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The Arroyo Seco Bike Path runs about 2 miles between South Pasadena and northeast Los Angeles, offering views of the LA skyline and the distant mountains.
About the Route
The northeast end of the trail begins south of Pasadena Avenue and travels southwest along its namesake stream for its entire route.
Although the trail parallels the Arroyo Seco Parkway (State Route 110), the traffic noise is hardly noticeable. The pathway travels under the cover of tall sycamore and oak trees and offers access to Hermon Park (also known as Arroyo Seco Park) and Ernest E. Debs Regional Park. South of Avenue 49, there is also a pedestrian bridge over the Arroyo Seco to reach Sycamore Grove Park.
The southwest end of the trail is at the Montecito Heights Recreation Center. This is less than a third of a mile from the must-see Heritage Square Museum (3800 Homer Street), which interprets 100 years of Southern California history—from 1850 to 1950—through a series of preserved Victorian-era homes.
Connections
One day it's hoped the path will continue farther south to connect with the Los Angeles River Trail.
The Arroyo Seco Bike Path runs between the Montecito Heights Recreation Center (Los Angeles) and Marmion Way (South Pasadena), both of which offer parking.
Parking is also available at:
Visit the TrailLink map for all parking options and detailed directions.
I was on the Arroyo Seco Bike Path traveling east from LA towards South Pasadena on my bicycle commuting from work. There was some thick glass hidden in some dirt that caused my bicycle tire to be flatted with a loud, sharp sound. It felt like it was a booby trap intentionally causing bikes to have flat tires. I see a lot of broken glass and try to miss it. There seems to always be broken bottles and vandalism to intimidate residents from using the path.
My bike's flat tire brought me to a halt and some shirtless man approached me and asked me for fifty cents. He was walking right at me and appeared he was homeless. I felt I was in danger. I told him to stay back a few times.
This could be a great commuting and recreational pathway but it is unkept and littered with trash and encampments full of intimating homeless. A few weeks ago I saw a minivan on fire and like the other reviews on this website show that LA needs to get involved.
I've been riding this path for years and it's become unsafer each and every year. There are several homeless and at times have confronted me while riding the path. It's extremely dirty and need of many repairs.
If you do choose to use this path I would highly advise NOT to ride it alone. This is a dangerous area and certainly do not ride this at night. The city/state needs to maintain this historical bike path and make it safe for all users. It's a sad state of affairs....unfortunately.
Just moved to Lincoln Heights and love this path. I use it to bike to work in South Pas. The path is quite clean! I bike in the morning and in evening after work. I usually see at least 1 or 2 other people biking, and a handful more at the northern end of the trail--esp. runners. There are some homeless camps. I probably wouldn't ride this path after dusk.
It’s just an ok path, but what makes it bad is there are lots of homeless and they put their carts and trash in the middle of the path. 2 stars only because it has the potential to be good if it was cleaned up.
As of the date of this review, the Arroyo Seco is closed for repairs. Most of the entry gates have been chained up. I was able to get on the path and it can be dangerous to anyone riding a bike. The recent storms have caused large boulders to slide down the hill on to the path along with mud and debris. There are also pieces of concrete/steel plating missing which is a hazard. I will post again once it is open.
The ride is pleasant and paved with few cracks. You are at the bottom of a wash with some garbage along the path.
There are many trees, and notable architecture in the bridges and homes.
Overall it is a decent outing.
This is a nice short trail and ideal for families with small children. There is a park at the trail entrance and adjacent to the path. The homeless encampment situation has for the most part been cleaned up, but you will find a few homeless folks here and there...but overall safe.
My young daughter is just learning to ride and this was perfect for her. The homeless problem mentioned in other reviews seems to be solved. At least, we didn't have any trouble and we've been three times now.
We went on this short trail the other day. The other reviewer is correct about the homeless camp, which is a short distance from the Montecito Park starting point and which is right along the trail below street level. Our first clue was the human feces in the middle of the bike path. Nothing against homeless people but not that safe for women riding alone especially if you have an expensive bike.
Do not go on this trail alone. It's become a large homeless camp.
Went on this trail on a fairly hot Saturday afternoon, biking with the kids. Parking was easy on the south end of the trail even with a kids' baseball game/training at the park. The trail looks clean and safe. Other people walking or biking passed by us with a smile or said a friendly hello. I'd go on this trail again but earlier next time.
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