Long Beach is where two river bike paths reach the ocean. The Los Angeles River Bikeway ends at the Downtown Marina, the San Gabriel River Bike Trail comes down through El Dorado Regional Park toward Alamitos Bay, and the 3.1-mile beach path runs between them. Most of the riding here is flat and car-free.
Where do Long Beach riders go?
Long Beach is its own city, not part of the City of LA, and its riding lives on the paths. The beach path (officially the Shoreline Pedestrian Bikepath) is 17 feet of concrete from Alamitos Avenue to 54th Place, with two 6-foot bike lanes and a separate 5-foot lane for people on foot. It opened in 1988.
The LA River Bikeway (LARIO) runs 29.1 miles up the river鈥檚 east side from the Downtown Marina and the Shoreline Aquatic Park path. Upriver, it stops at an eight-mile gap between Vernon and Elysian Valley. Metro鈥檚 LA River Path project would close that gap, with the first phase planned for 2031.
On the east side, the San Gabriel River Bike Trail runs 28 miles along its river, through El Dorado Regional Park (where a 4-mile park path connects to it), and ends at a street bike route near Alamitos Bay Marina.
The city also closes streets to cars for Beach Streets open-streets days. The most recent, on July 19, 2026, shut Pine Avenue, Broadway and 4th Street downtown.
Is there any climbing?
Not much. Signal Hill, a separate small city surrounded by Long Beach, rises 365 feet above it, and Temple Avenue climbs it from 19th Street at about 6% for 0.7 mile. The nearest longer climbs are out west on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the beach bike path in Long Beach?
It鈥檚 3.1 miles, from Alamitos Avenue to 54th Place. Officially the Shoreline Pedestrian Bikepath, it opened in 1988: 17 feet of flat concrete along the sand between Downtown and Alamitos Bay, with two 6-foot bike lanes and a separate 5-foot lane for pedestrians.
Can you ride the LA River bike path to Long Beach?
Yes. The Los Angeles River Bikeway (LARIO) runs 29.1 miles along the river鈥檚 east side and ends at the Downtown Marina and the Shoreline Aquatic Park path. North of Vernon there鈥檚 an eight-mile gap through downtown LA to Elysian Valley. Metro鈥檚 LA River Path project would close it, with the first phase planned for 2031.
Where is the San Gabriel River bike trail in Long Beach?
On the east side of town. The 28-mile trail passes through El Dorado Regional Park, where a 4-mile park path joins it in several places, and its south end meets a street bike route near Alamitos Bay Marina.
Are there hills to train on in Long Beach?
Only short ones. Signal Hill, a small city surrounded by Long Beach, rises 365 feet above it, and Temple Avenue climbs from 19th Street at about 6% for 0.7 mile, good for repeats. For longer climbs, head west to the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
Is Long Beach part of Los Angeles?
No. It鈥檚 a separate city in Los Angeles County, with its own bike paths, its own Beach Streets open-streets days and its own clubs, which is why it gets its own page. The two are linked by bike path: the LA River Bikeway runs from Long Beach up to Vernon.
Which cycling clubs ride in Long Beach?
The list above shows the clubs that start group rides in Long Beach, each with its next ride, start time and distance. Read a club鈥檚 profile to see how it rides, and message the organizers in the app before your first one.