Cycling in San Diego runs from the coast road through La Jolla, Del Mar and Encinitas to Palomar Mountain, a climb of about 12 miles and 4,500 feet out of Pauma Valley in North County. Local fixtures include the Saturday Swami’s ride out of Encinitas, time-trial laps on Fiesta Island in Mission Bay, and the Belgian Waffle Ride, a mixed-surface race that starts and finishes in Del Mar each spring.
Adams Avenue Bicycles
Rouleur Rollers
BREWCREW
Belgian Waffle Ride
Wolf Pack Cycling
Cadence Cyclery Encinitas
Coureur
Coast or North County hills?
San Diego riding splits between the two. The coast road is County Route S21, about 25 miles from Torrey Pines to Oceanside, signed along the way as Torrey Pines Road, Camino del Mar, Coast Highway 101 and Carlsbad Boulevard. California’s Highway 1 ends in Dana Point and never reaches San Diego County, so don’t look for PCH signs here. S21 is mostly flat apart from the climb up Torrey Pines Road from Torrey Pines State Beach, and it links Del Mar, Solana Beach, Cardiff, Encinitas and Leucadia.
The Swami’s Saturday ride is the long-standing North County group ride: about 40 miles from Encinitas, north up the coast to La Costa, east through Elfin Forest to Escondido, then back down Del Dios Highway past Lake Hodges and through Rancho Santa Fe to the coast.
Training close to downtown
Fiesta Island in Mission Bay has a perimeter road of about 4 miles, good for time-trial laps. Mt. Soledad in La Jolla tops out at the veterans memorial with views over the Pacific: 3.4 miles at about 4% on Soledad Mountain Road, or 1.6 miles at nearly 9% up Via Capri.
Palomar and the Waffle
Palomar Mountain is the big one. From Pauma Valley the climb follows Highway 76 for about 5 miles, then South Grade Road (S6) for 7 more, through 18 hairpins, to roughly 5,500 feet near Mother’s Kitchen: about 12 miles and 4,500 feet of gain at close to 7%. The road continues to Palomar Observatory, and East Grade Road (S7) is the other way down.
The Belgian Waffle Ride has started and finished at the Del Mar Polo Fields since 2025. The 2026 Waffle course covered about 106 miles with roughly 7,500 feet of climbing, and the shorter Wafer about 60 miles, mixing pavement, gravel, sand and singletrack across North County.
Frequently asked questions
What cycling clubs are there in San Diego?
The list above shows the San Diego clubs that post their group rides, each with its next ride, start time and distance. Clubs ride both the coast and the inland hills of North County, so check where each one starts and read its profile before you show up.
What is the Swami's ride in Encinitas?
A long-standing Saturday morning group ride out of Encinitas. It covers about 40 miles: north along the coast to La Costa, east through Elfin Forest to Escondido, then back via Del Dios Highway and Rancho Santa Fe.
How hard is the Palomar Mountain climb?
It’s about 12 miles and 4,500 feet from Pauma Valley, averaging close to 7%. The first 5 miles follow Highway 76; the last 7 are on South Grade Road (S6), with 18 hairpins up to roughly 5,500 feet near Mother’s Kitchen. It’s steady rather than steep, but long, so bring food and a layer for the descent.
Is there a coastal bike route in San Diego?
Yes. County Route S21 runs about 25 miles from Torrey Pines to Oceanside through Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas and Carlsbad. Through Encinitas it’s signed Coast Highway 101; Highway 1 (PCH) doesn’t reach San Diego County. Apart from the Torrey Pines climb it’s mostly flat. For a loop of San Diego Bay, the Bayshore Bikeway runs 24 miles through Coronado, the Silver Strand, Imperial Beach and Chula Vista.
What is the Belgian Waffle Ride in San Diego?
The Belgian Waffle Ride (BWR) California is a mixed-surface race held each spring in North County San Diego, nicknamed the “Hell of the North (County)”. Since 2025 it has started and finished at the Del Mar Polo Fields. In 2026 the Waffle course was about 106 miles with roughly 7,500 feet of climbing, the Wafer about 60 miles and the Wanna about 33 miles.
Where can I train close to downtown San Diego?
Fiesta Island in Mission Bay has a perimeter road of about 4 miles. For climbing, Mt. Soledad in La Jolla is 3.4 miles at about 4% via Soledad Mountain Road, or 1.6 miles at nearly 9% via Via Capri, finishing at the veterans memorial with views over San Diego and the Pacific.