Cycling in Los Angeles. That sounds almost like skiing in the sahara, or nowadays an Elfstedentocht in the Netherlands. When I settled in this metropolis 14 years ago, cycling was something for people with suicidal tendencies. Not for nothing was I part of a bicycle safety programme for primary school children. Oh how things have changed. Since 2010, the city has been building bike lanes. On my street, West 7th street, there are now beautiful paths and you can cycle more safely. There is also something else: the city of glitz and glamour is actually perfectly positioned in relation to the surrounding hills. With the bouncer of the day being the opportunity to take a lap at an iconic spot, the 'Hollywood Sign'. Who wouldn't want that? Cycling in California: Los Angeles is a wonderful base.
Film set in your backyard
If you live in Los Angeles, you can't ignore it. This is the city of the film industry. In fact in all places you can see the Hollywood Sign in the hills. Sometimes you only have to look around the corner in 'DTLA' (downtown, the city centre) and you are literally in a film set. Spoiler alert: CSI:NY is not being filmed in New York, but simply on 7th street in LA. Many scenes from the popular series 24, starring Kiefer Sutherland, were also shot here. That makes a ride through the city centre kind of cool! Now riding a road bike during the day is not recommended, but every last Friday of the month you can join the Criticial Mass bike ride. You'll see people riding all over the city and it's an absolute happening. A great introduction to LA's 'bike culture'.
Griffith Park and Hollywood Sign
Just north of the city is an immense park containing an observatory of the same name: Griffith Park. Not only can you overlook the whole city from there, the road leading to it is a challenging climb and it is also the entrance to the Hollywood Sign! To ride this route properly, it's best to start in the Los Feliz neighbourhood. On Hillhurst Avenue, you'll find some nice coffee shops. We liked to start at Blue Bottle Coffee. A great starting point, then. From here, you can drive up Hillhurst Avenue. You climb here in several stages in seven kilometres to a height of 420 metres, having started at 140m. The first stretch to the Griffith Observatory is very steep! But the reward after about four kilometres is insane. If you look down, you can see the major thoroughfares Vermont Avenue and Western Avenue and follow them (especially in the evening) all the way to Long Beach. Bizarre.
Mount Hollywood
You actually ride up Mount Hollywood here, known for the Hollywood Sign. Many people know that you can walk behind it via a good hike, but it also gives cyclists that option! From Griffith Observatory you can go there directly, but for distance and challenge and the length of your route, it's more fun to ride to the 'back' of Mount Hollywood first, then west to ride via the Hollywood Basin back towards the famous sign. The view? Priceless. Just take note, you have to go through the white gate at the end of the road (just step off and then through the pedestrian gate) to then get to the sign. Not everything is closed in the US either.
Route to the Hollywood sign from Los Feliz
Hit the beach
Along the beaches of Los Angeles (and all neighbouring boroughs), beautiful bike paths have been built. Just a disclaimer, you do have to watch out for tourists and other traffic, but if you ride at the edges of the day (earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon/evening) you will have plenty of space there. Lovely for a blow-out drive and you can stop along the way for lunch or a coffee. There are no real beach bars here, so that's a downside. From the south of LA (Long Beach) you can follow the coast all the way, over the Palos Verdes Peninsula up through Redondo Beach, Santa Monica and on to Malibu. You'll encounter some hills at the beginning, but otherwise it's gorgeous and flat. You are then a single ride already 85 kilometres on the road. Could be less as far as I'm concerned.
Around Malibu
That for a good cycling experience it is better to be outside the city limits needs no explanation, even for the unfamiliar cyclist. Fortunately, there is plenty to choose from. Around Malibu, a little bit outside the city limits you will find insane routes, where you can enjoy yourself for days. One of the gems is the Piuma Road. This winds like a snake through Topanga State Park near Calabasas. There, you drive brilliantly around Saddle peak and with vicious ascents of 15 to even 17% make that actually a must ride.
Firm up: Mount Baldy
About 25 kilometres east of LA, you can actually head into the mountains. Mount Baldy eventually climbs to an altitude of just over 1,500 metres. It really is a stunner of a climb. In winter, there is occasional snow. In summer, it's a welcome cool down in the often hot California. Make sure you have the right equipment, because towards the end this climb totally grabs you by the throat. The ascent gets steeper and steeper and sections above 10% are not uncommon. You can compare m in terms of challenge to Alpe D'Huez. And you can shoot some nice pictures there
Route Topanga - Mount Baldy
Summary: Going cycling in California? Los Angeles has plenty to offer, much more than just Hollywood Boulevard, Beverly Hills and the beach. Want to know more? Los Angeles offers lots of info. And also check out some routes on our KOMOOT page! And well, it's also something different from the Dolomites.
Tips
Because Los Angeles is so big, it is sometimes difficult to capture all the tips in one go. Therefore, a few tips for 'on & off the bike'.
- Our starting point for route 1 is in Los Feliz, typically a quieter neighbourhood. Next to Blue Bottle, you will also find Maru Coffee.
- One place many skip is Downtown LA. We recommend driving in that direction after your drive. The prettiest (and nowadays safest) route is via Sunset Boulevard. Then you drive into Downtown on the north side.
- Philippes The Original. You haven't been to LA without a sandwich from Philippes. Have a 'double dip' sandwich. Lock your bike well, though. Also 'Cole's French Dip' is a tip, especially if you want to hit the speakeasy bar in the evening. Gotta know the password ;).
- While you are 'downtown'. Go to City Hall and ask how to get to the viewpoint (the observatory). You can get up there for free (!). You then take the beautiful lifts in City Hall and at the top you have a great view of the city.
- LA River. Cycling along this river is delightful. A nice network of trails offers plenty of variety here. If the river is very dry, you can also cycle 'IN' it.
- Want to rent a bike? You can do so at several places, including at Bikes & Hikes LA or if you would like it delivered to your home is Synaptic Cycles a good option.
