Santa Ana River Trail

I ride from PCH to Orange on the SART quite often on my commute to/​from work. In the winter most of my time on the trail is in the dark. I certainly appreciate the lack of vehicles and stop lights but I do agree with other users that the homeless encampments are a serious problem. I have never had an issue other than dodging broken glass, urine, and other trash under the bridges but there is no way I would let me wife venture out alone on the SART. Also, as a tip to other riders, please turn off your blinking headlights when it is bright enough outside to see the trail.

We finally took the bike trail from green river to the beach and back. (61 miles).
It’s a lovely trail. Nice parks and rest room a long the way.

Rode the Trail for the first time today from the Ocean in Huntington Beach to the end of the path in Yorba Linda. Next time I will start earlier and take it past Yorba.
Best Parts of the Trail:
–No cars
–Path varies from excellent condition to good condition.
–Water stop at Circle K at Tustin and the Trail – take the short path from the Trail right into the Circle parking lot.
–Adequate bathroom stops. (Don’t use the bathrooms if suspect individuals are hanging out anywhere.)
–Flat easy if you are a beginner or looking for endurance training. Approx 1000 feet elevation gain over 45 miles is very low.
Worst Parts of the Trail:
–It’s mainly Industrial, dilapidated housing, gang graffiti painted over cement in the canal bed – it can be depressing until you get into the Yorba area.
–I past no less than 30 residentially challenged (homeless) men on my ride at various segments.
–There are significant homeless encampments on the Trail under the overpasses at Fairview, 5^th, Angel’s Stadium, and Honda Center. One of them has a few guys sitting on a sofa drinking beer with 5 shopping carts parked outside. This is under the underpasses that you bike by.
–There are a few detours due to workers on the trail doing maintenance.
–You can smell and breath in the fumes from some of the heavy industry that backs up to the trail – Paint, plaster dust, etc.
–Some turns lack adequate directional signs taking you off into dead ends, dirt, parks and you have to turn around.
Occasional car driving on the path.
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Tips:
I felt that the path was overall safe during daylight hours.
I saw couples riding it, single women and plenty of men bikers, seniors.
Keep your speed, know where you are going, don’t stop if someone calls you over – keep going. Usual big city rules.
If you need to fix a flat, try to get off the path at one of the streets where there is car traffic passing by or a park where there are people playing.
Under no conditions stop or fix your bike under an underpass alone – it is just too much cover for something to happen without anyone seeing.
I would not ride this path after dark under any conditions – there are too many people just hanging out there not recreating.
The homeless have bicycles too and there were also a lot of bike parts at the encampments.
Always be aware of who is near you, coming up on you, or who you are approaching.
There is the Circle K at Tustin on the path, and Costco at Yorba, but other than that, not many services to get off the path for.
See you on the Trail!

My wife and I walked our dog on this trail for a bit in the Santa Ana area. It’s definitely a great bike trail — long, straight paved roads (hence the 4 stars, what it was probably intended for)
For walkers on the other hand, the trails is not as fun. There is no shade and not much to see, we’ll keep searching for a different trail for dog walkers.

Great bike trail, no cars, although it get busy the later it gets in the day.
The trail itself is about 30+ miles from Green River by the 91 freeway all the way to Newport Beach. That’s about 60+ miles round trip. The trail itself is well paved and is as flat a trail as you can find in So Cal. Rumor has it that they will connect it all the way to Riverside providing over 100+ miles of cycling trail. Cool.
It’s also a great place to run, if you’re so inclined,

great biking trail! we entered the trail in the City of Orange and biked to the end at Huntington Beach… roughly 20 miles on a paved road without any obstruction from cars. Great scenery… bring your camera to get in some practice shots. Disconnect from the world and leave your phone at home. Pack a backpack with a towel, sunblock, snacks, and your swimsuit and revel in your success for reaching your destination by locking up your bike and enjoying the sun, the sand, and the waves at HB.