These Stunning E-Bike Trails Offer Outdoor Fun While Cruising Along The California Coast

You could certainly power through a sightseeing itinerary relying on nothing but muscle strength. However, an e-bike can help ensure that your vacation remains relaxing rather than exhausting. After all, when you have several museum visits and a nice dinner lined up, the last thing you want to be is tired, sweaty, and hangry. E-bikes are not always self-coasting, though; some models require continuous pedaling for the motor to function. So, expect to log in some physical activity for a well-rounded vacation. 

California offers plenty of e-bike-friendly trails, and in this article, we have rounded up some of the best coastal routes for you to explore. We employed online reviews and route websites to curate this list. Most of these trails offer a satisfying mix of urban, rural, and wild environments. Plus, they are nestled along relatively flat and paved surfaces, making accessibility simple via public or private transportation. Because traveling with a bike can be a hassle, you'll be pleased to know that e-bikes are often available for rent in the trails' immediate vicinities.

When riding an e-bike, always wear a helmet and be mindful of other trail users. During peak tourist season and on weekends, several of these trails can be tight on elbow space. If you decide to tackle a route not on this list, make sure it permits the use of e-bikes. For example, the Mission Bay Bike Path in San Diego is off-limits due to city-wide regulations that ban e-bikes on beach boardwalks. Finally, pack plenty of sunscreen, a water bottle, and a snack, just in case, although food and drink are readily available on most of these trails.

For 18 scenic miles from Castroville to Pacific Grove, the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail takes bikers along the former route of the Southern Pacific Railroad. It runs past Fort Ord Dunes State Park, Monterey State Beach, Fisherman's Wharf and downtown Monterey, San Carlos Beach, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Cannery Row. Along the way, you will see plenty of sand dunes, aquatic life, a eucalyptus forest, and, weather permitting, folks recreating in the ocean. 

Keep your eyes peeled for birds soaring in the air, as well as seals, sea lions, and otters in the water. If you are lucky, you may even see a pod of whales in the distance. Before the route truly becomes coastal, though, you will get to cycle inland through picturesque farmlands. Parking is available at several points along the trail.

Additionally, you will find many opportunities for food. Fisherman's Wharf, for instance, is brimming with gift shops and restaurants. Tripadvisor users frequently laud the seafood restaurants and candy shops here, so come with an appetite for fish and saltwater taffy. The waterfront district of Cannery Row, located near the southern end of the trail, also offers several dining options. Finally, when it comes to resting your head at night, consider Monterey Beach Hotel, which is conveniently located. It is Monterey's only beachfront hotel and impressively luxurious.

The Ocean Beach Bike Path in San Diego links Ocean Beach to SeaWorld, and it makes for an excellent half-day adventure. This path can provide more than 11 miles of biking, depending on whether you take advantage of the Old Sea World Drive bike path on the northern side of the estuary. You can also extend your trip by riding north toward Mission Beach, but note that you must walk e-bikes on boardwalks, per city regulations. Don't rush too much on this path, or you will miss the flora and fauna that thrive in the estuary. Dog Beach and Robb Field have parking lots, though you might want to arrive early on especially beautiful days.

One of the highlights of the Ocean Beach Bike Path is Dog Beach, where pups can frolic in the water without the restraint of leashes. Dog Beach stands out from other beaches of its kind because it is clean and spacious. As one Tripadvisor user put it, "People clean up after themselves. It has a relaxing vibe to it. Not pretentious." Meanwhile, nearby Newport Avenue overflows with restaurants and bars to refresh you after your ride, as well as shops if you would like to indulge in some retail therapy. Festivals, farmers markets, and unique events (such as the monthly "Bricks 'n' Brews," which features LEGOs and craft beers) give the area an extra dose of vibrancy.

San Diego's Bayshore Bikeway is a great excuse to visit the city of Coronado, which is brimming with restaurants, bars, beaches, and a world-class golf course. You can cross over to Coronado from the mainland by way of the San Diego-Coronado Bridge, but a better way is to take a short ferry ride. Once you arrive at the Coronado Ferry Landing, you can immediately start riding on the Bayshore Bikeway. 

The route circles San Diego Bay for 24 miles on a paved road. As a result, it passes through Coronado and San Diego, showcasing the Imperial Beach and Chula Vista communities along the way. Since this bikeway is a loop, making it an out-and-back affair by turning around at Imperial Beach, it will keep you exclusively on the 13 miles of car-free bike paths. After that, you will need to be comfortable with using the bike lanes outlined on the roads. Besides, several TrailLink users noted that the Coronado side of the bikeway is cleaner and more scenic anyway.

One of the most picturesque segments of the Bayshore Bikeway is Silver Strand State Beach, where you can take a dip in the water to cool off on a hot day. Odds are high that you'll see folks playing volleyball, kayaking, camping, or picnicking at this beach. While in Coronado, you will also see signs of the U.S. Naval Amphibious Base and the 2,620-acre San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Avoid taking the Bayshore Bikeway when the breeze is wicked; exposed segments (particularly the Silver Strand) will have you holding onto your handlebars for dear life.

The Marvin Braude Bike Trail, lovingly known as "The Strand," is a 22-mile-long paved path that showcases some of the Los Angeles region's best beaches. With one endpoint in Will Rogers State Beach in the north and the other in Torrance Beach in the south, this path is a paradise for those who love beach hopping. Along the way, you'll see Santa Monica State Beach, with its iconic Ferris wheel, roller coaster, and pier. 

You'll also ride by Venice Beach, the most filmed beach in the United States, and the one where Barbie and Ken roller-skated in the 2023 hit film directed by Greta Gerwig. Playa del Rey, Dockweiler State Beach, El Segundo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach are likewise accessible from this bike trail. The route can get crowded on weekends, so consider an early morning bike ride. However, as one Tripadvisor user put it, "Sunsets are always gorgeous no matter [where] you find yourself along the trail." 

With myriad options to eat, drink, and shop, you could spend an entire day on The Strand. Bring a bike lock (often provided with bike rentals) to safeguard your trusty steed as you step into restaurants like Good Stuff at Hermosa Beach and Shellback Tavern at Manhattan Beach. E-bikes, beach cruisers, tandem bikes, and kids' bikes can all be rented at Hermosa Cyclery, as well as several other vendors along the way. Because this trail's northern endpoint is adjacent to the Pacific Palisades, you might see evidence of the devastating fires that ravaged the area in 2025 from a distance. We kindly ask that you consider supporting local shops and restaurants as they reopen.

Huntington Beach Bike Trail, sometimes referred to as the Ocean Strand, is a popular route in Orange County that promises classic California beach vibes and excellent people-watching. After all, the trail is located in Surf City USA, one of the best places to catch waves on the West Coast. This paved route stretches 6 miles between Huntington Beach Pier and Newport Beach Pier, but if you begin at the Warner Avenue trailhead, you can rack up nearly 8 miles each way. 

Parking lots are located at each end of the trail, but you can start your ride from an alternate point, such as the Huntington Beach Pier. For a longer day, you could even combine this route with another 30 miles or so of the Santa Ana River Trail. The latter pathway is still in development and will eventually total about 110 miles. It is slightly hilly, so you'll be grateful to have that e-bike when the going gets tough.

Tourists from out of town don't need to fret about transporting bikes; e-bikes, beach cruisers, tandem bikes, and surrey bikes are all available for rent at Huntington Beach. Nor do you need to worry about food or drink — restrooms, water fountains, beach shacks, and restaurants are plentiful along the trail. Indeed, one Tripadvisor user noted, "This beach is pet friendly and also known as dog beach. It has a nice boardwalk, a cute town with lots of shops and restaurants ... Spending a few hours in the evening was good fun."

Pedestrians and cyclists have a unique way of experiencing Santa Barbara without the headache of traffic: The Cabrillo Boulevard Bike Path. This route is spectacular for beach hopping along Santa Barbara's coastline. It's about 4.5 miles each way, and you can hit Leadbetter Beach, East Beach, and Butterfly Beach. Plus, you will have the chance to explore the 43-acre Andrée Clark Bird Refuge, where over 200 species of birds have been sighted. As if that were not enough, the highly rated Santa Barbara Zoo is located just off the bike path.

If you cycle this route on a Sunday after 10 a.m., you will find the Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Walk set up along the boulevard. Make sure to bring a backpack to transport any jewelry, paintings, or trinkets you buy. If hunger starts gnawing at your stomach, you can make an easy detour into the town of Santa Barbara, one of the most romantic destinations in California. Tondi Gelato is not to be missed on a hot day. Otherwise, you can stay right on the coast. Stearns Wharf Pier offers a handful of seafood restaurants, gift shops, and even a natural history museum. Tripadvisor reviews note that the Cabrillo Boulevard Bike Path can often be crowded, so always exercise caution and respect for fellow trail users.

Not to be confused with the San Gabriel River Trail in Texas (which follows an entirely different river), the San Gabriel River Trail of California is 35.4 miles in length and features mountain and ocean views. It is the only route on this list that does not predominantly follow the ocean's shoreline. Nevertheless, you will be treated to plenty of coastal wildlife and scenery when biking on its paved surface. Besides, if you start or end at Seal Beach, an uncrowded beach by California standards, you will have easy access to the wooden and photogenic Seal Beach pier. There are also a plethora of shops and restaurants, as well as views of Catalina Island and the Long Beach Harbor skyline.

Aside from its two endpoints — the cities of Seal Beach and Azusa — the San Gabriel River Trail can be accessed from multiple points. For instance, it passes by El Dorado Regional Park, Wilderness Park, and Rio San Gabriel Park. This creates a nice blend of urban and natural features. As you might expect, starting closer to the San Gabriel Mountains and biking toward the beach will be almost entirely downhill, but, for the most part, the slopes are gentle. Nevertheless, an e-bike can make getting back to the starting point a more relaxed experience. Alternatively, one Tripadvisor user suggested to cyclists: "Start at the beach and head inland early as the wind can pick up and be in your face when heading back to the beach."

The Devil's Slide Trail may be only 1.3 miles long, but it is worth completing for the views and the experience of cycling on a well-maintained road sans cars. This retired portion of Highway 1 (which was rerouted through a tunnel in 2013) is now popular among pedestrians, cyclists, and even equestrians, all of whom recommend the trail for its incredible vistas over craggy cliffs and powerful waves. Indeed, one Tripadvisor user stated, "I really enjoyed this walk with a friend. We were in the area and I thought it would be pleasant to walk the old piece of highway ... Actually, there is something quite spectacular about it. It's evocative and a little bit eerie." 

Multiple Tripadvisor users also referenced a man named Eric, whom they described as an informative, kind, and entertaining docent of the trail. Near the southern end of the trail, McNee Ranch and Montara State Beach offer additional opportunities for recreation, including hiking and tidepooling. This is not a trail to whip out in half an hour. Instead, allot time for stopping at the interpretive signs, which will enlighten you about the flora, fauna, and geographic features teeming in the vicinity. 

Additionally, observation scopes will help you spot wildlife, including peregrine falcons, pelicans, western gulls, seals, and whales. While you should always be mindful of fellow trail users, you should not need to worry about dodging pedestrians, as they have a lane of their own. Benches are present for snack breaks and rest. Similarly, restrooms at both ends of the trail, pet waste stations, water fountains, and bike racks are all available. Make sure to arrive early to secure a parking spot, especially on sunny days, and bring protection from the elements. Though the trail, which is exposed, can get hot, a vigorous ocean breeze may help cool you down.

If you plan to bike the entirety of the Pacific Coast Bicycle Route, which stretches over 1,800 miles from Vancouver to the Mexican border, you should have plenty of miles under your legs and a high level of comfort with vehicle traffic. You should also conduct extensive research before embarking on this admirable quest. The route can vary depending on road closures; flooding and mudslides, for instance, are common during the winter.

California hogs over half the route, clocking in at around 1,200 total miles of trail. Many of these miles trace the coastline, and cyclists agree that the Big Sur section is one of the most stunning of the entire route. Blogger Klaus Komenda noted, "The magnificent views made me forget much of the pain and strain on my body, with a photo opportunity awaiting pretty much around every corner." You'll even get to cross the Golden Gate Bridge and pass through Redwood National Park (by way of a short ride inland).

The Pacific Coast Bicycle Route mostly follows U.S. Highway 101 and U.S. Highway 1, so bike this route during shoulder season to avoid heavy traffic. When possible, the route detours to make use of car-free paths. Joining a guided tour can ease the logistical challenge of this ride, such as how to transport all your gear and where to sleep. However, a bikepacking trip can certainly be completed on your own or with a group of friends. Biking from north to south will likely give you a tailwind. If you don't want to commit to the entire route, check out the section between San Francisco and Los Angeles, which provides a diversity of sightseeing and cultural experiences.

We selected these routes based on recent reviews and the information provided on trail websites. We sought to feature routes that offer spectacular views, as well as ones that expose trail users to local communities and tourist attractions. Although we favored routes that were more than a few miles long, we made an exception for the Devil's Slide Trail due to its unique nature and outstanding vistas. Not all trails in California are e-bike-friendly, so we checked primary sources to confirm that each route on this list permits them.