Export to Trail Guide
Create Guidebook 
Download GPX 
Print Friendly MapOverview
Arguably the most iconic trail in California, the Marvin Braude Bike Trail—commonly referred to as The Strand by residents—hugs Los Angeles County’s coastline from its upscale neighborhoods in the north to its historically working-class (but increasingly upscale) neighborhoods in the south. While the trail travels along the beach for the majority of its 22 miles, it also takes trail users through a wide range of neighborhoods and landscapes. Stops at the Santa Monica Pier, the Venice Boardwalk, and the downtowns of LA’s South Bay cities are a must.
About the Route
The northern endpoint along the trail is located at Will Rogers State Beach and the base of the Santa Monica Mountains, near the homes of many famous Hollywood actors. Here, trail users can take a moment to sit on a bench, watch a pickup game of beach volleyball, and breathe in the salty ocean air. As the trail continues south, the freeway and trail begin to diverge, with the rhythmic crashing of the Pacific Ocean’s waves replacing the low hum of traffic along the Pacific Coast Highway. Cafés and cabanas crop up between the trail and the imposing cliffs, where a long row of bright-white Santa Monica hotels and condominiums are perched.
After 3.5 miles, the trail sails under the Santa Monica Pier and continues south through Santa Monica. Along the way are plentiful bathrooms, water fountains, and playgrounds, as the city takes pride in its oceanfront facilities. When you reach the Venice Boardwalk in 1.8 miles, the trail splits in two: a bicycle—only facility closer to the ocean, and a grand pedestrian promenade with a lively mix of shops, eateries, and street entertainers.
The beachfront path ends at the Venice Fishing Pier, and the route turns inland to go around Marina del Rey. At the pier, the route turns left on Washington Boulevard for a 1-mile on-road portion. At Mildred Avenue, the paved pathway picks up again on the right. The trail continues for 1.4 miles until it ends at Fiji Way. Take a right on Fiji Way, following the bike lane back toward the ocean. In 0.7 miles, the trail approaches a roundabout and trail users should be able to see the entrance to the paved pathway once again. After 0.1 miles, the trail reaches a T intersection overlooking Ballona Creek.
The final 12 miles of the trail through South Bay feel slightly more industrial as the route travels past the Los Angeles International Airport, an oil refinery, a power plant, and a wastewater treatment facility. But don’t let these land uses deter you! Nestled between them are some of the quaintest beachside communities in all of Southern California. Peel off at Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, or Redondo Beach for lunch to experience a more authentic version of California beachside living. Get back on the trail for the last leg and admire the South Bay’s unique architecture as it turns from extravagant single-family homes to midcentury--modern condo complexes. Enjoy a final stop in Torrance at the trail’s end and see if you can spot a whale or dolphin on the horizon.
Connections
In Marina Del Rey, trail users can connect to the Ballona Creek Bike Path.
The Marvin Braude Bike Trail runs between Will Rogers State Beach, 17000 CA-1 (Los Angeles), and Torrance County Beach, 289 Paseo De La Playa (Torrance), with parking available at both ends.
Parking is also available at:
See TrailLink map for all parking options and detailed directions.
Great bike trails with a lot of ins and outs. Lots of people to look at. Lots of shops. Plenty of restrooms and diners. Good for all day rides.
Completed the entire trail round trip, starting at Temescal Canyon in Will Rogers State Park and rode all the way to the end of the trail in about 4.5 hours… it was both exhausting and wonderful ¿¿
I ride from my home at the beach on the Santa Monica & Venice Beach border. Going North to the end is 5 1/2 miles.
Going South you can ride forever as it winds past the Marina & then until you drop.
It's a Great ride either North or South, you can't beat it.
One day I'll ride North then the next day South & you'll see something different every day.
There’s tons of homeless camper and some sleeping on the beach, but it didn’t bother me... over all it’s a good ride, especially the weather today !
This trail is absolutely amazing. You get a shoreline ride through every beach from Torrance to Santa Monica. We did the entire trail yesterday round trip and it was well worth the 40 mile loop! Will definitely go again
I recommend getting started in the morning a weekday preferably. Both Venice and Santa Monica are absolutely stunning in the morning and are quite peaceful with lots to see. Marina del Rey and Ballona creek have some of the best scenery of any path I’ve been on the ocean is clear and the marina itself is beautiful. The path is doable and you get an amazing view of the beaches in la
It is a very nice path But you have to go early otherwise you will be avoiding people walking aimlessly across the path the entire time. And be sure to walk your bikes and a designated areas otherwise you will have police officers yelling at you. Beautiful scenery and a great work out otherwise.
Rode this for the first time this week and it was a lovely ride. Down and back I managed 28 miles on the path, from around Redondo to Washington Blvd and back. It was a very nice ride, with great views, and it was easy to forget you were still in LA. Parts of it were 8 mph speed limit due to higher trafficked areas and there are parts where you may have to get off and walk your bike depending on what events are happening off the strand. It wasn’t terribly busy when I went, but I’m sure it does get that. Some sand on the path but not enough to make it terribly difficult on a road bike. Will be back!
Bike path from Playa del Rey to Manhattan Beach Pier today.
Up from 1 star the 2 previous days.
Sand/Dirt Condition Rating: A,B,C,D,F. A=Excellent, B=Very Good, C=Average, D=Below Average, F=Poor.
Playa del Rey Beach = C to F.
Los Angeles County Beaches and Harbors office = D.
Dockweiler State Beach RV Park = F.
Dockweiler = B.
South of Dockweiler Hang Gliding = F.
El Segundo Beach/Power Plant = B.
Manhattan Beach to Manhattan Beach Pier = D.
Love this ride. Some walking traffic and slow riders around Santa Monica and Venice but the people watching in those areas make up for the slow pace in those areas. I ride it almost every weekend.
I rode this trail of amazing beach and ocean scenery mixed with totally LA culture, on the sunny, warm Saturday afternoon of a winter holiday weekend. The trail runs along the beach of the Pacific coastline of Los Angeles almost fully uninterrupted, for about 20 miles that span major LA beach communities including Redondo Beach, Venice Beach, and Santa Monica. The natural scenery of the beach and ocean is amazing, and traveling by bicycle is the best (if not only) way to experience all of LA's beach communities in a single day.
The one downside to my ride was that on this busy Saturday afternoon, bicycle traffic on the trail was as heavy as cars I-405 in the rush hour! Trail riders ran the gamut from swimsuit-clad beach cruisers, to tourists on rental tandem bikes, to families with children, to more 'serious' riders on fitness and road bikes. Navigating the bicycle traffic took some caution and skill, and was worth the benefit in scenery and convenient travel through the beach communities. One stretch of the trail (about 8 miles), that fronts LA's industrial waterfront, was wide open and free of pedestrians and slower cyclists. It was easy enough to simply shift my gaze to the beach and blue ocean waters and away from the industrial scenery.
Overall this was one the best bike rides I've ever taken. I strongly recommend this trail for all bikers!
Great bike path ,no cars, friendly people,feels safe
I've been from sunset Blvd to redondo pier.
Plenty of places to stop and have nutrition.
Love it
We rode from Venice Beach up to Santa Monica for some Rita's ice. Nice trail along the beach. Lots of riders.
Being from the east coast and living on Long Island all my life, I needed to find a place near the ocean to ride and feel the freedom from the worlds pressures that you get when you simply just ride.
Now that I am out here for two to three weekends a month on an assignment, I needed this outlet. I started easy one weekend, and road from SM Pier to Marine DR, then back up to the top trail head and back. What a great ride.
Last weekend I started at Marina DR, and road down almost to Manhattan Beach, and back. Great weather, nice trails, and respectful runners and riders make for a great trail.
Thanks!
One of the best trails on the west coast in Los Angeles..
Total environment and beach scene.
I rode it for 8 years, every weekend, sat and sun.
Torrance to Venice is the best.
No problems, no stress.
What a fun path to ride! Especially to us being from the Midwest. So much to see and do and all along the ocean. We spent the day on the path riding from end to end, shopping and eating. Very easy to follow even around the 2 marinas.
More on this ride and others we've done at http://locojoe.com
I road this trail many times and its hard to beat a ride along the beach, and it goes on for a long strech. Up there with the South Beach and Ft Lauderdale paths that go alongside the Ocean too. Enjoy!!
A few years ago I did a project for a company in Burbank and I was out there for six month and on weekends I would do this trial. I always did it on my road bike and this trail is a great ride as you are over looking the ocean most of the way. You ride on what the locals call the strand down though the middle of a few of the beaches. When I was looking at this trail it was hard believe that nobody has done a review on this great trail. It is one of the most scenic rides I have ever done. It is family friendly. It gets very busy on the weekends but you can always get though the high traffic areas. The high light for me was riding though Marina Del Ray and seeing all those high priced Sail boats. there is just so much to see in this 22 mile trip that all I can say is if you live in the L.A area you need to take a ride on this trail. Oh ya and you need to do a review. Like most of my reviews I just do not give out five stars but if I did this ride would get one.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy
(a non-profit) and we need your support!
