E Chapman to SART?
 

I am lucky enough to be heading back to N. Tustin for the holidays and have been looking at new rides. I typically would ride down to the Newport Back Bay area but would like to mix it up a little. I was wondering if anyone has ridden from E. Chapman in Orange to the SART by taking Cannon all the way? It appears that Cannon turns into the Imperial Highway somewhere after Serrano. I've been on Cannon to that point but was wondering what it is like after that. I plan on heading up the SART at least until the Green River golf course area, so any alternative route suggestions would be appreciated.

Yes it's doable. Make sure your brakes work when you're bombing down Cannon

You can also take Santiago into Villa Park and make your way to Meats or Taft and head west that way to pick-up SART. I wouldn't go west of the 55 on Santiago/Katella as it becomes a car dominant through-way. The paralleling streets are nice.

Also, depending where in North Tustin you are, working your way over to Fairhaven and either going around Old Town Orange on Cambridge, or through (and stopping at Tacos Adobe or Provisions) is a good option to get over to SART. This is my bike commute route to ~Lincoln and Batavia.

Cannon's good but as Elvo hinted - it's STEEP from the top of the hill down to Nohl Ranch Road. If you want to skip that hill, you can take villa park west to santiago north, which turns into Santa Ana and you can pick your poison for where you want to cross over the 91 to get to SART. Taking Tustin will get you to SART without having to cross over the 91, which can be a little hairy.

I'll be starting from Newport Blvd at S Crawford Canyon Rd. so going right to Cannon and saving my miles for the car free river trail is the preferred option.I was more concerned about getting under the 91 on the Imperial Highway safely than anything else. I enjoy climbing and have good brakes so I look forward to the canyons. I did get a ticket for blowing a red arrow on E Chapman last year though, so I'll have to pay more attention this time!

Lots of good options for riding in that area and plenty of hills if you want them. There's a nice climb on Canyon View between Newport and Chapman also. I also like riding thru Santiago Canyon. Take Newport to Chapman, hang a right and stay on it until you get to South Orange County on El Toro Road. You can ride back to Tustin/Orange on Trabuco/Irvine Blvd/La Colina, etc.