Southern California - Problems with parking @ the Wayne Gretzky SC?

Does anyone in the Irvine area ever, ever park in the parking lot at the Wayne Gretzky SC? The SART guys are now going to be the Irvine, Santa Ana, Something or Other Trail guys and since the roads are really a mess between where most of the guys now work and the trail head, were looking to park closer to the start which happens to be the Wayne Gretzky SC. My question is, has anyone ever parked there to start there ride on the trail? It's not a question of better roads to the start as there are a couple of the guys that don't want to ride on the streets, so we're trying to find a good, close place to park and get to the trails near, lets say, Red Hill Ave. and Barranca Parkway.

I believe that John (octico) enters the trail there on Tue, Wed and Thur, but am not sure if he parks there or that is just where he enters.

I believe that John (octico) enters the trail there on Tue, Wed and Thur, but am not sure if he parks there or that is just where he enters.

The only thing I'm worried about is if they ask us not to park in their private parking lot, (customers only thing).

Just thought I'd check with the folks.

There's a park on Harvard, just south of Barranca, you should be able to park there.

As OC says there isa huge park at the corner of Barranca and Harvard, attached to the skate park. Parking is plentiful and right off Harvard, just south of Barranca. You can also park at the Irvine Police station/civil center, right next door. If you know the area, from the skate park there is a bridge over the Creek. From the bridge you either turn right on the bike trail or go straight right into the park.

There's a park on Harvard, just south of Barranca, you should be able to park there.

Hey Pat,

Thanks, that looks like the perfect place without resorting to parking in a private parking lot.:)

As OC says there isa huge park at the corner of Barranca and Harvard, attached to the skate park. Parking is plentiful and right off Harvard, just south of Barranca. You can also park at the Irvine Police station/civil center, right next door. If you know the area, from the skate park there is a bridge over the Creek. From the bridge you either turn right on the bike trail or go straight right into the park.

Thanks Pam,

I know the streets, but not really the parks and such in the area there. I Google Earthed it, (is that a word?) and that looks like the place to start our rides from.

Thanks.

Hey Pat,

Thanks, that looks like the perfect place without resorting to parking in a private parking lot.:)

No Problem, is the Back Bay Loop going to be your new usual ride?

There is also the Ralph's shopping center a few blocks southwest on Harvard. plus they have a juice place, several sandwich places and a sushi place there for easy recovery meals.

There is also the Ralph's shopping center a few blocks southwest on Harvard. plus they have a juice place, several sandwich places and a sushi place there for easy recovery meals.

How would you know, you think you lived there or something? ;)

No Problem, is the Back Bay Loop going to be your new usual ride?

Yup, we went on an exploratory ride on Monday down to the BB and since we have to stay off of the streets to accommodate some of our riders, we may just have to do laps back and forth. We're kind of hoping for some input from some more local riders to see if there are some better, different, trails to ride starting from that general area (Dyer, (Barranca) and the 55). The SART was really boring, but we could motor along and never cross a street. With our buddy, Brad getting creamed by that truck last year, some of the guys just refuse to ride on the street, and even though I'll still ride on the street, I do not disagree with there decision not to.

There is also the Ralph's shopping center a few blocks southwest on Harvard. plus they have a juice place, several sandwich places and a sushi place there for easy recovery meals.

Thanks Phil, we'll keep that in mind.

Yup, we went on an exploratory ride on Monday down to the BB and since we have to stay off of the streets to accommodate some of our riders, we may just have to do laps back and forth. We're kind of hoping for some input from some more local riders to see if there are some better, different, trails to ride starting from that general area (Dyer, (Barranca) and the 55). The SART was really boring, but we could motor along and never cross a street. With our buddy, Brad getting creamed by that truck last year, some of the guys just refuse to ride on the street, and even though I'll still ride on the street, I do not disagree with there decision not to.

That really limits your options. The bike path continues on the north side of Barranca (ends at Portola), but you have to ride about a mile northbound on Harvard to where it restarts (just north of Edinger). The bike path also continues east from the Wayne Gretzky SC, I'm not sure how far though.

Hey, it seems like some locals live very close to the start...all are invited for the rides we do. Let me know and we'll put you on the list so you'll know when and where we start from. We ride all winter with lights and the pace and the feel of the ride can be different from one night to the next depending on who's riding, who's recovering and who's feeling froggy. It started as a continuance of our regular after work rides for those who didn't have MTB's and wanted to be able to stay in shape during the winter and then kind of morphed into just as hard (for us) a ride as the summer rides since with all the lights we had, it was kind of like riding in daylight.

Come one, come all!

That really limits your options. The bike path continues on the north side of Barranca (ends at Portola), but you have to ride about a mile northbound on Harvard to where it restarts (just north of Edinger). The bike path also continues east from the Wayne Gretzky SC, I'm not sure how far though.

We suspected that it continued up there somewhere, but we weren't sure, even though we headed up that way on a futile search for it. We might be able to ride a short distance to restart the trail...we'll have to see how everyone feels about a short stint on the street.

Thanks!

The bike path continues East to Jeffrey. It used to go all the way to Spectrum but that portion of the trail is now closed for construction. It's a nice ride to Jeffrey, exit the trail and then continue East on Barranca. You can reconnect to the Spectrum trail at Sand Canyon. Once back on the trail watch the signs there is a regional bike trail that exit on top Alton and there is the Irvine bike trail which dumps behind Spectrum. It's all pretty scenic but you need to watch for pedestrians and cross traffic.

If you decide instead to go north, you exit the trail at Harvard, take that 2, 2 1/2 miles (for some of this you are allowed to ride on the sidewalk) to just past Walnut where you enter the trail again (it's obvious as it is basically a dead end). The trail then goes all the way to Portola or you can head East on the Hick's Haul trail which goes to Portola just before Jeffrey. I sometimes do that, cross under Portola, exit going West on Portola and then head over to Pioneer for a climb up the road. There's also the Mountain to Sea trail you can follow back down to Back Bay from Portola and Tustin Ranch Road.

Can ya tell I like riding bike trails? I think I know them all.

Edited to add: If you travel up Harvard from the bike trail, just past Irvine Center Drive is the Walnut Creek trail which heads East (next to the RR tracks) to Sand Canyon but unfortunately parts of it are closed right now. If traveling on mountain bikes you might be able to transverse some of the construction areas.

How would you know, you think you lived there or something? ;)

Yeah, 'lived' is the correct word... cause now I am in the hills of Aliso Viejo

Put me on the list and I'll join you from time to time.

You can actually do a full "loop" of about 25-26 miles on that path if you go all the way through back bay and then to the other end near the Spectrum. With the exception of two street crossings at grade level (both not busy streets) you can do the whole thing without any cars to worry about. I think there might be some construction on the trail near Jeffery and Alton but it looked like they were just dredging the creek.

Yeah, 'lived' is the correct word... cause now I am in the hills of Aliso Viejo

I live in them there hills too. If you ever want to get out for a spin let me know. I am ususally a loner but I would really enjoy some company once in a while.

Put me on the list and I'll join you from time to time.

You can actually do a full "loop" of about 25-26 miles on that path if you go all the way through back bay and then to the other end near the Spectrum. With the exception of two street crossings at grade level (both not busy streets) you can do the whole thing without any cars to worry about. I think there might be some construction on the trail near Jeffery and Alton but it looked like they were just dredging the creek.

PM me your email address and we'll add you on. We show when we show, so there's no pressure. We just want to know if we need to wait for someone is all.

Hey, it seems like some locals live very close to the start...all are invited for the rides we do. Let me know and we'll put you on the list so you'll know when and where we start from. We ride all winter with lights and the pace and the feel of the ride can be different from one night to the next depending on who's riding, who's recovering and who's feeling froggy. It started as a continuance of our regular after work rides for those who didn't have MTB's and wanted to be able to stay in shape during the winter and then kind of morphed into just as hard (for us) a ride as the summer rides since with all the lights we had, it was kind of like riding in daylight.

Come one, come all!

What days and times..... or atleast estimates. I would like to make some rides but I am not sure I will be able to attend. It will really depend on the time.

What days and times..... or atleast estimates. I would like to make some rides but I am not sure I will be able to attend. It will really depend on the time.

PM me your email address, and you'll be put on the list that goes out when we do the rides, like I've said, there's no obligation to show up, it's only so we know who'll be there so we can wait if someone is late or something.
Generally, it's most days Monday through Thursday starting at about 5:00 to 5:15.

I live in them there hills too. If you ever want to get out for a spin let me know. I am ususally a loner but I would really enjoy some company once in a while.
I work out that way (Aliso Viejo), but I'm not in the best of shape right now, and there's not a flat spot in the area to ride!

Thanks for the suggestion of parking at the Park (Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park) on Harvard. That worked out great, there was plenty of safe parking and the trail was right there.

Put me on the list and I'll join you from time to time.

You can actually do a full "loop" of about 25-26 miles on that path if you go all the way through back bay and then to the other end near the Spectrum. With the exception of two street crossings at grade level (both not busy streets) you can do the whole thing without any cars to worry about. I think there might be some construction on the trail near Jeffery and Alton but it looked like they were just dredging the creek.

I thought there is construction north of Gretzky?