Explore the best rated trails in San Marcos, CA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Rose Creek Bike Path and Coastal Rail Trail . With more than 33 trails covering 176 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
For me, who is afraid of heights, this was a bit difficult. It is slightly elevated and no railings. The surface is smooth, nice, easy to ride bike on. Going north-south, turn right at the neighborhood. Rode this Sunday lunchtime. Fair amount of runners, cyclists, and pedestrians. Everyone was considerate to each other.
This trail is currently closed from the North Beach entrance (near Metrolink) to the Portal Ave entrance. A series of rain induced land slides over the past few years took out a foot bridge and also damaged the railroad tracks. The trains have periodically halted and restarted but that portion of the path has been kept closed. May 2024 repair of the foot bridge has finally started. In 2023 the City of San Clemente passed bike restrictions for the trail. No bikes on the path near the Pier during summer season and peddle assist has been banned year round. Sadly the poor actions of a few bikers forced this restriction. That said, it’s a beautiful to walk. (5 stars) You are better off riding the well marked bike paths through town and visit either Dana Point Harbor or head south to the surfing spots of Trestles and San Onofre.
I enjoy this out and back I stay at Oceanside North Harbor and it's just a great ride
This particular trail is very well kept up, has a wide path of roughly 10 feet wide, and the trail itself goes under Riverford Road so that you don’t have to cross into the traffic if you don’t want to. The groundskeepers are constantly working on the shrubbery on both sides and keeping the fences kept up, and there are almost always people on the trails whenever we go, merrily saying good morning to us! My husband and I ride the distance and then turn around and go back, which ends up being a little over 6 miles which is just perfect for us. And, it’s a little bit challenging because there are changes and it is not a paved path, but a hard sand one.
My wife and friends have enjoyed this path a couple of times. It offers a rear view of the city. Traffic is minimal- a great Beginner Trail. The very west part off the trail has a homeless camp but again, a different view or aspect of life. I personally did not feel threatened but a female friend felt intimidated. I would highly recommend for new bikers or walkers / runners.
As many have already described this path, the west side is scenic and a great bike path. The east side.....well it's Chula Vista and what can you say. Lots of homeless camps and burned-out homeless camps along the way. Poorly marked in many places. I've traveled this path many times and I now always do the west side only. I always feel safe on the west side and the opposite on the east.
This is very easy and pleasant trail. Took my 8 year old on it today and he was able to finish the whole distance. We could not make it back as it was too much for him. We will definitely come back.
I do my cardio workouts on this trail 4 days a week. Are there homeless? Yes. Could it be touched up and repaved a bit? Yes. Cleaner? Yes. What part of San Diego doesn’t these days? With the homeless, I don’t bother them and they don’t bother me, and they are few and far between. This trail is a key to my overall health and fitness. I don’t have to pay a monthly or annual membership fee to use it. It doesn’t close at 11pm, and it’s just outside my door. And the best part it’s free. I love it!
We are 4-78 year olds on Ebikes. Have ridden this path last year. Today we were sitting at a picnic table having lunch and the park ranger/patrol stopped and told us we are not allowed on any part of the Mission Bay Bikepath. All is considered boardwalk. The whole path circling the bay. We had to leave thru the parking lot back to Mission Bay Rv Resort where we are staying. Sadly, we will not be coming here again.
Aliso Creek Trail in the middle of beautiful Orange county. What a great bike path. Easy Breezy. Can connect to Santiago in the north and Laguna in the South.
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