Undoubtedly, West Los Angeles is home to spectacular natural beauty. Nestled against the Pacific Ocean, West L.A. offers a vibrant mix of coastal charm with awe-inspiring views. Driving might be convenient, but biking is a win-win for your health and the environment. Moreover, the Westside offers a great selection of biking trails that cater to a range of interests and experience levels. Here are the best biking trails in West Los Angeles. 

Marvin Braude Bike Trail (The Strand)

This iconic 22-mile bike path almost covers the entire extent of Los Angeles’ westward-facing coastline. Bikers get to bike along the beautiful coast with the Pacific Ocean on one side and verdant parks, buildings with diverse architecture, and serene beaches on the other. This paved, mostly flat path begins at Will Rogers State Beach, passes Santa Monica, Venice, and Manhattan Beach, and ends in Torrance County Beach. This path is open year-round and is a great choice if you’re looking for a picturesque trail along the coast. However, parts of the trail are shared with pedestrians. Therefore, it can get crowded, especially on the weekends. Furthermore, it’s important to note that leaving Venice going south, the paved path curves into Washington Boulevard to navigate around Marina del Rey. 

Culver Boulevard Bike Path

This short, 1.9-mile route is wildly popular with cyclists, brisk walkers, and joggers. This path passes through Culver City, offering unique views of Downtown. The path is paved and mostly flat, making it an ideal option for a relaxed ride. ​​The biking path follows the route of the old Red Car line, a Pacific Electric interurban line that once connected Culver City to Redondo Beach. The Red Car Line was closed in 1961, and the bike path was constructed on the old railway line in the 1990s. Biking on the Culver Boulevard Bike Path is an excellent way to see some of the landmarks of Culver City. The path passes several arresting buildings, including the Culver City Hall, Sony Pictures Studios, and the Westfield Culver City shopping mall. From the Culver Boulevard Bike Path’s end, bikers can continue a short distance on McConnell Avenue to reach the well-loved Ballona Creek Bike Path.

Ballona Creek Bike Path

The Ballona Creek Bike Path is about seven miles long and runs along Ballona Creek from Culver City to Marina del Rey. It begins only a few blocks from the Culver City E Line (Expo) stop and continues to the Pacific Ocean. Bikers can also enter the trail at any of the dozen gated entrances along the way. During the winter months and rainstorms, the river-level portion of the bike path can become flooded. Thus, it’s always good to check the weather beforehand. Biking along the Ballona Creek Bike Path is adventurous and fun!

Park To Playa Trail 

The Park to Playa Trail is a 13-mile trail that connects a series of paths, parks, and open spaces from Baldwin Hills Parklands to the Pacific Ocean. This trail is considered moderately difficult, as it is primarily flat, with some sections that are a bit more challenging. The trail has many different segments, each with its own character. The path begins with a paved trail along the Stocker Corridor, sloping up to the breathtaking viewpoints of the Baldwin Hills Overlook and following the paved bike path that runs alongside Ballona Creek to the Pacific Ocean. The Park To Playa Trail is my go-to for when out-of-town guests are visiting. It offers panoramic vistas of the Pacific Ocean, Century City, and the Hollywood sign in the distance. In addition, the Park To Playa Trail is easily accessible as it has numerous access points.

Photo courtesy of California Beaches.