San Diego was named the 13th “Healthiest City in America,” and
considering there are nearly 20,000 cities in the US, that’s quite an accomplishment. In honor of getting outdoors and being
healthy, we’ve mapped out some great “two – wheel” adventures for you. Beach cruisers and perfect weather are
always a winning combination, and San Diego was made for biking.
Of course we’re partial to the 27 miles of bike trails in
Mission Bay. The beauty of cycling
here is that the calm bay waters and quiet sidewalks aren’t filled with crowds
of pedestrians. Then, on the
Pacific Ocean side the bustling boardwalk of Belmont Park, has some of the best
people-watching in the city. This is car-free, relaxing fun with
quintessential Californian views. The
paved bike paths are great for families as these lanes connect to Pacific Beach,
La Jolla, and Ocean Beach; so, there’s great sightseeing as well.
If you’re taking a morning or lunchtime ride and need a
snack, check out the Swell Café (open from 7:00am to 4:00pm) for artisan
in-house roasted coffees, fresh smoothies and healthy food. A few blocks down is the Olive Café (open from 7:00am to 5:00 pm), which serves breakfast all-day, hearty
sandwiches, and wraps.
For those who want a beautiful, leisurely ride with a bit of
history thrown in, check out the Silver Strand on the Coronado Peninsula. This easy, 10-mile ride is not too crowded,
parallels the beach and has a front and center view of the historic Hotel del
Coronado. This ride is considered
by many to be one of the most beautiful cyclist-friendly routes in California,
but in our opinion it IS the most beautiful. The trail is a narrow piece of land between the beach and
San Diego Bay with stunning views no matter where you look.
Café 1134
at the north end of the trail is a great place to stop to grab some food or a cold drink.
This is a cozy spot, beloved by locals, that isn’t too pricey and offers
delicious salads, paninis, and
friendly service.
For those who are fans of all things cultural and resplendent
architecture, then check out the bike trails in Balboa Park. Ride along the wide streets with a
corridor of trees that provide permanent shade, then, park your bike to explore
some of the intricately planned gardens.
This enormous park (1,200 acres!), with 17 museums and a world famous
zoo, could easily be both a bike ride and a day trip (and it’s only a 10 minute
drive from Mission Bay). A
majority of the park’s streets are closed to cars so you can bike and enjoy the
diverse architecture at a slow, safe pace.
Located on the west side of the park, Evolution Fast Food
has a great vegan burger menu that’s so delicious, even meat-eaters will be a
fan. Plus, they have refreshing
juices and smoothies, the perfect thirst quenchers for a day of biking.
It’s easy to see why San Diego would be voted one of the
most salubrious cities in America, especially with so many outdoor activities
available. Spend an hour or a day
cycling through the many bike trails that wind through lovely San Diego
neighborhoods. Stay local and bike
Mission Bay, venture out to the lovely Coronado Peninsula or explore the grand
Balboa Park, anywhere you chose to go will be gratifying and memorable, so
bring your camera.
