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BY MARY NOE

Five Faves:NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, THE COASTLINE BECKONS.Blessed with great weather year-round, “The Golden State” offers miles of bike paths, manyalong the ocean. From Santa Barbara to San Diego, the coast is edged with cycling paths perfectfor riders of all abilities, guaranteeing views that will soothe the soul and capture that Californiafeeling! Here are five of our favorites — remember to bring water and your helmet! HIN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

BEST BEACH BIKE PATHS

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Rincon Bike Trailt Immortalized in The Beach Boys 1962 classic “Surfin’Safari,” Rincon Point is one of California’s most reveredsurfing spots. Surf lovers will enjoy riding the flat, ocean-edging 3.6-mile Rincon Bike Trail, which was developedas a protected alternative to bicyclists using US 101.Connecting the beach towns of Carpinteria and Ventura,the path offers beautiful views of the Santa BarbaraChannel and is part of the California Coastal Trail, a seriesof existing and proposed trails along the Pacific Coastfrom Oregon to Mexico.

TRAIL INFO: www.traillink.com/trail/rincon-bike-trail

Santa Barbara Beach Trailt If you’ve ever wanted to cycle along the“American Riviera,” the 4.5-mile Santa BarbaraBeach Trail is your dream route. Begin your jauntjust west of Santa Barbara Point at Shoreline Park,which offers a stairway leading from the bluffs tothe beach, kids’ play equipment, and picnic areasfor pre- or post-biking fun.

Stop for an al fresco snack right on the sand atthe Shoreline Beach Café before riding along SantaBarbara’s iconic waterfront. Along the way, pass theworking fishing boats and exotic yachts and sail-boats moored in the Santa Barbara Harbor, explorethe historic Stearns Wharf Pier, ride south amongthe palms along the coast, past the Santa BarbaraZoo (slow down long enough to glimpse thegiraffes peeking above the trees), to the peaceful,42-acre Andrée Clark Bird Refuge and wetlands.

TRAIL INFO: www.traillink.com/trail/santa-barbara-beach-trail

The Ventura River Parkway Trailt Called “One of the best urban bike rides in Southern California” by theRails-to-Trails Conservancy, the 17-mile Ventura River Parkway Trail isreally three trails in one. Start your ride on the incredibly scenic 4.1-mileOmer Rains Coastal Bike Trail, which runs along the Ventura coast andoffers views of the Channel Islands, Ventura’s historic pier, and oftenshowcases surfers, dolphins, and whales. Continue on to the VenturaRiver Trail, a portion of the path that follows the old Southern Pacific“rail trail” and highlights the area’s industrial and agricultural past. Artinstallations along the path are funded by the City of Ventura Public ArtProgram and make for an interesting ride. The trail continues slightlyuphill to Foster Park — a perfect spot for a picnic break — and joins theOjai Valley Trail for the 9.5-mile ride to Ojai, SoCal’s legendary artistenclave. This portion of the ride runs along the Ventura River and offersgorgeous views into the scenic Ojai Valley. H

TRAIL INFO: www.traillink.com/trail/omer-rains-coastal-bike-trailwww.traillink.com/trail/ventura-river-trailwww.traillink.com/trail/ojai-valley-trail

*California law requires all bicyclistsunder the age of 18 to wear a helmet.

Marvin Braude Bike Trailaka “The Strand”t This flat, fun ride winds through some ofSoCal’s most iconic beach towns. Known locallyas “The Strand,” the 22-mile paved bike pathtraverses the Los Angeles County coastline fromWill Rogers State Beach in the Pacific Palisadesarea south to Torrance County Beach. Along theway, the route passes the Santa Monica Pierwith its famous ferris wheel, and loops throughVenice’s quirky shops, colorful characters, andfamed Muscle Beach. Follow the signs to circlelovely Marina del Rey, then continue south backto the beach at Playa del Rey. Ride throughDockweiler State Beach (look for the hang glid-ing practice and training area), under the planestaking off over the ocean from LAX, and intoManhattan Beach, the home of beach volleyball.Continue south through buzzy Hermosa Beach,around the marina in Redondo Beach, and on toTorrance Beach, with views of the gorgeousPalos Verdes Peninsula.

TRAIL INFO:beaches.lacounty.gov/la-county-beach-bike-path

San Diego’sBayshore Bikewayt The Bayshore Bikeway is a24-mile route along the SanDiego Bay that offers amazingviews of the city skyline, theCoronado Bay Bridge, andNavy bases and ships. Startyour ride at the ferry landingon charming Coronado Island (you can ferry across San Diego Bayfrom downtown). Cruise through the historic island town and pastthe legendary Hotel del Coronado and the U.S. Naval AmphibiousBase (where the Navy SEALs train). Ride along Silver Strand StateBeach, which separates San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean, andthe 3,900-acre San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The car-freebicycle path ends near Imperial Beach — turn around here to avoidon-street bike lanes. To continue to downtown San Diego, the traillinks with on-street bike lanes and bike routes through Chula Vista,National City and into downtown. ❖

TRAIL INFO: www.sandiego.org/articles/biking/bike-route-bayshore-bikeway.aspx

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*California lawrequires all bicy-clists under the

age of 18 to wear ahelmet.