenic #5 because:

  • There is very little traffic (perhaps not a pure “scenic” factor, but it does add greatly to the pleasure of the ride);
  • It is through wooded preserve land with zero residences or commercial buildings; and
  • There are spectacular views of the Silicon Valley from The Cube.

#4 BAY AREA MOST SCENIC

MT. HAMILTON WEST (SANTA CLARA COUNTY)

Cycling Mt. Hamilton - Lick Observatory aerial drone photo at sunset

Why #4 Most Scenic?

  • Great views of the Silicon Valley for the first few miles;
  • Maybe the greatest groves of oak trees on any bike climb in the Bay Area; and
  • Great distant views of the Santa Cruz Mountains, including the Mt. Umunhum Cube on a clear day.

#3 BAY AREA MOST SCENIC

GEYSERS ROAD, SONOMA COUNTY

IMG_1905.JPG

 

Why #3?

  • The greatest vineyard views in California’s Wine Country; and
  • Amazing views of the Alexander Valley.

#2 MOST SCENIC BAY AREA

MT. ST. HELENA, NAPA COUNTY

Cycling Mt. St. Helena - view of Mt. St. Helena across vineyards

Why #2?

  • An epic and challenging climb with minimal motor vehicle traffic for the first part, and zero traffic for the last half of the trip;
  • Begin in vineyards, climb through remote mountainous roadway adjacent to the palisades, and end at the highest point in the North Bay; and
  • The greatest 360 degree views in the Bay Area from the top.

THE MOST SCENIC BIKE CLIMB IN THE BAY AREA

MT. TAMALPAIS FROM ALPINE DAM, MARIN COUNTY

Why Numero Uno?

  • Of the five primary ascents to the top of Mt. Tam, this is the most scenic;
  • Begins at beautiful Alpine Reservoir;
  • Ride through redwood groves the first few miles;
  • Ride the ridgeline with some views of the Pacific Ocean and a glimpse of Mt. St. Helena to the north; and
  • For the last few miles of the climb, the most amazing views of San Francisco Bay and The City of anywhere.