The Best Bike Trails and Rides near Los Angeles Beaches

From the charming streets of Manhattan Beach to the energetic vibe of Venice Beach, these are best bike trails in town.

COASTAL BEACH CRUISIN’

Marvin Braude Bike Trail Map

The best paved bike path in town is the Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Trail, or The Strand as it is known by locals in the South Bay. It runs 22.3 miles along the shore of the Santa Monica Bay from Torrance to Will Rogers State Beach in the Pacific Palisades. Steps from the sandy beach, the path includes numerous surf spots, beach volleyball and beach tennis courts, world-class restaurants, hotels and shops.

Redondo Beach

From the Beach E Biking location at the Redondo Beach Pier, you have direct access to the bike path after a short stroll down the ramp from our store. You can head south for a 2 mile ride to the south end of the path at Torrance Beach. A 2 mile ride to the north will get you to the Hermosa Beach Pier and Plaza. In another 1.5 miles, you'll reach the iconic Manhattan Beach Pier.

Manhattan Beach

If you start your ride in Manhattan Beach, you can reach the bike path most easily at the Manhattan Beach Pier, Marine Avenue or at 1st Street. From the Manhattan Beach Beach, you can head north toward Marina Del Rey, Venice Beach, Santa Monica or south toward Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and its harbor. The trail ends to the south at Torrance Beach, which is about a 6 mile one-way ride from the Manhattan Beach pier. If heading north towards Will Rogers State Beach in the Pacific Palisades, it is a 16.5 mile one-way ride from the Manhattan Beach pier.

When we are looking for a relaxing beach day, a simple beach and lunch destination are usually on our agenda.

TIPS FOR A STRESS-FREE RIDE

Make sure to charge up during the day if you venture further away. The electric bikes in our fleet can go 40-50 miles, if the rider uses little motor assistance. When you use electric motor assistance on your ride, you’ll have less distance on a charge. Wherever you choose to go, make sure you have enough juice for the uphill rides back home from the beach, that is when the ultimate joy of these beautiful bikes really kicks in.

What to Pack for your E-Bike Ride

When heading out for the day on the bike path, there are a few key items to make sure to pack along for the ride. We recently met outdoor expert Dean, from hikingwithdean.com, which is a whole other story. Here is what we learned from Dean about what to pack in your backpack for a day at the beach.

Baseball Cap
Water Bladder or Water Bottle (filled with water)
Sunscreen
First Aid Kit
Cash
Spare Bike Parts with Tools

BRUNCH AT THE BEACH

One of our favorite Saturday morning outings is to take The Strand north to Playa del Rey for a yummy brunch at Playa Provisions. It’s 5.9 miles one way (less than 12 miles round trip) from the Manhattan Beach Pier and 9.2 miles one way from the Redondo Beach Pier. Head north, passing through the towns of Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach and El Segundo along the way. The whole path is along the beach with very smooth concrete and only a few small hills. Playa Provisions is along the bike path and has a lot of bike parking in front.

R10 Social House is at the Redondo Beach Harbor, just a few pedal strokes away from the Beach E Biking location. You can start or finish your ride with Weekend Brunch here between 10 am and 3 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. We love the breakfast burrito and the lemon ricotta pancakes. Yum.

LANDMARKS WORTH VISITING

The Best Bike Trails and Rides near Los Angeles Beaches Bike Route Map

Launch Map

Redondo Beach Pier and Harbor

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When you start your beach adventure at the Redondo Beach Pier, you can enjoy the pier, boardwalk and harbor areas before and after your ride. There are numerous long-term parking spaces, so you can enjoy a carefree 'daycation' at the beach. Our bike shop is located in Building 129 at the Pier Plaza. One of the few wooden piers on the California coast features restaurants and shops and activities such as fishing, whale watching, sunset cruises, paddling and e-biking. You'll find multiple eateries offering great food and drinks and live music on the weekends.

At the Redondo Beach Pier, you have direct access to the walkways that extends over the ocean, the sandy beaches that run south toward Palos Verdes Peninsula, Veterans Park with it's ocean views, the International Boardwalk with eateries, pubs, souvenir shops, and access to the marina activities of boat rides, kayak and paddle board rentals. To the North of the Redondo Beach Pier the bike path extends past the King Harbor Marina toward more amazing spots like the Seaside Lagoon, Captain Kidds restaurant, Baleen at the Portofino Inn , SeaLevel at Shade Hotel, The Cheesecake Factory, The Bay Club and the King Harbor Yacht Club.

Enjoy the many family-friendly events year-round at the Redondo Pier, including the Kite Festival in March, Summer Concert Series and Redondo Beach Farmers Market overlooking the Pacific Ocean on Thursdays at Veteran's Park from 8 am - 1 pm year round.

Hermosa Beach Pier Plaza

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Hermosa Beach Pier Plaza is the center point of downtown Hermosa Beach, a block of pedestrian-friendly shopping and dining directly connected to the Hermosa Beach Pier, an excellent stop for refreshments and people watching. If you are around on Memorial Day weekend, check out the Fiesta Hermosa festivities throughout the downtown area. The Hermosa Beach Farmers Market is held at Clark Field on Fridays from noon - 4 pm all year. A visit to Hermosa Beach isn't complete without beach volleyball. The city has courts set up at the beach near the pier if you want to give it a try.

Make sure to watch your speed on the beach bike path in Hermosa Beach, especially because it is shared with pedestrians. The speed limit it 8 MPH and all bikes need to be pedaled on the bike path in town.

Manhattan Beach Pier

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From the Manhattan Beach Pier, you can access the bike path to the north toward Marina Del Rey, Venice Beach, Santa Monica or south toward Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and its harbor. The trail ends to the south at Torrance Beach, which is about a 2 miles south of the Redondo Beach Pier. Heading north, the trail ends at Will Rogers State Beach in the Pacific Palisades.

When we are looking for a relaxing beach day, a simple beach and lunch destination are usually on our agenda. Park your bike here or at one of the many public bike racks at the pier or throughout the city. At the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier, you'll find the Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab and Aquarium, a small, locally run aquarium with touch tanks and beautiful sea life such as jelly fish and even small sharks. See if you can find the small octopus. Donations are recommended upon entry.

Head up the hill at Manhattan Beach Boulevard for abundant options of dining, shopping and refreshments. From the pier, the downtown area of Manhattan Beach runs about 1/4 mile east to Valley Drive at the Metlox Plaza and about 1/4 mile north and south along Manhattan and Highland Avenues. Enjoy the Manhattan Beach Farmers Market on Tuesdays near Metlox Plaza from 11 am - 3 pm year round.

Marina Del Rey

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On the way to Marina Del Rey, you can take an optional snack break at Playa Provisions in Playa Del Rey just before Ballona Creek. From there, the bike path will take you around the marina where you can brake for bird watching near the creek and the wetlands. See the sailboats and yachts leave the marina. Continue on the bike trail around the harbor on the way to Venice Beach. Take an optional break at the Trader Joes shopping center or one of the restaurants or hotels along the water. The path will take you to West Washington Blvd, where you will follow the bike lane along the street for a few blocks as you enter the neighborhood of Venice, CA.

Venice Beach

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The Marvin Braude Bike Trail takes you back to the beach near the Venice Beach pier. Stop for photos or keep cruising north along the boardwalk. Venice Beach is home to the popular skatepark, Muscle Beach and many shops and dining spots. Park and lock your bike for a stroll up the boardwalk or continue along the bike trail to Santa Monica.

Santa Monica Pier

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Cruise to the iconic Santa Monica Pier which features rides and games at Pacific Park and places to eat and drink. Take some time here for fun and photos or turn around and head back. Take a look under the Carousel building for the Heal the Bay Aquarium, a public marine-education center open Wednesday through Sunday from 12 pm - 4 pm.