Top 5 Los Angeles Bike Trails for Families

Los Angeles, or the City of Angels, is the most populated city in California and the second most populated in the US. Make sure you’re getting away from it all with your family by checking out these top Los Angeles bike trails. We promise they’ll make for memories your family will treasure for years. Make sure to ride in style by putting the kiddos in a Hamax Outback bike trailer. The Outback won the Reddot Design award in 2016 and it transitions to a stroller so you can be stylish no matter where you go. Read below to find our favorite Los Angeles bike trails, pick one that looks awesome, and enjoy sunny California like never before.

Marvin Braude Bike Trail

Otherwise known as “The Strand”, this trail has been featured in hundreds of TV shows and movies. The asphalt and concrete path follows the coast for over 21 miles. This gives you and your family plenty of time to take in the amazing views. As you pass the Santa Monica Pier feel free to take a break and ride on the Ferris wheel or grab some ice cream. Along the way there is plenty of opportunity for people watching – you could even make this into a game with your kiddos. Don’t forget the sunscreen and floppy hats as shade on the bike path is limited. Check out this map for the full route.

Ballona Creek Bike Path

Ballona Creek was channelized in the 1930’s and has since been used as a path for all types of activities by outdoor enthusiasts. The paved bike trail runs about 7 miles from the Syd Kronenthal Park to the Coast Bike Path. While not scenic in a natural sense, this trail has plenty of street art. Again, you’ll want to pack sunscreen and make sure to put the sun shade down on the Outback as shade is slim along the path. At the western end, the path runs through the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve which is a great place for bird watching with over 300 species. Grab this map to start planning your route.

Shoreline Bike Path

This scenic path runs for 4.1 miles along the Long Beach Shoreline Marina. The path is paved and 17 feet wide with lanes for bikers in each direction and a separate lane for pedestrians. This is the perfect place to bring your camera and capture the sights of the ships in the harbor or a sunrise. Do make sure to bring extra water and sunscreen for both you and the munchkins. When you’re ready to cool down, hop off the bikes and wade out into the surf for a refreshing break. This map gives plenty of parking options so you can spend your time biking instead of driving.

Chandler Bikeway

This 2.8-mile bike path is a stunning jewel that’s tucked away in an unsuspecting Burbank neighborhood. The paved trail runs along W Chandler Blvd and although it does cross a few streets, they are spaced quite far apart. This is the perfect place to take the family when you’ve got older kiddos just getting used to their own bikes. If you’re looking to update your own home, check out the unique homes you’ll pass along the way. Be sure to look for the collection of murals commissioned by Mayor Richard Riordan in North Hollywood. See the trail endpoints with this map before setting out.

Los Angeles River Trail

The Los Angeles River Trail runs for almost 24 miles down the channelized river. It’s also known as the Los Angeles River Bike Path, Los Angeles River Bikeway, Los Angeles River Greenway Trail, and Lario Trail. Whew, that’s a lot of nicknames! The paved path is separated into Northern and Southern sections with a large gap around downtown LA. Both sections offer several parks to stop at for a quick picnic or to let the kiddos out to burn off some energy. The Southern part of the trail meets the network of beachfront trails – if you’re looking to extend your ride (or avoid parking near the beach) this is a perfect route. Check out this map for trailheads and route planning.

Now that you’ve gotten a taste of the California biking life with our roundup of the best Los Angeles bike trails get out there and find your favorite. Let us know if there’s a trail you love that didn’t make it on to our list.