Attraction of the Week: Southern California’s Marvin Braude Bike Trail
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Sunny Southern California is a year-round outdoor lover’s paradise. Endless opportunities for recreation exist both on and off the beach. One of the best ways to get in some sun, exercise, and fun is by taking a bike ride along the gorgeous Pacific coast. I moved here not knowing much about the area asides from Disneyland and Hollywood, so I was surprised to learn how much the area offers in terms of outdoor recreation. Biking became my new favorite hobby after one ride on the iconic beachfront bike path known as “The Strand.”
The Marvin Braude bike trail aka the South Bay bike path is a favorite of both locals and tourists and has been featured in various media. I grew up seeing this trail featured in so many fun movies of the 80’s and 90’s and I have always wanted to see what all the fuss was about. It definitely lived up to my expectations. I absolutely love everything about this path – the coastal views, the flat, smooth nature of the ride, the endless people watching opportunities, and the many fun tourist stops you can enjoy along the way.
The journey starts at Torrance Beach and ends at Will Rogers State Beach (the Baywatch beach) in Pacific Palisades, or vice versa. This paved path is very flat, which is great news for beginning cyclists. It can get windy near the Marina del Rey area but the rest of the route is pretty much smooth sailing. Even though the trail is long at 20+ miles, the numerous stops for entertainment along the way will keep you pedaling to the finish.
You will pass all of the best L.A. beaches including Torrance, Redondo, Hermosa, Manhattan, Venice, and Santa Monica. It’s a great way to see the best Los Angeles has to offer and also get in a really great workout.
A long ride with many fun tourist stops along the way
22 miles of scenic views of the Pacific coastline: what more could you ask for? The fun doesn’t stop with the magnificent ocean scenery. Notable attractions include: the Manhattan Beach Pier, the Venice Beach boardwalk, and the historic Santa Monica Pier. Beautiful beaches, million dollar homes, surfing, volleyball games – you name it, you will see it all along the way. Riding this path, I feel like I am in a fun 80’s TV show/movie like Saved by the Bell or Summer School.
As you can see the path is well-marked along the way. I usually bring with a fitness watch to track the distance, however, these markers will help those who don’t have their own watch.
I have highlighted a few of the most memorable sites along the route. Do take some time to explore these iconic tourist sites without having to put up with the L.A. traffic and hassle of finding parking. It’s nice to only have to pay for parking once and then have all day to explore.
Making a few detours along the way will also give your legs a bit of a rest after miles on end of riding! The lactic acid can build up so it’s a good idea to stop for numerous breaks and snacks.
The Manhattan Beach Pier
Taking a break at Manhattan Beach will give you an opportunity to get off your bike for a bit and explore. At 6 miles in, this is the perfect time to stop and enjoy the views. The 928 foot pier, built in 1920, is a great spot for photography. The views at sunset are stunning. This historic pier happens to be the oldest concrete pier in the West.
On a side note, Manhattan is one of the most beautiful beaches of LA county in my opinion. The sand is impeccably clean and soft. There is always something going on, but it never feels too crowded, thus making it an ideal choice for a relaxing break. This is my favorite beach to relax on – there is not as much going on and there is a nice wide stretch of sand to enjoy.
The Venice Boardwalk
About 16 miles in, you will pass the famous Venice boardwalk. I’ve always wanted to check it out being a big fan of White Men Can’t Jump back in the day (skip the remake – it’s horrible). This iconic area is well known for Muscle Beach and the crazy street performers on the boardwalk (you will see just about every crazy show here possible, from walking on glass, juggling, you name it). We saw some guy doing tricks on stilts which was pretty crazy and cool to see at the same time.
There are plenty of touristy shops to browse through and a few restaurants and food stands where you can refuel before continuing on. You will everything from tacos, to funnel cake, to pizza, to empanadas. You are going to want to park your bike and take a look around. Venice is just one of those crazy places you need to see at least once just to say that you did.
Did you know that the original Muscle Beach was located in Santa Monica? The gym located in Venice is called Muscle Beach Venice to distinguish it from the original location. I never knew this before moving here. Arnold Schwarzenegger was once a regular here as many of us already know. A day pass is required or you can watch the various competitions held throughout the year. Note: there are also rings, bars, and other gymnastic equipment to use for free (outside of the gated weight lifting area).
The Santa Monica Pier
The historic Santa Monica Pier opened back in September of 1909. Attractions include: Pacific Park (an amusement park featuring a roller coaster, rides, and carnival games), an aquarium, an antique carousel, and several restaurants and bars. The must-do here is definitely a ride on the iconic roller coaster, which is worth the small admission fee. The panoramic views of the coast are amazing and justify this fun, yet overpriced experience. It was a fun one time experience for me – good for the bucket list, but I probably won’t be back again.
There are plenty of interesting things to see & do including a chance to take a picture holding a snake & other bizarre photo opps. We enjoyed all sorts of wacky people watching.
For all the history buffs out there, a Route 66 sign marks the official end of the famous “Mother Road.” The Pier was officially declared as the western end of the road. The 2448 mile road starts in Chicago and ends at this famous SoCal landmark. I check out various Rt 66 sites across the country, so it was fun to check this one off my bucket list.
As you can see, there are all sorts of attractions at one of the most popular tourist beaches in L.A. However, after all that riding, you may prefer to relax for a bit. Although it is not my favorite beach due to the touristy nature and overcrowding, Santa Monica State Beach does offer some pretty fantastic scenery.
It’s hard not to relax & drift away with a view like this! Those mountains are so gorgeous. I also recommend taking some time to hike within the Santa Monica mountain range. One of my favorite hikes is a moderate trek called Los Liones. This hike features fabulous views of the coast!
Will Rogers State Beach
This beautiful beach in Pacific Palisades has been used as a filming location for various TV shows and movies throughout the years, most notably the classic, long running Baywatch series. The beach marks the end (or beginning) of the path. I like to start at Torrance and take a break at Will Rogers before completing the intense 22 mile return journey.
The best free activity in L.A.!
Whether you choose to complete the entire path or just a section, you are bound to leave happy, energized, and feeling like you got a fresh workout in. I give it an A+ in every category. This bike ride is a must-do for any tourists interesting in exploring more than just Hollywood and theme parks.
Do your body and mind a favor and get out and explore this wonderful, free attraction. There is no better way to see so much in such a short period of time. If not, you are missing out on one of the region’s top attractions.
I’ll leave you with one more fantastic photo of a sunset over Torrance Beach. What a nice sight to come back to after a 44 mile ride!
Helpful Tips for a Smooth Ride
*Get out there early. This is when the path will be the least congested and the most fun!
*I wear a camelbak whenever doing any sort of lengthy exercise. With this handy hydration backpack, you do not need to stop for multiple water breaks. The extra pockets come in handy for storing small necessities like sunglasses, your keys, a phone, or small camera, etc.
*Do not bring with a bulky camera. You are going to want to take pictures, however, you do not want a big camera weighing you down.
*Remember that you have to come back the way you came. Take this into consideration when deciding where to turn around. Although the path is pretty flat and easy, completing the entire path is definitely a major workout, not to mention time consuming.
*Pack with plenty of easily accessible small snacks like granola bars, fruit, a sandwich, and salty chips or crackers.
*If you haven’t taken your bike out in a while, you may want to get a quick tune up to make sure it is in proper condition. Also be sure to check your tires for air! If you need to rent a bike, there are plenty of local shops in the area.
*I recommend eating a light breakfast/lunch before starting your ride. You want a little something, but nothing so filling that it will be bothering your stomach.
*Take frequent breaks so you do not tire out. There are plenty of attractions along the way to recover and refuel for a bit!
*A compact bicycle repair kit comes in handy in the case of a flat tire. It’s always good to have on hand.
How to get here
Directions: Torrance Beach is located at 387 Paseo de la Playa. There is a paid parking lot or you can find a side street to park on for free. If starting at Will Rogers, you will want to park around Pacific Coast Highway & Temescal Canyon Rd.
Need a bike rental? Hermosa Cyclery offers a wide range of options available by the hour, day, or week. Check the website for pricing and additional details.
