Article Menu
Introduction

  Far North
Lake Shasta
Prairie Creek State Park

  Sierra Nevada
Mammoth Mountain
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
Downieville Downhill

  Bay Area
Henry Coe State Park
China Camp State Park
Annadel State Park

  Southern California
Noble Canyon
Aliso-Woods Canyon

Related Features
MTB Meccas Beyond Moab
Bay Area Biking
Top Ten U.S. Road Routes
Your First MTB Moves

Related Resources
GORP Biking
California Guide
GORPtravel Biking

online favorites
DESTINATIONS
GORP Top Ten
Top Ten California Singletrack
By Will Hangen
Far North
* Lake Shasta
* Prairie Creek State Park

Sierra Nevada
* Mammoth Mountain
* Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
* Downieville Downhill

Bay Area
* Henry Coe State Park
* China Camp State Park
* Annadel State Park

Southern California
* Noble Canyon
* Aliso-Woods Canyon

Agree/disagree?
Like our picks? Others to suggest?
Tell us.
Brand new trails are popping up all over California faster than Starbucks and most of them are the culmination of years of dedicated trail advocacy and sweaty singletrack construction. Even old stodgy Marin County, home of the original"radar rangers" and $250 tickets, is starting to change for the better.

A good case-in-point is China Camp State Park, a half hour from San Francisco. It's one of the best bike-legal singletrack networks anywhere and extends for about 15 miles, a continuous bliss-out all the way. At Tamarancho Trails, another nearby riding area, there's even a big sign at the entrance that states, "Bicycles MUST stay on the singletrack!" It actually does mean stay off the fire roads.

Cyclst on a trail
Nothing's better than the trail

So let's just get down to it and see what's currently available for visiting hammerheads. Here's my little road-trip scenario for bagging the best California rides in a single two-week period, though realistically you would want to spend a month at the attempt.

Map of California
Mountain bike trails in California

For a series of good California State Park maps, click here.

Remember to take lots of water, especially in the interior of the state, as most of these rides do not have any water available, even at the trailheads. Always wear a helmet and ride safely. Also, please be courteous to other trail-users because too much is at stake to blow it over a few angry hikers!

Move on to * Lake Shasta

Return to * Top

We've given you ten . . . Do you have a favorite ride that we did not include? Tell us about it in
GORP's Meccas Beyond Moab Forum.


Book an Active Vacation
star Top Biking Trips
Looking to indulge in some solid two-wheel adventuring, off-road or on? Ready to tackle America's byways? Check here, saddle up, and go!

U.S. Biking Destinations
bulletFar West
bulletRocky Mountains
bulletSouthwest
bulletMidwest
bulletSoutheast
bulletMid-Atlantic
bulletNew England



Related Pacific Coast Trips

Related Biking Trips

Road Trip Guides

National Park Guides

Hiking Guides

Today's Gear Guy

Gear Guides
[from Outside magazine]