Singletracks members have ranked the best mountain bike trails in California using our unique trail ranking algorithm. The company suffered bankruptcy in 1992 and has been operating ever since as the sub-brand of Pacific Cycles. Northern California Festivals June. The Best Bike Trails in Northern California Admire the azure waters of Lake Tahoe while traversing the region on two wheels. Climb up the Sunset Boulders, check out the prehistoric Mammoth Rock or hike up the Peaked Hill for panoramic views. Start off at South Gate Road and get ready to pedal your heart out up the hill. Cycling. The trail also makes for a great weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Asphalt. Cannondale Topstone Carbon, Cannondale Scalpel SE, Public R18 flat bar. Enjoy spectacular vistas of the Santa Monica Mountains while biking along scenic trails in Los Angeles. Whales spout water in the distance. When youre here it might feel like everyone rides. / Headlands Ventures, LLC, all rights reserved. From Mt. Get ready for switchbacks, blind, sharp turns, steep drops, and pine vistas that transport you to the mountain bike trails in Sedona. This trail is not recommended for beginner riders, but this trail is a great technical trail for the more experienced rider! Its an advanced riders dream. In the City on the Bay you wont need to stray too far from the busy streets for adrenaline-inducing MTB. Totally rugged, rough and riveting, the fire roads above town truly capture the essence of MTB. Difficulty: Intermediate to difficult Distance: 10 miles Time: 15 minutes Should you want to expand your day you can link up with the Tahoe Rim Trail, which opens up another 80 plus miles of riding. Suitable for all skill levels. Wilson is the best ride in Southern California if you're into enduro mountain biking. Basecamp Adventure Sports Camp. With a monumental central valley, you can enjoy flat rides along rivers and through preserves. Establish a physical connection with the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area while cycling the Cheeseboro Loop. This comes at no additional cost for you and helps us keep this website up and running. Feel free to yell yee-haw on its short, but rowdy descent. The rocky doubletrack might be double the trouble, but its totally worth it. Add Event. Despite its relatively low elevation at 5,440 ft, youll bike through alpine meadows and oak forests before you wind through SoCal chaparral and ending in the Anza-Borrego desert with vistas to rival the best Joshua Tree hikes. Wilder Ranch State Park is kind to its riders. Stationed along the Pacific, San Diego has an outdoor sport for everyone. Adult Mountain Bikes : Target California Mountain Biking Trails | Trailforks Best California Mountain Bike Trails The Downieville Downhill is a singletrack for 85 percent of the ride, featuring steep uphills, creek crossings, waterfalls, swimming holes, and rocky terrain; its definitely one for the win. Our Los Gatos Store (408) 399-9142; email; 111 E Main Street, Los Gatos, CA 95030; Palo Alto. Mountain bike trail counts across America showed increases of up to 500 percent last year compared with 2019. 8.7 mi 468' Up 486' Down Marina, CA RECOMMENDED ROUTE Difficult Trione-Annadel State Park - Big Loop 16.7 mi 1,830' Up 1,839' Down Santa Rosa, CA Bike to the top of Mount Tamalpais and be rewarded with sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay Area. Northern California High School Mountain Biking Racing League. Mountain Biking at Ski Resorts The list of 17 best mountain bike trails northern california The 9 miles circuit starts on Iron Springs Road and will take you from two to three hours to complete. Come for the 35 miles of multiuse trails, panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, and old-growth redwoods. Podium medals and cash prizes dependent on class size/participation. Youll then meet the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Trail before retracing your steps at the Cheeseboro Canyon Trail, which will take you back to your car. Although its rated as moderate, prepare for rock gardens, twitchy switchbacks and iconic redwood trees standing in your way. Their first bike Try a fat bike or an electric mountain bike. In the 1970s, Gary Fisher,Otis Guy, Charlie Kelly, and Joe Breeze started the scene there. These are classic chunky old-school XC trails that are a perfect match for your favorite hardtail. During your gradual yet steady climb to the summit of Mount Tam, youll pass by a redwood-lined creek, dense forest, and scenic overlooks. When it comes to human-powered adventure, the Golden State is a serious contender for the go-to adventure dealer on the West Coast. If youre in the mood for an extra challenge, just hop on one of the other connected roads in the area. Use this time to disconnect and recharge your batteries (so to speak) as you make your way through the mountains. The exhilarating ride downhill will also make all the uphill struggle worth it. Depending on your skill level, Santa Cruz has a few different options. . Dropping 5,000 vertical feet in 15 miles, it hosts the longest and most demanding mountain bike race in the country - the Downieville Classic. Its a great way to see wildlife. Shasta is a quiet spiritual town that sits in Siskiyou County of Cascades Mount surrounded by alpine mountains, and complete peace. Because we know bikes and we care. San Diego, CA. How many people get to say theyve ripped down the course where the first MTB race took place? 9 Best MTB Trails in Northern California - Cycloscope: Bicycle Touring Its also a great way to see the beautiful views of San Francisco Bay firsthand! You can also see whales, seals, and other sea life from this trail if youre lucky enough to catch them at the right time. The Best Dual-sport Motorcycle Trails in California (United States The trail then becomes more difficult, with about a mile-plus of loose-pebble, sun-exposed slope that eventually gives way to short, steep downhill bends. Although the ride can be a bit bumpy, the invigorating breeze and magnificent vistas make it worthwhile. Parking: Park near the start of the trail. When purchased online. Also known as the Potato Patch Trail, the 4.5 mile route is surprisingly varied and one of the most fun workouts youll ever try. California Bike Tours - Bicycle Adventures Pros. I usually combine riding this trailwith time at the beach. The same dust the OG Klunkers kicked up can cling to your tires too. Not to be underestimated are the citys 200+ canyons and hills that separate its many mesasall geographical features that make for excellent MTB terrain. Along your route, smell the wildflowers and enjoy the killer vistas. Need to Know: Thanks to shade from the forest, itsnever too hot in this area, even in midsummer. Over 250 used bicycles at our Shop. Weve got you covered. Discover the best of California. To get there, park by Pier 41 in San Francisco and take the Blue and Gold Fleet Ferry. If youre wondering whats the best time to visit Yosemite National Park for a bike trip, that would definitely be in spring or autumn. Tamalpais in Marin, to Santa Cruz, to Downieville, to Tahoe, to southern California, the terrain and options in this state are virtually limitless. Start with a short ride to the trailhead from Santiago Hills Park before hopping on the fire road. As you make your way from the Roadrunner Loop singletrack to the Chutes climb, youll feel your glutes and your heart beating faster. Be on the lookout for bobcats, lizards, snakes and hikersits quite popular on the weekends! Start typing to see results or hit ESC to close, How to Travel by Bicycle: a Beginners Guide to Start Bike Touring, How Much Does it Cost to Travel the World by Bicycle, Cycling Austria: Lake Region, Carinthia, Danube Cycling Path, Vienna, and Salzburg, How To Prepare For An Ultra Distance Cycling Event & The 3 Best Races For Beginners, Cycling Morocco! Steel frame is heavy for carrying up stairs. Why Go: Camp Tamarancho is a well-maintained bike park with looping singletrack for nearly all abilities. Bike Box. This highway is 655.8 miles long and can take up to a week or more depending on your biking stamina. Cruising the historic and rooty trails of Mt. What to Ride: One of the areas most classic rides is the 25-mile route from the Tahoe Meadows trailhead on Mount Rose to the Flume Trail, which has outstanding views of Lake Tahoe. Its also one of the best things to do in the summer in Lake Tahoe. High season is Spring, but you can ride it through Fall if you can take the heat, Warm up in Kernville Bike Park while youre waiting for your shuttle, The area is famous for paddleboarding and whitewater rafting, Call Mountain & River Adventures for shuttles and rentals, Kern River Brewery has one of the best IPAs in California. The carbon Mojo is one of its six full-suspension mountain bikes, and the Ripmo is a long-travel 29er, a match for enduro racers. Refuel yourself at the Angel Island, Caf with a plate of nachos, and cool down with a, Bolinas Ridge to Samuel P. Taylor State Park via the Bay Area Ridge Trail. This isnt a secret since many areas of Northern California are world-renowned for mountain biking. Find all the upcoming cycling events in California! Northern California: Road Racing; Northern California Velodrome Assoc. Before Moab and Colorados world-renowned trails became synonymous with mountain biking in the U.S., there was Fairfax. Then theres the Third Divide. Schwinn. California - Ninja Mountain Bike Skills So, what are you waiting for? If you visit during the summer, Coyote Adventures offers shuttle rides (otherwise you end up riding a 35-mile advanced loop trail). As an end-to-end trip, it can be ridden in either direction. On the alpine trails you can count on plenty of elevation gain and flowy downhill sections. The trail system is a good spot if youre just getting into mountain biking and wantsomething a little tamer than some of the areas more technical rides. Camp Yofi is a home away from home! Park near the start of the trail. The early riders modified their rides with thumbshift-operated derailleurs and knobby B.F. Goodrich tires, essentially inventing the modern mountain bike. Artist's Palette Trail is approximately 8.5 miles South of the intersection of Highway 190 and Badwater Road in Death Valley. Used you can find plenty of bikes with that budget. Dentoni Park Trail. traverse the islands coastal grasslands and rich ecology, , and take a breather by the pristine Ayala Cove or Quarry Point beaches. Need to Know: This is the High Sierra, with deep midwinter snowfall that doesnt melt out until July some years. Youll be in seventh heaven, counting down until your next ride. What to Ride: In Downieville, its all about the Downieville Classic. There are shuttle buses to take you back to your starting point or you can ride up for a total bike ride of 25.6 miles. After the Ride: I go to Los Pericos in Santa Cruz for tacos, Courtney says. The singletrack is narrow with plenty of switchbacks and huge, gnarly rocks. Parking: Free parking is available at Santiago Hills Park. Location: Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. This renowned 14 mi. At over 500 square miles and over 11,000 feet in elevation, Grand Mesa in Colorado is the largest flat-top mountain in the world. The highway offers incredible views of the Pacific Ocean and Big Sur coast. Once you complete the beautiful ride, why rush your home when you can set up camp in one of the parks 154 camping sites? Why Go: Courtney likes Santa Cruzs Emma McCrary Trail because its an ideal spot to work on skills. You can either bring your bike, rent one or even borrow it for free for 2 hours through the parks bike share program. The terrain, regardless of where you decide to go, is diverse. Bring extra protection and remember that theres no shame in walking your bike if needed. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon by the beach after your solid morning bike ride, then start a bonfire and savor an easy summer dessert. Parking: Parking is available on Platform Bridge Road in Tocaloma and at Samuel P. Taylor State Park in Lagunitas. Just near Carmel, California, is this 10.1-mile, point-to-point trail that is accessible year-round. 1411 I StreetSacramento, CA 95814(916) 446-2453 - Call or TextGet DirectionsStore Hours: Monday - Friday: 10AM to 6PMWeekends: 10AM to 5PM, Click to schedule a Body Fit Geometry Fit. Backbone Trail: Will Rogers to Temescal Ridge. A journey in search of images, sounds and words. All you have to do is pick a place, pack your bags, and hit the road. Before you hop back in your car though, stop by Cooks Corner for a well-earned bacon cheeseburger and fries. We know it can be difficult to choose from the innumerable mountain bike trails throughout the Golden State, so weve rounded up. Schwinn Men's Mountain Pass 27.5" Mountain Bike - Matte Gray. Its really well built and super fun, Courtney says. 13 Best Hikes in California - Travel + Leisure Parking: Park at or by Cooks Corner restaurant. Our Palo Alto Store (650) 304-0035; email; 392 California Ave, . You start at Sherman Pass, a 9,200-foot elevation saddle, and glide into a staggering 5,000 foot drop over the final seven miles. The trail is 12.8 miles long with an elevation gain of 1,420 feet from point to point. Cowles Mountain is a technical challenge, and best of all, its right in the city. The trail is flat and easy to ride on, so its perfect for beginners or families who want to take a day trip from San Francisco. There are countless mountain biking objectives in the Lake Tahoe area. Santa Cruz - Bicycle Warehouse hunting for unknown or forgotten treasures. The Tahoe East Shore Trail GPX map is available on Komoot. Top 20 Bike Rides and Cycling Routes in California | Komoot