About Santa Ana River Trail, Santa Ana, CA

Image Source: Santa_Ana_River_and_Path.jpg from Creative Commons by Basar, CC BY-SA 3.0

The Santa Ana River Trail is a multi-use trail system in southern California that follows beside the Santa Ana River. The path extends 30 miles (48 kilometers) from Huntington Beach to the Orange–Riverside county boundary along the Santa Ana River. The route is scheduled to be extended to Big Bear Lake in San Bernardino County. When finished, it will be Southern California’s longest multi-use path, stretching around 100 miles (160 km). The Los Angeles Times identified the trail as “a true bicycle expressway” in 1989.

Description

The asphalt-paved bike route is up to 12 feet (3.7 meters) wide and is split into 2 lanes into several sections to allow cyclists to ride alongside one another. It is close to a hiking and riding trail. Numerous crossings with side streets are grade-separated through bridges or underpasses, classifying the facility as a Class I cycling facility. At all times, cyclists must yield to walkers and runners (who are deemed pedestrians under the law). As of 2006, 70 miles (110 kilometers) of the path had been completed; when completed, the bikeway, in combination with the equestrian trail, is anticipated to connect three counties, 17 communities, and two national forests.

Location

It is located in the Santa Ana region.

History

The bicycle path was named a National Recreation Trail in 1977.

In 2005, torrential rains eroded the path severely, necessitating around $1 million throughout state repairs as part of the disaster’s nearly $43 million clean-up in Southern California.

Events

Since 1985, the trail has served as the route for the annual “Riverside to Surfside” bicycle race, formerly known as “Smog to Surf,” in which cyclists go from Corona, Anaheim to Huntington Beach, or Riverside.

Have more fun at Downtown Santa Ana Historic District!

Safety

In 1990, when the trail was inhabited by homeless people and street gangs, safety became a worry. Police presence was increased in 2009 and it resulted in a decrease in crime, while concentrations of homeless camps have resurfaced beneath several trail bridges.

From early 2016 until autumn 2017, the tent camps appeared along a 6.5-mile stretch near Angel Stadium created an uncomfortable environment for many bikers. The path was closed at the end of 2017 after authorities relocated persons camped along the trail with the assistance of social care agencies. As of April 2018, the trail had been cleansed of campsite remnants and reopened.

Source: Wikipedia

TechWaste Recycling Inc. is nearby.

Directions