We visited San Diego in August during the pandemic and were looking for a nice bike trail that wasnt too crowded. We found this trail on trail link. We started at the eastern most point and rode west to the ocean approximately nine miles each way. The trail runs along the south side of the San Luis river. Parking at the east end is a small dirt parking lot with about 10 to 15 spots. The trail has plenty of places to pickup food and drinks along with parks with picnic tables and restrooms. Pavement was in great condition. No road crossings, all were underpasses at cross roads. As we approached oceanside and the beach it did get windy. You can access the mission San Luis Rey from the trail.

Its a beautiful river trail. There might not be an actual river but theres plenty of trees and beautiful views. Theres also bunnies and squirrels that run across so be on the lookout for the tiny creatures.

Awesome bike ride or walk that goes inland vs always being on the beach. This trail has no road crossings or stops. Beware, there is little to no shade over most of the trail and not many places to stop and have a bench to sit at.

If you want a safe place to ride your bike, the River Trail is it... You can bike 8 miles to Oceanside... to the beach, pier or to downtown for the weekly farmers market. I have a fat tire E bike. I can cruise all the way there, then on to the beach I go.. Anywhere bikes can go the fat tire can go plus... But enough of that stuff... I gave it 4 stars because the ride isnt a beautiful trip... But its very practical and safe.. Good for a family bike ride. Little kids love it because the path is divided by a white line, just like when mommy and daddy drive.. The path begins at the end of North Melrose and Hwy 76... Ample parking and easy access.. Have fun and be safe.

The river valley is a gem!take part in a cleanup whenever you get a chance.the trails and scenery are the best

Wonderful place to walk, jog or bicycle. In the evenings I’ve seen all types of wildlife including rattlesnakes, coyote and even roadrunners!

Fun bike trail to the beach. Fairly easy ride.

Great trail to Oceanside. Safe, effecient and smooth.

Good parking and this is located right at the north east corner of the 76 hwy/Santa Fe intersection. Appears safe due to high traffic area and frequently used trail. Walkers proceed with caution as cyclist use this entrance and trail every day. I wouldnt suggest taking small children due to the cyclists and local wildlife, such as coyotes, skunks and snakes in warm weather.The parking area is dirt, split rail fenced and driveway is shared with farmland entrance.

Great biking. Anything else not so much. The picture of water in the river amused me. Even when it rains there is little to no water here.

Right by d pad peaceful beautiful lovely area & trail

22 miles round trip on bike trail. Nice bike trail

Its a good ride but the only thing keeping me from giving it five stars is the fact that the trail does not go all the way behind the homes but instead it has a section that pours into the surface streets near College Blvd.

Bike trail is paved and goes all the way to oceanside and the beach.

Great trail away from all cars! Note this paved trail can get pretty busy on the weekends. The small parking lot at the entrance can get full quickly so you may need to find another parking spot and walk to the entrance. This trail will go all the way down to Oceanside Harbor and is perfect for walking, running, biking, rollerblading. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a 6 of shortly leash at all times.Seems lately there have been an increase in the number of urban campers that hang around some locations but Ive never had any issue with them.

FUN ON E BIKE

Gorgeous views

Great trail and the road is kept clean. Lots of homeless people but usually only in the morning and night. Great trail would ride again.

Honestly havent hit the actual trail yet- but my mans car died at the trailhead and within minutes an awesome father and his son took a minute out of their ride to help us push the heap- so if THOSE are the people around here, I cant wait to make a trip of it.

Really nice trail!!! Be careful though... some people on bikes go really fast past walkers.

Nice bike trail ride

One of my favorite places to go. I feel right at home there.

A bike ride to the mission. NICE TRAIL

Great bike trail!

Its a great place to get vids of homeless people for the Oside Street Ninja!

This was a great serene and scenic ride with the kids. The path is well maintained.

Really fast ride to and from the coast either to the harbor or the pier. Water points along the way include Mance Buchanan park and the skate park near the airport. There are no water points at the pier or the harbor. Make sure you look at the forecast for the winds because on shore flow or Santa Anna winds will influence your speed and effort. Happy Riding!

Good place for early morning Walk, run or ride. Well maintained.

Its an amazingly beautiful piece of property. Its too sad they dont have a better Trailhead for horses that goes from the beach safely to Paula. Thank you so much for the consideration of reading this, old horse owners do recognize that go homie Park is not set up for horses but its set up to make money for camping, its a very sad thing that theyre so limited safe places to ride and getting to the trails is dangerous usually, were the equestrians of San Diegos deserve to have a safe for park for a horses that does not include free roaming dogs has some kind of an outer fence for those horses being trained. I am so glad theyre starting to consider in Land Conservancy conserving the land for the parts like they agreed to instead of selling them to China to create a horrible havoc. An ugly unsafe on land kind Earth Grady and dwellings instead of a park that they agreed to, thank you for your consideration and in reading this shell understand that all of the horse owners feel the same way we have no safe places to ride in San Diego County particularly to get to to get home. I almost bought a house on Google homie Park and they told me they were going to put Melrose through they assured me this was the truth or I would have owned a house directly on the park it broke my heart that I couldnt live there, how is it possible that a horse part doesnt include things for horses we should be able to ride around the lake we should be able to have a Corral two-stage in and people should be able to Camp with their horses dogs are wonderful and well-trained dog should be able to write off a lease with the horse when trained properly thank you so much for your consideration and kindness.

Parking lot open again!!

Perfect place to start the trail from. Good parking and easy access.

Quiet but not much to see

Quite an enjoyable ride to beach n back

Great for bike rides. Graffiti is horrible though

A beautiful ride!!!! When you get to the end, a slight detour over to Petite Madelines is the perfect resting stop!!!

Awesome trail down to the beach.

Only dedicated bike trail in north San Diego County no cross traffic. 8.9 miles from Santa Fe to the beach nice ride all the time. Little traffic on weekdays.

Nice trail. Long, easy riding

This is just a free parking area for people to get on the trail. It is not large, but I have always found an open spot. The trail is great.

Good trail, not a lot of people, well maintained.

Great ride I like to go from santa fe st. Trail head to the harbor and back and then get lunch at one of the eateries off college bl. Too

Nice, easy ride and no motor vehicles to worry about. There are some pedestrians but not too many.

Bike path is away from main traffic. You can ride your bike without worrying about traffic. A practically flat 10 mile route one way.

All ways a great place to go for a bike ride. Take lots of water though very few places to get a drink.

Thankful to have such a beautiful trail to ride to the beach

Easy access to the bike path

We had been looking for an off-road bicycle trail near Fallbrook, and this looks like a very good one. For this visit we were on foot, but now that we have found it we will pack our bicycles next time. We walked quite a ways. It is a well maintained, paved bicycle trail with apartments or townhomes on one side and nature on the other. We did not see any other entrances, and the parking lot at N Sante Fe Avenue is pretty small. It might get crowded. We were actually home shopping and I would love to find a home near an entrance to this trail. I hope that there are more entrances further along the trail!

Best biking trail for many miles. Safe and leads you, eventually, to the Oceanside Harbor.

Hop on your bike and take this trail all the way to the Pacific Ocean! Its paved and youll see some cool birds along the way!

A beautiful trail, but I would not recommend going on it alone.

Good trail with nice views of north Oceanside, easy/intermediate level, takes you all the way to the ocean.

Awesome bike trail.

I ride the trail daily. Fun ride, lots of families, and goes all the way to the beach.

Great bike ride to Oceanside Marina

Perfect for a late day run or bike. Goes almost ten miles to the beach.

Good spot to begin your ride.

Nice bike trail

Way to many people with dogs off - leash.

Very bad

Awesome trails

Beautiful place.

On comment

Well maintained, clean and flat !!

So beautiful and peaceful.

Easy access and well maintained

Great quality paved trail from Santa Fe to the Beach.

Great place for a walk

Great recreational trail, no cars

3 miles on nice level ground

Nice quiet trail, not to far from where I live.

Excellent

Nice long trail for a bike ride

Easy brisk walking trail. Parking is horrible at busy times.

Perfect walking trail

Wonderful trail quiet and away from traffic

It was a new discovery for me of oceanside

Grate view and stress reliever definitely going again