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Print Friendly MapA neighborhood trail of the first order, the Pacific Electric Bike Trail links well-kept middle class neighborhoods on either side of tree-lined Maple Street near downtown Santa Ana. The trail runs on a portion of a former Pacific Electric interurban railway corridor that once connected the city with the Pacific Ocean beach community of Huntington Beach.
At the trail's southern end, cross E. Adams Street to pick up the Alton Avenue Bike Trail—a rail-with-trail—for a longer trek through Santa Ana.
To reach the northern endpoint from Interstate 5, take the Fourth Street exit in Santa Ana. Follow Fourth Street west to Grand Avenue and go left (south) on Grand Avenue to E. First Street. Turn right (west) on E. First Street, and follow it to Maple Street, which is on the left (south) side of the road. Go south on Maple Street to E. Chestnut Avenue; the rail-trail starts at this intersection.
To reach the southern endpoint on E. Adams Street, you can either follow Maple Street all the way south to trail's start, or go west one block to Orange Avenue, which also goes south all the way to E. Adams Street.
There is parking along the streets at both endpoints.
"This Trail is now connected to the Alton Ave Bike Trail by crossing Orange Ave to the sidewalk then a short distance South, N33.71255 W117.86580 elev 56’, which makes the trail 5 miles long. Across Main the trail is on the south side of the tracks.
An urban trail well used by students, recyclers, shoppers. At places along Rousselle Street it has high root heaves. The trail splits to two tracks several places, the west track is the widest but narrows to 40 inches. Between Main and Bristol there are parallel cracks in the asphalt that could be a hazard to thin bike tires. Many street crossings where traffic does not stop. The main streets have button activated lights for crossing. At Flower St the trail makes a series of 90 degree turns to cross the flood control channel N33.70712 W117.87664 elev 33’. The wide open portion along Alton now passes new housing , the new Segerstrom High School, and Jim Thorpe Elementary School. It has a view of Saddleback in the Santa Ana Mountains.
Several parking spots, off street, directly across Susan Street from Trail head. N33.70357 W117.91208 elev 36’. Just east of Bristol, North side of W. Alton one Handicap and one tight space at N33.703788 W117.884220 elev 30’.South along Bristol you can fine fast food places.
The North terminus is at W Chestnut, N33.74237 W117.86333 elev 116’. "
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