San Diego Creek Bicycle Path

A great place for a ride, run or just a walk along the waterside. The paved path allows for a smooth paced bike ride without any bumps or detours in the road while providing a suitable running surface for jiggers. The trail stretches from deep in the hills of Laguna Niguel to Newport Back bay all while providing a scenic view along the way…

Great path along the river. Flat and easy if you just want to cruise. Also connects with the Back Bay Loop trail and other trails in Irvine. I use it to ride the bike traffic free to the Tustin Metrolink station for my commute to work.

Not as scenic as the Back Bay, but it gets the job done. Use the Mountains to Sea Trail to connect to the Back Bay Loop.
The path is very well-​maintained and friendly to all types of cyclists. Lycra not required. ;)

This is a nice path for cycling. It’s scenic for the area, the pavement is in good condition, and it’s usually not too crowded. This trail alone is only 10 miles, which isn’t enough for most cyclists weekend runs, but you have options for extending it.
I start on the 8 mile beach trail on warner and pch in H.B., then take PCH to newport back bay (which is a nice scenic route), which leads into this trail, which I ride to the end, than take the same way back home, and that gives me a good 50 miles.
Elevation and incline wise, its mostly flat, so it’s a pretty laid back ride if you want it to be. This trail is entirely in good neighborhoods, so it’s very safe, which is good for solo riders, female riders, and people jogging and cycling after sundown.
I love riding Santa Ana and San Gabriel river trail, but they go through some areas with gangs and homeless encampments. There have been several muggings lately, one which occurred at 2pm on a Saturday. No need to worry about this stuff on this trail.
My only complaint is there aren’t any apparent visible water fountains. I’m guessing there are some within reasonable distance, if you know where to go. I usually refill at one of the parks before getting onto this trail.
It’s not as exposed geographically as other trails, which is great on windy days and can cut down on headwind. I’ve found the people using the trail to be courteous as well. If you’re looking for a new place to run or bike, definitely give this place a visit. It’s got a little something for everyone. I’ve seen families with young kids, large pentathlons of cyclists, couples with dogs, rollerbladers, UCI students commuting.

Well kept free of debris and bubbles/​potholes. Cyclists follow the «rules» and you can ride fast without worry of a little tike making sudden turns on their princess training wheel bikes. Easy ride from Newport to Irvine 28+ miles for me, I do slow down when back by the upper bay — more joggers, tourists, and scenery like sunrises and sunsets. No potty areas, no water fountains except when you near the upper bay (2 miles out). 1 Rollerblader and a couple of dog lovers. No urbanly challenged peeps under the bridges so the smell was just of road and tunnel water.
When passing through Irvine, get a boba or latte. They never bat an eye when you come in spandex and peppered with a cemetery of gnats on the face and legs.
If back in Newport, clean up a little (t-​shirt and water bottle «shower» by the trunk) before treating yourself to a latte up at Kean’s coffee– too many locals in their amazing yoga outfits… I’m always wearing the wrong outfit here– LoL.

I rode half of this trail as it merges with the mountains to the sea trail. Definitely one of the nicer trails that I have been on in the Irvine Newport Beach area. As I rode along this trail, I realized I had run a good chunk of it back when I was in HS.
But this trail blazes a path from the back bay estuary and bird watching area down through Irvine past UCI, The city hall/​PD area, and down Barranca. I used to play hockey at the hockey rinks where the trail crosses a bridge over SD creek. Definitely the place for a nice easy ride or a hard quick ride depending on your feelings.
Its also a great place to go for a jog as I can attest back when I had been able to run all those years ago. Dayem chronic shin splints suck! None the less, this is a very well kept up path. Then again who would expect anything less from irvine? Literally the trail was smooth as can be and not undulating with tree roots, there wasnt loose soil, scree, or rocks bandied about, heck it was even painted recently!
Overall its a smooth easy ride along the SD Creek wash and worth a ride if you want something a bit different and fun to go and do. I really enjoyed this ride. I am sure you would as well if you want a quick easy ride and are in central OC…

Awesome path to ride, run or walk. Convenient entry point from Irvine Hyatt Hotel when in town on business, head south and take it all the way to the Back Bay Loop Trail and beyond, to Newport Beach and Balboa Island. As always, be aware of your surroundings. Keep an eye out for speedy cyclists and anyone else under the bridges. Monkey loved the views and can’t wait to return.

This is an excellent, multi-​use path early in the morning and late in the afternoon. You’ll find quite a few cyclists, runners, joggers and walkers along this path.
There is an abundance of wildlife and beauty around Back Bay, along with shaded and partially shaded areas, which makes your excursion more pleasant. Runners, walkers and even car drivers and most cyclists are usually courteous!
The only gripe I have is that the cyclists occasionally don’t yield to pedestrians. Unfortunately, some cyclists don’t know that they are vehicles, and that it’s not cool to ride side-​by-​side. Occasionally, bikers are four across, zooming down the multi-​use path, so that walkers and runners have to make a mad rush to avoid being hit, and end up straying into the car lane. Watch out for the occasional car — AHHHHH!
If you’ve been promising yourself to become more active this year, you can start with this path. Bring a couple friends and take a walk or go on a casual bike ride. Chase some ducks, pet some dogs. Make it a habit!

Decent bike ride, I guess.

I only used the bike path for about two mile today while I was doing some GeoCaching, but I will come back for a longer ride. I parked on Bayview Way just off of Jamboree. There seemed to be plenty of parking and it was an easy on to the bike path. Great day of outdoor fun!!!

I completely agree with Nick E.‘s review. The bike path is also a great place to run, just be careful of the many cyclists and obey the traffic rules. The view is especially beautiful on a crisp, clear winter morning after it has rained, and all the haze (AKA smog) is gone.