Southern California - Connect from Huntington Beach to L.A. River

What's the best way to connect to the L.A. river in Long Beach from PCH in Huntington Beach? I took Belmont Shore and there's a bike path at the Belmont Pier that takes you near the L.A. river but it doesn't seem to really connect.

Why not just take PCH? It hits the LA River trail at Studebaker.

Why not just take PCH? It hits the LA River trail at Studebaker.

^^^No, that's the San Gabriel River.

Yeah, the bike path kind of dies in LB at Shoreline Village. You kind of have to know the area to know which sidewalks get you to the end of the LA River trail. I can't think of a good way to get to the trail in LB but an OK way would be to ride across town on Anaheim or Willow. The west side of LB is a little dicey at times (no night riding) but I ride across on Willow a few times a year.

Depends on your comfort on the roads, desire for speed, shortest distance, etc. You could take PCH to 2nd, left on 2nd, left on Bay Shore and then take the strand bike path west across town. The problem is once you get to the aquarium area it can be hard to find the LA river trail if you've never been there before. Technically you could take PCH all the way to the LA river, but there are a number of not so great areas you would have to ride through, including the traffic circle. You could also take Willow from the San Gabriel River trail west across town to the LA River. Off the top of my head I recall the LA river has on/off ramps at Anaheim, PCH, Willow, Wardlow, Del Amo, as well as some others.

Or just let some of us locals know when you'll be riding through and maybe we can meet and show you the way through town. :)

This map might help you understand how some of the paths interconnect.
http://www.metro.net/riding_metro/maps/images/la_bike_map.pdf

It is a little hard to find. I ride this all the time. If you made it to Belmont pier, keep going pass the marina, around shoreline village and turn into where the long beach aquarium is. Follow this road, it lead to a parking area behind the aquarium. From there you will see another trail, turn right and go under the queensway bridge and follow the bike lane till you you reach the catalina express boat terminal. turn left on the bike lane you will pass a campground, (shoreline camp park?). There is a gate, usually open, and this is the end of the LA river trail.
Hope this helps.

^^^No, that's the San Gabriel River.

Doh, that explains it, nevermind me :o

I was at the Aquarium, the Catalina Express docks, the Queensway bridge, even the white lighthouse where the L.B. bicycle cops gather. Nice area, kind of touristy with shops and commercial type restaurants.

The bike path from Belmont pier to the L.A. river is nice. It has two bike lanes and a separate lane for pedestrians (and joggers). Lots of sand and people playing beach vollyball. But no fire pits.

I stopped at one of the bathroom facilities and later talked to a couple walking nearby. They said when it rains and the river is flowing, its like mud. Imagine all that waste washing down from L.A. to Long Beach.

Go NW on PCH to Seal Beach Blvd AKA East 2nd Street and turn left. The follow the directions on www.Bikely.com under the listing of "Tour de Long Beach".

No fire pits till you reach dockweiler state beach by El Segundo. They have showers, firepits, new bathrooms along the bike path. Downside is the jets taking off from lax. Can be quite noisy. The bike path along Belmont area is nice and there are some good eats around junipero & broadway.

Go NW on PCH to Seal Beach Blvd AKA East 2nd Street and turn left. The follow the directions on www.Bikely.com under the listing of "Tour de Long Beach".

Hi,

That's a way to do it, but riding along Shoreline Drive is not that pleasant. There's a way to stay off of Shoreline Drive on bike paths that unfortunately share a lot of space with pedestrians. I'll see if I can manage to map something out later.