Biking in the Mt. Soledad neighborhood — Photo courtesy of Oleg.
Take in the sights by exploring San Diego on two wheels. Whether you're doing it for exercise, in a tour group or on your own for fun, what's known as the SoCal Riviera Tour by San Diego Fly Rides is one of the most popular routes chosen by cyclists of all levels.
The SoCal Riviera Tour starts and ends in gorgeous La Jolla, nicknamed "The Jewel of the Sea" for its coastal location, posh homes and (usually) sunny skies. Riders will walk (ride?) away with a true feel for the Southern California lifestyle, plenty of postcard-worthy photos and a great workout. And, since the route is a circle, self-guided cyclists can actually start at any point.
The good news? San Diego Fly Rides gives riders electric bikes that still require pedaling, but much less effort overall. Resistance is adjustable, so those craving a rigorous workout can get it, and those who want to cruise totally can.
Riders meet at San Diego Fly Rides' office on Prospect Street in the village of La Jolla for a bike orientation. The journey starts by heading south toward Bird Rock, leisurely along the Pacific Ocean. You'll pass La Jolla Cove, the famous seals and sea lions at the Children's Pool and even stop to check out some tidepools in the WindanSea neighborhood if tides permit. The ocean will serve as a photography backdrop throughout your ride.
A couple on the SoCal Riviera Tour — Photo courtesy of San Diego Fly Rides
The La Jolla Bike Path, a secret unknown to even some locals, winds riders back through the neighborhood on a peaceful, scenic journey that is safely away from traffic and heading toward Nautilus Street.
Next comes the most challenging part of the tour as you pedal up Nautilus to the scenic Mt. Soledad Veteran's Memorial. The uphill trek is worth it for panoramic views of the city and an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by our nation's military. Plenty of cyclists brave the hill on regular bikes. You can do it!
Downhill, requiring certainly more brakes than pedaling, leads riders past multimillion-dollar homes and back into the village. The ride ends where it started, luckily in a mecca of fantastic restaurants to satisfy a post-ride hunger.
The map of the SoCal Riviera tour is available on the San Diego Fly Rides website. The tour usually takes about 2.5 hours, but it depends on how long you stop at each point. The afternoon tour is recommended for late sunlight.
