Emily Weiner

Looking for a top-notch bike shop? San Francisco has plenty; finding a bike shop in the Bay Area is about as common as finding a techie on their phone. Finding one staffed with experts capable of trustworthy repairs is a little more difficult. Whether you’re a beach cruiser or fixie rider, these spots will have you cranking up hills on two wheels instead of four in no time. Aside from bikes, you'll find all necessary accessories, from helmets and locks to bags and reflective clothing. Most shops also offer tune-ups and repairs, and many organize community events as well. Come for a bike, stay for the buds—and at one of the shops on our list, even brews.

Whether you’re looking for some all-around family fun or needing—er… wanting—to drink the night away with friends, an evening of bowling is the perfect indoor solution to escape the rain, fog, or whatever weather San Francisco’s microclimates throw your way. With synchronized laser nightclub parties, iPad scoring (#soSF), and Food Network-famous burgers, Bay Area bowling is hardly mediocre. If there’s one thing to keep in mind: make reservations. Too many people, not enough lanes.

Find one person in the Bay that doesn’t like Sports Basement and we still won’t believe you. Not only can you find discounts on literally anything outdoor activity-related (the Mission location has four floors!), they have some of the best bike department and maintenance staff you could ever want. Don’t want to own a bike? Rent one! For some of the lowest prices around town, rent from their "Basically Free" pop-up shop near the Wharf and get your money back in store credit, or rent from the Presidio location and ride off straight into the Golden Gate Bridge sunset.

Beer and bikes in one stop—what more could you want? The folks her might judge you for bringing in your Burning Man bike, but they know what they’re doing on whips brought in by serious cyclers. While you wait, have a seat in the café which has a good selection of beer, coffee, tea and lots of food options. Warning: the café is cash-only and wifi-less, so no camping out with your laptop. The café side also has slighty different hours, so be sure to check the website before cruising over for a latte.

Wiggle Bicycles is appropriately named, as it’s smack-dab in the middle of the Wiggle, a one-mile, zig-zagging bicycle route from Market Street to Golden Gate Park for cyclists hoping to avoid the hills in the Lower Haight region. So when you’re in need of some tuning up—or a new bike altogether—in the middle of your ride, stop in for some of the nicest service in town. The mechanics here are the masters of discounts and the occasional on-the-house fixes, and they’ll explain their repairs and recommendations in as much detail as you can understand.

This non-profit shop has been in business for 22 years, which is no surprise for their never-ending stream of regulars. Not only do they have some of the most competitive prices in the city, they provide internships and job training for at-risk youth. They encourage donations (whether it’s a full bike or just parts) to build up their inventory of reasonably priced collections of refurbished used bikes. They’re also more than happy to help you custom build high-end bikes or help you choose from a vast selection of frames and accessories.

The guys and gals of Box Dog Bikes sure know what they’re talking about. Although their prices are on the higher side, this local shop is run by five passionate cyclers boasting high-quality products. They pride themselves on being an asset to the community, from organizing group rides to offering repair classes. They’re also regular volunteers with local organizations and donate parts to local student bike programs. Good work, team!

It might seem out of place to have a multi-paneled glass storefront on Market Street with beautiful hanging displays of high-end bicycles so close to the not-so-beautiful Tenderloin, but that doesn’t stop Huckleberry's loyal customers. Their repair turnaround time is phenomenal; sometimes you can hardly finish a game of Tetris on their old-school Nintendo before you’re good to go. Whether you’re looking for a new Cannondale (please try not to drool on it) or just need some new tubes, these guys will stick with you through all your needs and questions—even if you're just window shopping.

Shop owners Charlotte and Richard are exceptionally experienced, and they take priority in making sure their staff is up to speed and keep up with their warm, neighborhood shop reputation. They offer a lifetime of free tune-ups with every bike purchase, but depending on the task at hand, you might need to book an appointment, as repair schedules fill up about ten days in advance. They’re honest about the quality of their products and won’t oversell you when they see your inexperience glowing.

This retail store and repair shop are across the street from each other in super-hip Berkeley, so make sure you know which one you’re stepping into. Either way, this experienced co-op wants to make sure you love bikes as much as they do. Whether you’re a triathlete or a two-wheel newbie, they will work with you on repairs and show you how it’s done. Once you’re an expert, help yourself with the tools in their self-repair section.

In the heart of the Mission, Valencia Cyclery has a small storefront with their repair shop next door. It’s great for folks looking for a new pair of wheels, as they’ll let you test ride as many bikes as you want and make sure each one is properly fitted to you. Repairs and adjustments are on the pricier side, but they’ll work with you to get the result you need.

If you’re looking for convenience for a quick fix, we guarantee there’s a Mike’s Bikes within a few miles of you. With 10 locations around the Bay Area and two around Sacramento, they have their bases covered. There’s no shortage of selection within all price points, as anything can be shipped from their warehouse or between store locations. We recommend spending a little extra for a maintenance plan along with your bike purchase, which guarantees five years of unlimited tune-ups.

Finding anything in the Presidio is like finding a needle in a haystack, so who knew there was a quaint little bowling alley tucked into the trees? Although it’s a little hard to get to (and you might have to step out of your game to feed your metered parking spot), this hidden gem has a small-town feel with some serious techy upgrades you didn’t even know you wanted. For the selfie-obsessed, touch-pad screens take three photos of each guest, then copies each face onto animations that do things like cry after an embarrassing streak of gutter balls. With only 12 lanes, reservations are highly recommended. The chicken wings are a must-have, but if you’re lucky, Off the Grid might be hanging out in the parking lot to help you celebrate your turkeys (that’s three strikes in a row, for you newbs!).

If nothing else, the drive to Sea Bowl in Pacifica is worth the gorgeous seaside trip down Highway 1. Retro vibes, a billiards room, lane-side service and an incredible sunset view in the huge western-facing windows make Sea Bowl a classic California hangout. If you can’t catch their after 9pm specials on weekdays, the Astro Bowl on Friday nights is the place to be. Synchronized laser light show to the new Justin Bieber hit with glow-in-the-dark balls? Count us in. Afterwards, let the kids run out their leftover energy on the beach across the street while you catch some live bands at the adjacent Surf Spot Bar & Grill.