Bayshore Bikeway (Silver Strand Bikeway):
California
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Description:
Coastal rail-trail experiences don't get much better than this-a long, smooth palm-tree-lined trail with stunning views of the Pacific, San Diego Bay, and the downtown skyline, plus easy access to parks, tot play areas and chic cafes.
Before you start on the trail, please note that the coastal leg of the trail along this bikeway can be windy, especially in the afternoon. If you want the wind mostly at your back, ride the trail from north to south.
Paved portions of trail are wheelchair accessible, but a section of the trail near 10th Street and Glorietta Boulevard is an on-street bike lane and not a separate trail. Also, the route of the Bayshore Bikeway on the east side of the bay is predominantly on-street bike lanes.
The Bayshore (or Silver Strand) Bikeway sets out from Coronado Ferry Landing and the Ferry Landing Marketplace. Bring your bike over on the San Diego-Coronado Ferry (http://www.coronadoferrylandingshops.com/san-diego-bay-ferry.htm), or rent one at the Bikes & Beyond shop. Head south along the palm-tree-lined path past some upscale restaurants and trailside cafes. You can take in wonderful views of the downtown San Diego skyline as you skirt Tidelands Park, with its grassy fields and playground.
Bike underneath the beautiful, arching Coronado Bridge and keep your head up as you roll past the Coronado Golf Course, a public course with million-dollar views. As you wind around the perimeter of the golf course, the separated bike path ends and you cross over to the right side of Glorietta Boulevard, into the on-road bike lane for a short distance. At 10th Street and Glorietta Boulevard, cross Glorietta and pick up the off-street path again. A sign marking the trail here says BAYSHORE BIKEWAY & IMPERIAL BEACH.
To your right you might recognize the signature red roof of the historic Hotel del Coronado. Marilyn Monroe fans may recognize the 1888 hotel as the location for the Miami Beach scenes in Some Like it Hot.
Cutting south from the hotel, the pathway follows the Silver Strand, the narrow spit of land separating San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean where the Coronado branch of the San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railroad once traveled. The railroad was begun by prominent San Diego resident John D. Spreckels in 1906 and completed in 1919. It was constructed to link San Diego to the Southern Pacific Railroad in El Centro, Calif. In 1932, Spreckel's heirs sold their share of the railroad to Southern Pacific, and in 1933, it became the San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway.
On the left is the Coronado Community Center and a beautiful bayside park that's perfect for an afternoon picnic. Following the narrow, blustery corridor with shorelines and sand dunes on both sides of the rail-trail, you'll pass the large U.S. Naval Amphibious Base (where Navy SEALs train), and then a half-mile nature path with observation decks and interpretive signs. At Silver Strand State Beach, pedestrian tunnels beneath Highway 75 offer access to the bigger surf on the ocean side, or the calmer, warmer waters on the bay side.
Beyond the state beach is the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge, which was dedicated in June 1999 and contains the majority of the remaining wetlands, mudflats and eelgrass beds in San Diego Bay. The 3,940-acre refuge supports many endangered and threatened species of flora and fauna, which makes it an important stop on the Pacific Flyway, a north-south migratory bird route along the Americas. Visitors can bird watch from various points along the bike path.
The continuous, paved portion of the rail-trail ends at the south end of San Diego Bay at Main Street in Chula Vista. Bike lanes along light traffic streets connect to another short portion of trail near the 54 freeway and over the Sweetwater River, connecting to the Sweetwater Bikeway. To complete the 24-mile loop around the bay, the rail-trail links with well-marked on-street bike lanes and bike routes through Chula Vista, National City and downtown San Diego and on to the San Diego-Coronado Ferry.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the Coronado trailhead, from downtown San Diego take I-5 to the Highway 75 exit. Cross the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge and follow Highway 75, which becomes Fourth Street, to Orange Avenue. Turn right (east) onto First Street. A shopping center and the ferry terminal are just south of Orange Avenue and First Street. Park in the shopping center lot or on the street.
To reach the Imperial Beach trailhead, from the terminus of Interstate 5 in Chula Vista, take Highway 75/Palm Avenue east to 13th Street and turn right (north) to the trailhead parking lot.
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Seasonal Restrictions:
The trail can be used year-round. Use caution and common sense if venturing onto the exposed path during a winter storm, as there is no shelter from potentially furious winds and vigorous downpours.
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By momo on May 01, 2009
The extension of the trail from 13TH Street in Imperial Beach to the foot of Main Street in Chula Vista is now open adding over a mile of trail with beautiful views of soutern San Diego Bay and the salt flats.
By Tony on July 15, 2005
"If you’re anywhere near Imperial Beach, I highly recommend checking out the segment of this trail that extends from 13th Street to Route 75. Ample parking is available at the northern end of 13th Street and it’s a quiet and scenic walk, bike ride, or in-line skate trip to Route 75.
This trail segment is constructed mostly on an abandoned railroad right-of-way and unlike the trail segment from Silver Strand State Beach to Coronado, doesn’t run immediately adjacent to a very busy and noisy highway.
The trail surface here is nicely paved with protective fencing and/or guard rails in place as appropriate. Downtown San Diego’s skyline is visible along most of the route. Other views are of the nearby bay, and a wildlife sanctuary.
Don’t miss this gem if you’re visiting the area. Feel free to e-mail me for further information.
"
By chuck perkins on March 29, 2003
"This trail is a great place for a slow, scenic ride, or a fast training ride. It's ALWAYS windy, usually cross winds off of the Pacific.
The trail is very safe and has a clean surface, plus there are great views. Trail users can use the restroom and lunch tables at Silver Strand State Park which has direct access to the trail."
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