San Luis Rey River Trail

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Oceanside, CA, US

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Route Overview

@oldguywhotris

San Diego Cycling Climbing Addict - Half & Full Ironman Age Grouper

16 mi.

188 ft.

The San Luis Rey River trail is a very flat bike and pedestrian only trail that runs from Oceanside near the harbor inland along the San Luis Rey River. It can be enjoyed by many different levels of cyclists. Total trip out and back would be 16 miles, but you can certainly turn around any time you want. A major feature of this trail is that there are no cars allowed on the trail, very few road crossings, and no stop lights.

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Route Details

**Temperature Note:**  Oceanside is famous for fog in the morning and cooler temperatures.  However, especially in the summer months, it can be 10 to 15 degrees warmer by the time you get to the end of the trail in at Mance Buchanon Park where the fog burns off fast or never materialized.  Just check your weather app for temperatures of both areas before you go and plan appropriately.

**For The Beginner** – It’s flat and easy with only a few very minor hills near the beginning of the trail in Oceanside.  Plus, you don’t have to worry at all about cars except for a few low traffic street crossings.  Perfect for beginners.

If you just want really flat and really easy, start at the Mance Buchanon Park on the opposite end of the trail and just stop whenever you think that one of the small climbs might be too much for you.  However, keep in mind that these hills are usually 50 yards or less so you can get off and push your bike up them without much effort so you can enjoy the rest of the trail.  These short hills are described more in detail below and you can certainly check them out in the published route.

The only other potential challenge for beginners is that it can be windy out there as there are virtually no trees.

**For The Three Wheel Recumbent Rider** – This trail is very popular for three wheel recumbent cyclist group.  Again, no cars and very flat.

**For The Triathlete** – It is one of those few places where you can get in 16 miles of almost no stopping and no traffic lights.  This trail is part of the classic long training route for San Diego triathletes that I have also published on Ride With GPS called 
Camp Pendleton/Coastal Triathlon Training Route.  [Click here>>](http://bit.ly/2ND4yuz) to view that route if you are interested.

**For All Other Cyclists** – No cars, no lights, long, you can really get your thing going out on this trail.  It is very popular cycling trail.

## Where To Park Oceanside Start
You can usually find a place to park in the neighborhood where the trail begins on the corner of @point[Neptune Way and N Cleveland Street](d,17.87) in Oceanside.  However, if you would like to hang out in the Oceanside Harbor afterwards for some seafood and a beverage, there is plenty of @photo[free parking located across from the harbor](4932280) through a small tunnel that leads to a very large parking lot.  You will just need to ride your bike over from the parking lot to the beginning of the trail which is about a half mile.  In both cases, keep in mind as I explained in the overview that there are some short hills on this end of the trail.  If you want something completely flat and easy, choose the Vista Start option.

## Where To Park Mance Buchanon Park Start
There is free parking at @poi[Mance Buchanon Park](9968540) in on the other end of the trail.  This is an especially good place to park/start if you are a beginner or a three wheel recumbent rider due to the flatness of the start and all the room you have to set up your bike before you get started.

## The Start
For the purposes of ride description, I will begin by starting at the trailhead in the neighborhood in Oceanside on the corner of @point[Neptune Way and N Cleveland](d,10.55).

The trailhead is just before the fence that separates you from the railroad tracks.  Simply roll down the hill and you will be on your way.

## The First Short Hill
About a quarter mile after you start, you will go under a large bridge with the 5 freeway above you.  Just as you go under the bridge, you will have a short 50 yard or so climb.  This is one of only two short climbs in the whole route.  Otherwise, it is pretty much all flat from there.

## The Next 7 Miles
For the first milesyou will be parallel to the river on the left.  Be aware that there are a few brief dips in the road that you might want to slow down for especially if you are riding fast. They are there to allow for rain drainage off to the side.  Triathletes who are in the aero position should especially take notice of these dips and take the appropriate action so you are not launched off your bike at high speeds.

The trail will then bend to the left and back to the right.  At this point if it you are riding on the weekend you might be able to view some skydivers.  A small airport is located off to the right and they give skydiving lessons.  The skydivers land in an area in between the airport and the trail.

As you continue for the next few miles, there will be a number of cross roads, but the trail has been built so that you can go under these roads and not have to navigate crossing them.  That means you will have to go down and then up a few times.  Again, really short up for less than 20 yards on these.

Just past mile 3 on the right-hand side is a large skateboard park where you can stop and watch the grinding, or just keep grinding away yourself.  However, this is your cue for a choice on the next road crossing.  You can go under the next road, or if you prefer a flatter option you can continue straight and ride over the cross street.

At 3.8 miles there is a quick descent and then the second 50 yard or less climb.  After this, it is smooth flat sailing to the park.

@point[Mance Buchanon Park](d,11179.46) will be very prominent on your right-hand side well in advance of where you can turn into it.  Eventually, you will see this ramp down to the park from the trail at 7.2 miles into the ride.  If you want to take a break, or use the public restrooms, simply ride down the ramp and cross over to the restroom area where there is also a place to sit and have a snack.  Be aware that when you ride down the ramp there might be someone coming up and at the bottom there could be cross traffic in the adjacent parking lot coming from both directions.

**Slightly Longer Option** – If you would like a little longer ride, you can continue past the park for about another half mile.  The trail will end with a @slice[hard right that dumps you into a residential area](d,12580.46,12645.76) where you can simply turnaround and head back to the park, or all the way to Oceanside to get your full 16 miles.

## Post Ride Refreshments
Back in Oceanside there are many excellent options for post ride refreshments and conversation.  There are a good variety of restaurants in the harbor of course.  There are also many restaurants and breweries that are now serving excellent food and beverages in Oceanside.  Here are a few to consider and all have parking on premise or parking on the adjacent streets:

[Babgy Beer Company](https://www.bagbybeer.com/)

[Urge Gastropub](https://oceanside.urgegastropub.com/)

[Masters Kitchen & Cocktail](https://www.mastersoceanside.com/)

[Best Pizza & Brew](https://www.bestpizzaandbrew.com/)

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San Luis Rey River Trail

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Route Details

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