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Ralston Bike Trail β San Andreas Lake loop from San Bruno
47.0km
02:16
610m
610m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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By Fede from komoot
Β·
Updated May 29, 2026
If you've ever tried to plan road cycling around San Bruno, you know how overwhelming the options can be. Sifting through countless routes to find the ones genuinely worth your time and effort can feel like a full-time job, and it's hard to tell the highlights from the filler. We get it β the last thing you want is to waste precious saddle time on a route that doesn't deliver.
That's where komoot comes in. Our community has mapped, ridden, and reviewed the best road cycling routes in San Bruno, so we've done the legwork for you. This guide is your curated shortlist, designed to save you the guesswork and point you straight to the rides that are truly worth your legs.
Road cycling in San Bruno offers a fantastic mix of terrain. You'll find everything from flat lowlands near the Bay to the rolling hills of San Bruno Mountain, with plenty of lake views and occasional bay vistas to keep things interesting. The region splits nicely into distinct zones, from the scenic San Andreas Lake area to the more challenging climbs of San Bruno Mountain State and County Park. Expect a range of difficulties, from easy spins to demanding ascents, and if you're here in spring, the wildflowers on San Bruno Mountain are a magnificent bonus.
If you only do one ride, we'd start with the San Andrea's Lake View β San Andreas Lake loop from San Bruno. It's a moderate 29.2 miles (47.0 km) that delivers extensive lake views and varied terrain, making it a local favourite. For something more challenging, the difficult Lake Merced β Twin Peaks - North/Eureka Peak loop from West Field Road, at 41.1 miles (66.1 km) with significant climbing, offers a rewarding workout and incredible panoramas. With over 2,100 road cyclists having explored San Bruno with komoot, you're in good company. Dive in and discover your next favourite ride!
Trail | Distance | Elevation | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ralston Bike Trail β San Andreas Lake loop from San Bruno | 47.0Β km | 610Β m | Moderate |
| Brisbane Lagoon β Point San Bruno Park loop from San Bruno Mountain State and County Park | 34.4Β km | 270Β m | Easy |
| Pacifica Beach Boulevard North β Pacifica Pier loop from Milagra Ridge | 19.9Β km | 300Β m | Easy |
| Lake Merced β Christmas Tree Viewpoint loop from West Field Road | 67.1Β km | 990Β m | Hard |
| San Andrea's Lake View β San Andreas Trail loop from San Bruno | 17.2Β km | 220Β m | Easy |
| Sneath Lane Trailhead β Sneath Lane Trail loop from Milagra Ridge | 12.2Β km | 280Β m | Moderate |
| Egg Rock β Devil's Slide β Gray Whale Cove State Beach loop from San Bruno | 71.0Β km | 1,020Β m | Hard |
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47.0km
02:16
610m
610m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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34.4km
01:40
270m
280m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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19.9km
01:03
300m
300m
The Pacifica Beach Boulevard North β Pacifica Pier loop from Milagra Ridge offers a fantastic road cycling experience with dramatic coastal scenery. You'll start with expansive views from Milagra Ridge, looking out over the Pacific Ocean towards the Pacifica Pier and Mori Point, before descending to cycle along the oceanfront. The route blends paved roads and coastal paths, providing a diverse ride with plenty of opportunities to soak in the ocean air and potentially spot whales near the pier.
This easy 12.4-mile (19.9 km) loop, with 976 feet (297 metres) of elevation gain, is designed to be completed in about 1 hour and 2 minutes. Parking is available at Milagra Ridge, making it a convenient starting point. While the route is considered easy, the Pacifica area is known for its varied terrain, so be prepared for some gentle climbs and descents. Spring, particularly March and April, is a great time to visit when Milagra Ridge is covered in wildflowers.
Beyond the stunning views, this cycling route offers a glimpse into the area's history; Milagra Ridge was once a Nike missile site, with remnants still visible. The ride along Beach Boulevard provides direct access to the Pacifica Pier, a popular spot for whale watching. This loop is a great option for those seeking a relatively quick, high-reward road cycling experience in the San Mateo County area, combining natural beauty with a touch of local history.
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67.1km
03:22
990m
990m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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17.2km
00:49
220m
220m
The San Andrea's Lake View β San Andreas Trail loop from San Bruno offers a peaceful road cycling experience with stunning views of San Andreas Lake and the broader San Francisco Peninsula. You'll pedal through lush riparian woodlands, especially along the Sawyer Camp segment, which runs beside the Crystal Springs Reservoir, providing a serene escape from urban life. The route features mostly well-maintained paved surfaces, making it a smooth ride, though you'll encounter slight hills that add a bit of a workout.
This easy 10.7-mile (17.2 km) loop, with a gentle 729 feet (222 metres) of elevation gain, is typically completed in about 49 minutes, making it suitable for most fitness levels. Be aware that a short 0.7-mile section of the San Andreas Segment is gravel and not suitable for road bikes, so you'll need to plan for a detour. For a special treat, check out "Bicycle Sundays" when parts of the connecting CaΓ±ada Road are closed to cars, offering an even more expansive car-free cycling experience.
What makes this route truly unique is its location directly atop the famous San Andreas Fault, giving your ride a fascinating geological dimension. It's part of the larger Crystal Springs Regional Trail, which includes the popular Sawyer Camp Trail, connecting multiple lakes and woodlands. This area also holds historical significance, having been a campsite for the PortolΓ‘ expedition in 1769, adding a layer of natural and cultural heritage to your ride.
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12.2km
00:43
280m
280m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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71.0km
03:42
1,020m
1,020m
The Egg Rock β Devil's Slide β Gray Whale Cove State Beach loop from San Bruno is a demanding road cycling route that promises dramatic coastal scenery and varied terrain. You'll traverse rolling hills near San Bruno before hitting the iconic Devil's Slide Trail, a paved multi-use path offering panoramic ocean views and glimpses of Egg Rock, a sea stack known for its bird colonies. The route, rated difficult, covers 44.1 miles (71.0 km) with 3334 feet (1016 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 3 hours and 41 minutes.
Planning your ride requires attention to coastal conditions; strong winds are common, so check the forecast before you head out. While the Devil's Slide Trail is smooth, be aware that some connecting roads, particularly along Highway 1, can be narrow and busy, requiring confident cycling skills. Spring offers the added bonus of vibrant wildflowers and the chance to spot gray whales during their migration.
This loop is notable for transforming a treacherous section of Highway 1 into the safe Devil's Slide Trail, offering a unique blend of history and natural beauty. It showcases diverse ecosystems, transitioning from urban-adjacent landscapes to stunning coastal bluffs and beaches like Gray Whale Cove, making it a challenging yet highly rewarding experience for road cyclists.
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The road along the lagoon has wide cycle paths on both sides and low traffic into Oyster Park. It is however exposed to high winds so take care when riding. Smooth road right by the clear water in the shadow of Mt. Bruno make for a great bypass between SF and South SF that avoids the high traffic Bayshore Blvd and the hill.
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The coastline is now being somewhat fortified.
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Looking northeast down the hill, on a clear day you can see all the way out across San Francisco Bay to Mount Diablo.
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Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir is part of the Crystal Springs Reservoir system, and provides water to the San Francisco Bay Area. The area surrounding the reservoir is rich in biodiversity, home to rare and endangered species like the San Mateo thornmint and the Marin Dwarf Flax. While recreational activities on the water are restricted to protect the watershed, the adjacent Crystal Springs Regional Trail offers scenic views for hikers and cyclists.
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San Andreas Lake is a hidden gem tucked into the hills of San Mateo County, just south of San Francisco. Originally a natural sag pond formed by the San Andreas Fault, it was transformed into a reservoir in the late 1800s and now serves as a vital water source for the region. The lake is off-limits for swimming or boating, but you can enjoy its peaceful beauty from the San Andreas Trail or the popular Sawyer Camp Trail, which runs along its eastern edge. It's a serene spot where you can walk or bike with sweeping views of the water and surrounding hills, all while standing right on one of the worldβs most famous fault lines. Despite its proximity to urban life, San Andreas Lake offers a quiet, scenic escape steeped in natural and historical significance.
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San Bruno offers a diverse network of over 10 road cycling routes. These routes cater to various skill levels, including easy, moderate, and challenging options, allowing cyclists to explore the region's unique topography.
Yes, San Bruno has several easy road cycling routes perfect for beginners. For instance, the San Andreas Lake β San Andrea's Lake View loop from San Bruno is an easy 9.2-mile (14.8 km) trail that offers pleasant lake vistas and can typically be completed in under an hour.
Road cycling around San Bruno is characterized by rolling hills and extensive lake views, particularly around San Andreas Lake and Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir. Many routes also provide occasional glimpses of the San Francisco Bay, offering a mix of natural landscapes and urban fringes.
The road cycling loops in San Bruno vary significantly in length and duration. You can find shorter routes like the San Andreas Lake β San Andrea's Lake View loop from San Bruno, which is about 9.2 miles (14.8 km) and takes around 42 minutes. Longer, more moderate routes, such as the San Andreas Lake β Oracle Lagoon loop from San Bruno, extend to about 37.4 miles (60.3 km) and can take nearly 3 hours to complete.
The road cycling routes in San Bruno are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.7 stars from over 55 reviews. Cyclists often praise the diverse terrain, the beautiful lake views, and the mix of gentle gradients with more challenging ascents, particularly around features like San Andreas Lake.
Yes, for experienced riders seeking a challenge, San Bruno offers routes with more significant elevation gains. While most routes are easy to moderate, there is at least one difficult route available, providing a good workout amidst the region's rolling hills.
The San Bruno area generally enjoys mild weather, making road cycling enjoyable for much of the year. Spring and fall often provide ideal conditions with comfortable temperatures and less chance of extreme weather. Summer can be pleasant, though coastal fog might be present, while winters are typically mild but can bring rain.
Yes, several notable landmarks and natural attractions are accessible or visible from the road cycling routes. These include the scenic San Andreas Lake and Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir. You might also encounter parts of the Devil's Slide bikeway (old Hwy 1) or pass by San Bruno Mountain State & County Park.
San Bruno is well-served by public transportation, including BART and Caltrain, which can facilitate access to the general area. Many routes start or pass through areas that are reasonably close to public transport hubs, allowing cyclists to combine their ride with transit options. Check local transit schedules for specific bike-on-train policies.
While many routes focus on lake views and rolling hills, some sections of San Bruno's road cycling network do offer occasional glimpses of the San Francisco Bay. These routes often traverse higher elevations or areas closer to the coastline, providing panoramic vistas of the bay.
To find less crowded road cycling options, consider exploring routes during off-peak hours, such as early mornings or weekdays. While popular routes like the San Andrea's Lake View β San Andreas Lake loop from San Bruno can see more traffic, the region's extensive network means you can often find quieter paths, especially on routes that venture further into natural landscapes away from main thoroughfares.


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