Author Topic: Mustachian California roadtrip  (Read 3532 times)

M5

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 214
  • Location: Nevada
Mustachian California roadtrip
« on: February 19, 2019, 11:24:18 AM »
Looking for some advice from those who live in the areas or from those who've done something similar. We plan to take an 8-9 day road trip of California this summer. We'll be taking our road bikes with us and want to do some great rides. Would be leaving from Reno and head to Monterey to ride 17 mile drive. Then head down the coast and enjoy Big Sur before making our way to San Diego. Stay there for a couple days then head back North via 395 through Mammoth before visiting Yosemite. Then finally back to Reno.

We probably won't have much of a plan but want to spend at least a day or two at each overnight stop (Monterey, San Diego, Yosemite, and maybe a couple others). We can stay for free with family in San Diego and can get free access to state parks since I'm active military but are looking for suggestions for the other locations. We have a tent and can car camp or use campsites, just looking for help finding those cheap sites that also won't be full on busy days. It's likely that we'd be visiting both Monterey and Yosemite on a Friday-Sunday.

Feel free to offer suggestions on additional places we should visit!

LPG

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 122
    • 1000x Faster Blog
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #1 on: February 19, 2019, 01:46:05 PM »
If you choose to stop in the Bay, I'd highly recommend summitting Mt. Tamalpais (Called Mt. Tam by the locals). I used to ride from downtown San Francisco to the summit and back on a regular basis. Phenomenal views, and riding a road bike down a mountain is always a blast.

Spicolli

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 59
  • Age: 57
  • Location: WA
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #2 on: February 19, 2019, 02:20:24 PM »
Sounds like a great trip. Sorry if this a lame question but by "road bike" you're talking about a bicycle, not a motorcycle, right? If so, San Diego has a great ride from downtown to Coronado (via the ferry), down the Silver Strand, over to Chula Vista and National City (this part is not as nice though) , and back up to downtown.

Yosemite has lots of great bike trails through the valley. Monterrey and parts north has a nice bike trail along the beach. Santa Barbara too. Some people bike along Big Sur but given the narrowness, curves of the road, and sharing right of way with autos, it's not for me! Beautiful area though. 

JoJo

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1851
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #3 on: February 19, 2019, 02:30:28 PM »
check on freecampsites.net   Most are boondocking (no facilities).

Alot of campsites, especially those in national parks and state facilities fill up quick.  So if you have your heart set on a specific campground, and they don't take reservations, head there first thing in the morning.

Scotland2016

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 144
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2019, 02:53:01 PM »
We went to Monterrey last summer and stayed here: https://www.visitasilomar.com/ It was definitely affordable compared with other options in the area and it has a lovely beach.

We loved this pizza place: https://www.tricyclepizza.com/ It's essentially a food truck parked at a permanent location with picnic tables.

Santa Barbara is beautiful, but we didn't stay in that area because the prices were insane. Motel 6 was like $300+ the weekend we were driving through.
« Last Edit: February 19, 2019, 02:55:40 PM by Mrs.MLM »

M5

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 214
  • Location: Nevada
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #5 on: February 19, 2019, 03:07:23 PM »
@Spicolli haha yes a bicycle, just not bringing our mountain bikes with us. I have heard of that ride in San Diego and it will probably be on the list. I'd also like to hit Glendora Mountain Road to Mt. Baldy if we have time, looks like an incredible ride.

Thanks for the link @JoJo I'll definitely check that out. I don't think we'll have any plans for specific campgrounds or even specific days. Depending on how the rest of the trip goes we may try to get to Yosemite on Thursday or Friday just to allow for less traffic. Either way it should be fun.

I don't think we'll be stopping in the Bay this time @LPG but we're thinking of spending a weekend bicycle touring Sonoma County as well. May even go up to Santa Rosa, there's some beautiful rides throughout that area. It's tough to figure out where else to visit as there's an abundance of incredible riding here in Tahoe! Hey that reminds me... how about that clown car madness of people from the Bay trying to get to Tahoe this weekend?! Complete insanity.

We went to Monterrey last summer and stayed here: https://www.visitasilomar.com/ It was definitely affordable compared with other options in the area and it has a lovely beach.

We loved this pizza place: https://www.tricyclepizza.com/ It's essentially a food truck parked at a permanent location with picnic tables.

Santa Barbara is beautiful, but we didn't stay in that area because the prices were insane. Motel 6 was like $300+ the weekend we were driving through.
That place looks very cool. $250/night still makes me cringe though. I did see that Veteran's Memorial Park has about 50 campsites available for $30/vehicle but I imagine that'll fill up in a hurry on the weekend. They do offer hike/bike campsites for $6/person. Might be worth finding a place to park the car a few miles away and riding over with the tent.

WSUCoug1994

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 537
  • Location: Bay Area, California
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #6 on: February 19, 2019, 04:24:29 PM »
I am not much help with Southern California but the Navy base on Coronado Island has insanely cheap hotel rooms for military peeps and their golf course is on the beach and at the foot of the runway - nothing like jets taking off right above your head as you sit on the tee box.

diapasoun

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4426
  • Location: California
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #7 on: February 19, 2019, 05:18:08 PM »
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a world-class aquarium, and imo worth the steep ticket fee. I totally lose myself in the kelp forest and deep sea aquariums. The city of Monterey itself I don't find super interesting, but if you're a Steinbeck person, there's some history there you might find cool!

If you make it north up to Santa Cruz, I've got plenty of leads on food/beaches/breweries/interesting things up here. There's a couple shorter bike paths up in this area that are nice for a pre-breakfast toodle (boardwalk to Wilder Ranch comes to mind).

If you like beer and are going up to Sonoma/Santa Rosa, there's a ton of amazing breweries up there. Bear Republic in Healdsburg is one of my favorites (they had a pinot kolsch there for a while that was only sold at the brewery; it is on my list of top 5 beers I've ever had).

nancy33

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 218
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #8 on: February 19, 2019, 07:48:49 PM »
I live in the central coast. There is going to be so much traffic in the summer. Standstill traffic by point lobos. All of the good state parks for camping are full in the summer. U have to reserve 6 months I ithink in advance on the website and u have to log on exactly at the right time. I give up on trying. A great state park campground and town is carpinteria. Not sure if they have bike in sites. Pismo state park north campground is nice too. Lock everything up whetever u go   Lots of thieves here. I like san simeon state park for camping myself.  La Jolla Shores beach is the best beach. Very crowded but almost feels like u r in Hawaii.

nancy33

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 218
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2019, 07:54:29 PM »
What about presidio of monterey IHG army hotel?

six-car-habit

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 558
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #10 on: February 19, 2019, 11:29:45 PM »
 Limekiln State park on Pacific Coast Highway, between San Fran and San Diego. Also, Hearst "Castle" is a nice stop.

Trifle

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5977
  • Age: 57
  • Location: Outside, NC, US
    • In The Garden
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #11 on: February 20, 2019, 05:02:25 AM »
If you wanted to change things up a bit and head straight west from Reno (instead of cutting down directly to Monterey) there's a beautiful coastal state park just north of Fort Bragg called MacKerricher that has a nice campground.  When we stayed there a couple years back we met quite a few bike campers that were headed down the coast on CA 1. 

Fomerly known as something

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1642
  • Location: CA
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #12 on: February 20, 2019, 05:07:24 AM »
Just came back from Monterrey/Carmel as in yesterday.  Honestly I'd skip 17 mile drive.  I wasn't impressed, especially compared to going down Highway 1 for a couple of days before I finally went over there.

mm1970

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 10938
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #13 on: February 20, 2019, 10:22:50 AM »
I live in the central coast. There is going to be so much traffic in the summer. Standstill traffic by point lobos. All of the good state parks for camping are full in the summer. U have to reserve 6 months I ithink in advance on the website and u have to log on exactly at the right time. I give up on trying. A great state park campground and town is carpinteria. Not sure if they have bike in sites. Pismo state park north campground is nice too. Lock everything up whetever u go   Lots of thieves here. I like san simeon state park for camping myself.  La Jolla Shores beach is the best beach. Very crowded but almost feels like u r in Hawaii.

Yep.

I live in Santa Barbara.  There are some really great bike rides in the Santa Ynez valley wine country.  But...depending on when you come, it might be hot.  As far as camping goes, campsites fill up.  If you are willing to stay at places that don't have services, then you will have better luck.  (For example: Los Padres National Forest).

El Capitan State Beach, Refugio State Beach, and the like are good (but not cheap) BUT they might be full already for the summer.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/lpnf/recreation/camping-cabins/?recid=10902&actid=29

diapasoun

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4426
  • Location: California
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #14 on: February 20, 2019, 10:27:06 AM »
Just came back from Monterrey/Carmel as in yesterday.  Honestly I'd skip 17 mile drive.  I wasn't impressed, especially compared to going down Highway 1 for a couple of days before I finally went over there.

It sounds like OP is biking, in which case 17 Mile Drive might be a better bet -- some places on Hwy 1 get pretty scary on a bike, and 17 Mile Drive is a little tamer. That, or designated bike paths in the coastal area, will probably be a more enjoyable ride than all those spots on 1 where the shoulder is about two inches wide.

5000% agreed if you're in a car, though. The entirety of the California coast is incredibly gorgeous and scenic, and you don't have to pay $10.25 for your scenery. :)

M5

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 214
  • Location: Nevada
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #15 on: February 20, 2019, 11:57:36 AM »
Thanks for all the replies, lots of useful information to sift through. Although we will travel from place to place by car, yes we plan to ride our bikes on 17 mile drive and such, then drive down Hwy 1. Just one of those bucket list type things we want to do. We have a few particular stops we want to make but I'm all for finding some great 40-60mi rides to do along the way. I enjoy climbing but my wife not so much so we'll see what she goes for! I'll definitely take a look at the Army hotel, I know the military hotel in SF has good rates.

John Galt incarnate!

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2038
  • Location: On Cloud Nine
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #16 on: February 20, 2019, 05:29:56 PM »
Stay there for a couple days then head back North via 395 through Mammoth before visiting Yosemite.



Yosemite National Park  is so beautiful that I always advise travelers to visit it.

Here are some pics of the mountains immediately  to the southeast of YNP.

 Standing in my front yard, I took them a few days ago.

eostache

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 231
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #17 on: February 21, 2019, 01:33:01 PM »
Try Couchsurfing for places to stay.

A couple years ago we did a 12 day road trip to central Oregon. We had road bikes with us and camping gear. We were going through more remote areas and did camp on public lands close to the road. Often just a corner of public land along a remote road where we could park the car and put up a tent for the night.

We Couchsurfed for a few nights too and met some very nice people. One place in Sisters, OR that was a fancy house that he could have done Air B&B, but he liked to meet people so he put up couchsurfers instead. We try to be good guests and in that case I cooked dinner for the host and us that night.

Dicey

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 22421
  • Age: 66
  • Location: NorCal
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #18 on: February 24, 2019, 01:16:42 PM »
I think you might be planning too much. The distances involved are huge. I'd strongly advise you look for less to do, not more.

ice_beard

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 251
  • Location: East Bay, CA
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #19 on: February 24, 2019, 08:55:06 PM »
Try your best to hit Yosemite mid week.  Weekends can be very busy.  I personally spend a lot more time in Toulomne (high country) than the valley because there are so fewer people.  If it's mid summer, the valley is HOT and you don't want to be camping there anyways. 

There are state parks all up and down the coast.  Sites are usually $40-50/night for a tent site, if you can get one.   Book your sites now if you can because they are usually full in summer months.  There is Forest Service land all over the state, especially in the Sierra Nevada and you can "disperse camp" in most places and this is free.  NFS campgrounds are a lot cheaper too, usually $10/15 night. 

Big Sur is incredible.  I personally would spring for staying a night at Deetjen's Inn and eat breakfast there too.  But do this mid week too if you can.  Please stop at Napenthe and walk out their deck to enjoy the view, it's seriously one of the most amazing sites I've ever seen. 

Hit the cities on the weekend, be in the country during the week.

CCCA

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 631
  • Location: Bay Area, California
  • born before the 80's
    • FI programming
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #20 on: February 25, 2019, 12:31:21 AM »
If you choose to stop in the Bay, I'd highly recommend summitting Mt. Tamalpais (Called Mt. Tam by the locals). I used to ride from downtown San Francisco to the summit and back on a regular basis. Phenomenal views, and riding a road bike down a mountain is always a blast.


I'd also add the Marin Headlands in the hills overlooking the golden gate bridge.  It's amazing.  You can also combine it with a bike ride across SF (fun, but a bit crowded), across the golden gate bridge (fun but scary), a ferry ride from Sausalito or Tiburon to the SF Ferry building to get really good food.


MonkeyJenga

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8894
  • Location: the woods
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #21 on: February 25, 2019, 01:52:12 AM »
I'm going to be doing this without bikes, and further (likely up through the pnw), but marking this for ideas! My poor SB plans, that place is gorgeous but so freaking expensive.

mm1970

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 10938
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #22 on: February 25, 2019, 01:33:59 PM »
I'm going to be doing this without bikes, and further (likely up through the pnw), but marking this for ideas! My poor SB plans, that place is gorgeous but so freaking expensive.
Yep.  But if you live in DC, you should be used to it, no?

It's gotten a lot worse in the last few years.

MonkeyJenga

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8894
  • Location: the woods
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #23 on: February 25, 2019, 07:47:38 PM »
I'm going to be doing this without bikes, and further (likely up through the pnw), but marking this for ideas! My poor SB plans, that place is gorgeous but so freaking expensive.
Yep.  But if you live in DC, you should be used to it, no?

It's gotten a lot worse in the last few years.

DC and NYC, and yet I still think SB is nuts. It's exaggerated more by only visiting. I can get decent rent when I live somewhere, no matter how theoretically expensive a city is, but going for only a week makes it harder on a nightly basis.

Couchsurfing may get me something, or I can just hit nearby cities instead. Not the end of the world. But it was nice when I had family members with a place there.

M5

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 214
  • Location: Nevada
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #24 on: February 25, 2019, 08:20:39 PM »
If you choose to stop in the Bay, I'd highly recommend summitting Mt. Tamalpais (Called Mt. Tam by the locals). I used to ride from downtown San Francisco to the summit and back on a regular basis. Phenomenal views, and riding a road bike down a mountain is always a blast.


I'd also add the Marin Headlands in the hills overlooking the golden gate bridge.  It's amazing.  You can also combine it with a bike ride across SF (fun, but a bit crowded), across the golden gate bridge (fun but scary), a ferry ride from Sausalito or Tiburon to the SF Ferry building to get really good food.

We did a weekend in Saulsalito last August that included the ferry ride, it was a good time. Honestly not a big fan of SF though.. enjoyed NYC much more. But definitely glad we went and experienced it. Perhaps going in September or October with no fog would help.
I think you might be planning too much. The distances involved are huge. I'd strongly advise you look for less to do, not more.

Politely disagree with that. Of the 9 days approximately 2 1/2 to 3 days will be spent driving. Plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and sites. We just won't be spending more than a day or two in each location.

Try your best to hit Yosemite mid week.  Weekends can be very busy.  I personally spend a lot more time in Toulomne (high country) than the valley because there are so fewer people.  If it's mid summer, the valley is HOT and you don't want to be camping there anyways. 

There are state parks all up and down the coast.  Sites are usually $40-50/night for a tent site, if you can get one.   Book your sites now if you can because they are usually full in summer months.  There is Forest Service land all over the state, especially in the Sierra Nevada and you can "disperse camp" in most places and this is free.  NFS campgrounds are a lot cheaper too, usually $10/15 night. 

Big Sur is incredible.  I personally would spring for staying a night at Deetjen's Inn and eat breakfast there too.  But do this mid week too if you can.  Please stop at Napenthe and walk out their deck to enjoy the view, it's seriously one of the most amazing sites I've ever seen. 

Hit the cities on the weekend, be in the country during the week.

Thanks for the tips! I'll check out that place in Big Sur, we were thinking of staying a night there anyway.

I've found some good gravel rides to do in Yosemite-no cars! This could be the perfect solution if we happen to hit it on the weekend.

Dicey

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 22421
  • Age: 66
  • Location: NorCal
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #25 on: February 26, 2019, 07:37:49 AM »
Quote from: M5
I think you might be planning too much. The distances involved are huge. I'd strongly advise you look for less to do, not more.
Politely disagree with that. Of the 9 days approximately 2 1/2 to 3 days will be spent driving. Plenty of time to enjoy the scenery and sites. We just won't be spending more than a day or two in each location.
Hmmm, I politely reserve the right to chuckle, if not lol or even lmao...

I'm a native Californian. I grew up in SoCal and have lived in NorCal for 25 years. I was a Girl Scout through High School and was an active member of a specialized Elite-level Backpacking Troop. Most of my career involved traveling throughout the state and I'm big on exploring anywhere I go. I've ridden my bike from SF to LA. I've experienced every place that's been mentioned on this thread so far. [♡♡♡ Nepenthe, especially when it's not fogged in. ♡♡♡] I have so many incredible memories, such as the road to Veteran's Memorial Park was a steep uphill at the end of a long day with a bike full of gear, but the tap water at the campground was so hot, we didn't need to use our campstove to prepare a meal and the shower was heavenly. Ah, but I digress...

I hope you have a great trip!

mm1970

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 10938
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #26 on: February 26, 2019, 10:57:35 AM »
I'm going to be doing this without bikes, and further (likely up through the pnw), but marking this for ideas! My poor SB plans, that place is gorgeous but so freaking expensive.
Yep.  But if you live in DC, you should be used to it, no?

It's gotten a lot worse in the last few years.

DC and NYC, and yet I still think SB is nuts. It's exaggerated more by only visiting. I can get decent rent when I live somewhere, no matter how theoretically expensive a city is, but going for only a week makes it harder on a nightly basis.

Couchsurfing may get me something, or I can just hit nearby cities instead. Not the end of the world. But it was nice when I had family members with a place there.

A few years ago my stepfather was visiting (we have a 2BR house and 2 kids, he likes his own space.  When MIL visits she sleeps on the bottom bunk in the kids' room - not kidding - and the little one ends up on a cot in our room).  He was going to stay at the Motel 6, but it was $179/night.  Just crazy.  I found him a great little Air-BNB (before they outlawed them) for $99/night.  I was reading in the local online paper that there's a possibility of SB losing the lawsuit where they banned short term rentals in all except the hotel zones.  So maybe they'll come back?

It's tricky though. On one hand, rents here are insane.  Insane!  For a place where income kinda sucks too.  So losing a metric ton of homes to STRs makes it worse.

On the other hand...I like Air-BNB.  I travel with 4 people.  Hotels kind of suck for anything more than 2 nights.  I want a condo, house, cabin if I can get it.

sith02

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 24
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #27 on: February 26, 2019, 10:34:39 PM »
If you choose to stop in the Bay, I'd highly recommend summitting Mt. Tamalpais (Called Mt. Tam by the locals). I used to ride from downtown San Francisco to the summit and back on a regular basis. Phenomenal views, and riding a road bike down a mountain is always a blast.

Seen some photos of the these places and they got some good scenic views there.

FINate

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3156
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #28 on: February 27, 2019, 01:21:35 AM »
Monterey and Yosemite on Fri-Sun during summer? Yikes, going to be busy. You'll be fine, deep breaths and accept that traffic and parking and crowds will be a thing. You do need to get accomodations sorted ASAP.

Campgrounds and lodges in Yosemite likely booked up months ago, though still worth a try. There are options if you're willing to stay outside the park and drive in.

I live in Santa Cruz on the north end of the Monterey Bay. I don't care for 17-mile drive, think it's overrated. Though maybe it's one of those things everyone should see once. Since you're bringing bikes the best way to explore Monterey is via the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail. Leave your car at the hotel, or park outside the city, such as Roberts Lake Park, and bike the paved multi-use path that goes right along the coast and avoid the traffic and parking hassle. The path takes you past the wharf, cannery row, all the way to Lover's Point in Pacific Grove. Then continue on to Ocean View Blvd and Sunset Dr before picking up 17-Mile Dr.

If the coast is socked in with fog (can happen during the summer months), you can usually go inland a few miles to find sun and warmth. Carmel Valley is beautiful, and has good wine tasting if you're into that sort of thing. If you don't want to worry about who's the DD then you can get a Lyft/Uber, though this will (if I remember correctly) run about $30 each way, which is still cheaper than a DUI!

Big Sur is awesome, but may be difficult to get a campsite/room at this point. Don't expect to roll in without a reservation and find a place to stay. There will be hoards of people and relatively few options. Parking for iconic places such as McWay Falls fills up quickly during the day, even mid-week in summer. The key is to get to see places very early, then do a lesser known hike or attraction later in the day.

Going straight from Big Sur to San Diego seems somewhat odd to me, skips over many great areas: Cayucos/Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, wine country around Buellton/Solvang (who doesn't like going around quoting Sideways?), and Santa Barbara. It's your trip though, you do you.

Finally, Yosemite. If you can't find a campsite in the park, you may find something in the surrounding National Forests. These also fill up months in advance, so reserve ASAP. If you can't find a campsite within reasonable distance, there's also the option to disperse camp (boondocking, no facilities, not even water). Generally cannot do this on the eastern slope of the Sierras. There are places south of Mono Lake and in the Bodie Hills where it's allowed. Call the local USFS office for details.

The drive from Lee Vining to Yosemite Valley is rather long and the valley will be hot and super crowded. For these reasons I prefer Tuolumne Meadows and the surrounding high country during the peak summer season.

Lots of wonderful day hikes up and down the Eastern Sierras, too many to list.

On your way back to Reno, it's worth making a short excursion off hwy 395 to see Bodie State Park.

 

FiftyIsTheNewTwenty

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 244
Re: Mustachian California roadtrip
« Reply #29 on: March 02, 2019, 05:28:52 PM »
One of the best campgrounds on the entire coast is just north of Laguna Beach at Crystal Cove State Park.  Campsites overlook the ocean, and are a short walk to the beach via tunnel under PCH.  Just a few years ago it was still pretty new and relatively unknown, with reservations easy to get.

Crystal Cove State Park, aka El Moro Canyon, is one of the top mountain biking locations in all of SoCal.  Road biking is pretty good too, if you don't mind a few miles on busy roads, there are great loops you can do through Newport Beach and the Back Bay bike path into Irvine, then back through Laguna Canyon.

There's great mountain biking all around Laguna Beach, which is is surrounded by open space.

It's all great for hiking too.

I've heard again and again from visitors that they were surprised and amazed at how beautiful Laguna Beach is, vs. more well-known places like Santa Barbara and Malibu.