San Francisco, with its winding roads and sweeping views, boasts some of the most fun (and challenging) motorcycle riding in the west.
Renowned for its Golden Gate Bridge, booming Chinatown, hip Mission District, and more, it’s a great place to visit on two wheels, and renting a motorcycle in San Francisco is a great way to do it. Read on to learn about:
- Renting a Motorcycle in San Francisco
- Best Motorcycle Rides in San Francisco
- San Francisco’s (Fickle) Weather & Riding
- San Francisco Motorcycle Rules & Tips
- Preparing For Your San Francisco Ride
Where to rent a motorcycle in San Francisco
Motorcycle rentals in San Francisco are simple to obtain from Twisted Road due to a large selection that includes everything from Harleys and Hondas to Triumphs and Ducatis.
All of our bikes are privately owned by riders who love bikes just as much as you (and we) do—we connect them with riders who want to rent their bike, and we provide insurance that covers both damage and liability. (You’ll also have the option to purchase additional damage and liability coverage at checkout.)
We rent to riders with a current and valid motorcycle endorsement on their license, and we allow riders from all over the world. If it’s your first time renting from Twisted Road, you can rest assured that we’re the most trusted motorcycle-sharing service; in fact, 97% of our reviewers gave us 5-star ratings. (Check out our Twisted Road review page to hear from our riders and see why we’re your best source for a motorcycle rental in San Francisco!)
Best Motorcycle Rides in San Francisco
There are lots of great motorcycle day trips in San Francisco. Did we mention the Golden Gate Bridge? Riding across such an icon is an iconic experience on two wheels. The city itself offers a variety of neighborhoods worth exploring. We also suggest these San Francisco-adjacent rides:
- Marin Headlands
- La Honda Road
- Skyline Boulevard
- Big Basin
Motorcycle Hangouts in San Francisco
Alice’s Restaurant—Alice’s Restaurant has been there since the 50s, and is a legendary motorcycle spot. (It was named after the Arlo Guthrie song, not the other way around, but it’s become iconic all on its own.)
It’s a fab, rustic little spot nestled in the redwoods, so it’s an ideal stop after a ride through the surrounding mountain roads. They have breakfast, burgers, and BBQ, as well as a bar (please only have a drink if you’re going to be off the bike long enough for it to be safe.) Don’t forget to leave room for a slice of their homemade pie!
Zeitgeist—Arguably the most famous "biker bar" in San Francisco is Zeitgeist (199 Valencia St., San Francisco, has been a destination for local and visiting riders of all stripes for decades. It has a massive outdoor beer garden, craft brews on tap and cooked-to-order burgers and fries. Oh, and the place is also sort of famous for throwing people out… so—we know we don’t have to tell you this—be nice. :)
Moto Guild—This place is a unique, really great concept. It’s basically a garage with cool, talented mechanics to support motorcycle knowledge to DIY-oriented owners. Moto Guild is a great place to hang out and ask your moto questions, chill with some other bike enthusiasts, or take a class to learn how to do general or specific things on your own bike back at home!
San Francisco’s (Fickle) Weather for Motorcycle Riding
San Francisco’s temperate—though often unpredictable—weather offers more riding days than other seasonal, winter-racked locales.
The City by the Bay derives its unique climate from the bay itself, as well as all of those infamous hills. In fact, within the city, you’re likely to experience a phenomenon called “microclimates.”
Over 50 hills and cool ocean currents create varied weather throughout the city. Luckily, as is often said about SF: if you don’t like the weather, walk a few blocks. We say ride those few blocks.
San Francisco Motorcycle Rules & Tips
As always, it’s important to ride safely. In San Francisco, that means watching out for potholes, slippery train and cable car tracks, and cars turning from the middle lane. The many one-way city streets mean you’ll need to pay special attention to signage.
When parking, your best bet is to find a garage spot. San Francisco doesn’t allow sidewalk parking, and you’ll likely end up with your bike on its side if you park between cars. The city is moto-friendly and has some designated motorcycle parking spots around the city.
However, the biggest challenge to riding in San Francisco is the steepness of many streets. You’ll have to get comfortable using your rear brake to avoid sliding back down the hill you’ve climbed (or into a vehicle behind you.)
It’s also important to note that California allows lane-splitting—before you try it, though, make sure to read our Motorcyclist’s Guide to Lane Splitting.
Preparing For Your San Francisco Moto Ride
Because of the sway of the weather in the Golden Gate City, you’re going to want to layer, layer, layer. One minute, it’s winter, and the next, it’s summer. That means, in addition to your armored jacket, helmet, gloves, and sturdy moto boots, it’s a good idea to have some rainproof clothing. Check out our article on traveling with gear before you leave.
If you are not traveling with your protective gear, please let us know, and we can work with the owner to try to find local options for you. Often, owners are more than happy to lend their gear to fellow riders.
Make sure you don’t forget to check out our San Francisco Bay Area Motorcycle Riders’ City Guide.
Live in San Francisco? Earn Extra Money Renting Out Your Motorcycle
As one of the leading peer-to-peer motorcycle rental marketplaces, Twisted Road makes it easy for owners and riders to connect and negotiate rental terms on a bike with one another.
Plus, all owners earn 70% of profit, which means accruing total earnings of $1,000 will return $700 to your pocket. It's an excellent deal in a world where it's often 50/50 or worse.
