Spoke and Wheel

Pedal the LA River Trail and Stop At Parks Along the Way

It’s Saturday morning—don’t just roll out of bed … roll out to the LA River Bikeway. Also known as the paved Los Angeles River Trail or the Los Angeles River Greenway Trail, whatever you call it, it makes for a nice morning ride. Start at the Figueroa entrance right across from the Home Depot at the intersection of the Golden State Freeway and the 110.

Follow the path north as it snakes its way along the Los Angeles River towards Griffith Park. There’s a surprising amount of greenery and wildlife concentrated around the river. Drink in the view of a pearly-white snowy egret poised elegantly on the bank of the river, or hear the honking squawk of a great blue heron. 

The first stretch of the path is charmingly peaceful as it curves behind Elysian Valley’s quiet residential neighborhood. As you travel north, you’ll come across cafes and stores open to cyclists and pedestrians ambling down the path. Spoke Bicycle Café is a great place to rest and refresh (they also offer bike rentals and repair services).

As you continue on, you will be met with various pocket parks, such as the Lewis MacAdams Riverfront Park, and historic bridges that connect you to Glendale and nearby Los Feliz. Stop by the park in Atwater Village Equestrian District, where you can go fishing or horseback riding. There’s also a place for kayak rentals along the path. Pedal, paddle, repeat!

Story and photos by Lena Marceca

Trending Stories NorCal

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. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    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. Lake Nacimiento
    Sponsored

    Savor Summer in Paso Robles

    Ready for the “Great California Road Trip”? Keep it real and rolling in bucolic and beautiful Paso Robles. This down- to-earth destination has everything you need to enjoy the coolest experiences.

    View
  4. 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