The best cycling routes around Santa Venetia

the typical boat houses north of San Francisco

Sausalito’s floating homes form a lively and unique community of over 400 houseboats anchored in Richardson Bay, just north of San Francisco. Originally emerging in the late 19th century as simple fishing huts and weekend getaways, these structures transformed over time into a refuge for artists, writers, and free spirits. After World War II, many abandoned materials from shipyards were repurposed to create imaginative residences, reflecting a deeply creative and unconventional way of life. Crafted from reclaimed wood, former ferries, and even repurposed streetcars, these homes became icons of counterculture living. During the 1970s, locals fiercely defended their alternative lifestyle in the "Houseboat Wars," a pivotal movement that safeguarded their place in Sausalito’s history. Today, these floating dwellings blend architectural eccentricity with bohemian charm, providing a relaxed, water-based way of life that thrives on creativity and strong community bonds.

The park pays homage to a 19th-century fishing village of Chinese immigrants who harvested shrimp from the bay. Much of the village has been preserved, and for a couple bucks you can pay to enter and explore the old town and pier.

This paved bike trail runs through the College of Marin Campus along the Corte Madera Creek. This is a great trail for students and commuters, as well as cyclists looking for a traffic-free shortcut through the area.

China Camp State Park sits along the shores of San Pablo Bay, with 15 miles of nature trails where hikers and bikers can enjoy panoramic waterfront views, wildlife, oak trees and open meadows. The Park surrounds a historic Chinese-American shrimp fishing village and includes several unique features. A museum is located in the Park to learn about its history, a café for snacks and drinks, a walk-in tent campground and picnic areas.

The Sausalito houseboat community is full of architectural gems and repurposed old working boats, and each is wonderfully unique. Bikes are not allowed on the dock, so you must park your bike to get a closer look; however, remember to be respectful when visiting, as these are residential homes, and you are close to someone's living space.

This bikeway offers a better alternative to the much busier Center Boulevard, which does not have a shoulder and an even better route than the Sir Francis Drake Blvd highway. Lansdale and San Anselmo Avenues are quiet residential streets that run parallel and provide a pleasant passage through town away from busy traffic.

Downtown Sausalito, known for its seaside charm, offers a small-town experience without traveling far from the San Francisco metropolis. It is an excellent place to grab lunch at one of the many restaurants and cafés boasting views of the San Francisco skyline or enjoy riding along Bridgeway as you browse the numerous souvenir shops, boutiques, and art galleries.