Description
The San Diego Creek Bikeway is the spine of the City of Irvine's system of Class 1 bikeways and Class II bike lanes. It begins in Newport Beach and joins Back Bay Loop Trail where San Diego Creek empties into the Upper Newport Bay under the Jamboree Rd. bridge, then follows the creek upstream, crossing much of Irvine before it ends near the junction of the 405 and 133 Freeways.
Many of the 44 miles of off-road paved Class I bikeways and 282 miles of Class II bike lanes touch or cross the San Diego Creek Bikeway at some point. This lets you put together all sorts of loop trips. Where do you want to go today? Head up the creek and see where it takes you.
Parking and Trail Access
There are few established trailheads in the Irvine system. Access to the San Diego Creek Bikeway and other trails is normally done by using the most convenient of the numerous community or regional parks as a trail head.
The western end of the trail starts where it intersects the Back Bay Loop Trail in Newport Beach. This is where San Diego Creek empties into the Upper Newport Bay. It's also the busy Jamboree Rd. Bridge and there is no parking.
Most will start their ride at the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve at 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach. You can park in the lot or on University Dr. Google Earth: 33.654525° -117.886152°)
At about the half way point you will find the Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park at the corner of Barranca Pkwy. and Harvard Ave (4 Civic Center Plaza) Google Earth: 33.687683° - 117.820234°).
Further east along the creek is the Windrow Community Park at the corner of E. Yale Loop and Barranca Pkwy (285 E. Yale Loop). Google Earth: 33.672715° -117.787461°)
The park closest to the eastern end of the trail is Valley Oak Park at 16001 Valley Oak, right on the trail where Valley Oak crosses the creek. Google Earth: 33.666460° -117.775208°
Mellow Miles
By
srsteece
in
December, 2012
Location was the first attraction. The second is my wife and I both love the beach and coupled with a ride what could be better. Early December can be sketchy weather wise but we were lucky to have a warm Saturday (low 70’s) afternoon once the fog burned ...
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Easy picturesque trail to the Upper Newport Bay
By
katyushak
in
June, 2011
Rode this trail in early June 2011. It is an easy 10 mile trail that is used by both casual and avid cyclists, as well as pedestrians. Rode during lunch on a week day, so there were a few pedestrians walking on their lunch break (I am assuming) on upper ...
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Another chunk done gone
By
trailbear
in
December, 2010
12/23/2010
The Seven Days of Rain, recently departed, did more damage to the San Diego Creek Trail at the Upper Newport Bay. In the Rain Week of January 2010 the floods tore out the side of the weir dam at the Jamboree Rd. bridge and cut away part ...
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