San Diego Creek Bicycle Path

The San Diego Creek Bicycle Path is mostly contained within the city of Irvine, California. The path begins where the San Diego Creek empties into Upper Newport Bay. The Bay itself makes for a pleasant ride with a Class 2 bike lane on the Eastern shore along a quiet road, some busy streets in the South and a section of Class 1 path to the East.

One main entry point is the Bayview Way between Route 73 and the bridge over San Diego Creek. You can head north from here and pedal through a scenic wetlands area until you approach the University of Irvine on the opposit side of the street. Be reminded that there is no public parking in this area, so using the college as a starting or ending point for your trip is not recommended.

After heading North on the path away from University Avenue you'll pass under Main Street via a concrete water run-off path. You'll eventually run into Colonel Barber Park, which is a great place to rest your legs and fill up on the available water. After leaving the park you can bike along the Eastern branch of the creek while you pass through residential Irvine.

If you continue biking further to the East, you will eventually pass through two bike tunnels near Windrow Park. Be careful leaving the last tunnel because it exits right onto Jeffrey Road with no posted signs alerting the motorists to be wary of bicyclists. After a time you will encounter the industrial outskirts of Irvine before you cross under Sand Canyon and Old Laguna Canyon Road. The path deteriorates at this point (a little before the Highway 133 underpass). This is the area that I usually end my ride, but occasionally I take another route back.

Double back to Old Laguna Road and head South over Interstate 405. Bear left at Quail Hill Road and you'll be biking down a nice and pleasant Class 1 bike path. After a nice downhill ride through a beautiful canyon section you'll find yourself at a gaurd house. Take the sidewalk to the right and make another right on Sunnyhill and head towards the park where you can take a small bicycle trail back uphill. On the other side of the hill you'll run into an intersection where you will want to head left. Keep pedaling and you'll notice the start of another Class 1 bike path that meanders downhill. The greenway snakes under streets in modified tunnels and is probably the most pleasant stretch of the return trip.

You can end your trip in two ways. At the base of the hill (by the wetlands along University Avenue) you can head right (North) back towards the 405. NOTE: If you are not an experienced rider, avoid riding over the car bridge that crosses the I405!! By heading left you will be biking South through a wetlands area near Culver Drive towards another small park. Once you reach the Evangelical Church you can meet back up with the Creek Path and head South all the way to Newport Bay at the end of the trail.

If you want to try out this trail it may be a good idea to have a map of Irvine handy-some of the areas are unmarked and can be a little confusing to people who aren't familiar with the area. Also remember that this trail runs through quite a few residential areas, so pedestrian traffic should be expected. Try this one out and feel free to post how it went. Happy biking.