An easy 16-mile tour through Kensington, Normal Heights, Hillcrest and Mission Hills, crossing three footbridges. Stops for rest, snacks and regrouping.

• Have coffee before the ride at Kensington Coffee Shop on Adams Ave. at the southeast corner of Adams Ave. and Marlborough Dr.
  • Head west on Adams Ave.
  • Right on E. Mountain View Dr. and follow around as it becomes N. Mountain View Dr. and W. Mountain View Dr.
  • Right to rejoin Adams Ave..
  • Left on Campus Ave..
  • Right on Madison Ave.
  • Left on Maryland St.
  • Right on Lincoln Ave.
  • Left on Vermont St. to our first footbridge.
• Stop and regroup at the entrance to the footbridge.
  • Cross the bridge.
  • Right into the Ralph's parking garage and follow out to street.
  • At the traffic light, cross University Ave. to 10th Ave.
  • Right on Robinson Ave.
• Stop at the Juice Bar on Robinson Ave. between 6th Ave. and 5th Ave. Enjoy a refreshment and regroup.
  • Continue east on Robinson Ave.
  • Right on Front St.
  • Left on University Ave.
  • Right on Goldfinch St.
• The following series of turns may come up quickly as you tour Mission Hills.
  • Left on Lewis St.
  • Right on Ibis St.
  • Left on Montecito Way.
  • Right on Randolp St.
  • Left on Plumosa Way.
  • Left on Palmetto Way.
  • Right on Arbor Dr.
  • Right on Montecito Way.
  • Right on Hermosa Way, which joins Valle Vista St. and then Sierra Vista St.
  • Right on Ft. Stockton Dr.
  • Right on Pine St.
  • Right on Hortensia St. and loop back to Pine St.
  • Right on Pine St.
  • Left on Arista Dr.
  • Hard right on Marielouise Way just as Arista Dr. joins Presidio Dr.
  • Right again on Altamirano Way and loop around and join Presidio Dr.
  • Right on Presidio Dr.
  • Right on Cosoy Way into the Presidio Park.
• Stop and regroup at the Arbor on Cosoy Way at top of the Presidio Park.
  • Go back up Presidio Dr.
  • Left on Arista Dr.
  • Right on Ft. Stockton Dr.
  • Follow Ft. Stockton Dr. all the way to the Boulangerie at the southeast corner of Goldfinch St. and Ft. Stockton Dr.
• Park your bike and eat.

  The return trip will take you through Bankers Hill, named for the prominent people who once lived here. This is a four-block radius around First Ave. and Spruce St. Turn-of-the-century architect Irving Gill designed many of these homes and buildings. He is now recognized as one of the trend-setters of modern architecture and was aided by his partner William Hebbard and protégés Richard Requa and Frank Mead.

  • South on Goldfinch St.
  • Left on Eagle St. opposite 7-11 store.
  • Left on Dove St.
  • Right on Palm St.
  • Left on Curlew St.
  • Right on Spruce St. to the Spruce St. footbridge, a suspension bridge which was built to provide access to the streetcars that once ran along Fourth Ave. It was built in 1912 and is 70 feet above the canyon floor.
  • Cross the footbridge.
  • Right on First Ave.
  • Left on Quince St.
  • Cross the Quince St. footbridge, and follow Quince St. Balboa Park.
  • Right on Balboa Dr.
  • Left on Laurel St. and cross one more bridge.
  • Follow El Prado straight ahead to Park Blvd.
• Stop and regroup near the fountain.
  • Left on Park Blvd.
  • Right on Howard Ave. (by Boney's Supermarket and the Public Library).
  • Left on Alabama St. to MAMA'S Bakery and Deli.
• Stop, have a snack and regroup.
  • Go back down Alabama St. to Howard Ave.
  • Right on Howard Ave.
  • Right on Florida St.
  • Last optional stop at ice cream shop on the corner of Florida St. and Adams Ave.
  • Right on Adams Ave.
  • Follow Adams Ave. east all the way back to Kensington Coffee Shop.

Last update: April 26, 1996

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