Bob Jones Trail — separated paved return from Ontario Road
California · Rail-trail
At Ontario Road join the main paved Bob Jones trail toward Avila. Follow the separated creek-side path for up to one mile and retrace. Turn before the first shared traffic-road section or an earlier barrier; this guide does not continue along the quiet road near the golf course to reach the beach.
Plan your ride
- Location
- Avila Beach / San Luis Obispo · California
- Ride length
- Up to 2 miles return
- Ride format
- Out and back
- Surface
- Paved main multi-use trail; dirt edge strips and road extensions excluded
- Road crossings
- Yield to walkers and slow at junctions. Stop and look at every street crossing; do not use traffic lanes to bypass a closure.
- Elevation
- Mostly gentle creek-side course with a short hill near the golf course; bridge and road approaches need care.
- Starting location
- Bob Jones public Ontario Road trailhead, Avila Beach, CA
Selected maximum one mile outward plus the same return. The published 2.5-mile Ontario-to-beach course includes a short low-speed road section and is not the selected distance.
Published trail access-area reference, not parking. Walk the stated Ontario Road shoulder/crossing approach.
Bob Jones Trail — separated paved return from Ontario Road — detailed guide
Source review: 2026-10-22. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.
A selected outing on a documented improved bicycle route. Follow the stated public start and course.
Start and parking
Start: Bob Jones public Ontario Road trailhead, Avila Beach, CA.
Official tourism identifies the public trailhead parking across Ontario Road. The April 2025 access review describes one lot requiring a roughly 100-foot shoulder walk and a road crossing. Walk that approach cautiously under current signs; no riding in the shoulder or blind crossing is proposed. Arrive directly by lawful foot/bicycle access if the parking approach is unsuitable.
Ride and distance
Selected ride: Up to 2 miles return. Format: Out and back.
Ride: At Ontario Road join the main paved Bob Jones trail toward Avila. Follow the separated creek-side path for up to one mile and retrace. Turn before the first shared traffic-road section or an earlier barrier; this guide does not continue along the quiet road near the golf course to reach the beach.
Selected maximum one mile outward plus the same return. The published 2.5-mile Ontario-to-beach course includes a short low-speed road section and is not the selected distance.
Surface and effort
Paved main multi-use trail; dirt edge strips and road extensions excluded. Mostly gentle creek-side course with a short hill near the golf course; bridge and road approaches need care.
Crossings and shared use
Yield to walkers and slow at junctions. Stop and look at every street crossing; do not use traffic lanes to bypass a closure. Yield to pedestrians, keep right, and slow at blind corners. Stop at barriers; never use a traffic-road detour to bypass a trail closure.
Hours, costs and access
Use daylight and obey posted trail, park and parking hours. Follow current public visitor-parking terms; reserved activities and events have separate conditions.
Reviewed 2026-10-22. Official Avila tourism confirms the existing paved bicycle course and Ontario trailhead. County’s September 2026 project starts a separate northern gap segment near Octagon Barn; it does not complete a connection to Ontario Road. Follow current work signs and turn before any barrier. The April 2025 access review describes a brief merge with a low-speed road farther along; this shortened outing excludes that road segment. This is a source review, not a same-day inspection. Recheck the linked manager before travel.
Map and Directions
Use the named public start and its posted parking signs. The map reference identifies the facility or selected trail area; it is not a surveyed parking stall or navigable route line. Bicycle and e-bike rules can differ; only ordinary bicycle use is established unless noted.