Southern California - West end of Santa Ana river trail

Does anyone know where I should direct my wife to meet me at the beach end of the Santa Ana River trail? I am expecting a one-way ride since I am doing it with my 8-year old son on his new road bike (40 cm Trek. Totally cool!). We road it last Sunday, and went 15 miles in from the east and back for 30 mile round trip. Now I know he can handle the entire legth one-way.

I'm looking for a good palce to grab lunch, as well.

Thanks,
AJ

It dumps into the beach area right between Huntington and Newport. We usually ride the Huntington way. I believe the intersection closest is Brookhurst and Pacific Coast Hwy.

If you continue for a couple more miles. you will hit Huntington Pier (Main St and PCH). Food joints and some shops.

^^^What he said. :) Just a warning though, it costs afew bucks ($5 or 6 i think) to park at the huntington beach parking lots. Ride to the beach and up afew miles and you'll run into afew restaurants near the pier.

^^^What he said. :) Just a warning though, it costs afew bucks ($5 or 6 i think) to park at the huntington beach parking lots.

I believe it's $10 now.

Of course if you go south (turn left when you hit the beach), you'll be in newport instead of HB. There are a few places to eat there (a burger place and a sandwich place). Much closer than HB, and parking might be less of a hassle (metered parking along PCH) and a few metered lots on the ocean side of PCH.

Yes ride down to Huntington Beach main street and eat I'd wait were JAX Bicycle 401 Main Street Huntington Beach get picked up outside. She can find parking on the street a couple of blocks in coin meters, and find you at JAX Bicycle (easy to find location) or have her drive by and follow her to a place to load up.

Thank you for all the info. It'll be a good day!

eat at bodhi tree!

Does anyone know where I should direct my wife to meet me at the beach end of the Santa Ana River trail? I am expecting a one-way ride since I am doing it with my 8-year old son on his new road bike (40 cm Trek. Totally cool!). We road it last Sunday, and went 15 miles in from the east and back for 30 mile round trip. Now I know he can handle the entire legth one-way.

I'm looking for a good palce to grab lunch, as well.

Thanks,
AJ


Wow that is AWESOME ! My son has the same bike, Congrats.

If you head up brookherst from PCH there is free parking on the right side of the street next to the sewage treatment plant. I would still vote for meeting up in Newport and grabbing some grub. Cappy's is on your left (heading south) before you hit Superior.

If you head up brookherst from PCH there is free parking on the right side of the street next to the sewage treatment plant.


I wanted to bring that up but haven't parked there for a couple of years. Didn't know if it was still free or meterless.

If you choose to park there, there is a trail that shoots off to your right about 30/40 yards before you hit the beach/PCH underpass. It takes you staright to Brookhurst.

Geez my typing suckls!:D

Haven't seen meters yet but it can get pretty packed with cars if it happens to be warm or a weekend. If it gets packed there is also parking along that first lighted street (Bushard, I think) right off of Brookhurst and PCH.

From the Santa River to Huntington Beach Pier is about 3.15 miles.

If you don't mind walking, near JAX is the public library on Main Street, maybe just two short blocks. Near there is free parking on the streets. But during the weekends, these spots get picked pretty quick, especially by riders who come in with their SUV's.

Huntington Beach has many places to eat and even a Jamba Juice. This beats going south towards Newport. If the wife is not a rider, she might like the outdoor canopy vendors near the Pier. If you like burgers, there's a Ruby's at the end of the pier. If you're Vietnamese, try the Pho restaurant. Its called "What the Pho". If you like fish tacos, there's Wahoo's. If you like greasy spoon, try Sugar Shack.

I also seem to remember a pretty good mexican place on Main Street, across the street and north of the Starbucks.

Yeah, I can't remember the name but its close to Jax, opposite side of Main Street.

There's two Huntington Surf and Sport (HSS) locations on Main Street. The big store is right on the corner of Main and PCH. The other is the womens HSS. Directly above that is suppose to be a very good steak restaurant, aged beef, grain fed.

HI-I am from Michigan. My kid brother lives in Santa Ana. One time in the winter I was visiting my dad in Garden Grove. My brother told me how to ride to the Trail (three or four miles) I rode almost to the beach but then I got scared because just because. I turned around and rode back. However, I remember staying at Newport Beach at a trailer park. I loved every part of it. Then we parked our trailer down the highway right on the beach. We were able to ride on a trail that went right pass the beach. We ate on the pier. We sat up on the cement structure. You people are so lucky to live in that area. We watched surfers too!

I want to go back some day!

bc

I know that point better then the back of my hand. On the west/southbound sholder of PCH, exactly where the S.A.R.T. doubles back to the HB coast trail just after passisng under the hwy, there is a pull-off where service trucks can pull off then open the big gate in the fence between the highway and the beach. There is a ped/bike opening through the fence at that point. Have her wait at some of the many expensive shops nearby and call her on your cell phone when you get near the coast.

To save money have her wait at the Moon Park in Costa Mesa which is next to the Santa Ana River Trail immediately south of the 405 freeway. When she sees you go by she can race to the coast and pick you up.

For lunch take him down to the Fun Zone on Newport Beach next to where the little 3-car ferry crosses to lido island.