Things to do / Travel Guide
Southern California's streets are overflowing with automobiles, but biking is becoming an increasingly popular recreational activity. Towns and cities throughout southern California that have grown more “cyclist-friendly” include Santa Barbara and San Diego.
Orange County
Between Laguna Beach and Laguna Hills in Orange County is the Laguna Niguel Regional Park, which is also home to the Aliso Wood Canyons Regional Park. A combination of city and country, the parks are a 5,000-acre outdoor area complete with many trails that, by virtue of simple existence, offer bikers lush views of the wide open spaces of the Laguna area. Generally, this bike route is not considered difficult for most riders.
Also located in Orange County is Crystal Cove State Park, home to the Moro Ridge route. Located in the San Joaquin Hills between Laguna Beach and Corona del Mar, this state park boasts rolling hills and pleasant green valleys, and it's also one of the very last stretches of open coastal land in Orange County. The Moro Ridge bike route is considered moderately difficult and runs for over nine miles.
Santa Barbara
In Santa Barbara bikers can take advantage of the Romero Trail. The trail runs within three miles of the beach, for the most part, providing bikers with a nice Pacific breeze blowing in off the ocean. From this trail, visitors can, on a clear day, get a clear view across the water to the Channel Islands. The Romero Trail, which runs for 13½ miles, is noted for being rocky in certain spots and is therefore considered mildly difficult.
Santa Monica Mountains
Running for 24 miles between the San Fernando Valley and the west side of Los Angeles are the Santa Monica Mountains. Near Tujunga you can find the Roundtop-Mount Pacifico biking trail. Considered a somewhat difficult and challenging trail, including steep climbs up hills and lots of twists and turns, this trail runs through a pine forest along the “shoulders” of Mount Gleason. Note that to get there, you have to drag your bike up two arduous hikes that, in some spots, involve climbing.
Conejo Crest/White Horse/Triunfo Park, located near Westlake, California, runs single- and double-track trails that loop through the Santa Monica Mountains. These trails, some of which are longer than six miles, are generally not considered to be difficult and are great for beginners.
Pasadena
Near Pasadena there's the Five Deer Trail at the Sierra Pelona Ridge. This trail, which branches out via “links” to many other trails, allows bikers to see great views of the scenic natural beauty of southern California oak trees while experiencing the high altitude winds that sweep down on the ridge with sometimes gust-like force.
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