Bike rides in California

Explore 21 rail-trail, greenway and park ride options in California, with route lengths, surfaces, access notes and starting locations. These are selected recreational outings, not an exhaustive trail inventory. Read each guide’s scope and access cautions before choosing a ride.

21 ride guides · alphabetical order

• Alameda Creek — Beard staging area out-and-back

  Fremont

  2.0 mi · Out-and-back

  Paved south-bank shared-use trail

  This short outing follows the paved south bank of Alameda Creek from Beard Staging Area toward Alvarado Boulevard, then returns along the same path. Expect approximately 1.8–2 miles of riding, plus your walked parking approach. It offers a manageable taste of the creek corridor without committing to the entire route to the bay.

• Alameda Creek — Beard to Decoto paved return

  Fremont

  2.2 mi · Out-and-back

  Paved south-bank path

  An approximately 2.2-mile out-and-back on the paved south bank of Alameda Creek. This short ride stays west of the work affecting the Isherwood staging area and the eastern trail. The manager describes the paved south-bank path as flat and suitable for bicycles. Wind, busy shared-path traffic and occasional grit can still affect the ride.

• American River Trail short west return from William B. Pond

  Carmichael / Sacramento

  Up to 2 miles · Out-and-back

  Paved multi-use trail

  Join the main Jedediah Smith / American River bicycle trail and head west, downstream toward the mile-13 / Harrington direction. Remain on the paved through-trail rather than circling the fishing pond or crossing Harold Richey Bridge to River Bend. Turn after one outward mile, before a public-road crossing, barrier or unsuitable section, whichever comes first, then retrace. Walk lot and access-drive interfaces. No bridge-bank switch, street detour or Discovery Park visit is part of this outing.

• Big Break short paved regional-trail return

  Oakley

  Up to 2 miles · Out-and-back

  Paved regional trail

  Follow the signed paved Big Break Regional Trail east toward its bridge and Marsh Creek connection. Use the broad paved route, cross only an open bridge at a comfortable pace, and continue no more than one outward mile. Turn earlier at a barrier, public-road crossing or uncomfortable bridge approach, then retrace. Exclude the narrow Levee Top Trail marked No Bicycles, the fishing pier, kayak launch, visitor-center plazas and park-boundary land without access.

• Bizz Johnson short rail-trail return from Susanville

  Susanville

  Up to 2 miles · Out-and-back

  Compacted aggregate / gravel railbed

  Follow the broad Bizz Johnson railway west from the Caboose trailhead toward Hobo Camp. Turn after one outward mile, before a road/drive crossing, work or rockfall barrier, or unsuitable gravel, whichever comes first. Retrace. Do not approach the historic slide about three miles west, continue into the canyon tunnels or take the Southside singletrack detour. Stay on the railbed and walk any busy or slippery bridge approach; shorten for snow, mud or loose gravel.

• Bolsa Chica — state beach oceanfront return

  Huntington Beach

  5.8 mi · Out-and-back

  Asphalt

  An approximately 5.8-mile out-and-back ride on the paved oceanfront bike trail within the state beach. The state describes this section as flat and accessible. It is a busy shared path: expect people walking between parking lots and the beach, and occasional sand on the pavement. Coastal wind can make the return feel quite different.

• Contra Costa Canal Trail — Heather Farm Field3: short bicycle return

  Walnut Creek

  Up to 2 miles return · Out-and-back

  Paved designated canal bicycle trail

  Follow the signed main path west along the designated paved Contra Costa Canal Trail toward the Iron Horse junction. Turn after 1 outward mile or before the first public-road crossing, work barrier, uncertain continuation or uncomfortable transition, whichever comes first; retrace. Walk any initial lot or access-drive interface. Do not use a road or private-property detour.

• Crissy Field short shoreline promenade return

  San Francisco

  Up to 2 miles · Out-and-back

  Compacted decomposed granite with a wood creek bridge

  Head west along the broad shoreline multi-use promenade toward the Golden Gate Bridge and Warming Hut, with the bay on your right. Walk the marsh-inlet wood bridge if busy, slippery or uncomfortable. Turn after one outward mile, before a barrier, road crossing or unsuitable section, whichever comes first, then retrace. Do not climb toward the Golden Gate Bridge or make a road loop on Mason Street. The narrow lagoon boardwalks and piers are excluded and may prohibit bicycles.

• Crown Beach short shoreline return from Otis Drive

  Alameda

  Up to 2 miles · Out-and-back

  Paved shoreline bicycle path

  Head southeast along the paved beach bicycle path toward Shoreline Drive, Grand Street and Willow Street, with the bay on your right. Turn after one outward mile or before a public-road crossing, barrier or uncomfortable access, whichever comes first. Return with the bay on your left. Stay on the shoreline bike path; do not enter the bird sanctuary, sand, visitor-center pedestrian areas or take the Bay Farm bridge extension.

• Golden Gate Park: JFK Promenade car-free return

  San Francisco

  About 3 miles · Out and back

  Paved park drive

  Follow the car-free JFK Promenade west to Transverse Drive and return on the same promenade. Cross intersections only as signed; do not continue onto streets open to private cars.

• Half Moon Bay: Coastside Trail north from Francis Beach

  Half Moon Bay

  Up to 2 miles · Out-and-back

  Asphalt path with possible wood bridge sections

  Head north on the signed Coastside hike/bike trail toward Venice Beach. Turn at one outward mile, before a public-road crossing, a work barrier or an uncomfortable bridge approach, whichever comes first. Retrace. Stay on the improved bicycle trail, east of the camping area. Exclude the parallel dirt horse trail, sand access ramps, campground roads and Roosevelt Beach / Pullman Ditch construction farther north.

• Hellyer — Cottonwood Lake short loop

  San José

  0.6 mi · Loop with return parking approach

  Paved shared paths

  A short, approximately 0.6-mile outing on paved shared paths around Cottonwood Lake, including the mapped approach from public lake parking. This is a relaxed lap for riders who want a small circuit rather than a long trail ride.

• Huntington — state beach paved return

  Huntington Beach

  3.8 mi · Out-and-back

  Asphalt

  An approximately 3.8-mile out-and-back ride on the paved oceanfront bike trail within the state beach. The state describes this section as flat and accessible. It is a busy shared path: expect people walking between parking lots and the beach, and occasional sand on the pavement. Coastal wind can make the return feel quite different.

• Iron Horse short north return from Stone Valley

  Alamo

  Up to 2 miles · Out-and-back

  Paved rail-trail

  Once on the northbound Iron Horse Trail, follow the main paved railbed toward Livorna Road and Walnut Creek. Turn before the Livorna Road crossing, after one outward mile or at an earlier barrier or uncomfortable section, whichever comes first. Retrace and walk the staging connection again. Do not ride roadway lanes or extend to downtown Walnut Creek, Treat Boulevard / Schroder Bridge or the Danville I-680 work area.

• Lafayette-Moraga — St. Mary's to Commons return

  Moraga

  2.3 mi · Out-and-back

  Paved

  An approximately 2.3-mile out-and-back on the paved Lafayette-Moraga Regional Trail between the St. Mary's Road staging area and Moraga Commons. The district describes this rail trail as flat and wheelchair accessible. This is a shared suburban path, with local street and driveway junctions that require attention.

• Marsh Creek short south return from Cypress staging

  Oakley

  Up to 2 miles · Out-and-back

  Paved creekside regional trail

  Follow the paved Marsh Creek Regional Trail south toward Delta Road, keeping to the main creek course. Turn before entering the Delta Road crossing, at one outward mile or at an earlier barrier or unsuitable section, whichever comes first. Retrace. If reaching the southbound path requires an unsafe or closed access, postpone. Do not follow city-street bike lanes, the Delta de Anza branch, unpaved extensions or a road detour.

• Martial Cottle short return on the northern paved trail

  San José

  Up to 2 miles · Out-and-back

  Paved park bicycle trail

  Head north on the signed paved perimeter Martial Cottle Trail toward Branham Lane. At the northern corner follow the main paved trail west beside the park boundary. Turn after one outward mile, before a public-road crossing, barrier or unsuitable section, whichever comes first, then retrace. Stay on the northern and eastern public bicycle course. Exclude the central Cattle Run connection with a retained closed GIS spur, farm/lessee parcels, service roads, the discovery-farm play area and hiking-only paths. This is not a whole-park loop.

• Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline — Swan Way paved return: short bicycle return

  Oakland

  Up to 1 mile return · Out-and-back

  Paved designated shoreline bicycle path; marsh boardwalk and fishing docks excluded

  Follow the signed main path along the signed paved shoreline bicycle path within the Swan Way / Arrowhead Marsh park area. Turn after 0.5 outward miles or before the first public-road crossing, work barrier, uncertain continuation or uncomfortable transition, whichever comes first; retrace. Walk any initial lot or access-drive interface. Do not use a road or private-property detour.

• Marvin Braude short beach-path return at Dockweiler

  Playa del Rey / Los Angeles

  Up to 2 miles · Out-and-back

  Paved coastal bicycle path

  Head south on the paved Marvin Braude beach bicycle path toward El Segundo, with the ocean on your right. Turn after one outward mile or before a public-road crossing, barrier, path end or uncomfortable section, whichever comes first, and retrace. Walk lot connections and pedestrian crossings. Do not add the marina / Ballona bridge, Washington Boulevard road section, beach sand, frontage roads or RV park circulation.

• McLaughlin Eastshore — Point Isabel Bay Trail: short bicycle return

  Richmond

  Up to 2 miles return · Out-and-back

  Designated paved Bay Trail main; not interior meadow walking paths

  Follow the signed main path north on the signed paved Bay Trail toward Richmond Marina / Hoffman Marsh. Turn after 1 outward mile or before the first public-road crossing, work barrier, uncertain continuation or uncomfortable transition, whichever comes first; retrace. Walk any initial lot or access-drive interface. Do not use a road or private-property detour.

• Mission Bay short shoreline return from Tecolote Shores

  San Diego

  Up to 2 miles · Out-and-back

  Paved shoreline bicycle / pedestrian path

  Head south on the main paved shoreline path toward the southern Tecolote Shores / Leisure Lagoon side, keeping the bay on your right. Turn after one outward mile, before a public-road crossing, vehicle-area entrance, barrier or uncomfortable section, whichever comes first, then retrace. Walk crowded playground and lot approaches. Exclude Fiesta Island roads, causeways, bridges, sand, resort shortcuts and a full Mission Bay circuit.