San Diego Bike Trails: Five Amazing Bike Paths to Check Out

Living in San Diego comes with plenty of perks, but one of the greatest things about this beautiful and warm coastal city is that you can bike year round.

Even better, there are so many different types of San Diego bike trails throughout the city that you can enjoy at any time of the year, which is part of what makes San Diego a great destination for bike enthusiasts! San Diego bike trails range from easy scenic rides to challenging routes that cross the city, so you can be sure there are trails for riders of all ages and experience levels to explore.

Whether you are a San Diego local or you’re visiting America’s Finest City on vacation, cycle enthusiasts won’t want to miss out on some of the most popular trails and bike routes found around town. Along with varied terrain, including flat boardwalks, rugged canyons, and mountain biking routes, San Diego bike trails offer something for everyone.

Here are some of the best biking trails in the San Diego area to check out next weekend or on your upcoming visit.

1. San Diego River Trail

This 20-mile river trail starts in Mission Valley and goes to Ocean Beach, and it is one of the most relaxed of all the San Diego bike trails. This scenic bike trail is great for riders who don’t like to be close to the freeway, and it’s one of the safest trails for both residents and travelers to commute on by bike. Leave all the rush of freeway traffic behind on this trail, and enjoy every mile of the ride. 

2. Bayshore Bikeway

If you are in San Diego for a short period of time and can’t explore every trail,  this is one of the San Diego bike trails you can’t skip. This 24-mile path starts from Coronado Island on the Silver Strand Bikeway with the ocean on one side and the bay on the other. It’s a relatively flat ride, making it ideal for riders of all ages and abilities, and the scenery makes it a crowd-pleaser for all.

You’ll cruise around Coronado Island, then make your way onto Imperial Beach and back to San Diego central. This bike trail is especially unique and incredibly family-friendly because you get the best of everything along the way. Enjoy outstanding views, a relatively easy ride, and incredible places to stop and eat or swim in the ocean. 

3. Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve

If you love to challenge yourself and enjoy the feeling of conquering a demanding ride, then this is the trail for you. This road bike trail around Elfin Forest can offer some rough climbs, but you’ll also be treated to great scenic beauty. This is why, in spite of some tough spots, the Elfin Forest trail is known as one of the best bike paths in San Diego. 

You can start from Leucadia, following Rancho Santa Fe road and then take a right to Elfin Forest road. If you’d like to welcome more challenges, continue along the same path until you see Harmony Grove road. After that, move to West Parkway south to Solana Beach. For riders interested in native plants, you’ll get to see plenty of oak woodland, oak riparian, and coastal sage scrub along the trail.

4. Mission Bay Bike Path

This 4600-acre aquatic park offers a trail loop of about 12 miles if you ride the full loop. You can spend as much time as you like exploring attractions like Seaworld, Fiesta Island, the San Diego River and plenty of beaches, or just cycling on the routes around Mission Bay Path. You can include an extra 5-mile ride if you want to check out the outer loop of Fiesta Island, or you can enjoy an easy 4-mile ride free of road crossings on shared walking and biking routes around Mission Park. For those seeking a flat ride, continue past Sea World along West Mission Bay Drive to Fiesta Bay.

5. Cabrillo National Monument

This ride offers a great workout and provides a quintessential experience in San Diego. Enjoy the breath-taking views of Coronado and Point Loma over rolling hills that also offer excellent cardio. Though it’s not the longest of the San Diego bike trails, this 6-mile loop, which starts from Jensen’s grocery store and goes to the guard booth and back, can really get your heart pumping if you take a few laps instead of one! Once you start to get tired, slow down and enjoy the incredible views along the way.

No matter which of the San Diego bike trails you choose, keep a few safety tips in mind. Don’t forget to check out the path before you get started so that you can make safety decisions before bike riding. While it is California law that anyone under 18 years of age wear a helmet any time they’re on a bike, it is essential to always wear a helmet when you’re riding no matter what your age, whether required by law or not. It’s also a good idea to do a little research before you hit the trail so you know about how long each ride will take. That way, you’ll be well-prepared with snacks, water, sunscreen, and other necessities. Once you are prepared for whatever lies ahead on your San Diego bike trail, it’s time to fill up your water bottles and jump on your bike to enjoy the fantastic bike trails San Diego has to offer. Happy riding!