Wheeling the Queen's Avenue

Bicycling Riverside's Victoria Avenue Bike Path

It’s easy to picture bicyclists on the Victoria Avenue bike path in Riverside riding high-wheelers and sporting knickers or bustle skirts. After all, the path follows a scenic parkway built in 1892 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This easy ride passes through several old Riverside neighborhoods over the course of 6 miles (12 if you go round-trip) and oozes history. Victoria Avenue, named for Britain’s reigning monarch at the time, was envisioned by early Riverside resident Matthew Gage, a jeweler from Ireland, in an effort to entice people to buy land in the vast arid lands known as Arlington Heights. This route connected the newly developed farm lands with downtown Riverside.

The separate paved path stretches between La Sierra and Arlington Avenues, then continues as a bike lane to Arroyo Drive. You can start your ride at either end of the trail, but we suggest beginning at La Sierra, where a set of informational panels begins. Eucalyptus, California pepper, saucer magnolia, pink trumpet, and palm trees line the path, which also passes by orange groves, making for a scenic and well-shaded ride.

A cool historical bonus: In 1903, Theodore Roosevelt paid a campaign visit to Victoria Avenue and planted a Mexican fan palm tree to commemorate his stay. The tree is still there, a bit past the northeastern end of the bike path, at the intersection of Victoria and Myrtle. In fact, Victoria is said to be the first street in Southern California to be lined with palms. After touring Victoria Avenue, Roosevelt said, “Not only has it been most useful, but it is astonishing to see how ... you have made this city and its surroundings a veritable little paradise.” We agree, Teddy.

The Victoria Ave. bike path is in Riverside near the 91 Freeway. From the 91, exit La Sierra Ave. and head south till it intersects with Victoria Ave. Find parking wherever you can, in any of the neighborhoods near the intersection. The bike path begins at the northeast corner, and is clearly marked.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  2. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  3. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View
  4. Surfboards and tents for shade are set up on the beach at Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area in the Swim Lagoon Area

    Switchbacks and Swimming Holes

    Hike hard, play hard! This 7-mile out-and-back in Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is a great workout with payoff vistas and a relaxing post-hike picnic and dip in the water.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Two kayakers on Upper Klamath Basin on tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures

    Zen & the Art of Kayaking

    It’s the most meditative and relaxing experience you’ll ever have on a kayak. Yes, you read that right, a Zen experience on a kayak. It all happens in beautiful Klamath County when you head out on a guided tour with Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures.

    View
  3. A Rose in the Pines

    A crackling fire, a bottle of wine, a bubbling Jacuzzi tub with a waterfall … now the big question: Marvin Gaye tunes or not? In the morning (ahem) it's breakfast in bed and a leis

    View
  4. Alex Villicana, Villicana Winery and Re:Find Distillery

    Locals' Feature: Alex Villicana

    Tech booms, AI revolutions, okay that’s all fine, but you wanna know what else is really cool? Being a pioneer in a world-famous industry that—in Paso Robles—remains solidly down to earth. When Alex Villicana established Villicana Winery in 1993, he clearly had grape expectations...

    View