Southern California - Newbie looking for some new bike paths in San Diego

Hi
I'm trying to find some good bike paths in San Diego that are good for kids (ages 9 and 11 and a not so fit wife). I've been googling but haven't really found what I'm looking for. I'm thinking of starting out with like 10+ miles and eventually making them longer. I prefer bike paths since all of our bikes vary (mtn bike, hybrid and a comfort bike).

I am located in Chula Vista but will do some driving for some good rides.

Thanks in advance.

The closest bike path to you is probably the one along Route 54 between 5 and 805. The section along the 54 about 2 miles one way and you can continue north towards downtown or south towards Imperial Beach, but it drops you onto surface streets after a little while in either direction.

Silver Strand bike path is a bit further away, but it's 8 miles long.

We've done the strand and that's a pretty easy one for the kids. We just went down the 54 starting from Plaza Bonita and took it down to 24th street. My kids were tired so we didn't venture out further. We were going to try and head out to IB/Coronado till they gave up. Lol.

Thanks




The closest bike path to you is probably the one along Route 54 between 5 and 805. The section along the 54 about 2 miles one way and you can continue north towards downtown or south towards Imperial Beach, but it drops you onto surface streets after a little while in either direction.

Silver Strand bike path is a bit further away, but it's 8 miles long.

Other than these two, I can't think of any dedicated bike paths in that area. But I don't know it very well. Try the west coast of Lower Otay Lake, it's a paved road but there should be very little traffic. Generally speaking, areas between 54 and 8 are sketchy and you don't want to go there. Try Mission Bay.

If you don't mind driving up to Oceanside.....
The San Luis Rey River bike path is an easy, 9-mile paved bicycle and pedestrian trail that follows the San Luis Rey River in Oceanside, California (http://www.bikeforums.net/wiki/Oceanside,_California). The trail is relatively flat and straight, and there aren't any stop signs, traffic lights, or street crossings on it.

Plus when your done riding, the harbor is a nice relaxing place to have lunch.

Thanks again. How about mission bay? I see paths by ski beach and crown point but don't know where they go. Also, I see a path starting by sunset cliffs along the 8 freeway that looks like it go through mission valley.

Anyone try these?

Thanks again. How about mission bay? I see paths by ski beach and crown point but don't know where they go. Also, I see a path starting by sunset cliffs along the 8 freeway that looks like it go through mission valley.

Anyone try these?
Start at De Anza Cove and cross over the new bike bridge near Campland By the Bay to Crown Point. Just stay on Ingraham St and ride over to Sea World.

Park your car in the little park at Boundry Ave & 19th St in Imperial Beach (one block W of I-5 and one blk N of Palm Ave) - head N on the paved trail 1/2 mile then turn Left (West) on the Bayshore Bikeway (Silver Strand bikepath) and you have a 10 mile (one way) scenic, smooth, safe, double lane bike path all the way to Hotel Del Coronado - the nice thing for you with kids - there are several sets of rest rooms available on the way.

-OR-

park your car at the east end of the San Diego convention center (off Park Blvd south of Harbor Dr) - ride your bikes around the bike path on the perimeter of the park SE of the Marriott marina then ride along the path between the marina and Convention Center/Hilton/Mariott hotels - then around the perimeter of the park NW of the Marriott marina - then take the bike path/Embarcadero all the way to Shelter Island - nice paved path - the only problem with kids will be the crowded pathway between Pacific and Grape St - but I see dozens of parents and kids

It is about 5 miles one way, depending on your side trips off the Embarcadero, to Shelter Island. Really interesting views of the boats, San Diego Harbor, jets at the airport, the Midway aircraft carrier, the tuna fleet, and my boat

Once you get to the West end of the bike path at McCain Blvd - you can take a path under the bridge and ride the bike path thru Liberty Station and watch the jets take off and land at San Diego International

-OR-

park your car at Dog Beach parking lot in Ocean Beach and take the San Diego River path East to Hotel Circle and then ride back to Sunset Cliff (just a 1/2 mile E of Dog Beach) - take the bike path over the bridge to the N side of the San Diego river and then cloverleaf back under Sunset Cliff and take the bike path East to Friars Blvd - turn around and ride the bike path all the West to the end of the Jetty - turnaround and go East, across the bridge and then West on the river bike path again to your car about 12 miles round trip

You'll have double lane, flat, smooth bike lanes all the way with nice views of the ocean, river, birds, sometimes SeaWorld along the way

If you don't mind a bit of a drive and want to avoid cars altogether, you can drive up to Las Pulgas Road at the edge of Camp Pendleton. There is a nice bike route that goes for about 5 miles north. The road is paved and no cars are allowed, but you might see the occasional Pendleton tank. You can also ride north of that through the San Onofre beach parking lot to go a little farther, but there are cars in the parking lot.

If you don't mind a bit of a drive and want to avoid cars altogether, you can drive up to Las Pulgas Road at the edge of Camp Pendleton. There is a nice bike route that goes for about 5 miles north. The road is paved and no cars are allowed, but you might see the occasional Pendleton tank. You can also ride north of that through the San Onofre beach parking lot to go a little farther, but there are cars in the parking lot.

You need an ID to get into Camp Pendleton and I'm not sure if they would allow children.

mission bay (south of de anza cove to just east of sea world). there is a dedicated, wide bike path that ambles along the east side of mission bay and eventually hooks up with a newish bike path south of the fiesta island turn-off. combining the big or small loops of fiesta island (low speed traffic-weekdays are best) with the rest of mission bay bike path is your best bet.
coronado/silver strand the south end of coronado has wide streets, low-speed traffic and great scenery. linking any part of the silver strand bikepath with the path going under the coronado bridge to glorietta bay park/ferry landing can make for a 4+ mile bike ride. just be aware that the farther south you head on the silver strand bikepath, the more exposed to wind you are. can get a little discouraging/tedious for the kiddos.
mission trails regional park/mission gorge from the dam to the visitor center has a great, varied terrain path. always cooler in the gorge than the surrounding area.

these are the 3 easiest/best paths for you. once the family feels more comfy riding, i would branch out to the 54 bike path and some of the quieter, wider streets like hunte parkway in eastern chula vista. the previously mentioned wueste rd running along lower (big) otay lake and the olympic training center would fall in this category too.

Since you've got kids and a wife who's till getting into shape, I would highly recommend the route CBad Rider described. You do NOT need picture ID's if you go north from the Pulgas parking lot. Even better, there is an abandoned freeway, about 120 feet across and still in pretty good shape, that is truly ideal for a family. No cars are allowed on that section, and there's enough room to accommodate everyone - from families like yours to fast moving pacelines.

Out and back around Lake Murray is quite scenic and about 6 miles: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/18523714

Miramar Lake has a similar path.

Hey guys,
I have to hang out in Del Mar after work. Isn't there some bike path along the 56 freeway? I have 2-3 hours to kill after work and would like to try and put in a ride since I won't be able to this weekend due to my girls having a soccer tournament all weekend.

Thanks!

You need an ID to get into Camp Pendleton and I'm not sure if they would allow children.

This is outside of the Pendleton gates. You don't need an ID.

Hey guys,
I have to hang out in Del Mar after work. Isn't there some bike path along the 56 freeway? I have 2-3 hours to kill after work and would like to try and put in a ride since I won't be able to this weekend due to my girls having a soccer tournament all weekend.

Thanks!
The 56 bike path is just south of the 56 on El Camino Real. You'll go under El Camino Real, lots of places to turn off and explore. You could turn left at Camino Del Sur and go down Three Witches into Rancho Santa Fe, out to the coast, back to Del Mar.

Since the original poster is in Chula Vista, his best bet is really the previously-mentioned Bayshore Bikeway:
http://www.sandag.org/uploads/projectid/projectid_63_14264.pdf

Thanks everyone! You are all very helpful:) Today I will try to ride Fiesta Island for an hour or so (by myself) until my soccer manager meeting tonight and then Friday I will go on the 56 Freeway/Bike path. Sucks though cause today I had to bring my mountain bike instead of my hybrid. Couldn't figure out how to take the front wheel off :/

Thanks again. How about mission bay? I see paths by ski beach and crown point but don't know where they go. Also, I see a path starting by sunset cliffs along the 8 freeway that looks like it go through mission valley.

Anyone try these?

Hi there muffd, I'm a new rider myself and wanted to share a map I recorded when I was exploring bike paths in Mission Bay. We started at Mission Point Park and explored around the area. It's a very easy ride and only parts that you will huff and puff on would be when you cross any of the bridges in the area. Hope this helps.

http://goo.gl/maps/crnn

Hey guys,
I started at Deanza Cove yesterday and took it around like Fiesta Island (crazy headwind) and then over to almost Sea World. About 13 miles RT. Pretty good one. I think I'll be taking the family there soon as we're done with soccer tournaments.

Couldn't figure out how to take the front wheel off :/

Does the wheel have a quick release lever on the hub?

http://www.thebicyclingguitarist.net/graphics/schwinn/sportinental/20030304quickrelease.jpg

It has the quick release lever but I have disc brakes in the front. Finally after asking a few people at work, found out I have to mess with the brakes to make it come off.