Explore California’s Top 5 Cycling & Velomobile Routes: From L.A. to the Coast
- Reading time: 10 min .
- Written by Jan Wijnen
- Checked by Velomobile World
With 300+ sunny days, palm‑lined boulevards, and expanding protected bike infrastructure, California has become a cyclist’s and velomobilist’s playground. Whether you crave ocean breezes along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway or the urban pulse of Los Angeles, California’s diverse routes deliver an invigorating ride. Moreover, from the waterfront charm of Long Beach to the beachfront paths of Santa Monica, the Golden State offers experiences that refresh both body and mind.
Top 5 Must‑Ride Routes Across California
1. Ballona Creek Bike Path
Distance: 7 miles (round‑trip)
Skill Level: Easy–Moderate
Highlights: Wetlands wildlife, smooth pavement, and views of Playa del Rey.
Why You’ll Love It:
This flat, paved path runs alongside Ballona Creek, connecting Culver City to the Marina. Perfect for velomobiles, the wide shoulders and gentle curves let you maintain speed while soaking in coastal marsh scenery.
2. Pacific Coast Highway Cycling
Distance: Up to 40 miles (Malibu → Ventura)
Skill Level: Moderate-Hard
Highlights: Cliffside vistas, ocean spray, and iconic Malibu beaches.
Why You’ll Love It:
Cruise one of the world’s most famous coastal roads, velomobiles slice through headwinds, boosting efficiency and calorie burn. Pull over at Point Dume for a panoramic snack stop, then power back on through undulating seaside hills.
3. The Strand (Marvin Braude Trail)
Distance: 22 miles (Will Rogers State Park → Torrance Beach)
Skill Level: Easy–Moderate
Highlights: Venice Beach murals, Santa Monica Pier, and Redondo Beach waterfront.
Why You’ll Love It:
Known locally as “The Strand,” this beachfront trail is tailor‑made for Dwight’s velomobile adventures. The wide, protected lanes ensure a smooth, safe ride past sunbathers, street performers, and endless ocean views.
4. Long Beach Shoreline Cycling
Distance: 9 miles (Shoreline Village loop)
Skill Level: Easy
Highlights: Aquarium of the Pacific, Alamitos Bay, and waterfront parks.
Why You’ll Love It:
Ideal for a family‑friendly spin or solo fitness ride, the Shoreline Path hugs the harbor with dedicated lanes and plenty of photo ops. Velomobile riders enjoy extra stability on the gentle curves and scenic boardwalks.
5. Santa Monica Bike Path
Distance: 8 miles (Perry’s Cafe to Malibu Lumber Yard)
Skill Level: Easy
Highlights: Muscle Beach, Third Street Promenade, Palisades Park.
Why You’ll Love It:
From the bustling pier to the cliff‑top Palisades, this coastal path blends ocean breezes with shopping and café pit‑stops. The smooth pavement and clear signage make it a breeze for velomobiles and traditional cyclists alike.
Tips for Riders & Velomobilists
-
Gear Up with Integrated Comfort & Visibility: Always wear a ventilated helmet and use daytime running lights, crucial on foggy coast‑mornings. Velomobiles feature NACA‑duct ventilation systems and Velcro‑removable side windows for airflow on demand, plus built‑in reflective shells and lighting for extra visibility.
-
Hydrate & Snack Effortlessly: Use your velomobile’s luggage compartments or saddle packs for a bike to carry water, electrolytes, and light snacks for those longer cruises.
-
Layer Smart & Ride Protected: Stash a lightweight windbreaker under your seat coastal fog and inland gusts can change fast. With the hood up, your velomobile cockpit shields you from wind, rain, and sun, so you don’t have to overthink your outfit.
-
Lock Strategically: Bring a sturdy U‑lock for the chassis and a cable lock for the wheels when you pop into cafés or scenic lookouts velomobiles are valuable carbon‑fiber machines, so frame‑and‑wheel security is key.
-
Mind Your Etiquette & Tech: Signal turns early, with a bike ride predictably in protected lanes, and call out “On your left!” when passing. Remember: most velomobiles come equipped with car‑style lights and turn signals, use them to communicate clearly with drivers and fellow cyclists.
Meet Dwight Street, 62, California’s velomobile ambassador based in Los Angeles.
After discovering velomobiles on YouTube, Dwight now rides weekly across Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Monica, and other iconic California cities-burning calories, building strength, and turning heads with his carbon‑fiber, three‑wheeled machine.
Dwight Street: California’s Velomobile Fitness Ambassador
At 62, Dwight Street transformed his fitness routine by swapping traditional cycling for a velomobile—and the results have been nothing short of life-changing. Each week, Dwight clocks miles through Los Angeles’s vibrant urban streets and California’s scenic coastal roads, using his three-wheeled, carbon-fiber marvel to:
- Boost Cardio Endurance: Sustaining a steady pace along The Strand and Pacific Coast Highway, Dwight elevates his heart rate, improving cardiovascular health without the joint strain of high-impact workouts.
- Build Strength & Core Stability: Each entry and exit engages his legs, glutes, and core, turning simple rides through Ballona Creek and Santa Monica paths into comprehensive strength-training sessions.
- Maintain Year-Round Activity: Thanks to his velomobile’s protective cockpit and ventilation system, Dwight conquers “June Gloom” coastal fog and inland heat alike, keeping his routine consistent across California’s microclimates.
Beyond personal gains, Dwight’s mission is to share this joy and health with others. Whether you’re curious about the NACA-duct ventilation, Velcro windows, or cockpit ergonomics, he’s eager to guide you every pedal of the way:
Ask Dwight at coolstuffonthestreet@gmail.com to learn how a velomobile can revolutionize your fitness, and why California’s roads were made for three wheels.