9 Best Fall Bike Rides in California: Trails, Weather & Trip Links

Monica GanasSep 27, 2026

9 Best Fall Bike Rides in California: Trails, Weather & Trip Links

California might not be the first place people picture when they think about fall colors—but autumn is one of the best times to explore the state by bicycle.

Mountain temperatures begin to cool, summer crowds thin out, vineyards change color and coastal riding often remains comfortable long after colder parts of the country have packed their bikes away.

This guide includes nine California rides covering paved paths, gravel, mountain biking and longer road adventures. We’ve also included route-planning resources, live weather forecasts and fall-color reports so you can check conditions before loading the van.

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Quick Guide: Choose Your California Fall Ride

Ride	Area	Riding Style	Difficulty	Best Fall Window
Bizz Johnson Trail	Susanville	Gravel/Rail Trail	Easy–Moderate	Late September–October
Pope-Baldwin Bike Path	Lake Tahoe	Paved Path	Easy	September–October
Lower Rock Creek Trail	Eastern Sierra	Mountain Bike	Moderate–Advanced	September–October
Yosemite Valley	Yosemite	Paved Path	Easy	October–Early November
Napa Valley Vine Trail	Napa Valley	Paved/Leisure	Easy	October–November
Monterey Bay Coastal Trail	Monterey	Paved Coastal	Easy	September–November
American River Parkway	Sacramento	Paved Distance	Easy–Moderate	October–November
Ojai Valley Trail	Ojai/Ventura	Paved Path	Easy–Moderate	October–December
Bayshore Bikeway	San Diego	Paved/Road Sections	Easy–Moderate	October–Winter

Before You Leave

California’s fall conditions can change quickly—especially in the Sierra Nevada.

Mountain rides can move from warm sunshine to freezing temperatures or early snow surprisingly fast. Wildfire restrictions, trail maintenance and seasonal road closures can also affect access.

Before every trip:

Check the linked live weather forecast.
Check the trail manager’s website for closures.
Carry more water than you think you need.
Bring layers, lights and basic repair equipment.
Download the route before leaving cell coverage.
Never rely entirely on a social-media route description.

For current foliage reports throughout the state, check the California Fall Color Map.

1. Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail — Susanville

Best for: Fall colors, gravel bikes, families and relaxed adventure riding
Distance: Up to approximately 25 miles one way
Surface: Packed gravel and dirt
Difficulty: Easy to moderate

The Bizz Johnson Trail may be California’s most complete fall bike ride.

Beginning near Susanville, the former railroad route follows the Susan River through a rugged canyon. Riders cross the river repeatedly on bridges and trestles, travel through two tunnels and pass cottonwoods and other deciduous trees that add genuine fall color to the surrounding pine forest.

Because it is a rail trail, the grade is generally manageable. You can arrange a shuttle for a longer one-way ride or simply ride an out-and-back distance that fits your group.

Bring a light for the tunnels, extra water and a repair kit. Cell service can be limited along the canyon.

2. Pope-Baldwin Bike Path — South Lake Tahoe

Best for: Families, casual riders and lakeside scenery
Distance: More than 3 miles one way, with connecting ride options
Surface: Paved
Difficulty: Easy

The Pope-Baldwin Bike Path—also called the Camp Richardson Bike Path—winds through pine forest near Lake Tahoe’s southwest shoreline.

It provides access to beaches, historic sites and recreational areas without requiring riders to commit to a long road ride around the lake. Connect it with other South Lake Tahoe paths to create a longer day.

Fall brings cooler temperatures, fewer summer visitors and patches of golden aspen around the Tahoe Basin. Remember that Tahoe is at elevation: mornings can be cold even when the afternoon forecast looks comfortable.

3. Lower Rock Creek Trail — Eastern Sierra

Best for: Experienced mountain bikers and Eastern Sierra fall color
Distance: Approximately 8 miles, depending on the selected sections
Surface: Singletrack
Difficulty: Moderate to advanced

Lower Rock Creek is the mountain-bike entry on this list.

Located south of Mammoth Lakes, the trail descends through several distinct environments. Upper sections follow the creek through forest and aspen before the lower trail transitions toward high-desert terrain.

The route is divided into sections with different difficulty levels. Rock gardens, narrow trail and technical features mean riders should research the individual sections instead of assuming the entire descent matches their ability.

This area can deliver spectacular autumn scenery, but elevation and weather deserve respect. Check conditions carefully and consider using a local shuttle or guide if it is your first visit.

4. Yosemite Valley Bike Paths — Yosemite National Park

Best for: Families, sightseeing and an easy day without moving the van
Distance: More than 12 miles of paved bike paths
Surface: Paved
Difficulty: Easy

A bicycle is one of the simplest ways to explore Yosemite Valley.

The National Park Service maintains more than 12 miles of paved paths connecting many of the valley’s major viewpoints and visitor areas. Instead of repeatedly searching for parking, riders can move at their own pace and stop whenever the scenery demands it—which happens often.

Fall can mean cooler riding temperatures and beautiful color among the valley’s deciduous trees. Some services and seasonal facilities may operate on reduced schedules, so check current park conditions before arriving.

Bikes must remain on designated paved paths and roads; off-trail riding and mountain biking are not permitted inside the park.

5. Napa Valley Vine Trail — Napa Valley

Best for: Couples, leisure riders, food stops and vineyard scenery
Distance: Choose from completed sections throughout the valley
Surface: Primarily paved multi-use trail
Difficulty: Easy

Autumn changes Napa Valley in a way that is easy to miss from inside a car.

The Vine Trail is being developed as a 47-mile walking and cycling route between Vallejo and Calistoga. Thirty-three miles are currently completed in separate sections, so use the official map rather than assuming the entire route is continuously connected.

The Napa-to-Yountville and St. Helena-to-Calistoga areas offer approachable riding with access to towns, restaurants and vineyard views. Vineyard leaves can remain colorful later in the season than high-elevation Sierra foliage.

If wine tasting is part of your plan, arrange responsible transportation and never ride impaired.

6. Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail — Monterey and Pacific Grove

Best for: Ocean views, families and an easy weekend ride
Distance: Approximately 18 miles end to end
Surface: Paved
Difficulty: Easy

The Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail follows the former Southern Pacific Railway beside one of California’s most recognizable stretches of coastline.

Popular stops include Fisherman’s Wharf, Cannery Row, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Lovers Point in Pacific Grove. You can make this a short sightseeing ride or continue farther along the trail for a bigger day.

Fall is an excellent time to visit because coastal temperatures often remain comfortable while summer crowds begin to ease. Expect pedestrians and other trail users around Monterey’s major attractions—this is a sightseeing route, not a racetrack.

7. American River Parkway — Sacramento to Folsom

Best for: Longer paved rides, fitness and flexible distances
Distance: Approximately 32 miles end to end
Surface: Paved
Difficulty: Easy to moderate

The Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail runs along the American River between the Sacramento area and Folsom Lake.

Its length makes it useful for almost any kind of day. Ride a short out-and-back from one of the river parks, create a moderate family outing or tackle a longer endurance ride.

Sacramento’s hotter summer weather begins to settle down in fall, and sections of the parkway pick up seasonal color later than the high Sierra. The trail is shared, so control your speed near walkers, families and busy access points.

Check Sacramento County Regional Parks for alerts and closures before starting.

8. Ojai Valley and Ventura River Trails — Ojai to the Coast

Best for: A relaxed Southern California fall weekend
Distance: Approximately 15 miles between Ojai and Ventura when connecting both trails
Surface: Paved
Difficulty: Easy to moderate

This route connects the inland town of Ojai with Ventura using the Ojai Valley Trail and Ventura River Trail.

Starting in Ojai creates a generally downhill trip toward the coast; riding it in both directions naturally adds more work. The route passes through a mix of oak-covered hills, river corridor and coastal landscape.

Fall is particularly pleasant here because Southern California riding season continues while inland temperatures become more comfortable. Riders should still watch for road crossings, changing trail conditions and debris.

9. Bayshore Bikeway — San Diego Bay

Best for: Warm-weather fall riding, bay views and a longer urban loop
Distance: Approximately 24 miles for the full route
Surface: Separated paths plus on-street sections
Difficulty: Easy to moderate

When mountain weather turns questionable, San Diego can keep California’s fall cycling season going.

The Bayshore Bikeway travels around San Diego Bay through Coronado, Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, National City and downtown San Diego. Riders get water views, parks, wildlife areas and an optional ferry ride across the bay.

This is not a completely separated trail. Some sections use bike lanes and public roads, and construction or detours may change the route. Check SANDAG’s current map and project information before riding the complete loop.

For a simpler outing, ride the separated Silver Strand and Coronado portions instead of committing to the entire route.

Which California Fall Ride Would You Choose?

California’s size is exactly what makes its fall riding season so interesting.

You can chase early color in the Eastern Sierra, ride through wine country later in the season or head toward the Southern California coast when snow begins reaching the mountains.

The key is flexibility. Watch the foliage reports, check the weather and choose the route that fits the conditions—not simply the one you planned weeks ago.

Taking Your Own Bike on a California Road Trip?

Bike-Hook was created for van owners who want a compact way to carry bicycles without drilling into their rear doors or adding a large hitch rack behind the vehicle.

The bike mounts outside the van, the rear doors remain usable and the system adds very little length to your vehicle—helpful when you are moving between trailheads, campgrounds and crowded towns.

See how Bike-Hook works at Bike-Hook.com

Already ridden one of these routes? Share this guide with your riding partner and tell us which California fall ride should be added next.