Top Gravel Bike Rides in California

[@JonStein]

You're welcome. Honorable Mentions: Huff Master Loop (Grasshopper series) Kizo Play National Monument (best in spring, super bloom) Dirt Gibraltar (Santa Barbara) Dirt Baldy (Tour of California) Old Caz Route (Russian River) Top 10 Gravel Rides: Big Bear: San Bernardino Mountains, riding both sides of the lake, featuring San Gorgonio and Holcomb Valley with Gold Rush history. Fresno Cycling: Sierra foothills, Raymond route along Chowchilla River, best in spring for cooler temperatures and greenery. Pacifico Mountain: Los Angeles area, 40-mile loop in Angeles National Forest with views of Mount Baldy and Wilson. Half Moon Bay: Coastal ride with bluff views, cypress tree tunnel, Redwoods climb, and Pisma Creek descent. Owens Valley: Alabama Hills, scenic beauty, Disney-like Tuttle Creek, and movie road photo opportunities. Lassen Gra: New event in Lassen National Park area, featuring Susan River and volcanic activity. Mount Tam: Marin County, historic trails, mountain biking roots, and scenic views. Mammoth Tough: Eastern Sierra, awe-inspiring landscapes with 14,000-foot peaks, best in fall. Catalina Island: Epic adventure with island-wide routes, historic stagecoach roads, and fabulous descents. Old Coast Highway (Big Sur): Iconic coastline views, Bixby Bridge, short but memorable dirt ride with multiple landscapes.

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

Great writeup. Looks like you're over-qualified to be our first editor-in-chief!

[@CesarFernandez-bs2vy]

Catalina Island is a rewarding ride. Great views and amazing experience.

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

I didn't have to think twice about putting it so high, so soon..

[@markxkovacic]

Thanks for including the Lassen Gravel Adventure Ride. Hope to see you again this year. Great list and video.

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

It's going to take a little more juggling to make it happen this year, but I have a plan. Congrats on putting together such a great event in a number of ways.

[@dewittlunsford2527]

Thank You Zack, loved your Top Ten! Dawn and I already have made plans to do Big Sur and Mammoth later this year 👍

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

Hopefully, Big Sur will get fixed. See you in Mammoth.

[@cyrusfarivar1012]

Great job Zach! Stoked to hit the dirt in Catalina -- and frankly, all these places! I haven't been to most of them!

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

Let's get to work then!!

[@jonathankim9968]

epic compilation! Thank you for the blood and sweat went into this fine cut. I can't wait to finish them all.. some day.. these trails are part of best of the world..

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

I know making it across the state is tough. Even I'd love to do all these rides again.

[@Calebyte]

Great video Zack! It's great to see all this route recon. I think I see some trips to SoCal and Mammoth in my future 🔮

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

I'll be up at Mammoth Tuff for sure. LMK if you need a hookup coming down here.

[@DarrenAliga]

Love it!! Big Sure is surely amazing!

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

Feels like a forty mile experience that clocks in half that milage.

[@williamtoth7181]

Another great video. Thanks for highlighting these amazing rides

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

Wouldn't look so good with all the cycling models I have along...

[@bchains]

Excellent list and vids!

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

Glad you think so!

[@LemonadeEducation]

Great list! As you explore Northern CA, I suspect you will uncover great things in the Lost Sierra (the original Grinduro route in Quincy amongst others in the area) and Shasta further north certainly has its spots . A lot to discover for sure.

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

Funny. I had a talk today on what I'll do with the list in another five years and what i expected...

[@henrypretz]

Some great rides on this list! Plenty of bucket list material there. Honored that our local event made the cut. I can't say I disagree with you 😊

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

I figured you'd recognize a few...

[@chrisrippy4454]

Great list! Just received my GBC shirt and sticker for the truck!

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

Thanks. I imagine your Kelly Blue Book value just went up.

[@jerryanker2289]

Awesome….! Thank you

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

Our pleasure!

[@cyclo_pedogogy]

Thanks Zack. Other rides I think would make this list: truckee/tahoe and Lost and Found.

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

Lost and Found I definitely want to get in there before I update this list.

[@fsquared64]

I totally agree. Truckee Gravel and Lost & Found are both epic rides with multiple course options that change slightly each year. Spectacular and uncrowded areas.

[@arashnanbakhsh3067]

Big Sur was beyond my fitness level and I had to walk the bike most of the ride. I don't know how fit should I be to be able to ride it!

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

Imagine how the stagecoaches dealt with it!

[@amanda_panda_]

Woooo podium! #TUFF 😄

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

Highest event!!

[@aaronkarr9430]

Great video Zach! I need to increase my patreon…

[@GravelBikeCalifornia]

Ha. I appreciate being in this community the most. Thanks for supporting!