Electric Company

Biking Irvine California's trails on an electric bike

12.01.2016

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 through verdant passages, and enter an open space preserve. Along the way, the bike’s battery-packed saddlebags give you an electrical assist up to 20 mph. Starting from the rental shop in Woodbridge Village Center, head south on a dedicated bikeway over San Diego Creek Channel, cutting through a grassy park and along the east side of South Lake (with a brief detour along Springbrook South) until you hit East Yale Loop. Cross the street to continue south on Yale Ave., where an on-road bike lane bridges the 405 Freeway and connects to University Drive. You’ll enter Sand Canyon Wash across the street and head west.

Stay left at a fork to continue onto Turtle Rock Trail, which snakes wildly through parks and landscaped wooded corridors between Turtle Rock’s tightly packed cul-de-sacs. The bikeway curves onto Ridgeline Drive and at a row of eucalyptus, you’ll gaze out over an enchanting semi-pastoral landscape towards Laguna Coast Wilderness and Bommer Canyon. After a hill, you’ll hit Shady Canyon Trail and head east. This second half of the ride takes you into a more arid, natural landscape. Cactus and oaks line the path as you pass Shady Canyon Golf Club (where OC-native Tiger Woods plays when in town) and cut over hills above Shady Canyon Reservoir. Then the trail sends you hurtling downhill along Shady Canyon Drive towards Quail Hill, an open space preserve that attracts an array of wildlife, including the American kestrel and red-tailed hawk. You have the option to dismount here and hike a 1.8-mile loop trail into the preserve. After partially circling the hill, follow a pedestrian bridge back over the 405 Freeway and shoot northeast up Jeffrey Road to San Diego Creek Channel to return to the bike shop.

To reach family owned and operated Pedego Irvine Electric Bikes, take the I-5 or I-405 Freeway to Irvine and exit Culver Dr. From I-5 head southwest on Culver Dr., or from I-405 head northeast. Go south onto Barranca Pkwy. After half a mile, turn right into Woodbridge Village Center and park in the lot. For info on bike rentals, visit the bike shop’s website or call (949) 274-7944.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Perles Beach Angel Island San Francisco Bay

    Secret Beach

    A hidden beach and a killer view? Those are hard to come by, but that’s exactly what you’ll get at Perles Beach on Angel Island. Bike or hike to this beautiful pocket cove.

    View

  2. Cinematic Sonoma

    Longer days. Golden light. Wildflowers in bloom. It’s the perfect moment to plan your spring escape to Sonoma for the Sonoma International Film Festival, March 25–29. No fuss. No sprawl. Just films, friends, fresh air, and that unmistakable Sonoma glow.

    View
  3. Hike Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve

    Mellow in the Marsh

    Beach, birds, ice plant popping purple flowers: That’s a hiking slam dunk! Hike about 2 miles at Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve using their easy to navigate (well-signed) Sequoia Audubon Trail.

    View
  4. A man is looking through his binoculars at sunrise at the Bayland Nature Preserve in Palo Alto

    Baylands Bird & Art Loop

    Combine an outdoor art walk and wildlife sightings at the Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto. This 5-mile loop through Byxbee Park and the Emily Renzel Wetlands features striking installations by artists Peter Richards and Michael Oppenheimer—where the landscape itself becomes part of the canvas.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

  1. Tree Town

    Home to an estimated 21,000 trees and 100 acres of parkland, South Pasadena has earned its nickname: the City of Trees. This 2.5-mile neighborhood walk lets you experience its leafy canopy up close, winding through charming streets and three of the city’s beloved parks.

    View

  2. A Better Way to Baldwin

    The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook in Culver City is one of West L.A.’s most popular hiking spots, but most visitors miss the bigger picture. This 3.5-mile out-and-back along a section of the Park to Playa Trail offers a fuller experience of this gorgeous nature park with sweeping urban views and a few artistic surprises along the way.

    View
  3. Sponsored

    Warm Up to Winter in Reno Tahoe

    2026 is just getting started, but there’s one place already rising to the top as the best for adventure and relaxation: Reno Tahoe. The awe—and ahhhs—begin as soon as you arrive. G

    View
  4. A woman standing at the pond's edge at Ernest B Debs Regional Park in Los Angeles. Trees are making reflections on the pond.

    Urban Oasis Loop

    Home to the city’s Audubon Center, Ernest E. Debs' 282-acre park features a robust network of hiking trails and surprising wildlife diversity. More than 140 bird species have been spotted here. Birdwatcher or not, this 2.5-mile route makes for a gorgeous outing.

    View