Los Angeles, a city celebrated for its sunshine and sprawling landscapes, presents a paradox for cyclists. While the weather beckons for outdoor adventures and the city offers ample space, navigating LA on a bicycle often means contending with heavy traffic, inconsistent bike lane infrastructure, and drivers less than considerate of cyclists.
However, the city unveils a different story for those in the know. Hidden gems exist in the form of dedicated bike paths, offering serene and safe havens for riders of all abilities. These routes, entirely free from car traffic or graced with minimal vehicle presence, redefine the LA cycling experience. Whether you’re seeking a leisurely evening ride or an invigorating, sweat-inducing workout, Los Angeles has a car-free bike path to match your aspirations. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best, ranging from gentle spins to more challenging excursions, presented roughly in order of increasing difficulty. To help you plan your ride, we’ve also included Google Maps links for each route. Get ready to pedal into a new perspective of Los Angeles!
Image: Tranquil bike path in Cogswell Dam area, Los Angeles, surrounded by nature.
Cogswell Dam Bike Path
Venture into the San Gabriel Mountains, just above Azusa, to discover a hidden gem: the Devils Canyon Dam Truck Trail leading to Cogswell Dam. This 7.5-mile out-and-back trail offers a gentle uphill climb, rewarding cyclists with stunning views and a peaceful environment. It’s arguably one of Southern California’s most scenic bike paths, perfect for those seeking tranquility and natural beauty.
The path meanders alongside a constantly flowing creek, fed by Cogswell Dam upstream, providing a soothing soundtrack to your ride. The shade provided by trees and mountain slopes keeps the temperature pleasant, even on warmer days, making it an ideal escape from the city heat. Immerse yourself in nature as cell service becomes a distant memory, replaced by the sounds of the brook and the majestic San Gabriel Mountains. Picnic tables dotted along the route invite you to pause, relax, and savor the surroundings. Remember, as part of the Angeles National Forest, this path operates on a pack-it-in, pack-it-out basis – let’s keep this natural paradise pristine.
The gradual incline from Highway 39 to the dam is so gentle you might not even notice it until you turn around and experience the effortless return. For a slight extra challenge, a short, steeper section leads directly to the dam itself. However, the main allure lies in the initial 7 miles of the trail, making it a fantastic option for a relaxed, low-intensity ride suitable for families with children.
Exclusively closed to public vehicles, the path ensures a safe and peaceful cycling experience. You might encounter the occasional public works vehicle, but these drivers are accustomed to sharing the road with cyclists and hikers. Pedestrian traffic can be noticeable, especially during the first mile on weekends, near popular recreation and fishing spots. Beyond this point, solitude envelops you, enhancing the feeling of escaping into the wilderness. Before embarking on this mountain adventure, inform someone of your plans and expected return time, and always check the weather forecast and Angeles National Forest conditions for any alerts or closures.
Directions: This bike path requires driving into the mountains. Take the 210 Freeway to Azusa Avenue/Highway 39 exit. Drive north towards the mountains for approximately 20 minutes on Highway 39, passing the junction with East Fork Road and a bridge. The entrance to Devils Canyon Dam Truck Trail will be on your right. Google Maps Link provides the exact location. Parking is available along the roadside or in a parking lot a quarter mile back towards Highway 39.
Image: End of Ballona Creek Bike Path at Marina Del Rey, Los Angeles, with boats and water visible.
Ballona Creek Bike Path
For a quintessential Los Angeles bike path experience that culminates at the beach, look no further than the Ballona Creek Bike Path. This 7.4-mile car-free path stretches from Culver City to Playa Del Rey, offering a direct route to the Pacific Ocean. While the path begins near Jefferson and National boulevards with a somewhat bumpy and less maintained section for the first mile, it significantly improves as you head towards the beach. It’s recommended to access the path at Duquesne Avenue in Culver City for a smoother start.
Cycling westwards in the afternoon might present a light headwind, which conveniently transforms into a refreshing tailwind for your return journey. Stay hydrated with drinking fountains available along the path and in adjacent parks.
For an added adventure, consider a detour to the Baldwin Hills Stairs and Scenic Overlook, located at the intersection of Hetzler Road and Jefferson Boulevard. This park offers panoramic city views without the crowds often found at other LA hiking spots. Bike racks are available at the base of the stairs, or for a more challenging ascent, try cycling up Hetzler Road to the top.
Directions: Ample parking can be found along Duquesne Avenue and in the surrounding residential areas near the path’s starting point. For car-free access, the Expo Line is a convenient option. From the La Cienega Station, you can cycle southwest along Jefferson (bike lane available, be mindful of car doors) until Duquesne Avenue, turning right onto Duquesne. Alternatively, the La Cienega Station is also close to the Ballona Creek Path entrance, allowing you to avoid Jefferson Boulevard entirely. Numerous entry points exist along the path where it intersects with major and residential streets, allowing for flexible access. Explore the maps to find the most convenient starting point for you.
Park to Playa Trail
After two decades of planning and development, the Park to Playa Trail fully opened in late 2020, creating a continuous 13-mile route from the Crenshaw District all the way to the Pacific Ocean at Playa del Rey. With minimal street crossings, this path offers a largely uninterrupted, traffic-free journey across diverse landscapes.
LAist journalists Chava Sanchez and Sharon McNary experienced the entire trail by bike and foot, highlighting its appeal and the nature-loving community it connects. As they reported, “The trail has several sections, each with its own charms and attractions, starting with the urban trail running along the Stocker Corridor, sloping up to the spectacular viewpoints of the Baldwin Hills Overlook, and following the landscaped bike path that runs alongside Ballona Creek to the Pacific.”
More than just a bike path, Park to Playa is a scenic corridor showcasing the beauty of Los Angeles. It’s “the perfect place to take your out-of-town guests when they ask to see the city,” as noted by Sanchez and McNary. The Baldwin Hills Overlook summit provides breathtaking photo opportunities, offering views of the ocean on one side and the city skyline, including Century City, the Hollywood Sign, and downtown LA skyscrapers, on the other.
Directions: The Park to Playa Trail is comprised of six segments: Stocker Corridor, Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, Blair Hills – Segment C, Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, Culver City Park, and Ballona Creek Bike Path. Access points are plentiful, including various locations along the Ballona Creek Bike Path, Culver City Park, Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, Stoneview Nature Center, Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area staging areas, and Norman O. Houston Park.
Image: Park to Playa Trail footbridge over La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, showcasing pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure.
Marvin Braude/Pacific Coast Bike Path
Cycling along the Pacific coastline epitomizes paradise, especially on the 22-mile stretch of the Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Trail, also known as the Strand. This iconic path extends from Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades to Torrance Beach. Its connection to the Ballona Creek Path allows for an extended ride all the way from Culver City to Palos Verdes for cyclists with ample time and endurance.
For seasoned cyclists, the Marvin Braude path needs no introduction, yet its sheer brilliance warrants its inclusion here. While typically mellow riding conditions prevail, the path can become crowded and sandy, particularly on weekends and in popular areas like Santa Monica and Venice. Weekday evenings during summer offer ideal conditions. Facilities are readily available at frequent intervals along the path, and the LA County provides a helpful map for planning your ride.
The coastal route experiences two minor interruptions: in Marina del Rey, the path detours around the marina, briefly merging with a bike lane on Washington Boulevard, and in Hermosa Beach, where riders can choose between the often-crowded Strand or the more relaxed Hermosa Avenue.
Directions: The Marvin Braude path is exceptionally accessible. To avoid costly waterfront parking, find residential parking near the coast and cycle to the path. The Expo Line also extends to the coast, providing another car-free transportation option.
Image: Cyclist riding along the Marvin Braude/Pacific Coast Bike Path in Los Angeles, with ocean and beach views.
The Rose Bowl Loop
While lacking dramatic scenery, the Rose Bowl Loop in Pasadena offers a unique and social cycling experience. This 3-mile paved loop encircles the iconic Rose Bowl stadium, its parking areas, and a golf course, serving as a popular training ground for cyclists and joggers alike.
The loop’s gentle inclines provide opportunities for uphill and downhill practice, making it an excellent location for fitness-focused rides. Traffic is generally light and considerate, respecting the presence of numerous cyclists and runners. Cyclists are expected to keep to the left of designated walking and running areas. Drinking fountains and restrooms are conveniently located near the stadium.
The Rose Bowl Loop is suitable for riding at almost any time, even at night, due to the presence of other people and well-lit roadways. For nighttime rides, ensure your bike is equipped with working front and rear lights.
Directions: Drive to the Rose Bowl and park in any available space; parking is free when events are not scheduled. A dirt lot near 176 West Drive, Pasadena, is a convenient parking spot for accessing the loop.
Image: Cyclist on the Rose Bowl Loop bike path in Pasadena, Los Angeles, with stadium and parking lot views.
River Bike Paths: LA River, San Gabriel River, and Rio Hondo
For long-distance, no-frills cycling, Los Angeles’s river paths provide extensive, flat routes. The LA River Path, San Gabriel River Path, and Rio Hondo Bike Path offer similar experiences – lengthy, paved “Class 1” bike paths that function as freeways for cyclists, traversing vast stretches of Los Angeles. Scenery might be secondary to the practicality of these paths, but they efficiently connect different parts of the city.
A particularly appealing 7.2-mile section of the LA River Bike Path, running between Griffith Park and Elysian Park, is ideal for a solid ride. The Arroyo Seco Pathway, located in northeast Los Angeles, offers a shorter but worthwhile option at just under 3 miles.
Directions: River path access is widespread. Consult maps to identify entry points convenient to your location and embark on your ride.
Image: Empty Rio Hondo Bike Path in Los Angeles, showcasing the paved, utilitarian nature of river paths.
Griffith Park
Griffith Park, a sprawling urban oasis, arguably the best of its kind, presents diverse cycling options to suit various preferences. For a relaxed ride, Crystal Springs Drive and Zoo Drive offer easy, paved routes with dedicated lanes or shoulders. For a slightly longer loop, incorporate Griffith Park Drive. These routes are generally flat, well-maintained, and experience minimal traffic, although weekends can be busier.
For a more strenuous workout, Griffith Park’s hilly terrain, particularly Mount Hollywood, provides numerous ridable roads for elevation gain and cardiovascular challenge. A recommended route circles through the park, ascending Commonwealth Avenue to the Griffith Park helipad, traversing Mount Hollywood, and descending back to Vermont Canyon. This route features two significant climbs interspersed with flatter sections and downhills. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Griffith Observatory during your ride.
Directions: Griffith Park is centrally located and easily accessible. Free parking is available throughout the park and often permitted along roadsides. Park near your desired starting point and begin your cycling exploration. Cycling to the park is also a viable option.
Image: Bike overlooking Griffith Observatory and downtown Los Angeles skyline from Griffith Park, showcasing scenic urban cycling.
Elysian Park
Despite its proximity to downtown LA, Elysian Park, Los Angeles’s oldest park, remains a relatively undiscovered gem, often uncrowded even on weekends. Recent road repaving ensures smooth cycling on grippy asphalt. The park boasts a diverse collection of transplanted tree species alongside stunning views of the downtown skyline. However, it’s best suited for cyclists with some experience, as it’s not entirely flat.
Elysian Park is characterized by rolling hills, none particularly steep or long, but requiring consistent climbing effort. A cycling session in Elysian Park demands a similar exertion level to hiking the Wisdom Tree Hike to the top of Mount Hollywood, or even reaching the Hollywood Sign (which is also accessible by bike!).
For novice hill climbers, employing an easy gear and maintaining a high cadence (spinning quickly) is the most efficient technique. While your legs might feel the burn, it signifies correct technique. Elysian Park’s hills are short, rewarding climbs with enjoyable downhill stretches. Drinking fountains and restrooms are conveniently located throughout the park.
Directions: Parking is permitted throughout Elysian Park, but avoid Dodger game days due to heavy traffic congestion.
Image: Cyclists climbing a hill in Elysian Park, Los Angeles, with palm trees and city views, highlighting the park’s hilly terrain.
Mount Wilson
For experienced cyclists seeking a significant challenge and breathtaking panoramic views, Mount Wilson in the San Gabriel Mountains is a must-try. This ride serves as an excellent introduction to the expansive Angeles National Forest. The ascent from the base of Angeles Crest Highway to the summit of Mount Wilson covers approximately 19 miles and involves a 4,500-foot elevation gain.
The Mount Wilson climb is undeniably challenging, typically requiring two to three hours of cycling from the Angeles Crest Highway base (at Foothill Boulevard in La Cañada-Flintridge) to the summit. Water is available at the ranger station at Clear Creek Junction (first junction after entering the mountains) and at the Mount Wilson Road turnoff (second junction). The reward at the summit is an unparalleled vista of the greater Los Angeles basin. Refuel and celebrate your accomplishment at the Cosmic Cafe at the Mount Wilson Observatory.
Traffic is generally light, increasing on weekends. Weekend mornings and evenings, as well as weekday midday hours, are optimal riding times. Avoid rush hour, as Angeles Crest Highway is utilized by commuters from Palmdale who may drive quickly to avoid freeway congestion.
Directions: Parking is generally available in residential areas near the route’s beginning. The Gold Line provides relatively close access to Angeles Crest Highway, with an approximately 30-minute bike ride from the Memorial Park station to the base of Angeles Crest.
Image: Bike at the summit of Mount Wilson, Los Angeles, with expansive views, showcasing the challenging yet rewarding mountain bike path.
