SANTA ANA BIKE TRAIL AND PICNIC LUNCH – Make sure you bring a lunch for our debriefing in the park after the ride.
The Santa Ana River Trail is one of Southern California’s most ambitious regional recreation projects, designed to eventually span 110 miles from the San Bernardino Mountains all the way to the Pacific Ocean at Huntington Beach. While the grand vision connects three counties and 17 cities, the trail currently functions as two entirely distinct experiences: a collection of flat, seamless, fully paved urban greenways through Orange County and the Inland Empire, and rugged, high-endurance mountain singletrack routes in the San Bernardino National Forest.
Because the trail morphs so dramatically depending on where you drop in, choosing the right section depends entirely on whether you want a smooth, vehicle-free bike ride or a grueling alpine workout.
Popular Urban & Lowland Segments (Easy & Paved)
These segments are entirely paved, flat, and separate from vehicle traffic using grade-separated underpasses. They are perfect for road cyclists, long-distance runners, strollers, and casual walkers. However, they offer virtually no shade, meaning sun protection and morning or late afternoon timing are critical to avoiding intense midday heat and strong afternoon headwinds.
For this event, we will be taking the popular Urban & Lowland southern segment, and then the northern segment on Saturday November 21st as we once again visit the Mission Inn festival of lights in Riverside.
Check your bike out at home to make sure it’s in working order and tires inflated before you arrive at the meetup locationas as well as having your tires or inner tubes filled with slime to help avoid flats.
MEETUP LOCATION: (<-Click) 9:00 am at Centennial Park in Santa Ana.
MEETUP DATE AND TIME: Thursday, November 5th no later than 9:00 a.m.
MEETUP PARKING FEE: Free parking.
DISTANCE: 33 miles round trip
ELEVATION GAIN: 600 feet
DURATION: 5+ hours
RESTROOMS: There are restrooms at our meetup location and during the ride along the bike path.
BIKE TRAIL DESCRIPTION: A paved two lane bike path along the Santa Ana River.
THE PACE: 8 MPH on up
LEVEL: Advanced Beginner on up
DEBRIEFING: After the ride we’ll have a picnic lunch in Centennial Park.
MY CELL # IS: 805-358-5972
