Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cycling & Mountain-Biking
Strap on that helmet! California is outstanding cycling territory, no matter whether you're
off for a leisurely spin along the beach, an adrenaline-fueled mountain ride or a multiday
road-cycling tour along the coast. The cycling season runs year-round in most coastal
areas, although coastal fog may rob you of views both in winter and during 'May grey' and
'June gloom.' Avoid the North Coast and the mountains during winter (too much rain and
snow at higher elevations) and SoCal's deserts in summer (too dang hot).
Road Rules
In national parks, bicycles are usually limited to paved and dirt roads and are not allowed
on trails or in designated wilderness areas.
Most national forests and BLM lands are open to mountain bikers. Stay on already estab-
lished tracks and always yield to hikers and horseback riders.
At California's state parks, trails are off-limits to bikes unless otherwise posted, while paved
and dirt roads are usually open to cyclists and mountain bikers.
Best Places to Cycle
Even heavily trafficked urban areas may have good cycling turf, especially in SoCal. Take,
for example, LA's beachside South Bay Trail or shoreline bike paths in beach towns such
as Santa Barbara and Newport Beach.
In the Bay Area, cruise through San Francisco's
Golden Gate Park
and over the
Golden
Gate Bridge
, then hop on the ferry back across the bay from Sausalito. Angel Island (
Click
here
) is another great bike-and-ferry combo.
On the Central Coast, the ocean-view Monterey Peninsula Recreational Trail (
Click here
)
and scenic 17-Mile Drive (
Click here
) entice cyclists of all skill levels.
Many of California's wine countries offer beautiful DIY and guided bike tours, including
Napa and Sonoma Valleys (
Click here
).
For road cyclists, nothing surpasses winding, coastal Hwy 1, especially the dizzying stretch
through Big Sur (
Click here
).
