Saratoga Gap OSP
The Saratoga Gap is one of the more popular places to ride and deservedly so. This place has got some of the funnest singletrack that's guaranteed to keep you coming back again and again. It does get crowded, particularly on Saturday mornings, so watch out for collisions on the narrow single track. And beware of the ranger wielding the radar gun. Check out some of these links to get more details on this awesome ride . . .
Soquel Demonstration Forest
This place is one of the most exciting in the bay area. It's also quite technically challenging. Just about everything can be found on this trail - rocks, roots, looong twisty singletrack, and steep downhills. Sawpit, Tractor, and Braille are the main trails. Braille is the shortest. It is steep with lots of logs and fun obstacles. Tractor is smooth, very fast singletrack. Sawpit takes you down the furthest and is a combination of Tractor and Braille. Try the 5 ft log drop on your right towards the end of the trail.
Wilder Ranch
Wilder Ranch is located along Hwy 1, just a few miles past Santa Cruz. There is a short multi-use trail that takes you by the ocean. MOre ocean views can be had at the end of your ride while coming down to the parking lot. Wilder ranch is wide open, meaning there aren't a lot of trees that will give you some shade. It can also get sandy at certain sections of the park. This place is huge with many loop possibilities.
Pogonip
The riding inside UCSC, specifically in the area adjacent to its shared boundary with Wilder Ranch is, in my opinion, the best technical riding in the bay area. All of the trails in Santa Cruz are great but these take the cake. They are relatively short compared to Soquel Demo but they do cram a lot of action in a short amount of distance. Coming from Wilder, all the trails branch off to the left and all end up along Hwy 9. The trailheads aren't marked so I doubt if they are legal which is a shame. Hwy 9 is a narrow two lane road that gets a bit of road traffic so be careful.

El Corte de Madera
This place is huge. There are many options as far as which trails and which loops to do. Sierra Morena, Resolution and North Leaf are fun singletracks. Manzanita and Giant Salamander are a bit more technical. Steam Donkey is short but sweet. The Chinquapin Trail would certainly be a good warm-up ride. Blue Blossom is another fun trail that has a steep section towards the end. Whichever loop you do drops you down fast so be prepared for some fireroad climbs up.
Purisima OSP
This trail can ba characterized as one looong and awesome singletrack descent followed by an equally looong fire road ascent.Although not quite as technically challenging or as intense as Soquel, its still a blast to ride.
Monte Bello OSP
If the ride up Indian Creek Trail doesn't leave you gasping, then the view atop Black Mountain certainly will. And the singletrack back down to the Canyon Trail is definitely one sweet ride.
Russian Ridge OSP
Russian Ridge is a fairly easy to moderate ride. Most of the trails are out in the open so its best to stay away during really warm days. If you decide to do this ride, be sure to check out the Hawk Ridge Trail that branches out from the Ridge Trail.
Fremont Older OSP
Fremont Older is a convenience ride. It is an extremely popular weekday destination because it's nearby and highly accessible. Because of this, hikers and bikers alike can be found sharing the trails. So beware of the ranger wielding the radar gun. The best time to avoid everyone is during the weekday mornings. And while you're there, be sure to check out the Seven Springs Trail for a dose of fast and fun singletrack. I don't recall being there on a Saturday simply because there are so many other better places to ride.
Arastradero OSP
The Arastradero OSP is another favorite weekday ride coz of its close proximity to Highway 280. No long treks up any mountain roads to get to this mtb enclave. Just get off Page Mill Road, and in five minutes, you could be on your bike hitting the trails.

Noble Canyon Trail
The Noble Canyon Trail, located in the Laguna Mountains, is San Diego's premier mountain biking trail. This ride is fun, challenging, and oh-so-technical. The rocks that jut from the ground, continually exposed by the skidding of tires, look up at you and patiently await your one false move.

Mission Trails Regional Park
Mission Trails Regional Park is huge. There are quite a number of ride possibilities within the park. Trail variety is excellent. You'll find technical downhills, fast fireroads, stream crossings and heart-pounding climbs all in one place.

Del Cerro Park (Palos Verdes)
Del Cerro Park is a fun ride with lots of singletrack possibilities. It offers nice views of the ocean on a clear day. And its proximity to the posh Palos Verdes residential area means horses and hikers abound.

The Great Flume Trail
Although not the most technically challenging ride, the Flume is definitely one of the most beautiful rides I've ever been on. Park your bike, sit on a rock, and bask, coz views just don't get much better than this.
Oakhurst/Yosemite
If you're ever around Yosemite with your bike, you have to stop by Oakhurst. There are a couple of trails that you definitely have to check out. The Goat Mountain Trail and the Willow Creek Trail are beautiful, technical, singletrack, downhill trails. These two trails can accurately be described as long fireroad climbs followed by awesome downhill singletrack. And for an encore, take a dip in Bass Lake or rent a jetski for some fun in the water.
Boggs Mountain
If you're up for some driving, then you should definitely check out Boggs Mountain. Coz with its miles and miles of singletrack, this place is tough to beat for sheer fun.
Point Reyes
This ride could be fun. And there was a hint of the awesome views that could be seen from the top of the Inverness Ridge Trail if the fog had just lifted.


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