On MacLeod Nine

Bike Ride to MacLeod Ale Brewing Company

MacLeod Ale Brewing Company is gaining notoriety for its tasty dark ales, but it's bright green that dominates the scene as you bike towards this beer haven. The 8-mile (round-trip) pedal to the brewery starts from Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area and its 2,000 acres of green parkland, sports fields, and a golf course surrounding Lake Balboa. Leave the park and roll up to the Orange Line Busway Bike Path to connect to the brewery. As its name suggests, the bike path parallels the busline, and a nice long strip of trees en route offers a little seclusion. The lime green bike rack outside MacLeod is a beacon for beer enthusiasts on two wheels. Order a flight of their fine session-style English ales or skip right to an imperial pint. (The current seasonal brown ale and porter should not be missed.) The taproom has the ambience of a British pub. Grab a basket of peanuts and chuck the shells right on the floor or play some darts. After wetting your whistle, pedal back through the park around Lake Balboa, a 26-acre gulp of tranquility in the San Fernando Valley. Ale good!

TIP: Bike rentals are available next to Lake Balboa from Wheel Fun Rentals.

Take the 101 Fwy. to exit 21 in Encino. Drive north on Balboa Blvd. for 0.5 mile and turn left into a parking area just south of the LA River. Use the bike trail along the river to pass under Balboa Blvd. and take the trail north along the park for one block. Turn right on Orange Line Busway Bike Path and go 2.7 miles to Kester Ave. Turn left and make the second right to find the brewery at 14741 Calvert St. in Van Nuys. On the ride back, leave the Orange Line at Woodley Ave. Go south and make the first right to loop back through the park around Lake Balboa. Bike path is dog-friendly. MacLeod Ale Brewing Company is dog-friendly.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

    View
  2. Golden Gate's Blue Heron

    Golden Gate Park’s Blue Heron Lake is home to birds of many feathers, turtles lounging on rocks, visitors from afar, and locals who love this urban oasis in San Francisco. Try the "Boats and Breakfast" rowboat or pedal boat deal.

    View
  3. Rio Del Mar-velous

    Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos might be one of the best places for a treasure hunt. Its location between two other beaches makes for a good stroll featuring a spectacle of wildlife as you search the sand for sea glass and seashells.

    View
  4. Aloha from California

    Say Aloha without leaving California with a 7-mile out-and-back hiking adventure to Lake Aloha in El Dorado National Forest. You can also camp here, a premier place for stargazing.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Gentle Giants

    Some people visit national parks to marvel at the iconic sights, while others come seeking solitude in nature. With visitation on the rise, it can be hard to find both. But in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, this pair of trails offers both....

    View
  2. Walking the Los Angeles River Trail Through Frogtown

    Frogtown Strutter’s Stroll

    Don’t go dismissing the Los Angeles River as merely a 51-mile concrete channel. It’s a genuine urban artery that links real neighborhoods, and its riverside bike/ped paths endear i

    View
  3. Griffith's Golden

    With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.

    View
  4. Sponsored

    Fall for It All in Reno Tahoe

    The best kind of getaway? Less time on logistics, more time on memory-making. Jackpot! You’ve got Reno Tahoe.

    View