On one hand, Los Angeles is a cycling nightmare, with riders having to contend with some of the worst vehicle traffic in the country. But on the other hand, Los Angeles bicyclists have a universe of great bike paths and trails to escape the rush of cars and trucks.
L.A. trails feature a full range of ride options for child riders and their families and for hardcore riders who like to get the blood pumping. There are also scenic wonders to behold including views of downtown L.A., views of the mountains, and of the beautiful Pacific Ocean.
The number of choices for your next Los Angeles cycling trip might be overwhelming, but here are a few good starting points and introductory routes you could try.
The L.A. River Bike Path
The L.A. River Bike Path run between Cypress Park to the northern section of Griffith Park. It’s a 7.2-mile path. You’ll see some of the good and bad of Los Angeles living as you pedal, but it’s a great way to tour the city in all of its glory.
There’s even a café dedicated to cyclists that attends to the rider’s hydration and protein needs. The Spoke Bicycle Café is just off the path on Coolidge Avenue. They rent bikes there and the staff can fix a wobbly bike if necessary.
Ride to the Beach
The Ballona Creek Bike Path goes for 7.4 miles and ends on the sand at Playa Del Rey. The route begins in Culver City. It’s a track free of cars with a spectacular finale…The Pacific Ocean.
There are also some interesting side trips off the bike trail that let you really feel the burn. Make a pit stop at the Baldwin Hills Stairs and Scenic Overlook. You can lock up your bike and become a stair-climber or you can stay on your bicycle and ride to the top of Hetzler Road.
Pro Tip: Joining the path at Duquesne Avenue in Culver allows you to avoid the first mile of bad pavement you’ll hit if you start at Syd Kronenthal Park.
Los Angeles State Historic Park
For an easy and surprisingly uncrowded ride near downtown L.A., try the bike trail around L.A. State Historic Park. It’s a one-mile loop just outside Chinatown that features plenty of trees and views of the cityscape. It’s a generally lightly used path that takes around 20 minutes to complete. It’s great for families riding with children, but riders could also complete laps to get some distance in.
For some more family biking fun, watch the Downtown LA (DTLA) website. The city sponsors Bike Days at L.A. State Historic Park. Free bike safety classes are offered. Snacks are provided. There are also adult and children bike giveaways.
Elysian Park Bike Trails
For a little more challenging downtown bike ride, head just north of downtown to Elysian Park. The 575 acres of meadows and stands of trees offer some beautiful and often uncrowded cycling through the park.
There are easier sections of bike routes in Elysian Park, but if you travel the entire park you’ll have to endure some moderate hills. Even the roads into Elysian Park provide some steep journeys if you decide to ride into the park.
The Elysian Park Trail is a commonly used path through the beautiful park. Overall, Elysian Park has around 4 miles of bike trails to enjoy. A ride from Echo Park over to Elysian Park can also add to any rider’s workout.
Pro Tip: If you ride on a Dodgers gameday you might be sharing your ride with thousands of baseball fans. It’s a good idea to steer clear of this section of the park or schedule a ride for another day.
Griffith Park
The urban park that other cities aspire to copy. There are plenty of scenic and challenging bike rides to be had in the 4,210 acres that make up Los Angeles’s Griffith Park. You can take advantage of the Los Angeles River Bike Path to enter the park or make your way from Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
There are less demanding perimeter bike paths for families. There’s also a world of punishing and at the same time rewarding bike trails heading into the interior of the park. After a climb, riders earn a unique view of L.A.
Views of the Griffith Observatory await those who challenge the mountains in the park. You can also climb Mount Hollywood to get an up-close vantage point to take in the Hollywood Sign. To plan your biking adventure, check out this map from the LA Parks Department.
Safe and Scenic Bike Journeys in L.A.
There are bike rides for every skill level in Los Angeles. But safety must be considered before any bike ride, no matter the experience level of the rider. Wear a helmet. Some of these Los Angeles trails aren’t easy and smooth. Every rider takes a fall eventually and it’s important to protect your head.
Take plenty of water with you to stay hydrated on dry and hot Los Angeles days. Also, make sure you tell someone where your bike ride will take you in case you have an accident. Know your route and make sure you have rest spots, bathrooms, and water fountains marked on a map or in your head.
Then, get out and enjoy the amazing and scenic bike routes and trails in and around Los Angeles.
