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Print Friendly MapThe 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 driving. Such locations include the Promenade in Temecula shopping mall, Chaparral High School, the Rancho Temecula Town Center, and connecting on the west with the Diaz Trail leading to Old Town Temecula (a visitors meca). All of which are within easy walking distance from the trail.
About the Route
The path travels alongside Nicolas Road to Voorburg Park and Nicolas Road Park before branching off from the road towards busy shopping centers. The trail passes under State Route 79 and skirts the retail properties, traveling independent of mall vehicular traffic, so users will have an undisturbed ride or walk. A barrier of chain-link fence separates the path from the parking lots, but easy exits at bridge underpasses and a few gates help to reach your desired destination. The path goes under all major street and freeway crossings for a continuous paved path, minus a couple of street crossings. On the western end the trail crosses Winchester Road connects with the Diaz Trail which parallels Diaz Road heading south.
Street parking can be found at the Joseph Road end of the trail near Joseph Park, 30592 Nicolas Rd. (Temecula). If you want to start from Diaz Road, you will need to park at a nearby shopping center. Be sure to obey any posted parking restrictions.
Great if you're a beginner cyclist or runner. Not terribly long or hilly, with just enough to tire you out and get the heart going if you take it both ways.
Quick and easy ride with my husband and 12 year old son. Got windy going back to where we parked but it was an overall great bike ride on a Friday afternoon.
We parked in a taco chain parking lot at corner of Winchester and Ynez. Rode to the end of the trail and back. Trail is nicely paved and wide enough. Did encounter a few other trail users, including a runner that insisted in running against traffic…well Okay then. Really nothing spectacular to report for this trail. Was good for a quick short ride.
This trail is great for novice riders, walkers and I believe you can actually ride horses on it. I took my 9 and 7 year old on a bike ride and it only took an hour or so.
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