Bolsa Chica Bike Path

The Bolsa Chica Multi-Use Trail, also called the Huntington Beach Bike Trail, is a flat, paved path that runs the full 2.9-mile length of Bolsa Chica State Beach, right behind the sand. It continues south through Huntington City Beach to Huntington State Beach, about 8.5 miles in all. California State Parks welcomes walkers, runners, skaters, cyclists and scooter riders, and leashed dogs are allowed.

The Route

Inside the state beach, the trail is 2.9 miles of flat asphalt from end to end, according to California State Parks' accessibility survey: an average slope of 0%, a cross slope of 2% or less and a width of about 15 feet. You can join it from any day-use lot. The marked accessible trailhead is at the south end of Lot 14.

Head south and the path leaves Bolsa Chica for Huntington City Beach, about 3.5 miles run by the City of Huntington Beach, and then reaches Huntington State Beach. State Parks gives the whole beach trail as about 8.5 miles, from the north tip of Bolsa Chica to the south tip of Huntington State Beach.

Along Bolsa Chica, every lot beside the trail has accessible restrooms and drinking water, and rinse showers sit between the lots.

Who Can Use It

State Parks says beachgoers are welcome to walk, run, skate, bike or ride a scooter on the trail. Leashed dogs are allowed on it too, even though they are not allowed on the sand (dogs).

E-bikes and motorized gear: State Parks says non-human-powered equipment, with few exceptions, is restricted on Orange Coast District trails, under District Superintendent's Posted Order No. 925-23-14. Read the posted order, linked from the State Parks Bolsa Chica page, before you ride anything with a motor.

Trail Etiquette

The park calls the multi-use trail a high-use area. Its camping rules and brochure ask everyone to:

• Keep chairs, coolers and other belongings off the trail.
• Look both ways before crossing.

Bike and Beach Rentals

Beach City Provisions, the State Parks concession on the beach, lists bike and beach rentals along with its beach store (food and drink). This site has no link to the business; check its hours before you plan around it.

Parking for the Trail

Park in any Bolsa Chica day-use lot: $15 per vehicle, or $20 on summer weekends and holidays, paid by QR code (parking). The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve across PCH does not allow bicycles on its trails (wetlands).

Good For / Maybe Skip If

Good for: an easy, flat ride or run with ocean views, strollers and wheelchairs, and a leashed walk with the dog.

Maybe skip if: you want a hiking trail. For dirt trails and boardwalks, cross PCH to the wetlands on foot.