Southern California - Safely commuting the SART from Anaheim Hills to Garden Grove

New to BikeForums and looking for insight. Planning to ride the SART early mornings and return in the evenings along this stretch... any tips on safety I should be aware of from robbery, pedestrians, homeless camps, etc.. thanks in advance!

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/778558-Robbery-on-SART

Be careful in the early evenings!

Some of the things which I have noticed on my morning rides on the SART:

1. Fat women tend to "HERD" together and completely clueless about their surroundings.
2. People in the morning only seem to own BLACK CLOTHING.
3. Reflective Clothing must not be sold anymore.
4. Some cyclist do not have any lights --- Seems kind of odd.
5. The water must have something it it because there a ton of SUICIDAL RABBITS.

BUY A SUPER BRIGHT light and be very CAUTIOUS. I personally would not ride South of Katella at night by myself.

Thank you Jan, I did see this post which prompted me to inquire further to the rest of the forum about riding the SART stretch north of Garden Grove.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/778558-Robbery-on-SART

Be careful in the early evenings!

Frankly, I had been riding that route, but now that its dark so early I am not riding it. I small kids and I don't want them to see me beaten up or worse over the bike I am riding. My job is near South Coast Plaza.

I personally would not ride South of Katella at night by myself.

I ride SART a few times a week, and I concur. The segment between 22 and Katella is probably semi-safe, but I personally just stay north of Katella once dusk is approaching.

North of Lincoln I'd say you're free to do as you wish assuming you are staying aware of your surroundings and have good lighting.

Thanks dahvaio, points well taken!
Some of the things which I have noticed on my morning rides on the SART:

1. Fat women tend to "HERD" together and completely clueless about their surroundings.
2. People in the morning only seem to own BLACK CLOTHING.
3. Reflective Clothing must not be sold anymore.
4. Some cyclist do not have any lights --- Seems kind of odd.
5. The water must have something it it because there a ton of SUICIDAL RABBITS.

BUY A SUPER BRIGHT light and be very CAUTIOUS. I personally would not ride South of Katella at night by myself.

Thanks P4D. I also have small children, which gave rise to my concern over commuting using the SART. I definitely would not want to put myself at unnecessary risk as it would directly affect my family.
Frankly, I had been riding that route, but now that its dark so early I am not riding it. I small kids and I don't want them to see me beaten up or worse over the bike I am riding. My job is near South Coast Plaza.

Thanks jmX! I appreciate all the replies and it is very likely that I will wait until the summer to ride the SART. With the early dusk of winter it is definitely not worth the risk at this time. Thank you all!

I ride SART a few times a week, and I concur. The segment between 22 and Katella is probably semi-safe, but I personally just stay north of Katella once dusk is approaching.

North of Lincoln I'd say you're free to do as you wish assuming you are staying aware of your surroundings and have good lighting.

You probably have plenty of feedback already - but as a frequent SART rider I would say stay away after dusk in the areas listed above. Other than that all I've seen in the early morning hours that I might add to the list is tons of freaking flying bugs (morning and afternoon) and coyotes as big as german shepherds (not in packs though). Probably not a safety issue, but I came across one coyote that seemed fearless and did cause a brief moment of "uh oh"

I've been looking at an alternate route of going across from South Coast Plaza to Jamboree, and then basically straight up Jamboree to Santiago Canyon Road, and then around to Nohl (as I don't want to do Cannon in the dark). However, I am not going to try that ride until about MLK day because I don't feel like being on a bike in the dusk/dark around Tustin Marketplace right now.

I've been looking at an alternate route of going across from South Coast Plaza to Jamboree, and then basically straight up Jamboree to Santiago Canyon Road, and then around to Nohl (as I don't want to do Cannon in the dark). However, I am not going to try that ride until about MLK day because I don't feel like being on a bike in the dusk/dark around Tustin Marketplace right now.

Making your way up Newport Ave through Lemon Heights is not too bad, wide lane most of the way over the hill.

Making your way up Newport Ave through Lemon Heights is not too bad, wide lane most of the way over the hill.

How big is the climb that way?

I've been looking at an alternate route of going across from South Coast Plaza to Jamboree, and then basically straight up Jamboree to Santiago Canyon Road, and then around to Nohl (as I don't want to do Cannon in the dark). However, I am not going to try that ride until about MLK day because I don't feel like being on a bike in the dusk/dark around Tustin Marketplace right now.

My work around the Tustin Market Place is to use Tustin Ranch Road. That will take you to Jamboree closer to Santiago Canyon Road.

Thank you Jim, your points are well noted and I will keep that in mind as I prepare for when I begin riding in the summer.
You probably have plenty of feedback already - but as a frequent SART rider I would say stay away after dusk in the areas listed above. Other than that all I've seen in the early morning hours that I might add to the list is tons of freaking flying bugs (morning and afternoon) and coyotes as big as german shepherds (not in packs though). Probably not a safety issue, but I came across one coyote that seemed fearless and did cause a brief moment of "uh oh"

Garfield, P4D, and Evora -- thanks for the alternate route ideas!