All "Bike Rides" Stories in Southern CA
Switchbacks and Sweeping Views
A fierce workout and killer coastal views—that’s the fabled Rancho Palos Verdes Donut Loop. One of the best road rides in SoCal, this 24-miler is named for its shape—a loop—and not, alas, for any actual donuts along the way. You can begin anywhere and ride in either direction…
ViewRolling on the River
The San Gabriel River Trail is just as varied as the amazing metropolis it passes through in the course of 35 traffic-free miles between Seal Beach and Azusa, following the path of the San Gabriel River. Starting from the west, the first 27 miles are mostly paved and easy enough…
ViewBoomburb Brew
Well away from the LA hustle, the boomburb of Santa Clarita has nearly 80 miles of public trails ripe for exploring, including this 6-mile out-and-back along the Santa Clara River, featuring a midtrip coffee break. Park at the Iron Horse Trailhead and start on the Santa Clara…
ViewCascade Roll
Easy does it for this leaf-peeping, reservoir bike ride along the Cascade Trail near Nevada City. The 9-mile out-and-back pedal along the Cascade Canal Trail hugs the water’s edge, flanked by autumn-imbued golden big-leaf maple, native dogwood, and towering fir. The trail widens…
ViewBrew Bike
The Reno Brew Bike is a glory of human ingenuity in light of the city’s burgeoning craft brew scene: 6 to 10 people sit across from each other in a human-powered trolley, pedaling from pub to pub. Your itinerary is customized to what you want to drink and where you want to roll…
ViewWest's Best Bike Ride
It’s the crown jewel of biking trails, wending its way through wildflowers and by the banks of the rippling Sacramento River, with stunning mountain views along the way. You’ll also cross over one of the most famous pedestrian-only bridges on the planet (its sister bridges are in…
ViewAll the Ride Stuff
Car-free, paved, picnic-friendly, and paralleling the river, the American River Parkway–Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail is the perfect place for exploring on two wheels. The multi-use trail stretches 32 miles from Sacramento to Folsom, hugging the river most of the way and offering…
ViewPlaya Del Hooray!
All 22 miles of the coastal Marvin Braude Bike Trail are wonderful, but the 6.3-mile (one-way) stretch between Playa Del Rey and the Manhattan Beach Pier is for cyclists who like wide-open sailing more than a crowded boardwalk scene—a great stretch for a fast spin, or to get the…
ViewWestridge Lollipop
This is why we mountain bike! A bit of challenge, stupendous views (mountain and ocean), and some Cold War history are a few of the highlights on this ride in the Santa Monica Mountains. Along the way, you get a long steady climb, some quick descents, and a couple of high-heart…
ViewAlmost Easy
Yes, it’s almost easy! That’s the beauty of Sullivan Canyon, that rare mountain bike ride in the Santa Monicas that doesn’t blast right up steep slopes. For the first 3 miles, you’re so enchanted by the huge oaks and sycamores that drape across and shade the trail, you barely…
ViewRide Open Spaces
This five-mile fat-tire cruise in the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve is what mountain bikers call a middle-chainring ride—no extremes, nothing technical, but rather a gentle climb into the Simi Hills and a gentle descent on the return through an oak-studded…
ViewSeaside Cycle and Sip
Celebrate Mom with an easy Santa Barbara bike ride and all the trimmings—which include gorgeous beach scenery and samples of local vintages. Hop on the Cabrillo Bike Path at Stearns Wharf for a flat 4.4-mile (round-trip) oceanfront journey. As you start pedaling toward the harbor…
ViewElectric Company
New tech meets pedal power for a jazzy boost to your next scenic bike ride with family and friends. Rent an electric bike from family-owned Pedego Irvine Electric Bikes and tour Irvine’s network of paved bikeways. On this 10-mile loop ride, you’ll trace water channels, wind…
ViewDown by the River
The Santa Ana River Trail (SART) is SoCal’s premier multi-use recreation path. When completed, this coast-to-crest trail will offer 110 miles of traffic-free riding from Big Bear Lake to Huntington Beach. For now, there’s 50 miles to explore from San Bernardino to the Pacific…
ViewMountains to Sea Trail
Orange County’s Mountains to Sea Trail is no hyperbole. This stunning 44-mile route (round-trip) stitches together trails from the Santa Ana Mountains to Newport Beach, hugging concrete water channels and opening up to nature—and scenic loops—at either end. Don’t let the mileage…
ViewFall-filling Yosemite
A cool thing is happening in Yosemite National Park right now. The summer crowds are gone and the valley is alive with waterfalls … and the colors of fall. Time to get out of your car and explore Yosemite Valley by bike. A 10-mile car-free paved trail that loops around the valley…
ViewRiver of Bicycle Dreams
Cycling without having to worry about cars? Hooray! Cycling beside a gently flowing river through fall foliage? Double hooray! The Sacramento River Trail in Redding lives up to its reputation as a premier rail trail in the country: 17 miles of buttery pavement for bikes and…
ViewBig on a Bay View
Newport Beach is well known for having the biggest of things: homes, boats, egos (oh come on, you know we love you, Newport Beach!) … and the largest estuary in the area, which happens to be one of the top spots for hiking, biking, and bird-watching (no, you’re not too cool for…
ViewGlamp Camp
So your idea of camping is barbecues, beach cruisers, and better-not-have-to-pitch-a-tent? Say hello to Autocamp! (Or what we call Autoglamp.) Set right in downtown Santa Barbara, Autocamp in Santa Barbara has five vintage Airstream trailers renovated into rather luxe…
ViewSurfwood's Up!
Headlands, wetlands, lakefront, and tide pools: MacKerricher State Park in Mendocino County delivers nine miles of diverse coastline and a seaside gem for spending the night: Surfwood Campground is a laid-back oasis with 45 lush coastal campsites—including 10 secluded first-come…
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