Carlsbad, CA Running Trails and Maps

348 Reviews

Looking for the best Running trails around Carlsbad?

Find the top rated running trails in Carlsbad, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

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Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type
54 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Aliso Creek Riding and Hiking Trail

16.4 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Castaways Trail

1.02 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Dana Point Headlands Trail System

3.1 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete, Dirt

Hicks Canyon Trail

2 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

Huntington Beach Bicycle Trail (Coastal Trail)

8.4 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete

Jeffrey Open Space Trail

4.1 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete

Martin Luther King, Jr. Promenade

0.75 mi
State: CA
Brick

Mission Bay Bike Path

11.57 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete

Oceanfront Boardwalk

2.9 mi
State: CA
Concrete

Oso Creek Trail

4.1 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Peters Canyon Trail

5.6 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete

Rose Creek Bikeway

2.1 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

San Diego Creek Trail

10.8 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

San Luis Rey River Trail

9.5 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Santa Ana River Trail

57.7 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete

Santa Gertrudis Creek Trail

4 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Shady Canyon Trail

4 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete

State Route 56 Bike Path

10.8 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Turtle Rock Trail

2.8 mi
State: CA
Concrete
Accordion

Walker Preserve & River Park Trail

3.3 mi
State: CA
Crushed Stone

Walnut Trail

3.4 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

West Irvine Trail

1.7 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

Woodbridge Trail

2.2 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete

Bayshore Bikeway

24.7 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete

Escondido Creek Bike Path

6.1 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Inland Rail Trail

10.5 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Peters Canyon Bikeway

2.9 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

Rose Canyon Bicycle Path

1.1 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Rose Creek Bike Path

0.8 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Salt Creek Trail (Orange County)

5 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

San Clemente Beach Trail

2.3 mi
State: CA
Boardwalk, Sand

San Diego River Trail

6 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

San Juan Creek Trail

6 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete

Sorrento Valley Road Trail

1 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

University Trail

3 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete

Upper Bay Trail

2.4 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Venta Spur Trail

3.7 mi
State: CA
Concrete

Alton Avenue Bike Trail

1.8 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Bonita Canyon Trail

3.4 mi
State: CA
Concrete

Coastal Rail Trail

4.7 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete

Fay Avenue Bike Path

1.1 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Dirt

Sweetwater Bikeway

2.2 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete

Tustin Branch Trail

2.2 mi
State: CA
Concrete, Dirt

Freeway Trail

3.7 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Coast Highway Protected Trail

2.5 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Harvard Trail

1.5 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete

Juanita Moe Trail

1 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Linear Park

1.1 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Pacific Electric Bike Trail

2.1 mi
State: CA
Asphalt

Pershing Bikeway

2.3 mi
State: CA
Asphalt, Concrete
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
Overview  The Aliso Creek Riding and Hiking Trail runs 16.4 miles through the foothills of Orange County, California, between Portola Hills and Wood Canyon in Laguna Niguel. The 16.4 mile trail...
CA 16.4 mi Asphalt
The short Castaways Trail has expansive views of the mountains, ocean, Upper Newport Bay and Newport Harbor. Much of the 1-mile path runs along the bluffs in Castaways Park and the trail offers...
CA 1.02 mi Asphalt
Overview Trail users looking for an enjoyable loop hike through a new preserve and three parks with stunning ocean views will enjoy the 3.1-mile trail system in the Dana Point Headlands, a scenic...
CA 3.1 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Dirt
The Hicks Canyon Trail is a short but scenic blacktop trail along the landscaped Hicks Canyon Wash. It starts at the Peters Canyon Trail near Hicks Canyon Community Park and climbs up the wash to end...
CA 2 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone
Overview The scenic Huntington Beach Bicycle Trail runs 8.4 miles along the Pacific Ocean waterfront of the most populous beach city in Orange County. Paved over its entire length and remarkably...
CA 8.4 mi Asphalt, Concrete
Irvine's Jeffrey Open Space Trail, currently open in three disconnected segments, has won awards for its landscaping and innovative design incorporating a series of intaglio panels in the concrete bed...
CA 4.1 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Promenade connects a number of sites along San Diego's waterfront. The walkway runs on the northern side of an active railroad corridor parallel to the Linear Park, which...
CA 0.75 mi Brick
Overview The Mission Bay Bike Path forms an 11.57-mile, heart-shaped loop around San Diego’s Mission Bay and the incredibly scenic 4,235-acre Mission Bay Park.  Trail users should note that the...
CA 11.57 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Oceanfront Boardwalk begins in West Newport Beach at the end of 36th Street and runs nearly 3 miles down the Balboa Peninsula. Along the way, trail-goers will find restaurants, dory fishermen,...
CA 2.9 mi Concrete
The Oso Creek Trail offers just over four miles of paved pathway connecting Jeronimo Open Space Park and Oso Viejo Community Park in the suburban southern California city of Mission Viejo. Much of...
CA 4.1 mi Asphalt
The Peters Canyon Trail runs northeast from Bill Barber Community Park to Portola Parkway. The trail closely follows Peters Canyon Wash, a channelized tributary of San Diego Creek. Much of the...
CA 5.6 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Rose Creek Bikeway closes a gap in San Diego's regional trail system, easing connections from Sorrento Valley and University City in the north to Mission Bay and downtown San Diego in the south....
CA 2.1 mi Asphalt
When completed, the Salt Creek Trail will stretch 16 miles from Menifee to Hemet, California. As it Stands, the existing trail stretches 5 miles in two separate segments. The westernmost 4 miles of...
CA 5 mi Asphalt
The San Diego Creek Trail is a spine of Irvine’s extensive network of trails and bike lanes. Much of the trail follows San Diego Creek and connects to the city’s well-appointed parks, schools, and...
CA 10.8 mi Asphalt
Overview The San Luis Rey River Trail runs for 9.5 miles along the course of the San Luis Rey River in Oceanside. The trail, which is smooth and mostly flat, is a local favorite among cyclists,...
CA 9.5 mi Asphalt
Overview The Santa Ana River Trail is a colossus in the emerging greater Los Angeles–area trail network. The paved trail covers nearly 60 miles in two sections, including more than 20 miles through...
CA 57.7 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Santa Gertrudis Creek Trail is a 3-mile paved trail that serves as both a recreational amenity and an active transportation alternative for locals looking to get to nearby locations without...
CA 4 mi Asphalt
The Shady Canyon Trail is an incredibly scenic route along Shady Canyon Drive in southern Irvine. Extending through the southern reaches of the historic Irvine Ranch and protected Irvine Ranch Natural...
CA 4 mi Asphalt, Concrete
Overview The State Route 56 Bike Path provides a 10.8-mile traffic-separated connection between inland and coastal San Diego County. About the Route The route gradually inclines traveling...
CA 10.8 mi Asphalt
The Turtle Rock Trail meanders its way through the neighborhood of the same name in southern Irvine. The path is a short—but serious—aerobic workout, as it features climbs to the trail's high point at...
CA 2.8 mi Concrete
Accordion
Meandering through the Walker Preserve and Lakeside's River Park Conservancy, this multiuse trail follows the San Diego River from the City of Santee to the community of Lakeside. This 3.3-mile...
CA 3.3 mi Crushed Stone
Irvine’s Walnut Trail shares a wide corridor with an active BNSF Railway line through a section of Orange County that was known for producing oranges and strawberries until the 1970s. While the trail...
CA 3.4 mi Asphalt
To the trail user, the West Irvine Trail and Peters Canyon Bikeway are one continuous trail with two names in three cities. The northern component of the Peters Canyon Regional Trail, both paths...
CA 1.7 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone
The Woodbridge Trail, while short, is one of the most scenic in Irvine's extensive trail network. Views of two lakes and surrounding mountains unfold around each bend. It's a great route for families...
CA 2.2 mi Asphalt, Concrete
Overview Nearly encircling the San Diego Bay, the Bayshore Bikeway offers views of downtown San Diego and the resort town of Coronado while providing access to a number of parks and beaches....
CA 24.7 mi Asphalt, Concrete
This paved trail along Escondido Creek can help residents commute to the Escondido Transit Center or to local services, as well as providing a pleasant opportunity for recreation. The trail connects...
CA 6.1 mi Asphalt
Overview The Inland Rail Trail runs for 10.5 miles through the San Diego County communities of Escondido, San Marcos and parts of Vista. About the Route The setting for the Inland Rail Trail...
CA 10.5 mi Asphalt
As its name suggests, the Mission Beach-Pacific Beach Boardwalk conveniently links the two oceanfront communities north of downtown San Diego. The paved path, also known appropriately as Oceanfront...
CA 3 mi Concrete
To the trail user, the West Irvine Trail and Peters Canyon Bikeway are one continuous trail with two names in three cities. The northern component of the Peters Canyon Regional Trail, both paths...
CA 2.9 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone
The Robert McCollum Memorial Bicycle Trail, also known as the Trabuco Creek Trail (East Bank), is a short paved path along Trabuco Creek in San Juan Capistrano. The trail begins at a junction with the...
CA 1 mi Asphalt
The short and sweet Rose Canyon Bicycle Path is a popular route because of its scenery and the important off-street connection it provides between the Mission Bay and UC San Diego areas. Tucked...
CA 1.1 mi Asphalt
The Rose Creek Bike Path is actually a segment of trail less than a mile long, connecting the Mission Bay Trail in the south to the Rose Creek Bikeway, opened in 2021. It's a short but important...
CA 0.8 mi Asphalt
The Salt Creek Trail, with more arms than an octopus, offers a variety of experiences for trail users of all types in Dana Point and Laguna Niguel. Featuring two sections, several branches and a mix...
CA 5 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone
Overview Hugging one of the most picturesque shorelines in Southern California, the San Clemente Beach Trail is one of the premier rail trails in the area. The trail is a rail-with-trail, as it...
CA 2.3 mi Boardwalk, Sand
The San Diego River Trail is a network of paths that lead along the San Diego River channel and mud flats and provide access to Mission/Fashion Valley shopping areas. You can walk or ride on either...
CA 6 mi Asphalt
The San Juan Creek Trail starts where the creek meets the Pacific Ocean at Doheny State Beach in scenic Dana Point. From there, it runs on the levee along the western bank of San Juan Creek to its...
CA 6 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Sorrento Valley Road Trail is a paved, two-lane section of road that was closed to traffic in the 1990s when CDOT built an interchange between State Route 56 and Interstate 5. In 1998 the road was...
CA 1 mi Asphalt
The scenic University Trail begins at a connection with the San Diego Creek Trail and runs east along University Drive through southern Irvine. The trail stretches the length of William R. Mason...
CA 3 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The short Upper Bay Trail arcs around the northern edge of the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve near the Newport Beach–Irvine city line. The protected estuary, home to six rare avian species, is...
CA 2.4 mi Asphalt
The Venta Spur Trail travels along the narrow corridor of a former rail spur that began serving the Frances Packing House—a major citrus processing facility—in 1916. Today, the popular trail serves...
CA 3.7 mi Concrete
The Alton Avenue Bike Trail runs adjacent to both Alton Avenue and an active railroad line through Santa Ana. The path primarily serves the recreational and commuting needs of local residents,...
CA 1.8 mi Asphalt
Overview The Bonita Canyon Trail is a 3.4-mile side path along Culver Drive and Bonita Canyon Drive linking the Orange County cities of Irvine and Newport Beach. About the Route From its...
CA 3.4 mi Concrete
Overview    Open in distinct sections while still under development, The Coastal Rail Trail traverses beachside communities in Oceanside, Carlsbad, Solana Beach and Encinitas. Slated to eventually...
CA 4.7 mi Asphalt, Concrete
Make sure you bring your camera for this trail. The Fay Avenue Bike Path runs through the upscale seaside resort community of La Jolla, and opens up to the sweeping vistas of the Pacific Ocean,...
CA 1.1 mi Asphalt, Dirt
The Sweetwater Bikeway runs along the Sweetwater River from a parklike setting opposite the Plaza Bonita Shopping Center on the trail's east side to the yacht harbor at the mouth of the river. The...
CA 2.2 mi Asphalt, Concrete
If you are looking for a quick escape from the smog and traffic of Southern California, take a trip along the Tustin Branch Trail. Currently open in two disconnected segments, the trail runs on the...
CA 2.2 mi Concrete, Dirt
The Freeway Trail, as its name implies, parallels the San Diego Freeway (Interstate 405) on its brief route through Irvine. With power lines overhead and neighborhoods blocked by sound walls to the...
CA 3.7 mi Asphalt
Paralleling the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) for 2.5 miles, this route provides pedestrian and bicyclists with a connection between Capistrano Beach and North Beach.  The Coast Highway Protected...
CA 2.5 mi Asphalt
The Harvard Trail is a short sidepath along Harvard Avenue in Irvine. Beautifully landscaped, lit and featuring smooth concrete, the trail is a much more pleasant experience than your average roadside...
CA 1.5 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Juanita Moe Trail—formerly known as the Quail Hill Trail—is a short path along Interstate 405 south of downtown Irvine. Forming a link between the University Trail and Jeffrey Open Space Trail in...
CA 1 mi Asphalt
Running through downtown San Diego, Linear Park is a vibrant, palm-lined ribbon that parallels an active trolley line along Harbor Drive. The trail provides direct access to many of the city's...
CA 1.1 mi Asphalt
A neighborhood trail of the first order, the Pacific Electric Bike Trail links well-kept middle class neighborhoods on either side of tree-lined Maple Street near downtown Santa Ana. The trail runs on...
CA 2.1 mi Asphalt
Overview The 2.3-mile Pershing Bikeway runs through the famous Balboa Park in San Diego. The entire route is paved and runs alongside Pershing Dr. About the Route Pershing Bikeway connects...
CA 2.3 mi Asphalt, Concrete
Running 1.5 miles between the Sorrento Valley COASTER Station and the University of California San Diego campus, this paved bike path provides an improved connection in Sand Diego's bike trail...
CA 1.5 mi Asphalt

Recent Trail Reviews

Mission Bay Bike Path

Nice Ride

October, 2024 by swvn2cp6ym

Nice ride

San Luis Rey River Trail

I enjoy this out and back I stay at Oceanside North Harbor and it's just a great ride

September, 2024 by patdig5109

I enjoy this out and back I stay at Oceanside North Harbor and it's just a great ride

Walker Preserve & River Park Trail

an excellent bicycling and walking trail!

September, 2024 by lolljr61

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.

Accordion

Escondido Creek Bike Path

Fun, Open, posing views

August, 2024 by drichard4

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.

Bayshore Bikeway

West side, good. East side, forget it.

August, 2024 by mark0053

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.

Santa Ana River Trail

workout sessions

August, 2024 by antonio05115

Started to get bored so I bought myself a bike, I came out here to these trails, first I started from fairmount park in riverside and made my way north on the trail from there made it to the 10 freeway and back with no problems other than the heat( carful out there guys take water), as for the other bikers, all out there you’ll see them remember to say hello ! There were homeless on the trail next to the river but I had no issues with them. Definitely five stars from me, mostly because there was a vast distance to cover and I got the workout I needed, coming back for sure!

Santa Ana River Trail

Citizen of San Bernardino County

July, 2024 by fosterarmy

New experience after all these years of cycling and blading. Went with family to ride bicycles. We start behind county records located at 222 Hospitality Ln. Too many homeless with dogs. A white dog chased us on the bike trail between county records and industrial buildings next door. It's worse on the weekends. Apparently, the homeless know that there is no security at night and on the weekends. Do not leave your car there.

San Luis Rey River Trail

Very nice trail

May, 2024 by p9jbzstx84

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.

Peters Canyon Bikeway

scenic

May, 2024 by s6ng4kcdv4

This is one of my go to short and quick rides. I start from Valencia park in Jamboree and end at Peters Canyon trail head. It's a beautiful trail with a mild slope.

Walnut Trail

walnut trail

May, 2024 by s6ng4kcdv4

About 4 miles of paved trail from walnut to Sand canyon. Runs along metrolink railway and there is a park along the way if you want to take a break. I started from west point Irvine in Jamboree then took Peters Canyon from Bryan to Harvard and Walnut trail. It was 13.6 miles of nice relatively easy ride.

Escondido Creek Bike Path

Perfect for running/walking

April, 2024 by oliverjparado

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!

Huntington Beach Bicycle Trail (Coastal Trail)

Fun Oceanside Ride

April, 2024 by barbscondo

Rode this on a Wednesday. Wonderful path. One of the best we have been on because it is very wide and well marked. Some areas have separated pedestrian lanes which is always a bonus. We are 4-78 years olds on 3 Ebikes and one Etrike. We are always respectful of other riders and walkers. There were quite a few people using the path-enough to make it fun. Probably crowded on weekends. The bluff above the portion that is the Huntington Dog Beach was so great for watching all the dogs have a blast in the waves. This will be a repeat path in our travels.

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Accordion

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