South of SF-- San Mateo county

A ride south, through the south bay, leaving SF and heading out along the great highway offers some beautiful, yet windy riding. Head south on skyline until you get to the bike path. Jump on the bike path until it ends and go under the freeway and continue on skyline --with a few zigzags until you get to sawyer camp. continue along the crystal springs reservoir until you get to Bunker Hill Dr. Take Bunker Hill to Polhemus Left on Polhemus until it becomes Crystal Springs Rd. This is when the wine tasting begins. First stop is at 231 Ellsworth. To get here veer right on 3rd st. and turn left on south Ellsworth. 231 Ellsworth should be right there. With such an extensive menu, I cannot recommend only 1 glass. Ask the sommelier on staff for a recommendation, and make sure you are there during their operating hours. From Ellsworth backtrack one block to san mateo drive and head north until you get to burlingame ave. Turn left on burlingame and right on primrose. The restaurant is called Stella Alpina Osteria. Here you can enjoy great wine and food if you're hungry. From here, head back to California Ave until you get to Millbrae Ave. Take a right on Millbrae and head to McDonnell. Take a left and it becomes airport, which eventually turns into Bayshore and you are back in the city. Next post will be a longer ride in the east bay!

Bicycling and Drinking through Marin

An Incredible day spent in the North Bay! Leaving SF, head over the Golden Gate bridge and into Marin. A beautiful ride takes you through picturesque Sausalito along the bike path into Mill Valley. After a quick stretch paralleling the 101 on a bike trail, you come to Corte Madera. Follow the road to Larkspur where you are ready for your first stop. Try a glass at Pizzeria Picco and Wine Shop which will be on your right side of Magnolia Dr as you enter the town of Larkspur. For a nice glass of white, try the Verdejo by Montebaco from Rueda, Spain. The perfect refreshment on a hot day. If, however you are looking for something not as cold, try a glass of the Marr Zinfandel or the Vistalba Malbec and Merlot blend. Depending on how far you want to ride, you can eat lunch here and turn around, or continue on through Ross, San Anselmo and Fairfax until you get to Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Continue through to Olema. Here you will find the Olema Inn with an incredible restaurant and place to find wonderful wine. I recommend the Delorimier Malbec if you are in the mood for red, or if you prefer something white, try the Arrowood "SaraLee's Vineyard" Pinot Blanc. From there continue south on Highway 101 until you get to the town of Stinson Beach. This is the last stop before you climb out and back to San Francisco...either over Mt Tam or along shoreline Highway. Stop for a bite and a glass of wine at the Sand Dollar Restaurant. The Pinot Noir by Saintsbury is a great option by the glass, or if you are ready for a bottle, the David Bruce from the Sonoma Coast is incredible. For a glass of white, try the Sauvignon Blanc "Saint Clair Vicar’s Choice" from New Zealand. Or if you are in the mood for a bottle, go with the Flowers Chardonnay from Napa. Now the hard part is making it back to San Francisco. It is about 25 miles back to SF either over the mountain or around it. Enjoy! Next ride will be shorter, I promise

Gears and Grapes Getaways, Inc

Welcome to Gears and Grapes Getaways, a blog about wine and cycling... the best places to enjoy both in California and around the world. For great ideas on restaurants with incredible wine lists, and awesome bicycle rides to get you there.

Gears and Grapes Getaways Inc is also a company based out of San Francisco that specializes in taking wine lovers cycling through the vineyards and bike lovers on incredible rides to incredible wineries. You can check out the company site at www.gearsandgrapes.com