The Peninsula is one of the great cycling corners of California, which is why the Sea Otter Classic, one of the biggest bike festivals in the country, calls Laguna Seca home every spring. For everyday riders, the terrain offers everything from a flat family spin to a punishing climb.
The recreation trail along the bay is the easy, car-free option, perfect for families and casual riders. For road cyclists, 17-Mile Drive is open to bikes for free and makes a stunning loop, and the climbs into Carmel Valley and the hills behind Monterey deliver the elevation. Gravel and mountain riders head for Fort Ord’s vast trail network, hundreds of acres of open backcountry a few minutes from town.
Watch the traffic on the coast roads, especially in summer and during big events, ride defensively on 17-Mile Drive, and carry layers since the coast runs cold and windy. Bike shops in town rent and repair if you are visiting.
Whether you are spinning the flat recreation trail with the family or grinding up a valley climb, the Peninsula packs a remarkable range of riding into a small, scenic footprint.
Find rides and events on our events calendar, and our Sports coverage follows the local scene. For Fort Ord trail maps, the Bureau of Land Management has details.
