- Anaheim to Chino Hills State Park: A Car-Free Bicycle RouteAnaheim Regional IntermodalTransportation Center (ARTIC) station. , Anaheim , CA
The popular car-free bicycle route is back!
This is a 22-mile bicycle ride from Anaheim Transportation Center to Rolling M Campground in Chino Hills State Park, where we will camp for the night. We will return the next day on the same route. (see route map.)
The entire ride is completely away from cars. We'll do the first 16 miles on the fairly flat Santa Ana River Trail, pausing now and then for breaks. Then we will go on a 6-mile gravel road through Chino Hills State Park; for this stretch, a bike with tires of 2.0 inch-or-higher is recommended. This gravel road has some ups and downs, but nothing taxing. Depending on whether there was rain the previous month, there may be a couple of small streams to cross.
At around mile 11, we will do a small detour to Sproul's Market (only time with cars) for people to purchase food and drinks for camp as needed. Then we'll get back on the path to continue to Real Tacoz, where we take a break for lunch, sitting outside with our bikes. Afterwards, we head to the campground.
The campground has flush toilets and showers. Showers are included in the camp fee, so no tokens are necessary.
We will meet at the Anaheim Regional Transportation Center (2626 E Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806) at 11 a.m. You can park overnight in their parking structure. Both Metrolink and Amtrak goes to this station from either north or south. We will return to the station the next day.
The cost is $8, collected on day of ride. This covers the camp site reservation and any remaining will cover the cost of maintaining the Meetup account.
Please note: e-bikes are not allowed in Chino Hills State Park (please see "Park Rules" here)
- O'Neill Regional Park OvernighterLaguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Metrolink Station, Mission Viejo, CA
This is a short bike ride to camp overnight at O'Neill Regional Park in Rancho Santa Margarita, Orange County, starting from the Laguna Niguel Metrolink Station. There will be 2 bicycle routes to choose from-- details below. We will return to the station the next day.
Route 1: (Route Map) This route is 20 miles on paved bike lanes and bike paths to the O'Neill Park campground. Starting at the Laguna Niguel Station we will use bike lanes on streets and bike paths all the way to the campground. At around mile 17, we will stop at Ralphs Market for anyone who wants to buy food for their dinner that night. Then on to the campground we go.
Regular bikes are fine. Please note that there is some mild climbing, but minimal-- but no more than 5% grade at the steepest. For those who might see it as hard, It is fine to walk this section, if need be.Route 2: (Route Map) This route to the campground is good for those who want to be introduced to or to just do some off-road bikepacking. It's a short 13 mile off-road ride on dirt and gravel with some climbing. It may also require crossing 2-3 streams, depending on how much rain there was in the previous month. An all-terrain, mountain or gravel bike is required with minimum 1.5-inch tires.
There will be a climb the first mile on a bike lane before we get to the off-road path. Then we'll be on the dirt trail for about 10 miles. As stated before, there may or may not be some stream crossings; you may want to carry an extra pair of socks or shoes. Near the campground, we'll detour to a Trader Joe's, where you can buy food for the campground, if desired. Then we'll continue to the campground. The next day, you can return to the station via the bike path route (Route 1) or you can return the way you came.When registering, please indicate in the comments section which route you would like to use, so that we plan accordingly.
The campground has flush toilets and showers. Showers are covered in the cost of the campground fees.
We will meet at the Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Metrolink Station at 12:30 pm. Metrolink goes to this station from either north or south. You can park overnight at this station.
Cost is $5. This covers the cost of the campsite, and any remaining will help pay for the cost of this meetup account.