Southern California - Stops along the SGRT

If I'm riding the SGRT from Seal Beach to Duarte, anyone have any recommendations on a good stop along the way? It'll be at the latter part of a 140 mile route coming back from San Diego so I'll want to stop to refuel and maybe even have lunch.

I don't know the area at all, but I know a lot of people ride that path.

Don't stop, go as fast as you can on the SGRT, especially under some of those blind underpasses filled with mud and wet leaves.:eek:

Don't stop, go as fast as you can on the SGRT, especially under some of those blind underpasses filled with mud and wet leaves.:eek: So I need to take extra fuel and an empty bottle?

So I need to take extra fuel and an empty bottle?

My attempt at a little humor (goes through some seedy parts of town, not unlike the SART), I've only ridden it twice and don't remember any place to eat except at the start in Seal Beach and then it's only a 37 mile run to the finish.

Only place I've ever stopped on it is around the dam. Can't say that I recall seeing anyplace within sight of the trainl to stop and refuel, either. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

My attempt at a little humor (goes through some seedy parts of town, not unlike the SART), I've only ridden it twice and don't remember any place to eat except at the start in Seal Beach and then it's only a 37 mile run to the finish. Yeah, I remember the parts of it I rode with m.e. and gang a few weeks ago. Not a lot of places to stop. But after riding back from San Diego, 37 miles is a long way without some kind of stop. I'll have to fuel up pretty well prior to Seal Beach, I suppose.

Joel...I am noit aware of anything close by....I guess you can jump off at PCH and find something around there...but nothing further north....at least thats right there....
Valley Blvd maybe..but terrible traffic...

I just rode it last December, and again about 4 weeks ago. It really is much nicer than it used to be apparently. The parks people must be really making an effort to keep it clean and safe. My friend and I actually saw two police cruisers on our ride, and they just said they were doing normal patrolling, and there were no dangers we (two women) should be concerned about. the road was very clean and nicely maintained.

There's a really nice park about 7 miles or so south of the Whittier dam, with fairly nice restroom facilities, working water fountains, picnic tables and benches, shade, and grass. It makes a nice break point. If you're coming from the south, I guess it would be about 15 miles inland.

the closest train station is the one in norwalk, about a mile off the trail, if you need to bail out for some reason.

vp

Thanks Herb -

I'll be on my touring bike (since I'm going to be riding down to San Diego one day, then back the other and want some clothes to change into). I'll just have to load it up with plenty of food & drink.

Nothing makes a 300 mile ride better than to pile a lot of extra weight on the bike!!

:D

After that, bring on the double!

I just rode it last December, and again about 4 weeks ago. It really is much nicer than it used to be apparently. The parks people must be really making an effort to keep it clean and safe. My friend and I actually saw two police cruisers on our ride, and they just said they were doing normal patrolling, and there were no dangers we (two women) should be concerned about. the road was very clean and nicely maintained.

There's a really nice park about 7 miles or so south of the Whittier dam, with fairly nice restroom facilities, working water fountains, picnic tables and benches, shade, and grass. It makes a nice break point. If you're coming from the south, I guess it would be about 15 miles inland.

the closest train station is the one in norwalk, about a mile off the trail, if you need to bail out for some reason.

vpCool, thanks vp!

If I'm riding the SGRT from Seal Beach to Duarte, anyone have any recommendations on a good stop along the way? It'll be at the latter part of a 140 mile route coming back from San Diego so I'll want to stop to refuel and maybe even have lunch.

I don't know the area at all, but I know a lot of people ride that path.

At the beginning of it in Seal Beach there's a lunch shack. You'd probably have to go the opposite direction than you're planning on going, though, but it's only a short distance.

Otherwise, there's three or so parks to stop, plus the Narrows and the dam.

uptown whittier is about 2.5 miles east of the sgrt. not exactly right along the river, but there are places to eat (the 6740 is my favorite) and some shops along greenleaf and philadelphia

this route takes whittier to hadley (hadley will be an really easy climb)
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=681580

this route uses broadway instead of hadley (same type of climb, but on a tree lined residential street)
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=681610

and if you're in the area, and want to come back for a nice adventure
there's always turnbull canyon
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=681629

its a nice twisting climb for a couple miles. my route stops at the top of the hill. but you can ride back down to where you started (its a fun ride......done on a bike, moped, and downhill on a skateboard
), or go down the other side of the hill and wind up in hacienda heights. around the base where i started the route is where most people begin. there are paths in the hills themselves, so if you want to go ride around on your mountain bike, you can.


yeah, i just pimped out my childhood stomping grounds

Mag - I presume you will be coming up PCH at the point it crosses the SGRT. As JP indicates, there is a great little restaurant at the end of the bike path on the beach in Seal Beach called Rivers End. Good food at reasonable prices and a comfortable place to kick back for a bit with plenty of bike parking facilities. But you will go west from PCH a couple blocks on the bike path and you can't miss it. Other than Rivers End, there probably isn't much until you get to La Palma and you would need to leave the path to find something, so you might want to check a map if you want to wait, but Seal Beach migh be a good time to refuel.

Plenty of places to stop in Newport, Huntington, Sunset, or Seal Beaches, all in that order while riding North along PCH. There is also Long Beach right past the river trail where there are alot of places right there nearby that are nice and safe. Then you can jump on the trail and finish off your ride refueled.

What ctimrun says is very true. And remember that a few weeks ago we only rode the upper part of SGRT down to the Rio Hondo cutoff which goes over and connects with the L.A. River trail into Long Beach, so we didn't get down to some of the parts 1955 is probably alluding to.

If you want to turn off at Beverly Blvd. and ride to the top of Rose Hill in Whittier, I'm sure my mom will be glad to make you lunch. Spy Glass Hill isn't very long, but it's got a wicked grade. Just be sure to compliment her decorating sense and tell her how pretty her "granddog" is! (My brother and I are not breeders, so mom's gotta make do with what she's got)

There is a Walmart just off the path (cant' miss it)... They usually have food and you can check out the Denali they're always raving about in the Road Cycling forum, too! :D

Just ask the greeter to watch your ride!

If you want to turn off at Beverly Blvd. and ride to the top of Rose Hill in Whittier, I'm sure my mom will be glad to make you lunch. Spy Glass Hill isn't very long, but it's got a wicked grade. Just be sure to compliment her decorating sense and tell her how pretty her "granddog" is! (My brother and I are not breeders, so mom's gotta make do with what she's got)That's great - I'll randomly pop in and let her know you invited me!

;)

What ctimrun says is very true. And remember that a few weeks ago we only rode the upper part of SGRT down to the Rio Hondo cutoff which goes over and connects with the L.A. River trail into Long Beach, so we didn't get down to some of the parts 1955 is probably alluding to.

Is the Rio Hondo still diverting you off the path at Beverly (I think that was the street) for a contruction detour?

Not too far from the South Street exit there's a couple buffet's that smell like heaven when I pass them near the end of my ride. That's actually near Los Cerritos Center Mall so there are a fair number of places to eat, just on the other side of the 605. Just north of where the SGRT veers off from Coyote Creek (at the bridge) is Long Beach Town Center (I think that's the name, look for the Wal-Mart) and they have an In N Out and a variety of other shopping center type eataries.

I ride SGRT all the time and can vouch that it's fairly safe. I see a fair number of "campers" under some of the larger bridges, but there's usually enough bicycle traffic that I wouldn't worry about them.

Is the Rio Hondo still diverting you off the path at Beverly (I think that was the street) for a contruction detour?
I don't know about Beverly. I believe there was a minor detour, but merider1 may know the specifics. I just follow the pack.:o

What ctimrun says is very true. And remember that a few weeks ago we only rode the upper part of SGRT down to the Rio Hondo cutoff which goes over and connects with the L.A. River trail into Long Beach, so we didn't get down to some of the parts 1955 is probably alluding to.True. I'll just save enough energy to buzz through quickly!