Bay Area Ups and Downs

For adventurous cyclists, here are some of San Francisco’s greatest hills:

Strawberry Hill is an island in Stowe Lake, in the middle of Golden Gate Park. The half-mile trail, which begins on the north side, is not very steep but is unpaved. There is a fine view of the city from the waterfall at the summit, picturesquely framed by the tops of cypress trees.

Pacific Heights is a long ridge with the most expensive homes in the city on top. Ride east along Pacific Avenue, the southern flank of the Presidio. The multimillion-dollar mansions begin around Baker Street and continue to about Gough Street.

There are two pleasant hilltop parks to the south: Alta Plaza and Lafayette Park. Use Octavia Street (northbound) and Broadway Street (westbound) to return to the Presidio.

Telegraph Hill is the quintessential “old San Francisco” neighborhood, still packed tightly with some of its most unusual small houses. Turn off the Embarcadero onto Powell Street and then east on Lombard Street. Watch out for cars and tour buses as you wind up the hill to Coit Tower.

Buena Vista Park is a rustic mountaintop, thickly wooded and crisscrossed with trails both paved and unpaved. From Page Street, turn left at Baker Street, cross Haight Street and carry your bike up the short flight of steps into the park. Pick any route you like, but if you keep heading uphill you’ll reach a flat spot on top. With trees framing every view, the whole city is spread out below you.