Cycling around on two wheels is among the best ways to enjoy San Diego’s scenery and stubbornly pleasant weather. The region is lined with numerous miles of paved, dirt, and mountain bike trails perfect for any cyclist. With your own bike, one from an e-bike rental shop, or even a bike share service there are more options than ever before to get your bike rolling.
Explore MISSION BEACH-PACIFIC BEACH BOARDWALK
Where: Ocean Front Boardwalk, South Mission Beach Jetty to Law Street
Neighbourhoods: Mission Beach and Pacific Beach
The stretch of pavement is a great place to walk and offers a variety of things to do. It has bars, beaches amusement parks, as well as a Pier. Bring a fishing rod and cast it off the jetty or Crystal Pier. Bring a blanket and locate a patch of sand as the sun sets towards the sky. Ride to the famous Belmont Park for a ride on the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster. Motorized vehicles aren’t allowed, and with all the foot, rollerblade and skateboard traffic do not expect to be in a hurry on your bike. This is the most epic California beach ride.
Cycle The PACIFIC Coast Highway
Where? Del Mar to Oceanside
It’s simple to cycle along the Pacific Coast Highway: Just load up your bike on the Coaster train, ride the rails for as long as you’d like, then pedal back. Eight stops let you modify your ride between San Diego and Oceanside. Southbound riding puts you on the side closest to the ocean to enjoy uninterrupted views. You can follow your thirst or hunger to countless places in easy bicycle rides from the highway in Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, or Del Mar.
TOUR NEIGHBORHOODS ALONG QUAINT ADAMS AVENUE
Where: Adams Avenue, between Park Boulevard and 42 2nd Street
Neighbourhoods: University Heights, Normal Heights, and Kensington
Three undeniably quaint San Diego neighbourhoods–University Heights, Normal Heights, and Kensington–are linked by a 5-mile stretch of Adams Avenue, perched on the mesa above Mission Valley. With lots of stop signs, traffic moves in a relaxed manner through an incredible variety of restaurants, coffee shops, bars, boutiques, and parks. Start where you’d like to. In this smooth ride, the most difficult part is choosing between the ramen, Vietnamese, or Thai. What about Mexican or pub fare or meatballs with a gourmet flavour? The best advice is to walk the tranquil, peaceful streets to the north of Adams Avenue to the many overlooks with stunning views of Mission Valley.
TAKE ON PENASQUITOS CANYON
Where: Black Mountain Road
Neighbourhood: Sorrento Valley
Get your adrenaline pumping along this trail that takes you along Penasquitos Creek to a year-round waterfall, and further. North of the Border Bike Shop along Sorrento Valley Boulevard, you will discover the trailhead. It’s possible to bike for 8 miles of moderate terrain in Penasquitos Canyon. This canyon was home to native Americans about 7700 years ago. Keep an eye out for bobcats, reptiles, and birds that migrate as you breeze through living oaks, sycamores and volcanic rocks.
CRUISE MISSION BAY BIKE PATH
Neighbourhood: Mission Bay & Beaches
Mission Bay boasts so many stunning beaches, why not take it all? This 12-mile flat almost car-free route is a paved path that doesn’t leave the waterfront. It is possible to stop for the plunge or have a picnic almost everywhere. Low tide is the best time to ride as the shorebirds will be busy. Visit the viewing deck at Kendall-Frost Bay Marsh Reserve to view the wetlands in good condition, then walk towards Crown Point Park for vistas of the city’s skyline.
MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK
Where: One Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego, CA 92119
Neighborhood Mission Valley and East County
Mission Trails Regional Park is an open space preserve covering 5,800 acres in the city of San Diego. Whether for an easy ride through Lake Murray or an expert-level mountain bike excursion, this 5,800-acre city park is a dream that is waiting to happen.
BAYSHORE BIKEWAY
Where: Starts at Coronado Ferry
Neighbourhood: Coronado, Downtown, and South Bay
The Bayshore Bikeway offers 24 miles of smooth, beautiful terrain that wraps around San Diego Bay. Half of the route is automobile-free and stress-free – so grab the kids and enjoy the outdoor activities in San Diego! You will enjoy exploring Coronado, Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, and the Silver Strand. Families with children are able to take another loop along safe and paved lanes although it does require the right skills and experience.
