San Anselmo’s surrounding geography provides bikers with a variety of options: whether you choose to conquer challenging ascents up Mount Tamalpais or cruise down long stretches along Muir Beach. You can take a historical ride along the “Crookedest Railroad in the World” or spend an afternoon of easy biking with the entire family. The San Anselmo area has plenty of scenic and exciting bike trails available any time of the year.
Just 20 miles south of San Anselmo is the Mount Tamalpais Scenic Railway known as the “Crookedest Railroad in the World.” This biking trail is known as the “Old Railroad Grade” and follows a route that was initially carved out for the railway, following 281 curves and the well-known Double Bowknot (a small area of the route where the track parallels itself five times to gain elevation). It begins at Fern Canyon Road and ends at East Ridgecrest Blvd. The length of this trail is 4.4 miles and has a few uneven surfaces. Horseback riders and joggers also use this scenic trail.
Only 11 miles southeast of San Anselmo is another rail-trail, which is much more gentle than the Old Railroad Grade trail. The Tiburon Historical Trail is only 2.6 miles long, beginning at Blackie’s Pasture and ending at the Tiburon Ferry Terminal. This trail is incredibly scenic, offering you sights of historical buildings and landscape views of the San Francisco Bay and Mount Tamalpais. No matter what season it is, bring the entire family; this trail is gorgeous all year round! Also called the Tiburon Bike Path, this trail is popular with walkers, joggers, bikers and inline skaters.
Roughly 15 miles south of San Anselmo is the Tennessee Valley Trail on Muir Beach. This is an extremely popular trail popular with families with young children. There are no vehicles allowed in the area, and there are many hikers and horseback riders who use the trail during the weekends. It’s an easy, breezy four miles with an elevation gain of 155 feet. The Tennessee Valley Trail takes you through an easy, scenic ride through a lovely valley before arriving at a quaint beach cove. This trail is family friendly and great to bike anytime of the year.
About 20 miles northwest of San Anselmo is the Bear Valley Trail at Point Reyes. The three-mile trail is in the heart of Point Reyes, beginning at the Point Reyes National Seashore Visitor Center next to Olema and continues out to the coast. The first two miles have a 300-foot ascent that is the most difficult of the trail. Turn the three-mile bike trail into a four-mile route, making the last mile on foot. Because of the short ride and beautiful scenery, this is a perfect trail to bring your hiking boots to do some exploring on foot. Point Reyes has several paved roads, a handful of single-track rails and many areas that are dog friendly. View trail maps of Point Reyes here.
Junior bikers can receive lessons, attend cycling clinics and even join the Whole Athlete Specialized Cycling Team, a non-profit program that is funded through the Velo Development Foundation for San Anselmo. Bicycle Works, located at the Yolanda Station on San Anselmo Ave., arranges bicycle rides, tours, workshops and classes for anything bicycle related. Bicycle Works is open from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday (closed Monday and Tuesday).
Address: 1117 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo, CA 94960
Phone: (415) 419-5831
Got the whole family in San Anselmo? There are plenty of fishing areas in San Anselmo that are great for family fishing. You can also check out local festivals and other events happening in San Anselmo here.