Bike Trail Monterey

Bike Trail Monterey In almost every location in Monterey County, a biker can be seen enjoying the scenery from a bike lane or off-road route. What better way to enjoy the outdoors, the sunshine, and the sights? It’s a sport that is inherently solitary and enables you to go out securely and sensibly. There are plenty of bike tracks in the area for riders of all skill levels because cycling is one of the most popular hobbies there.

The Fort Ord National Monument’s Parker Flats Loop

Highway 1 through Big Sur, Heinekens Ranch Loop, Fort Ord National Monument, Oleson Trail, Toro Park Monterey Loop, and Colchagua Loop, a 17-mile drive from Monterey to Marina on the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail

Bike Rides In Bike Trail Monterey

1.) Lovers Point to Fisherman’s Wharf

(Beginner) Take a leisurely ride along the bike route that extends from Fisherman’s Wharf out to Lovers Point to take in the greatest views of Monterey’s coastline. The bike route, which is formally called the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, runs from Castroville in the north to Pacific Grove in the south, although by far the most crowded part is the segment between Fisherman’s Wharf and Lovers Point. Due to the path’s separation from street traffic, it offers a secure setting for people riding bicycles for the first time, as well as adults who are apprehensive about falling off their bikes. As it passes through the Coast Guard Pier, Cannery Row, The Monterey Bay Aquarium, and harbor seal beach at Hopkins Marine Station, the trip offers stunning vistas of Monterey Bay and plenty of nice locations to stop.

2.) Fort Ord National Monument’s North Single-Track Loop

(Intermediate) The north single-track loop at Fort Ord National Monument is another well-liked trail. Just off Reservation Road, park at the Creekside Terrace parking area. From Oil Well Road, take Trail 31 to Trail 02. You will travel several miles uphill on the taxing Oil Well Road to the appropriately named Skyline Road, where you will turn right. After a half-mile, Trail 44 is on the right. After returning to Oil Well Road on Trail 41, turn left onto Oil Well Road, then right onto Station One Road, and finally, take Trail 01 back to your vehicle.

3.) The Fort Ord National Monument’s Parker Flats Loop

(Beginner) The Fort Ord National Monument, which was formerly an Army base, features a number of paved roads that are ideal for kids and adults looking for a more difficult ride than the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. The 5-mile Parker Flats circle is a fantastic first ride because it has only a few modest climbs to make it a little more difficult. Parking is only permitted at 8th and Giggling, which is the last location. Once at Parker Flats Road, ride a bike on 8th Avenue south until you reach Eucalyptus. The short but difficult ascent is on Eucalyptus, where you should turn right. The next section of Parker Flats, which connects Welch Ridge and Artillery Hill, can be reached by taking Eucalyptus. To complete the loop and head back to the parking lot, turn right onto Normandy and then left onto Eighth.

4.) Colchagua Loop

Take the 30-mile round from Carmel Valley Village through Cachagua for views of the valley and vineyards. Beginning in the settlement at Carmel Valley, travel east on Carmel Valley Road before turning onto Cachagua. After a two-mile ascent, you will descend into Cachagua’s major areas, where you can take in stunning views of the region’s best vineyards. To return to your starting location, continue on Cachagua until Tassajara and turn left onto Carmel Valley Road. Please be warned that this is an advanced course, so cyclists should be cautious.

5.) 17-Mile Drive

(Beginning-Intermediate) Amazing photo opportunities can be had of The Lone Cypress Tree, Spanish Bay, and the Del Monte Forest along Pebble Beach’s gorgeous 17-mile Drive. It’s simple to travel along this famous section of the route. You won’t get lost if you keep the water to your right on the way out and to your left on the way back. The starting point of the customary route is Cannery Row’s Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. The trail terminates after a little more than a mile, and cyclists continue on Ocean View Drive into Pacific Grove, passing beautiful Point Pinos. After passing the lovely Asilomar State Beach, where riders will get their first glimpse of Pebble Beach, riders continue on Sunset Drive to 17-Mile Drive.

6.) The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail from Monterey to Marina

(Beginner-Intermediate) Follow the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail north to the Seaside and Marina for a different angle on the Monterey shoreline. Riders have the option of taking the flat cutoff that loops around Laguna Del Rey or tackling the steep slope up the sand dunes at the Monterey/Seaside border, which will reward them with a panoramic vista of Monterey Bay all the way to Santa Cruz. Both routes continue for miles along the dunes and cliffs before coming together once more at the Monterey State Beach parking area in Seaside. Riders will only encounter other bikes and pedestrians, the occasional gull or hawk, and four miles of open, cypress- and sand-dune-lined trail up to Marina after passing Sand City.

7.) Fort Ord National Monument’s Heinekens Ranch Loop

(Intermediate) The Hennekens Ranch Loop lets you explore a section of the enormous 14,000-acre Fort Ord National Monument. Eight miles of thigh-burning climbs and magnificent views of the Salinas Valley make up this journey. Turn right onto Normandy after taking Eighth south from the parking lot at Eighth and Giggling. Take a sharp left into Parker Flats, then continue on Eucalyptus Road east for 2.5 miles of challenging climbs and downhill gliding. You might see deer or other animals as you pass moss-covered oak trees. Turning left into Hennekens Ranch will lead you up a steep hill for more than half a mile. Enjoy the long, rapid coast down the hill after taking a moment to absorb the expansive vistas at the top; you’ve earned it! You may bike over low, rolling hills for the final mile and a half back to the parking lot by turning left onto Giggling at the bottom of the hill.

8.) Toros Park’s Oleson Trail

(Intermediate-Expert) Take the Ollason Trail in Salinas’ Toro Park for magnificent ocean views of Monterey Bay. You may ascend to Ollason Peak, which is 1800 feet above sea level, from this location. It’s a mile-long climb, given that the entrance is about 200 feet above sea level. At the park’s entrance, cyclists start this nine-mile loop, which is challenging but rewarding. The ride includes some soft mud and sand parts along with semi-hard-packed dirt roads. Riders will encounter roller-coaster hills as they ascend. Hikers and cyclists travel on parallel paths from the park’s entrance to the Environmental Center; after that, they share a trail.

9.) Salinas Valley/Carmel Valley’s Monterey Loop

(Intermediate-Expert) The Monterey loop across the Salinas and Carmel Valleys is one of the most well-liked long routes for local cyclists. The gorgeous route, which is around 100 miles long and begins at River Road in the Salinas region, passes through 40 to 50 miles of the best Salinas Valley farms. Once on Arroyo Seco Road, riders turn west and continue until they reach Carmel Valley Road. You will pass numerous wineries and livestock ranches as you travel through Arroyo Seco and Carmel Valley. Riders have two options from here: they may either proceed directly into Caramel or return via the Laureles Grade.

10.) The Big Sur Highway

(Expert) Experienced riders have the option of taking the risky and difficult journey from Carmel to Bixby Bridge and Big Sur. Every year, hundreds of cyclists ride the most difficult sections of Highway 1, which is also an All-American Road and a State Scenic Highway. One of the best road rides in America, it offers spectacular views that are even more impressive from a bicycle. Just keep the ocean on your right if you’re traveling south to Big Sur or Hearst Castle and to your left if you’re heading north to Monterey. This ride is straightforward, much like the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail and 17-Mile Drive. Highway 1 through Big Sur may be the nicest ride you will ever do if you are an experienced biker.

Coastal Recreation In Bike Trail Monterey

From Castroville north to Pacific Grove in the south, the 18-mile Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail runs along the water. This well-traveled asphalt pathway follows the same path as the former Southern Pacific Railway as it hugs the coastline. Families may easily access the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, American Tin Cannery outlet mall, Fisherman’s Wharf, and much more by using the recreation route and avoiding congested highways and parking issues.

History

The Southern Pacific Railroad historically operated along a large portion of the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. With financial support from the Coastal Conservancy and assistance from the cities of Pacific Grove, Monterey, and Seaside, the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District started converting this abandoned railway into the well-liked Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail in 1986 after immediately recognizing its potential.

Kayaking, Biking, and More

Visitors can hire bikes, surreys canopied quadricycles with seats for up to six people, inline skates, kayaks, and other equipment from a number of nearby shops, along with Adventures by the Sea and Monterey Bay Kayaks. The route has numerous places where you may stop and eat, or you can bring a picnic and set up a blanket on one of the many grassy spaces. You may observe sea lions and sea otters in their native habitat while taking in the stunning vistas of Monterey Bay.

Regulations and Rules

Like a conventional street, the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational Trail has two lanes. Please drive as you would normally drive and stay in the right lane. Leave adequate room for other hikers to pass if you’re in a big group so they can enjoy the route. On the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, all dogs must be leashed. Before crossing any road, always look both ways for your own protection. Bicyclists and pedestrians have their own parts of the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail in Pacific Grove. Please respect other users of the Recreation Trail and stay in the designated area for your activity.

Description Of The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail

The Bike Trail Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, which winds along the Pacific coastline, provides stunning views of the ocean and is a wonderful way to see Monterey and nearby cities while being outside. One of California’s most beautiful long paths, this lovely coastal rail trail spans 18 miles from Pacific Grove to Castroville. The trail travels along the route of the defunct Southern Pacific Railroad, which was previously used to transport cargo between the famed fishing town of Monterey and the remainder of northern California. You should grab a photo of the stunning rocky beach to the west as you start your hike in Pacific Grove at Lovers Point Park (the southern terminus of the route). But before you put your camera away, keep in mind that there are still plenty of stunning views to capture, including beach scenes, otters, boats, kayakers, and more, along the walk. You reach a mural depicting the history of the neighborhood around the trail after 0.3 kilometers. You arrive at Cannery Row, about a mile from the northernmost point. This region, made famous by John Steinbeck, has a wide variety of eateries, along with housing, shopping, and entertainment for people of all ages. You reach Monterey Bay Aquarium after a series of street intersections. The aquarium, regarded as one of the best in the world, features a wide variety of marine life, including a giant octopus and nearly two dozen different species of shark. About 1.5 miles into the trip, just past the aquarium, are Fisherman’s Shoreline Park and San Carlos Beach. In San Carlos, a well-known diving location, you might witness several shore divers getting ready for an underwater journey. The trail keeps going till it comes to a little beach where you can see fishing and sailing boats were strewn across the bay.

The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail’s location

Consider riding a bike in Bike Trail Monterey. Although there are many bike trails around Monterey, the Coastal Recreation Trail is my favorite. From Pacific Grove to Castroville, it is covered. The track is totally isolated from vehicles, making it safe for children and new riders. Since I trust myself, but I don’t trust bad drivers, I adore it when I see trails like this. The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail Map can be found above. To go into the heart of the Monterey area’s activity, I would advise starting from south to north. Because it’s a little more laid back, I enjoy staying in the Pacific Grove region. With all the tourist attractions in Monterey, it may get congested, so during COVID in particular; I didn’t feel as comfortable.

Details Of The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail

You will travel 18 miles on the one-way trail in 1.5 hours. It really depends on how much biking you want to do, as many of the key sights are within the first few miles, and some of the most stunning and secluded beaches are further north. One of my favorite things to do while biking on Monterey Bay is the ability to get off and on at any time. It’s stunning at Lovers Point in the morning, so I’d suggest arriving early (I started at sunrise). You will arrive at Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium within the first two miles. You will then arrive at the more well-known Del Monte Beach. Instead, I chose to make a detour to Monterey State Beach to see the stunning sand dunes! After that, I simply continued traveling north without stopping. After Monterey State Beach, it was absolutely deserted, and it was just really pleasant to breathe clean air and relax for a while.

When Should You Cycle The Bike Trail Monterey Bay Coastal?

Are you pondering the best time to cycle in Monterey? The fact that you can visit Monterey at any time of year is by far its best feature. Because of the marine layer and fog, it doesn’t become too hot during the summer. It only drops to about 60 degrees in the winter. Although it’s great any time of year, spring in March or April is definitely the ideal period. Just remember to pack a jacket. In the summer, out-of-town visitors frequently neglect to check the weather before they arrive, and by 7 PM, it is windy and chilly.

What to Bring Bike-wise

Once you leave Monterey, there aren’t many food and water options left, and the route might be quite long. It’s crucial to pack everything you require for hassle-free travel! Although I will be compensated for any purchases, it will not affect my recommendation of the equipment listed below. Here is a list of the equipment I advise: A headgear What matters most in this situation? Since a helmet protects your brain, which is a very vital part of your body, I will personally spend a little bit more for one. Broad-spectrum sunscreen is essential. Even though it appears to be gloomy in Monterey, the sun is really powerful. Water, water, and more water: I prefer to carry my water in a backpack, like the MSR Drumline, so I don’t have to mess with a water bottle. Level Foods Protein Bars: As I previously stated, once you leave the city, there aren’t many places to pause for a snack. Even though I had a substantial breakfast, biking burns a shockingly high number of calories, and I became ravenous quickly. Level Foods are nutrient- and protein-rich without being overly sweet. See more about my review here. Icebreaker, A fantastic mid-layer for windy/cold conditions in the fall and winter, is merino wool Great t-shirt for hot weather: Smartwool short sleeve shirt. Aids in wicking sweat Nike shorts for running: Call me uncomplicated or too frugal to purchase cycling-specific clothing, but Nike shorts do the trick. My pair has been with me for more than ten years!

The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail In California

There aren’t many finer summertime outings than this: The magnificent Monterey Bay in California is reached by an 18-mile clean, paved trail that is occasionally so near the water’s edge that waves wash over it. The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail offers access to sandy beaches, fishing piers, and marinas teeming with small boats brilliant white against the deep blue water. The trail is totally immersed in its seaside setting. Be prepared to witness sea lions soaking up the sun on the rocky shoreline, whales splashing in the distance, and kayakers navigating the course. Dreams of a Californian rail trail are made of this. According to Barry Bergman, trail development manager for RTC’s Western Regional Office, who inspected the path last month as part of the California Trails and Greenways conference, that panoramic view of the coastline was extremely remarkable. Then, as you enter the town, it truly becomes a part of it, with shops fronting onto it and bringing you right up to the attractions. The majority will begin their journey at the towns of Pacific Grove and Monterey at the southernmost point of the trail. The world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, Fisherman’s Wharf, and the historic Cannery Row, where the fishing and canning industries flourished in the early 1900s, are all within a few short miles of one another. Cans of fish were originally transported from here north to markets in the San Francisco Bay area by the former Southern Pacific Railroad, on which the rail trail was built. Virginia Murillo, a mobility planner for the Transportation Agency for Monterey County, chuckles, “I adore the trail, but I’m not the only one who loves the trail. It becomes quite crowded. The route will be used by more than 2,000 people every day on the weekends; the City of Monterey’s recently updated parks and recreation master plan, which was published last year, describes forthcoming work to extend the pathway in its busiest areas.

Network Of Scenic Trails In Monterey Bay Sanctuary (Coastal Rail Trail)

The 50-mile Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network (Trail Network) runs from the Pajaro county line in the north to the San Mateo county line in the south along the Santa Cruz County coast. The Trail Network combines ideas for a bike/pedestrian trail alongside the train line, including coastal alignments and community spurs, into a cohesive network that will overlap and intersect to offer safe and practical route options. The 32-mile Santa Cruz Branch Rail right-of-way, where the Coastal Rail Trail, a cycling and pedestrian trail next to the lines, is located, will serve as the “spine” of the Trail Networks system. The Coastal Rail Trail will be used by families, joggers, bikers, individuals with mobility disabilities, and walkers and joggers for transit, recreation, and interpretative purposes. Half of the County’s residents live within one mile of the rail right of way, which will also give access to 44 schools and 92 parks (see map). The Coastal Rail Trail will abide by the terms of the rail purchase and coexist with any current or potential future train service.

Bike Trail In Monterey Bay

I like to start where Sunset Drive meets the coast, by Asilomar State Beach, so I can ride as much of the bike route as I can. The bike path proper begins at Lover’s Point, but west of there, the coast is gorgeous (better than the Seventeen Mile Drive to the south). Parking is simple and available at Asilomar State Beach, along Sunset Drive, and on any of the side roads leading inland from Sunset Drive. A typical roadway runs from Asilomar State Beach to Lover’s Point, with the ocean on one side and gorgeous homes on the other. No road was more appropriately named than Ocean View Blvd, which took the place of Sunset Drive almost immediately. Consider how lovely it would be to reside in one of those homes while you take in the scenery from the turn-outs—the nicest of which is the John Denver Memorial, close to the location where his jet fell into the bay. Watch for sea otters, the city of Monterey’s mascots, as they eat shellfish while reclining on their backs in the waves. If you’re interested in those, a brief detour will take you past the Point Pinos Lighthouse and a relatively old cemetery.

The most common queries

How far is the bike trail in Monterey?

Eighteen miles – There aren’t many better summer adventures than this: 18 miles of paved, smooth trails lead to California’s breathtaking Monterey Bay, some of which are so near the water’s edge that waves periodically wash over them.

Where can I bike in Monterey, California?

Park in Andrew Molera State.
Cachagua Neighborhood Park.
Reserve for Elkhorn Slough.
National Monument at Fort Ord.
State Park at Fremont Peak.
Regional Park of Garland Ranch.
San Antonio Lake.
Park in Limekiln State

Where does the bike path in Monterey begin?

Description of the Pacific Grove Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail You should grab a photo of the stunning rocky beach to the west as you start your hike in Pacific Grove at Lovers Point Park (the southern terminus of the route).