From San Francisco, gravel almost always starts with the Golden Gate Bridge, because the dirt is in Marin. One crossing puts you at the foot of the Marin Headlands fire roads, with the Old Railroad Grade on Mt. Tamalpais and the bayside trails of China Camp a little further on. Bay Area clubs posting gravel rides on RiderFinder are listed below.
Where to ride gravel near San Francisco
The Marin Headlands are the quickest dirt from the city. Over the bridge, fire roads like the Coastal, Miwok, Bobcat and Marincello trails climb and traverse the hills above Rodeo and Tennessee valleys, all open to bikes and all with the ocean somewhere in view. They link into loops of almost any length, which is why so many city gravel rides head here first.
For a longer day, take the Old Railroad Grade up Mt. Tamalpais. It follows the bed of the old mountain railway, so it climbs at an easy, even pitch from Mill Valley past the West Point Inn toward the East Peak. It’s dirt and loose gravel, the grade rarely bites, and the views open up the whole way: a gentle first taste of climbing off pavement.
When fog socks in the coast, head inland to China Camp State Park in San Rafael. Its fire roads and the wide Shoreline Trail roll along San Pablo Bay, open to bikes and more sheltered than the Headlands. The ground turns greasy right after rain, so give it a day or two to dry. Between the three, you can find dirt in almost any weather without driving anywhere.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I ride gravel near San Francisco?
Across the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin. The Marin Headlands have bike-legal fire roads like the Coastal, Miwok and Bobcat trails, Mt. Tamalpais has the Old Railroad Grade, a gradual dirt climb, and China Camp State Park in San Rafael has fire roads along San Pablo Bay.
What is the Old Railroad Grade on Mt. Tam?
A dirt road on the bed of the former Mt. Tamalpais and Muir Woods Railway. It climbs at a gentle, steady grade from Mill Valley past the West Point Inn toward the East Peak, which makes it a favorite first dirt climb: long, but never steep. It’s shared with hikers, so keep your speed down near the inn.
Can you ride a bike in China Camp State Park?
Yes. The fire roads and the wide Shoreline Trail along San Pablo Bay are open to bikes. The riding is rolling rather than steep and stays near the water, so it’s a good call when the Headlands are fogged in. Leave it alone right after rain, when the trails get slick.
How do clubs end up on this page?
Clubs show up when they’ve posted a gravel ride on RiderFinder or Strava recently, or have one on the calendar. A name alone never gets a club listed, so the list tracks the rides clubs actually post around the Bay.