The city of Irvine is located in Orange County, California, about 40 miles south of Los Angeles. According to the city's website, Irvine is making an active effort to encourage its residents and visitors to bike. To further this end, the city has built a network of bike trails throughout the area, both for commuters in town and recreational cyclists in local state parks and wilderness areas.
University Trail
The University Trail, a paved bike path that runs east to west across town just north of University of California, Irvine, connects to a series of other bike trails that run through local parks. The trail itself is only 3.35 miles long, but riders can use it to access the Turtle Rock Trail, the San Diego Creek Trail, the Jeffrey Trail, the Woodbridge Trail, the Quail Hill Trail and the Bonita Trail, the latter of which is about one-third of a mile away. Including the University Trail in your route allows you to turn several scenic paths into a loop.
Mountains to Sea Trail
Managed by the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, the 22-mile Mountains to Sea Trail runs through five cities, including Irvine, as well as an unincorporated area of Orange County. The trail traverses the Irvine Ranch, much of which was designated a national natural landmark and a California natural landmark in 2006. From the section of the trail in Irvine, you can travel north to the wetlands in Peters Canyon Regional Park or south to the dunes of Newport Beach. Within the city of Irvine, you can bike through William Mason Regional Park and along the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary.
Irvine Regional Park
In addition to its bike paths, this large, family-friendly park features equestrian trails, picnic tables, scenic overlooks, a passenger steam train, a lake with paddleboats for rent and licensed fishing areas, a botanical garden, and the Orange County Zoo. You can turn your bike ride into an all-day outing with family or friends; your dog is welcome in the park as well. According to OC Parks' regional parks guide, Irvine Regional Park has paved and unpaved bike trails. Bikes are only permitted in official biking areas.
City Biking
In an effort to encourage residents to bike to work and other everyday destinations, the city of Irvine has built an extensive network of bike lanes throughout Irvine's metropolitan center. According to the city's website, 301 miles of city street include bike lanes for cyclists to use to commute. Additionally, the city has installed 54 miles of paved bike paths off the streets themselves. Much of the city is easily accessible by bicycle, so wherever you are going in Irvine, you can take advantage of the Southern California weather and bike there.
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