Mastering the Motorcycle Mecca
The San Francisco Motorcycle Club, founded in 1904, is the second-oldest motorcycle club in the United States (Yonkers, NY, the oldest in the world, has it beat by just a year). And it's no wonder: The San Francisco Bay Area's mild climate, spectacular scenery and network of technical, challenging roads make
it a paradise for all kinds of riders, whether they're on cruisers, adventure bikes, sport bikes or scooters.
Where do you start? This guide will point you in the right direction.
Weather
The Bay Area is a collection of microclimates, so dress in layers! Even in the summer months, morning and afternoon fog can bring temperatures down into the 40s (4-9 C), but temperatures can soar into the 90s (32-37 C) or higher the same day.
Roads
Highway One: California Route One hugs the coast and provides spectacular scenery, especially along the San Mateo and Marin County coastline. It's breathtaking but treacherous! Keep the speeds down and watch for cracked, bumpy pavement.Skyline Boulevard: California Route 35, aka Skyline Boulevard, runs through the San Mateo mountains and joins Route 9, which takes you to Santa Cruz. It' a challenging mountain ride that winds through quaint towns like La Honda and Scotts Valley.
49-Mile Scenic Drive: This is the best way to check out all the scenic attractions the city of San Francisco has to offer. Laid out in the 1930s, you'll see it all, from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Cliff House, from the crazy turns of Lombard Street to Chinatown.
Food and Drink
Northern California is a foodie's dream. Take Highway One to Point Reyes Station and enjoy fresh local meats, produce and seafood at the
Station House Café (11180 Highway One, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956, 415-663-1515). For more downscale fare, be sure to try an original Mission Burrito, replicated but not duplicated by chain fast-food place Chipotle.
Get the real deal at Taqueria La Cumbre (515 Valencia St, San Francisco, 415-863-8205) or El Farolito (2779 Mission St, San Francisco, 415-824-7877). You will need a nap afterwards. You'll also want to hit up Chinatown (Chinatown Gate: Bush St. and Grant Ave., San Francisco) and try Dim Sum or fresh-
baked fortune cookies.
Bars
The most fabled "biker bar" in San Francisco is Zeitgeist (199 Valencia St., San Francisco, 415-255-7505). Originally a gay "leather" bar, it became the hangout of choice for bike messengers and motorcycle racers. It's still a lively scene, with a massive outdoor beer garden, craft brews on tap and cooked-to-order burgers and home fries. The Zeitgeist Bloody Mary is the stuff of legends.
Head down to the mountain town of La Honda and check out Apple Jack's (1 Entrada Way, La Honda; (650) 747-0331), a classic biker bar established when bikers rode horses, in 1879. It's right off of Highway 84, one of the most-fun two-lane roads in Northern California, and nearby is Alice's Restaurant (17288 Skyline Blvd, Sky Londa; 650-851-0303), where you'll see hundreds of motorcycles on the weekends, some of them the kind of rare, exotic and exclusive machines you'd expect in one of the wealthiest regions on the planet.
(Please don't drink and ride, okay?)
Shops
If you have gear needs, drop by SF Moto (275 8th Street, San Francisco, 415-255-3132, www.sfmoto.com). It sells and services most of the major brands and has an outstanding selection of riding gear at great prices.
Munroe Motors (412 Valencia St. San Francisco, 415-626-3496 www.munroemotors.com), established in 1959, is probably the oldest continuously operating Ducati, Moto Guzzi and Triumph dealership anywhere—Pat and Jim Munroe fixed Bonnevilles long after the original factory went bust. Friendly folks and expert service.
Ride safe, but keep it Twisted! And post your San Francisco riding experiences and questions below!
Bikes you can ride in San Francisco
