johnmaf@hotmail

I am getting ready to bike SF to SD for the third time. I have always used Adventure Cycling Association as a basic guide. I have questions about the long beach piece.

1) First trip I took Anaheim to PVSD. It was pretty sweet except for Anaheim
2) second Time I took Torrance/Carson/223/710 bike path. Safe, easy but like kissing your siste. No coast, no views,

3) What to do? Maybe extend the trip to go around Palos Verde Dr. South. It looks awasome but super hilly. Is it worth it?

4) Or Modify the Anaheim route to include Alameda/Harry Bridges/Gibson - although I am not sure how this hooks up to PVDN.

I will be biking North to South.

Thanks and if you ever need a hand in San Diego let me know!

raceboy

I live in this area and def recommend taking PV Drive around the Peninsula. You still have to trek around the Harbor via Anaheim St. or PCH or Sepulveda to jump on the last bit of the LA River Trail. But it gets nice again when you come out in downtown Long Beach near the Aquarium.

If you ride around the Peninsula there are some rollers but it isn't that hilly.

jimincalif

I agree with raceboy. Ride PV Drive around the peninsula, it's not that hilly and quite scenic. Did rides there last summer and this summer with BCCC.

TrojanHorse

PV drive rec #3 , it's great pavement and very scenic.

diphthong

palos verdes drive north is pretty boring and ferries a majority of the traffic (of the 4 pv drives). pv drives west and south are where the views are and flattish.
pv drive east has the climbing and the curves (and some great views too).

johnmaf@hotmail

Ok - it unanimous!. I will go take the Palos Verde Tour!

Here is my route - does it sound right?
Redondo Beach to Long Beach Bike Route
1) Stay on Beach to end “Perrys” – R on Palos Verde Blvd (PVB)
2) PVB/PVDW/PVDS/25[SUP]th[/SUP]
3) R on Western
4) L Paseo Del Mar
5) L Shepherd
6) A Straight North on S Pacific OR
B My Scenic Route – Bluff Place/Shoshonean/W Cabrillo/S Harbor/Front/N Pacific
7) Gibson/Harry Bridges/Alameda/Anaheim/710 Bike Path South to Long Beach

Sound about right?

calamarichris

Not sure about your route, but I can attest it's going to be a great ride! Be sure to check out these landmarks.

Typical bike lane in Palos Verdes.


The Korean Friendship Bell, (where Billy Baldwin nearly lost an eye in the memorable scene from "The Usual Suspects" haha)


This awesome marble fountain at the North of Palos Verdes, and a couple of neat little restaurants like Rive Gauche.


Only part that's going to suck is riding through San Pedro. Take it slow and don't breath too deeply there. It's toxic and hellish there, reminds me of the Texas coast.


Click here for my ride from Santa Barbara to San Juan Capistrano a few years ago. (It was huge fun and made me feel patriotic about our beautiful state!)

johnmaf@hotmail

Great Pictures - I am stoked about the new route down "cancer alley"!

HBCruiser1

Here's the route I'd suggest, done it several times and on a SS beach cruiser so it's doable if you're a fairly fit recreational rider.
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/3034600#
Funny how the water line is so high on RWGPS map, must be high tide.
Photos of ride linked on main page down on the right.

The steepest is climbing out of Redondo (mile 32 on map)

Highly recommend Paseo Del Mar (quiet residential- mile 35)

If you go down Western at mile 25, you'll have to hike a bike a short distance at mile 26 (landslide area) but it's very quiet through there.
I actually rode my bike through there, it's a hard packed dirt path.

Between mile 46 and 47 you can head up Gaffey to see the Korean Friendship Bell if you like (as mentioned above)

You'll see the USS Iowa just past mile 50 on your right. You can pull into the parking lot and look up close. There's a fee to board and walk around.

Really nice park just before mile 54 on your left, bathrooms and water fountains.

Section 55.5 to 58 really sucks but push through. Watch for a lot of debris on the road and 2 freeway on-ramps and off-ramps as well as trucks.

Long Beach section 60 and beyond is really nice along the beach.

Have fun, good luck.

I see you're in SD, next weekend, 9/19/15, I'm thinking of riding from HB to the border. If you're around and interested in joining me for any part of that when I get down there, PM me.

Mandeville

Ditto on riding the Palos Verdes Peninsula via Palos Verdes Drive South. Not that hilly, just rollers, but beautiful with great weather usually.

raceboy

A landslide forced closure of Paseo del Mar through a part of San Pedro. PVD West becomes 25th in San Pedro. Stay on 25th and make a left on Pacific. You will then be back on the route you described.

I wish I could tell you a pretty way around the harbor to Long Beach but that ain't happening. Although, the heavy industrial vibe does have its own weird type of splendor. Be on big rig alert.

johnmaf@hotmail

Thank you! That ridewithgps.com is sweet! We are driving to SF on the 12 and start biking the 13 so we will not be back by the 19th. Maybe next time? Thanks again for the route and the great format!