swanner

Hi All - Does anyone have any recommendations for bicycle rentals in Carlsbad? We are 3 woman in our 40's (doing a Girl's Weekend Getaway) and we are considering possibly riding around the Carlsbad area on beach cruisers for a few hours on a Sat. Or possibly Balboa Park area - we haven't firmed anything up yet just looking into our options. We don't need anything fancy. We'd just like something that is in decent condition, reasonably priced and convenient .

Thanks

Tomsd

I would think there would be a bike rental company in the Village of Carlsbad (west of I-5 to the Ocean) but maybe not - or at least - I can't find one googling it.

This company rents bikes about 3-4 miles north at the Oceanside pier - which is pretty flat riding from there back down to Carlsbad (the Village area) - and they also seems to have an outlet over by La Costa - about the same distance inland/by El Camino Real, and there is also a rental company 10? miles south in Solano Beach.

http://www.wheelfunrentals.com/listlocations/117

I think the area around Carlsbad - and south even along the Ocean - would be better riding than around Balboa park - and you might also consider riding along the Boardwalk in Pacific Beach - and there are plenty of places to rent beach cruisers there, and riding up to the Village of La Jolla is fun - as is south - over the San Diego river bridge to Ocean Beach. http://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=bike...an+Diego%2C+CA

Tomsd

It's also fun to ride bikes around Mission Bay, in addition to along the Ocean.

swanner

Hi Tom - Thank you. Yes, I tried googling too and couldn't find anything which is why I sent the post.

Your info is helpful. Thanks so much!

nanabee

I'm not sure bicycling is allowed inside the Balboa Park area. You can ride around Balboa Park on city streets around Hillcrest which surrounds Balboa Park, but it is suburban and the traffic can be difficult.

I would suggest Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach (along the boardwalk) and Coronado. All three areas are very flat, have nice bike paths where you can see the beach, and have cute downtown areas where you can do touristy things as well.

La Jolla is ok - but it is a little hillier. Also riding in the downtown La Jolla area is extremely difficult. I rarely see anyone riding their bikes along Girard Ave. However, if you bike in the La Jolla Shores area - you'll have some small hilly areas but it is residential, nice, and has nice rides with beach views.

swanner

Thanks for the response, Nanabee - very helpful.

FrankS

I wouldnt call Carlsbad 'bike friendly'

If you find yourself unhappy with the biking choices near the coast in Carlsbad, go up to the Calvera Trails

http://www.carlsbadca.gov/services/d...ra-trails.aspx

swanner

Thanks Frank - I did see Calvera Trails when I went out the the City of Carlsbad's website. I think I might like hiking there - need to look at it a little more closely. We want something that gives us "beach" whether that means a view while hiking or the ability to ride along the beach on a boardwalk, etc...the theme for us is taking advantage of the beach/water since we are coming from the desert where we have no water and it's hotter than heck right now.

Tomsd

You can ride along the Boardwalk in Pacific Beach - and then head up La Jolla Blvd - and/or (2) there is a separate bike trail on the east side of the street if you want to take that (I think this is the trail - but it's been a while - http://www.traillink.com/trail/fay-a...bike-path.aspx - I can find it if I am riding around there)

- or (3) just stay (pedal over to and along) - on the streets closest to the water.

If you go inland - La Jolla definitely has some climbing - but along the coast - it's pretty flat. You might also top off your ride/walk/hike with a dip in the La Jolla Cove, one of my favorite little beaches, complete with lifeguards. http://www.a-zsandiegobeaches.com/lajollacove.htm

It's almost like going to the South of France.

swanner

Thanks Tom. Sounds lovely. Can't wait!

FrankS

Tomsd gave you a great idea for beach area riding. In Carlsbad, I 'think' south of Tamarack south is doable with some busy spots but beauty and views too. North of Tamarack too busy...Once had a truck to deliver(Colorado to Camp Pendelton) - not wanting to stay in Oceanside, I threw a bike in the truck and thought I would ride to my hotel along the coast in Carlsbad. Big mistake! Dodging traffic in Oceanside was bad enough, then the coast was closed over the lagoon to Carlsbad ,the other nearby road required lots of riding & Im sure I would get lost, so I took the detour (freeway). Yep, me and my bike(not really mine- I borrowed it) on the freeway to Carlsbad Village Dr

The next morning I rode in Calavera-nice. imo- its more for riding than hiking

nanabee

swanner,
If you'd like to bike in the La Jolla area, you might consider the bike path. It is on the west side of La Jolla Blvd. You begin from the south part of La Jolla near Pacific Beach. You begin at the intersection of La Jolla Blvd and Sea Ridge. Turn west toward the ocean on Sea Ridge make an immediate right onto Chelsea St. going north. It is a side street to the traffic ridden La Jolla Blvd. This bike path goes for about 3 miles up into La Jolla - just follow the bike path signs. You'l lbe on Chelsea then that becomes Camino de la Costa (which is a beautiful residential area and takes you past Windansea Beach which is really nice). You can cut across at any time over to La Jolla Blvd which goes into downtown La Jolla. To get into downtown La Jolla I would cut over to La Jolla Blvd and continue past Pearl St. down to Prospect St. This is where you'll be in the heart of the touristy area - and you'll see La Jolla Cove (at the foot of Girard & Coast Blvd.) you can see all kinds of cool sea life (it's a Marine Perserve), swim, and also see sea lions & seals.

There is another bike path on the east side of La Jolla Blvd, but it is not as scenic. I think you can access it on CAmino de la Costa or maybe Mira Monte (which you get to by turning right off La Jolla Blvd. It is tricky to find because it is a dirt path off the street. It takes you up to Nautilus then you'll continue on Fay Street into the other end of downtown La Jolla - turn right off Fay onto Pearl then left onto Girard. There is a great coffee shop at 7467 Girard (Pannikin Cafe) which is popular with the locals.

swanner

Hi Nanabee - thank you so much. I'll pass this on the my friends. We are driving from Scottsdale to Carlsbad (6 hrs each way) and we'll only be there for 2 days. We have a condo near the beach so I'm guessing we won't really want to get in the car and drive anywhere - rather just stay in the immediate area of Carlsbad and enjoy what there is to do there. I had thought bike riding might be an option (in Carlsbad) but if it's not, we have lots of other ideas.

Thanks so much for all the great information. It is very much appreciated and very helpful!

swanner

Hi Frank - your advise sounds like good advise - riding in Carlsbad is not the best idea. We'll find some other fun things to do!

Tomsd

Amen Swanner:

There are plenty of fun things to do right in downtown Carlsbad/Village area - including sauntering along the sidewalks by the beach, having a good Mexican meal at Fidel's or one of the other places (http://business.intuit.com/boorah-re...8/Mexican.html ),

see if the Flower Fields by Palomar Airport Road are in full bloom,
perhaps enjoy some spa treatment at La Costa,

see the beautiful roses at Magee Park (next to the Army/Navy Academy/high school - a couple blocks north of the main village area), maybe get wild and drive a miniature race car (which I am still trying to get up there to do) - and on and on. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...alifornia.html

It's one of my favorite places in all of San Diego (spent a lot of time there selling Apartment buildings) - and have a blast.

FrankS

Swannar
You will find plenty to do, Carlsbad is a neat place

Tomsd,
Is the Tex Mex Restaurant(On Carlsbad Village Dr?) with the huge open fire pit that often had outdoor bands still around?

bigtyke

I think there is still a shop on 101 (just a little north of 'Alt Karlsbad') that rents bikes in Carlsbad. Where you will probably be riding, you should have no trouble. If you are on 101, just stick to the bike lane. Other roads along the ocean and in the 'village' don't have that much traffic and it isn't going at high speed.

sassy_cat

The Park Hyatt Aviara near Carlsbad rents bicycles or at least guests can. Call the hotel to see if they rent to non guests.

swanner

Thanks for all the great info everyone - much appreciated!

We head out in the morning!