California cycling in numbers
50%
Bike ownership
13,000
Miles of trails
87
State parks
93
Bike friendliness score
California from a cyclist's perspective
California has long been considered one of the best states for cycling, and not without merit. California’s allure stems from a blend of factors that attract both dedicated enthusiasts and everyday commuters alike.
California boasts year-round mild weather that makes cycling possible throughout the majority of the year. California’s terrain varies from rugged mountains and rolling hills to charming coastal routes and flat desert landscapes. Such variety caters to every skill level and preference. The state also features a remarkable network of trails: between dedicated bike paths, multi-use trails and rail-to-trail conversions there’s over 13,000 miles of bikeable trails.
California is continuing to invest into its bicycle infrastructure, the plan has helped it move from 8th to 3rd most bike-friendly states in the US. California’s thriving bike-friendly culture is evident in omnipresent bike shops, repair facilities, and bicycle-centric events. Many cities prioritize bike infrastructure with protected lanes, cycling-specific traffic signals, and bike-parking facilities.
California Cycling Weather
California’s weather is as diverse as its landscape, varying greatly depending on location and elevation. Much of California's Mediterranean climate with warm and dry summers and wet winters. Inland valleys like the Central Valley experience hotter summers and colder winters, with most precipitation concentrated in the winter months. The Sierra Nevada mountains and other high-altitude areas have a distinct four-season climate. Finally, the southwestern deserts, like Death Valley, are characterized by extreme heat and aridity, with summer temperatures often exceeding 100F.
Sunny days a year
284
Riding season
All year round
284 sunny days a year
Riding season
California Cycling Destinations
Old Mission to La Cumbre Peak (Gibraltar Road)
The Ridge Route is one of Santa Barbara’s most popular and harder routes. The ride begins at the Mission and goes up right away, leading to the base of the Gibraltar road, which climbs 2,600 ft in 6 miles and features views of the south coast as well as Channel and Pacific islands. The top of the climb is La Cumbre Peak, the highest point overlooking Santa Barbara. The Painted Cave Road that follows is steep, winding, and narrow so exercise caution when descending it towards the Old San Marcos road. At the bottom of the Old San Marcos Road take the bike pane on Route 192 back to the Mission. This route is also popular in the opposite direction: coming up Old San Marcos and Painted Cave and descending Gibraltar.
Paradise Loop (Tiburon Loop)
Also known as the Tiburon Loop, this 38-mile loop is an option for cyclists of all ability levels, which makes it a great choice for a leisurely weekend ride with friends and family. In its most popular iteration, this loop starts at the Crissy Field in San Francisco, goes across the Golden Gate bridge and through the town of Sausalito, meanders through the entire length of the Northeast side of the Tiburon Peninsula with the midpoint in the town of Tiburon. A good portion of this loop is on bike paths that run through a few popular tourist areas so caution is advised. A portion of the route near Blithedale Avenue in Mill Valley is quite busy with fast moving traffic and requires crossing a freeway, but once you get off this busy section you’ll end up back on a beautiful bike trail that follows the water all the way to the town of Tiburon.
While this may seem like a long ride, it is relatively straightforward and features only a few notable climbs, neither of which is greater than 150 ft (45 m) in elevation. Following this route almost anyone can comfortably explore a significant portion of Marin County from a bike.
Alexander Valley Loop
Located in the heart of Sonoma County, the route is known for its scenic beauty, vineyard views and a mix of flat stretches and challenging hills. This diversity caters to cyclists of varying skill levels, making this route accessible to both beginners and experienced riders. One of the highlights of this loop is the opportunity to visit renowned wineries situated along the way.
Tahoe Rim Trail
The Tahoe Rim Trail is a long-distance trail that encircles the entire Lake Tahoe Basin. The trail offers some of the best mountain biking in the world, but is also considered extremely challenging and should only be attempted by experienced riders. The vast majority of the trail is multi-use so expect encounters with hikers and horseback riders. Individual segments of the trail are popular as rides in themselves, and provide access to stunning vistas, alpine meadows and breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountain ranges.
Mount Lowe Railway Loop
This is a popular intermediate gravel ride in a forest near Los Angeles. The loop takes riders on a scenic journey through the forest, offering stunning views of the San Gabriel Mountains and the surrounding wilderness. The route follows the path of the former Mount Lowe Railway that operated from 1893 to 1938, riders can still see the remnants of the historic railway infrastructure along the way.
California Cycling Events
Endless ocean views, desert landscapes and winding country roads make California cycling events not to be missed.
Levi’s GranFondo
Levi's GranFondo is an annual cycling event founded by former professional cyclist Levi Leipheimer. Held in Santa Rosa, California, it attracts cyclists of all levels for a challenging ride through picturesque Sonoma County on scenic roads with surrounding vineyards and beautiful landscapes. This inclusive event attracts riders of all ages and experience, they can chose the distance they are comfortable with: 10.7 mi, 22 mi, 40 mi, 63 mi, 81 mi or 120 mi. The "gran" route includes the scenic King Ridge Road, renowned for its scenic beauty and challenging terrain.
Event website
Tour de Palm Springs
The Tour de Palm Springs is an annual charitable ride through the scenic Coachella Valley that attracts up to 10,000 cyclists. Known for its flat and fast routes, it offers riders a chance to enjoy beautiful desert landscapes while supporting local charities. Routes of varying distances and difficulties are available: with distances from 7 mi to 102 mi, making it one of the most inclusive cycling events in the nation. Featuring live music and entertainment at rest stops it oozes a festive atmosphere and a sense of community.
Event website
California Coast Classic Bike Tour
Starting in San Francisco and winding its way down the scenic Pacific Coast Highly for approximately 525 miles, this annual tour attracts cycling enthusiasts from around the world. The route offers cyclists awe-inspiring views of the Pacific Ocean, rugged cliffs, and picturesque coastal landscapes. The tour includes stops at charming coastal towns, allowing riders to explore local attractions, savor delicious cuisine, and interact with fellow cyclists. Beyond the exhilarating physical aspect, the California Coast Classic is often organized as a charity event, with riders fundraising for various causes, making it a meaningful and socially impactful endeavor.
Event website
Death Ride (Tour of the California Alps)
The Tour of the California Alps is a challenging cycling event held in Sierra Nevada mountains. The route spans 129 miles and climbs over 3 mountain passes (Monitor Pass, Ebbetts Pass and Pacific Grade), totalling 14,000 ft (4,267 m) of elevation gain. The nickname “Death Ride” reflects the challenging nature of the event and the significant physical fitness required to complete it.
Event website
Downieville Classic
Renowned for its challenging downhill course and festival atmosphere, this event typically includes two main races: the Downieville Downhill and the All-Mountain World Championships. The Downhill race covers a steep and technical 17-mile descent from Packer Saddle to Downieville, while the All-Mountain World Championships combine the Downhill race with a cross-country component, totaling around 29 miles. The entire event has a festival feel with music, food and countless vendors.
Event website
Sea Otter Classic
Held at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area in Monterey, and catering to both amateur and professional athletes alike, this festival features a wide array of competitive races, including road cycling, mountain biking, cyclocross and BMX. The event also includes a huge product expo where industry manufacturers showcase their latest gear, bikes and technology. Being an early-season event and a part of the Life Time Series, it’s popular with racers who are eager to test their fitness or maybe even secure sponsorship or a team contract. The event also offers camping, skills clinics and workshops, bike demos and family-friendly activities.
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Not all types of insurance are created equal. Velosurance levels the playing field by offering stand-alone bike insurance, where claims won’t affect your homeowner's or renter’s policy premiums.
| Policy Coverage |  | Homeowner/Renters Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Insured at Full Value | Yes | Possibly |
| Crash Damage | Yes | No |
| Theft Coverage | Yes | Limited |
| Theft by Force | Yes | No |
| Theft of Accessories | Yes | Limited |
| Theft Away From Home | Yes | Possibly |
| Vehicle Contact | Yes | No |
| Personal Liability | Yes | Possibly |
| Permissive Use Policy | Yes | No |
| Replacement Rental | Yes | No |
| Event Fee Return | Yes | No |
| Cycling Apparel Coverage | Yes | No |
| Medical Payments | Yes | Possibly |
| Racing Coverage | Yes | No |
| E-bikes | Yes | No |
| Coverage in-transit | Yes | No |
| USAC, USAT and IMBA Member Discount | Yes | No |
| FREE INSTANT QUOTE |
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California's best bike insurance
No matter where your adventures take you, protect your bicycle and yourself from the unexpected with America's best bike insurance.