Sea Ranch Bike Riding Is a Favorite Activity
Sea Ranch bike riding is one of the best activities at Sea Ranch. In Sea Ranch, you can escape the California valley temperatures rising to scorching triple-digits to leisurely pedal along the meadows cooled by the ocean breezes and tree-lined trails greeting deer and wild turkeys along the way.
But what will you do if you can’t bring your own bikes with you to Abalone Bay?
No Worries – Sea Ranch Rentals Has You Covered
Renting Specialized Expedition bikes from Sea Ranch Bicycle Rentals located in Sea Ranch Supply makes it easy peasy.
Owners Chris and Stacy Aitchison will be happy to help. They offer fine biking equipment. Their bikes are well maintained and tuned professionally. Further, you can now rent bikes all year long. Just call Sea Ranch Supply at 707-785-2366. Or visit their store at 35550 Verdant View (located at the end of the road).
Their rate is $40 a day for a 24 hour period. Hourly rates are not available.
Remember, Sea Ranch Bikes’ “fleet” of bikes isn’t huge, so reserve yours as soon as you can. They deliver and pick up directly to Abalone Bay!
Exercise with Comfort
Not only does Specialized Expedition Bikes offer the ultimate in cruising comfort, with Specialized’s Ground Control geometry for an easy, upright body position, it also offers a smooth ride thanks to the cushy suspension fork. Furthermore, its lightweight aluminum frame, 7-speed Shimano shifter, and comfy spring-mounted seat make each ride a dream. Each bike comes with a helmet and a cable lock. Handlebar-mounted baskets are available.
Indeed, with your Expedition Bike in hand, your helmet on your head you will be set for bike riding in Sea Ranch’s beautiful, and famous stretch of coastline.
Sea Ranch Bike Riding with a Dose of History
We especially recommend you explore Sea Ranch history by bike. The Sea Ranch Association marked 25 historical sites with information posts. A QR (quick read) Code app on your smartphone makes reading about Sea Ranch’s history particularly easy. Simply check each post’s QR code marker for an even more detailed background on the site.
The Sea Ranch bike riding roads are uniformly smooth and wide, with well-signed connecting paths that, naturally, lets you bike for miles without leaving the serenity and safety of the Ranch. Occasionally, though, you may encounter a bit of congestion such as few smiling trekkers, a family of deer grazing along the roadside, or a covey of quail scurrying across the intersection as the flock of wild turkeys call to you wishing you a grand holiday!
Bike Riding Rules at Sea Ranch
Renting bikes from Sea Ranch Supply at Sea Ranch comes with a a couple of important rules for bike riding in Sea Ranch:
- Riding on the ocean bluff trail or on any trail leading to the ocean bluff causes erosion. Ride only on designated trails showing a bike icon.
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- Sea Ranch Rental Bicycles are not allowed on Highway One.
Sea Ranch Community Rules and Notes
- Horses have the right of way. When encountering an equestrian, stop and wait for the horse to pass or for the rider to signal you through.
- If you bring a dog along, please make sure it is on a leash.
- Do not ride bicycles on the Bluff Trail.
Sea Ranch Bike Usage
Review The Sea Ranch Trails Map for bike routes before you push off on your ride. Abalone Bay includes trail maps for their guests. Otherwise, you may purchase a Trail May from The Sea Ranch Association Office located at 975 Annapolis Rd, Sea Ranch, CA 95497. Their office is opened Tuesday-Saturday 8:30-5:00.
Please keep these points in mind:
- Bicycling is allowed on all Sea Ranch roads and many (but not all) of the trails.
- Remember to remain on the marked bike trails. w
- And don’t forget to bring along your Sea Ranch ID card or guest pass when using the private trails.
No Biking on the Bluff Trails
In most cases the bike trails coincide with foot trails and horse trails, however for safety reasons, bicycling is not allowed on certain trails (both east and west of Highway One). While bicycling is prohibited anywhere on the Bluff Trail (see Off-Road Trail Routes below), jogging or walking the bluff trails is a great activity.
West of Highway 1
It is possible to ride from one end of The Sea Ranch to the other utilizing the streets and unpaved bike links and thereby avoid Highway 1. The majority of the meadow trails west of Highway 1 are open to bicyclists, however, the following trails are closed for cycling:
- All portions of the Bluff Trail
- Bluff Access trails from paved roads
- Public Access Trails
- Hedgerow Trails
- Monarch Glen Interpretive Trail
On-Road Routes- West of Highway 1
North to South: From Leeward Road (Unit 35E), follow The Sea Ranch roads to the south end of Breaker Reach (Unit 21). At that location, follow the “bicycle link” symbol on the Trails Map to determine a route of both roads and unpaved bicycle links leading all the way to Moonraker Road (Unit 1).
South to North: From Moonraker Road (Unit 1), pick up the bicycle link near the Moonraker Recreation Center. Follow the “bicycle link” symbol on the Trails Map to determine a route of both roads and unpaved bicycle links leading all the way to Breaker Reach (Unit 21). Then follow The Sea Ranch roads to the north end.
East of Highway 1
There are a number of trails available for those interested in mountain biking. These trails include:
- Big Tree (Posts 115 to 123).
- Cluster
- Long Meadow
- the connector between Posts 113 and 263
- Ridge,
- Skid Road,
- Spring Meadow
- Tank Road Trails.
All other trails are closed to bicycling, primarily for safety reasons.
Is bicycle renting available during the month of June? If not, when do you start up for the summer? I have folks renting my vacation rental wanting to rent bicycles.
Hi Gary, Thanks for checking out our page. I’ve called Sea Ranch Bikes to check their availability. They are now open year-long. You or your guests can rent bikes any time they are visiting Sea Ranch!
I’ve updated my post to reflect that news.
We have a bike club that is interested in staying and biking at Sea Ranch. One question are the bike paths paved? I gather all Sea Ranch roads are paved. Can cyclists ride on these roads and what is traffic like. Thanks in advance for your attention to this matter
Hey Virginia! Thanks for your great question. Your group will love biking our unique community!
Bicycling is allowed on all Sea Ranch roads and many (but not all) of the trails. In most cases the bike trails coincide with foot trails and horse trails, however for safety reasons, bicycling is prohibited >>anywhere< < on the Bluff Trail. Those trails are unpaved, hard-packed dirt with some bumps and ruts. There are some hills and dales, but for the most part, they are not gnarly mountain bike roads. Rather they are shared walking paths. Bikes must remain on the paths. Note- I know gnarly as my daughter in her youth was actually a ranked international professional downhill mountain biker- and yes I survived her many trips to ER… BTW do check out the tab for emergency info located under the tab for “Guest Info”
https://searanchabalonebay.com/emergency-information
We LOVE Redwood Coast Medical Services having used them many times.
Of course, guests staying at The Sea Ranch may ride their bikes on the private roads that go in and around The Sea Ranch. The speed limit is posted at 25mph. There are no speed bumps in the roads. But note many people walk along and on the roads because there are also no sidewalks. Further, there are no streetlights (we are a dark sky location). So any nighttime bike riders will need lamps on their bikes. There is more traffic on the roads nearest the 3 recreation centers, especially Leeward Road that takes you to Del Mar Rec Center.
I recommend you ask for a map (or 2) for your group (looks like the one posted on the blog). While we provide copies of The Sea Ranch Trails Map for our guests at Abalone Bay, some hosts may not. If the host doesn’t offer a copy for their guests, you may purchase them at The Sea Ranch office located at 975 Annapolis Road (near the Fire Station ). The map lists the roads and trails that are open for bikers, hikers, and equestrians. The price for the map was $5.00 the last time I made a purchase.
Miles of trails traverse The Sea Ranch coastal, meadow, and forest environments. For access, look for the trail posts or wave markers painted on the road. A trail runs along the headlands for almost the entire length of the Ranch. Trail access is provided through common areas to bluffs and beaches. Please respect private property and keep to established trails.