California Cycling Guides: Roads, Trails, and Routes Worth Riding
The Eastside Keswick Trails are one of northern California's more satisfying finds for mountain bikers. The network covers more than 25 miles of dirt single-track east of Keswick Reservoir, connecting Shasta Dam to the Sacramento River Trail. That's a lot of trail for one area, and the variety keeps it interesting. If you're newer to dirt riding, start with shorter connector sections before committing to a long loop.
For road cyclists, the Tomales and Russian River Cycle Loop near Tomales is a 58.9-mile route through some genuinely quiet countryside. It's rated challenging, so this one is better suited to riders with some miles in their legs already. The upside is that it's rarely crowded, which means you'll have long stretches of the route to yourself. There's something restorative about a road that feels like it's just yours for the morning.
Lassen National Forest, near the Christie Campground area, offers miles of trails open to mountain bikers alongside hiking and off-highway vehicle routes. It's a good base if you want to build a longer trip around multiple days of riding. The terrain is rugged and the elevation keeps things cool, even in summer.
Where California Cyclists Actually Ride
The Coastal Trail in northern California follows the historic route of old US 101 as it winds along the ocean. That's not a small thing. You're riding a path that once carried cross-country traffic before the highway moved inland, and that history is still present in the way the road hugs the bluffs. It's known as one of the best mountain biking experiences in the northern part of the state.
The route is rugged, so come prepared for uneven terrain and some elevation. But the reward is a ride with the Pacific on one side and forested hills on the other, with a sense of scale that's hard to get anywhere else. Riding a route with that kind of history under your wheels adds something to the experience that you can't manufacture. It makes the whole thing feel earned.
State Park Trails: What's Open and What's Not
California State Parks have been gradually opening more trails to cyclists, and that's genuinely good news for anyone planning a trip around state park access. Within at least one Bay Area state park, bicycles are permitted on Pipeline Road, Rincon Fire Road, Ridge Fire Road, and Powder Mill Fire Road. Each of those is a solid option for riders who want a mix of fire road terrain and natural surroundings.
One thing to know before you go: bikes are not permitted in the Fall Creek Unit of that same park. It's the kind of detail that can reroute your whole day if you find out after you've arrived. Double-check access at parks.ca.gov before you leave home, especially if you're planning around a specific trail. Trail access rules can change, and a quick check saves a lot of frustration.
Fire roads in state parks tend to be wider and less technical than single-track, which makes them a good choice for beginners or for riding with kids who are still building confidence on a bike. The surfaces are generally predictable, and you're still moving through beautiful landscape.
Remote and Rugged: Riding in Central California
Clear Creek Management Area in central California is for riders who want something genuinely off the beaten path. The area is remote and rugged, and it's shared with hikers and horseback riders, so you'll want to be considerate on the trail. It's not the place for a first ride, but if you're comfortable on dirt and want something that feels like real backcountry, it delivers.
The Central Coast, covered thoroughly by Cycle Central Coast, offers a different kind of riding entirely. Scenic road routes, local events, and community resources make it one of the more supported cycling regions in the state. If you're newer to cycling or want a trip with a social dimension, following Cycle Central Coast's recommendations is a smart way in. The infrastructure is there, and the scenery along the coast is the kind that makes you slow down on purpose.
Guided Tours Worth Considering
Bicycle Adventures runs guided bike tours in two of California's most iconic landscapes: Big Sur and the California Redwoods. Both are available as private tours with a minimum of six participants, which makes them a realistic option for a group of friends or a multi-family trip. Having a guide handle logistics while you focus on the ride changes the whole experience.
Big Sur by bike is something else entirely. The coastline is dramatic, and moving through it at cycling pace rather than driving pace gives you time to actually take it in. The Redwoods tours take you under a canopy that's been growing for centuries, which puts your Tuesday problems in perspective quickly. If you're planning a trip that you want to feel like an event rather than just a weekend, a guided tour in either of these areas earns that.
Gear Tips for Riding California's Varied Terrain
California's cycling terrain ranges from coastal roads to mountain single-track to remote fire roads, and that range means your gear choices matter. For road routes like the Tomales and Russian River loop, a road or gravel bike will serve you well. For fire roads and trails at places like Eastside Keswick or Clear Creek, a mountain bike or a sturdy gravel bike gives you the control and stability you'll want on unpredictable surfaces.
Layering is your best strategy for coastal and northern California rides. Morning fog and afternoon sun can make the same day feel like two different seasons. A lightweight packable jacket that you can stuff into a jersey pocket handles that temperature swing without weighing you down. Sun protection matters on exposed coastal and Central Coast routes where there's no tree cover for miles.
A well-fitted helmet is non-negotiable, and it's worth investing in one that actually fits properly rather than adjusting an old one that doesn't. Padded cycling shorts make a real difference on anything over an hour in the saddle, which matters a lot on a 58-mile route. If you're riding with a daughter who's newer to cycling, gloves are an underrated addition for both comfort and confidence on uneven terrain.