Flounce

So this question is in regards to an Irvine to San Luis Obispo ride that puts me at Redondo Beach at around 2 AM. I am now mapping out the details of the ride. The ride timing, in case you were wondering, is optimized to have me cross Hwy 154 north of Santa Barbara during daylight hours, as that is the segment I really want to avoid night riding. ( i've decided to have a follow car escort me through the night segment through Wilmington.)

Having explained that, my question is: once I get to Redondo Beach around one or 2 AM, what is the best route to ride along the beach up to Santa Monica/PCH ?

During the day I would take the beach path, but I'm thinking that might not be safe at night, and might be better to ride along some streets that parallel the beach.

Your thoughts?

diphthong

whatever you decide on, don't run the stop signs in redondo beach unless you want a ticket...especially on the esplanade or catalina. consider yourself warned.

tyrion

That was my old stomping ground (the "South Bay"), and I haven't been there in years, but I think the beach bike path would be the best route. Smooth riding from Redondo to Marina Del Rey, IIRC. I think it's fairly safe, even in the dead of night. Around El Segundo/LAX it's either the beach path, Vista Del Mar, or Sepulveda (or something east of Sepulveda). Vista Del Mar has light traffic but it's fast traffic. Sepulveda/PCH would be much less pleasant, and becomes a scary, bad air tunnel under LAX.

So I say beach path to Marina Del Rey. I don't know the area north of Marina Del Rey very well.

HBCruiser1

I second the beach path. I'd say it should be fine through most areas except perhaps Dockweiler Beach and then Venice Beach (moreso Venice Beach) but I think if just you keep moving you should be fine. There are restrooms along the path but I wouldn't enter them and they'll likely be locked anyway.

When are you planning to go through this area? Date.

skidder

You might want to check with the local municipalities that oversee the bikepaths/beaches and see if they even allow people on them at that time of day. A lot don't, usually for security and/or maintenance reasons (such as beach cleaning).

hsuehhwa

Riding in Wilmington at night even with a follow car --> DON'T

Flounce

HBCruiser1 - ride is around Oct 26-28, exact day TBD.

If Wilmington is that bad, then perhaps I'll have the follow car transport me across that segment and drop me off in Palos Verdes.