Ocean Beach Bike Path

Traversing along the San Diego River from Ocean Beach to Sea World, this bike route includes two paths plus connections to the Mission Bay Bike Route. Along the way view estuary habitats, one of San Diego's dog beaches, places to eat and the Ocean Beach pier.

About six miles from Downtown, Ocean Beach offers the quintessential laid-back beach vibe that everyone’s looking for when visiting San Diego. Bring a beach towel, a book to read and an appetite for burgers and tacos when you plan for your ride in OB. If you bring your dog along, head over to Dog Beach where they can run leash-less and free in the sand and water.

Adjacent to Dog Beach and just a few blocks from the restaurants, shops and bars on Newport Avenue is the mouth of the San Diego River. Preserved estuaries and the Ocean Beach Bike Path lines the south side of the river bank. Paired up with the Old Sea World Drive bike path on the north side of the river, a ride can last more than 11 miles.

If it’s too much of a hassle to bring your own bike to San Diego, there are myriad rental shops in and around Ocean Beach. Search for "bike rentals" on this site or on the route map provided to find your preference.

View Ocean Beach Bike Path in a larger map

Bike Path Starting Address

• Ocean Beach Bike Path at Dog Beach in San Diego, CA 92107

San Diego Regions Traversed

• Mission Bay & Beaches
• Ocean Beach

Where to Go

• There's always something going on in Ocean Beach. To get a feel of festivals, farmers markets and other to-dos, visit the Ocean Beach Mainstreet Association website for a calendar of events.
• Want an extra few miles? Take a detour onto Fiesta Island or around Mission Bay for additional water-side bike paths.

What to Love

• Mainstreet Stroll: Before or after the ride, lock up the bikes near Newport Avenue, a few blocks south of the Ocean Beach Bike Path (straight down Abbott Street) and walk up and down OB’s "Mainstreet." You’ll find bohemian clothing shops, antiques, craft coffee, pizza, barbeque and many other uniquely OB offerings.
• Beach Stroll: OB's name says it all. Walk along the water’s edge, watch the surfers, check out the tide pools and enjoy the dogs playing at Dog Beach. At night have a fire in one of the multiple fire rings along the beach or join one in progress.

What to Know

• The entire ride can be completed without going onto streets, although some of the eastern portion of Old Sea World Drive can be accessed by vehicles. They often move slowly because of the bicycles and pedestrians. When crossing bridges over the San Diego River use the separate paths aside the north/south bound traffic lanes.
• Although San Diego or the State of California don’t require adult bicyclists to wear helmets, it is strongly suggested.
• California requires all bicyclists under the age of 18 to wear a helmet.
• San Diego is a bicycle friendly city with great weather for biking year round and community groups advocating for the rights of all people on bikes. For more information about what's happening in San Diego's biking community, visit the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition website.

Directions

• Take the 8 FWY west to Sunset Cliffs Blvd. and turn right on West Point Loma Blvd.
• Take West Point Loma Blvd. to the intersection at Voltaire St.
• Go right at that intersection to take you into the Dog Beach Parking lot.

Vehicle Parking

• If you're transporting your bikes in or on a vehicle, parking can usually be found in the lot at Dog Beach or at Robb Field, a bit further east down the bike path on the south side of the river. Like most beaches during summer, Ocean Beach gets really busy on beautiful days and parking can be a challenge.