Dockweiler Bike Path

Only bad thing about the path… is the careless walkers who just stand won’t EVEN try to look out for Bikers on the Bike Path imagine that… a Bike Path for you to stand and not pay attention to on coming Bikes… or the One Lady who was walk with two small children not paying attention and at last minute saw me and said you should get off that Bike… OR maybe YOU should pay attention you’re on the BIKE PATH LADY!!! It’s my wish that they would somehow enforce use caution Pedestrians… I’ve seen people fall so hard trying to avoid hitting kids and folks strolling along the BIKE PATH at leisure.

There’s nothing like the wind blowing through your hair as you cycle along the ocean in Southern California! I don’t take it for granted that I live close enough to make this happen more consistently than ever. I’m way up, I feel BLESSED! But. I will say… Straight up… THIS PATH IS SLIPPERY. The beach sand is a mutha and a half. Be mindful of this and very careful because if not, you WILL wipe out. lol Not that it’s funny, but you won’t be riding like you’re in the Tour De France around these parts in most cases, unless you use the service path. Even parts of that are covered in sand. There is a section of this path that’s not even rideable because it’s covered in not only sand but, thick mud. Me and a couple other guys unknowingly rode into it, figured out what was happening, got off, picked up our bikes and walked around it. It’s a pretty nice sized section too. If I would’ve known this firsthand, I would’ve used the service path the whole way. When riding at night, be certain to have a really good headlight and taillight. I’d also recommend a wheel spoke light or spoke lights of some sort. Bicycles are the most visible but yet invisible on this path. I’ve seen a few people riding with NO LIGHTS whatsoever. A few nights ago, I saw a guy on a nice fixed gear track bike… dark as the dickens! Dude… C’mon. Really? Who in their right mind does something like that? I also have seen couples who like to cupcake and stroll along the dark path at night. Once again… They’re not visible at all for the most part and many of them for some reason wear dark clothes. So, you’re looking ahead and ‘thinking’ you’re seeing someone, but in essence don’t know until you’re right up on them. It’s dangerous. Flat out. The bonfire smoke can get pretty outrageous right around the heart of Dockweiler Beach (around the parking lot) because of the number of bonfires simultaneously burning. The people hanging out are usually pretty cool around that area but, them and their kids, friends, fam, will ‘cluelessly’ stand anywhere in the bike lane. Please be careful of folks not thinking anything about their or their folks safety. Restrooms and water fountains are located along this strip as well. Because of the ocean, this is a beautiful location, but… for now, I’m rating this path 3 stars. They need to enforce & to fix some things.

This is short and really cool bike path that run from Culver
Pacific Ave to a little pass Grand Ave next to El Segundo Beach then on to Manhattan Beach this is where I ride to before heading its about 14.94 miles the view is so amazing along with some twist and turns and a few slightly inclined area, the restroom along this path (the ones I have stop in is pretty much clean) make sure you roll your bike inside, I’m also a big fan on this beach… free parking there a parking lot also so why pay for it when you can get it free :) bon fires at night, planes taking off so low watching the wheels go up, this is one of my hot summer night places to grab a blanket, flameless candles, some music, a picnic basket with cheese and crackers and a chill bottle of Moscato D’asti as the sun set and the waves… back to this bike path can take you as far north as Santa Monica and as far south to Torrance and Palos Verdes.

The only reason that this is a 4 star and not a 5 is for the simple reason that sometimes it takes too long to have the bike path cleaned (especially after a storm or high tide). A word to the wise to be very careful if there is sand on the bike path. I ususally start at the Marina Channel area and head down to Redondo Beach. Sometimes I go to the end which is in area Torrance area. Great exercise along with some beautiful scenery. What else can you ask for?

5-​minute walk from home. Can’t beat the gorgeous daily dog walks, jogs, sunset photo ops, or just have a place to be alone and suck in the beach air and serenity. Um, beach gets pretty dirty with trash brought in by the waves, usually Playa Del Rey side. A bit cleaner to the south towards main entrance.

The fact that I visited this bike path twice in as many days should clue you in to how nice I found it. Of course, not being a local, I find anything on the sunny beaches of LA to be attractive. But this smooth, long, winding and not-​too-​crowded path is a great way to connect from north to south and find some out of the way spots on the beach. It runs through areas that are not close to parking lots so it offers some good solitary (relatively — it’s LA after all) sections for riding.
I dig how well it’s kept or at least the current condition it’s in. There are turnouts, occasional benches, and the winding path keeps it interesting.
Yay for public bikeways!

This bike path actually stretches all the way to Malibu or Manhattan Beach depending on which direction you are biking or jogging (if jogging, WOW. Go participate in a marathon or something). Dockweiler Beach isn’t really well known compared to Santa Monica or Manhattan Beach but nonetheless, I actually prefer it to be more empty so the bike trail won’t be blocked with human traffic. If you have not biked on this trail yet, please do. I really recommend people to go out and bike on the trail. You will not regret it. I mean this is what California is all about. Everytime one of my friends come from a different country or state, I always bring them along for a casual bike ride and afterwards they always become refreshed after riding for hours.
Reading the above paragraph makes you think, «Why didn’t this guy review it 5 stars?» Well, my only complaint is during the weekends, the beach can be pretty crowded resulting in a lot of human traffic on the bike trail. So be prepared to hit the brakes and carry on during weekends.

Dockweiler is about 12 miles from Playa to Manhattan Beach. You’ll ride by the Department of Water and Power and through parts of Dockweiler beach that attracts all of the fire pit/​party goers. That can be a pain for some because that means more foot traffic in your path. But dude, you can’t beat this wide concrete and asphalt paved path that kisses pretty close to the Pacific. At some mid-​point there’s a somewhat parallel path farther from the beach that’s closer to the road and at the foot of the cliff above for those who want more solace.
Love this path because it’s one of the few along the coast that you can enjoy for miles and miles. The intermittent beach goers’ confusion about bike path etiquette is worth putting up with for this awesome 12-​mile ride! Wheels up!

Nice, flat, relaxing ride. I usually take a couple of hours in the morning during the weekday when it’s not busy and ride from Dockweiler Beach up to Will Rogers Beach. There and back is only 24 miles and at a chill, relaxed, take-​in-​the ocean view pace it only takes 2 hours.

I cross this bike path often carrying a surfboard to the water.
This area is great and I tend to call it home. This is a little hidden strip of happiness for me. I have taken this bike path from RAT Beach to Venice and if you wanted to you could take it all the way to Santa Monica, like you see in the opening credits of Three’s Company.
This general area has large bluff areas separating the bike path from the road & LAX. It is very cool to see Jets taking off over your head and if it is raining watching them land in the opposite direction. There are large areas of sand, free showers, jetty’s and lots and lots of Ocean.
People on the weekends, who tend to be dressed like they are competing in the Tour De France are shooting through this area at top speeds yelling at people walking, carrying surfboard or riding slow. They need to realize they are the odd one’s not the other way around.
Keep this area clean and enjoy yourself.
Another great thing about this area is you can bring your bike to the Beach via your car and park on Vista Del Mar for free. If you see that broken glass on the street that means criminals have broken into cars and if the area is packed (nice outside) do not leave anything out for anyone to see.
BE THE GOOD & KEEP OUR OCEANS BLUE=)

*** An accessible stretch of beach to run and sun. ***
There is virtually no shade along this path so def wear
sunscreen, or maybe nothing while and get your tan on,
running or biking along Dockweiler Beach. I enjoy it b/​c
there are very few pedestrians. It almost feels like you
own this path mid-​week. I have really grown to love it.
Convenient st prkg along Vista del Mar or pay park
in the Dockweiler State Beach lots is also available.
*** Wknds & desolate evenings are the worst times. ***

This is a nice place to run, but the concrete sure beats the heck out of your legs especially as you get older. But you’re rewarded with a cool ocean breeze and nice scenery. They have been renovating the beach path, so it should be even nicer in a couple of months. You can park up on the road for free or for about $ 6 if you want to park closer in a parking lot.