From the Pacific Ocean, in Huntington Beach, to Montrose Beach & the base of the mountains, in San Bernardino, the Santa Ana River travels 70 miles or so.
Most of the River is accessable by Bicycle, including all of it in Orange County.
In 2007, for my Blog The Cycling Dude, I rode the whole length, and took plenty of photos.
This ride is a joy to take, from top to bottom, in either direction, and you will learn a lot about the communities it passes through, and about the environment.
The Santa Ana River Bike Trail begins on the north side of the river, at the border of Huntington Beach and Newport Beach and there are 2 entrances: 1 on the East side of Pacific Coast Highway, 1 on the beach side.
At 4 1/2 mi. you get your first glimpse of how Mother Natures march to the Sea has been briefly interupted by the hand of man.
How Nature, and the hand of Man, battle for control of who shapes the landscape is a recurring theme of your journey, with Man seemingly having the upper hand in the OC.
At several spots along the route the Bike Trail switches from one side of the river to the other.
The ride is mostly flat and depending on the time of day, and day of the week, you will share the trail with families out for the day, walkers, joggers, and other bicyclists, from fellow individuals, and Club Rides, large, and small.
There are plenty of opportunities to leave the trail for food, and bathroom breaks.
While there is the occasional graffiti, trouble from gang bangers is not an issue.
There ARE few spots in Santa Ana, and Anaheim, where you might encounter small Homeless Encampments under a bridge, and you might encounter a lone Homeless man resting along the trail anywhere along your journey, from time to time, but they tend to keep to themselves.
Flowing water, flowery weeds and bushes often appear in the river, and many spots are prime hangouts for birds of all persuasions.
At 22 1/2 mi. the river is really flowing, the freeway is on your right and Yorba Regional Park is on your left and, if you choose to continue further inland, into Riverside County, this is your first inkling that Mother Nature only relented completely to the hand of man, in her march to the ocean, only after the river had traveled a few short miles into the OC.
At 26 3/4 mi. you come to La Palma Ave. & Gypsum Canyon Rd.
Cyclists interested in continuing into Riverside County take note of a little brown sign on the wall nearby. Turn right, here, because to go under the bridge and continue on the trail will lead somewhere else.
Turn right, ride to the corner, and turn right again.
Following the green signs, to the right, the trail enters Canyon RV Park, then heads into a narrow passage where the freeway is on my right, and the east end of Featherly Regional Park, on my left.
The last leg heads past the Coal Canyon entrance to Chino Hills State Park, and Green River Golf Club.
Take a good look around because this is the last sight of the flowing river that you will see for almost 15 miles.
The trail official ends at 29 mi., at the entrance to Green River Golf Club on Green River Rd., and to reach the start of the Bike Trail in Riverside County means a 15 mile ride thru the streets of Corona, and Norco.
To see read my Detailed Report, with Pictures, and to read the Riverside County/San Bernardino County Report with its pictures, as well... go here: http://www.cyclingdude.com/2007/12/rolling-rolling.html read more