Find the top rated atv trails in California, whether you're looking for an easy short atv trail or a long atv trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a atv trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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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.
We stayed at Ventura Beach RV-pricey but the location is perfect. The trail is outside the front of the RV park-easy to follow signs and find. At the north end of this trail it joins the Ojai Trail. The flowering bushes were breathtaking.
We stayed at Ventura Beach RV and the trail is at the front entrance. If you go left (north) you head down to the trail riding above the beach. This is kind of a wild part of the ocean. According to TrailLink the bike path ends at Emma Woods St Park. But really it doesn’t. It goes forever? We rode several more miles along Hwy 1 (PCH). There is a decent wide marked bike path along both sides of the two lane road. It seemed safe and lots to look at. If you turn right (south) out of the RV Park the trail goes to a more concrete promenade part of the ride on the beach. Lots of surfers. Would definitely do again.
I recently enjoyed a fantastic bike ride on the Sacramento River Trail and the Sacramento River Rail Trail in late May 2025. Riding my TREK Checkpoint gravel bike, and knowing it would be a 100-degree day, I planned to begin early at 5:45 AM from the Sheraton Hotel by the Sundial Bridge in Redding. This hotel is conveniently located right on the Sacramento River Trail, making it an ideal overnight spot before the ride.
The evening before, just to say I completed the entire trail, I rode a few miles from the hotel to the Sacramento River Trailhead at Hilltop Drive. It was a short but surprisingly steep climb to reach the trailhead.
The next morning, starting at 5:45 AM, I rode from the hotel to the end of the Sacramento River Trail at Keswick Dam. From there, I easily connected to the Sacramento River Rail Trail and rode it to its end at the Shasta Dam Trailhead, before returning along the same route back to the hotel. The seamless connection between the two trails made for a smooth transition. My total roundtrip distance was approximately 40+ miles. The Sacramento River Trail is a lovely, mostly flat, and shaded path with interesting bridges, including the iconic Sundial Bridge at the start and end.
Upon reaching Keswick Dam, the Sacramento River Rail Trail begins with a very steep initial 0.6-mile climb. After conquering that first hill, you'll encounter another 2+ miles of up and down switchbacks, some of which are quite challenging. In total, there are 2.7 miles of switchbacks, earning its nickname "Heart Rate Hill." While it's not continuously uphill, the frequent ascents and descents make it a demanding section. I personally found the northbound climb more difficult than the return south, likely due to more sustained uphill sections. My trail app recorded a total elevation change of just over 1,600 feet for the entire ride.
Once past the initial 2.7 miles of switchbacks, the trail becomes a beautiful and mostly flat ride to the Shasta Dam Trailhead. This section is scenic, following the Sacramento River and even passing through a 500-foot historic train tunnel.
While you can continue past the Shasta Dam trailhead to the top of the dam, it involves riding on a somewhat busy public road, which I chose to skip. For those wanting to avoid the 2.7 miles of switchbacks, an alternative starting point is the Keswick Boat Launch, which has parking available. From there, a roundtrip ride to the Shasta Dam Trailhead would be approximately 16 to 17 miles.
As a 71-year-old, I embarked on a personal goal last year to ride all the Rails to Trails Hall of Fame trails in my 70s. Last year, I completed the Great Allegheny Passage Trail, the C\&O Trail, the Illinois Prairie Path, the Pinellas Trail, and the Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail. I must say that the Sacramento River Rail Trail, with its nearly 5.5 miles of hilly switchbacks roundtrip, was the toughest single-day ride I've experienced! However, it was absolutely worth it—another unforgettable adventure and another pin on my map!
Great trail surface. Beautiful views of Humboldt Bay. Stop by the 707 bar for an Eel River Amber¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿
It is a neat clean little bike trail. It is not very long but, is a nice place to ride. It is not super intuitive when you cross streets. Be sure to look for the small blue & white signs that help direct you when you cross streets
Easy ride with a slight uphill to lower Peter’s Canyon Trail. 16 mile trip from home to the Walnut Trail, Peter’s Canyon Trail to West Irvine Trail
This trail is very sketchy part of town, many vagrant people around with some drug related undertones in that part of town! I DO NOT Recommend this trail especially if you’re alone
What a great trail. So glad I finally did it. Wonderful experience.
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.
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