After riding the lower trail to the beach many times I decided to try the upper trail. I really didn’t like it. The homeless encampments and graffiti made the trail feel unsafe. I’m an adult male and I was uncomfortable, I can’t imagine being a female using this trail alone. Won’t use the upper trail again.

This route came recommended to me by a friend. I decided to explore it for its full potential and I was not disappointed! Very scenic, mostly flat and all around therapeutic. There are a few short segments where there is no set path, but there’s minimal traffic. ***Rider Beware: there is minimal shade so make sure to go early or lather up with the sunscreen!

Dana Point entrance closed until further notice.

Good scenery riding along the PCH Smooth ride and plenty of room.

Was surprised to see that electric bikes were prohibited from the bike trail. There were cyclist going at least 30 mph just by pedaling alone. I don’t see the harm in a person using pedal assist or even an electric scooter going 10 mph. Other than that it’s a beautiful location!

Upper trail is about 18 miles one way. Trail condition are good, path is well maintained. Not the most scenic, but there were zero traffic intersections to negotiate. Most of upper riverbed was dry.

This trail is great. The first three miles are gorgeous, surrounded by orange trees, the mountains, and the equestrian center. The smell is not the most pleasant for the first half mile, but still bearable. The last three miles are okay - the San Juan Creek is not pretty by any means, but it is neat to follow the downtown San Juan Capistrano area for a little bit. I wish the signage was better when crossing La Novia Street. Signage was also a tad confusing and I actually merged into the Trabuco Creek Trail before realizing and turning around and crossing the bridge. .

these trails are actually really fun but yet very distant. i find it enjoyable to bike through these trails catching a breeze & watch bunnies or lizards come across the road every now & then. these trails can also lead to the norco powerhouse which is awesome to take pictures in & is close to the river. however, it feels a bit uncomfortable going though a plant nursery & interrupting people’s jobs. also, it does smell like horse dropping throughout the way so hopefully you don’t mind.

I'm grateful that this trail is no longer blocked by homeless and their tents. However I find it a little weird how different sections of this trail are connected and signed. There is a wooden bridge north of the 17th Street/Westminster Avenue exit. That bridge must be crossed to continue northbound, but there's no sign indicating that's where the trail continues.
Then again at Katella Avenue, there's a weird connection to the next section of trail north of there: a crudely paved section of trail that runs concurrent to Katella Avenue in East Anaheim across the street from ARTIC. The nearest sign I saw that said "Bike Route" did not point to the left where this crudely-paved connector actually is.