Almaden Quicksilver Park

A fire-road ride along the park's main bike-legal loop with plenty of short side trips to take in the sights of historic mining structures

Big Basin

(CURRENTLY CLOSED) This big and remote park is not a prime destination for mountain biking, but still provides a few opportunities for a forest ramble like this one.

Butano State Park

The only bike ride in this park is this fire-road loop, but the main climb is relatively gentle, the nature is gorgeous, and where else can you bike your way to a landing strip on a mountain top?

Coyote Creek Loop

This ride does a good job of keeping you out of too much traffic and avoiding too many grueling climbs, and features an unusual mix of paved suburban trails and secluded backroads.

DeLaveaga Park

This little gem of a park is chock-full of sweet forest singletrack, though it still doesn't add up to more than a local option.

Demo Forest (Corral Trail)

The shortest "full" loop you can make at Demo Forest. It misses some of the best trails, but might fill a need for an easier ride or for a second loop.

Demo Forest (Flow Trail)

This route uses the newest trail at Demo to complete the loop, which is only the second flow trail built anywhere around the Bay Area.

El Sereno

This preserve does not provide any good loop options but, as long as you're okay with climbing on fire roads, this is a good and scenic workout option for this vicinity.

Fort Ord (2007 Sea Otter course)

A long and challenging trail ride along what used to be the course of the Sea Otter cross-country race.

Fremont Older

A small park that has some very nice ride possibilities for locals, but does not offer enough to be considered a riding destination.

Grizzly Flat and Charcoal Grade

A short loop that has you descending a mediocre forest fire road only to do one of the region's most notorious climbs, but redeems itself with some sweet singletrack near the end, not to mention two cute creek crossings.

Henry Coe (Domino Pond and Grapevine Trails)

For sampling a relatively more remotely located five-mile narrow singletrack descent of this park, the cost will be the long round trip and one grueling climb to get there

Henry Coe (Grizzly Gulch)

This short loop mixes some scenery, fire road climbing, fun singletrack, and plenty of creek crossings, to add up to easy fun at this remote park.

Henry Coe (Middle Ridge Loop)

One of the better known loops at this big mountain biking destination that provides fairly technical singletrack while avoiding too much steep climbing.

Kennedy Road

An iconic South Bay loop aimed mainly at doing a famously challenging fire-road climb.

Lone Tree Road

A peaceful and secluded mountain climb in beautiful backcountry on relatively bad roads and that has a restricted season during which it will be pleasant

Montebello Road - Stevens Canyon Loop

A mixed ride that's both challenging and fun. As mixed rides go, this is one of the better ones that I know of, and could make it into many riders' favorites lists.

Monterey Bay Coastal Trail

Arguably one of the most desirable casual rides on this site, offering beautiful coastal views, wildlife sightings, dune scenery, and some history; all without any serious effort.

Old Haul Road

An almost-flat out-and-back ride on a fire road for beginners. The good part is that it's under dense redwood cover and is arguably a true wilderness.

Pescadero - San Gregorio Loop

A fairly manageable road ride that can show you much of what the Peninsula coast has to offer, from tiny cute towns, to world class views, to cozy country roads, without taking up most of your day. A simple variation is also possible that is even easier.

Priest Rock Loop

A ride with plenty of painful climbing where your satisfaction will come from a sense of achievement and a thrilling portion of the descent. The views are pretty good too.

Route 9

This is about as pure as a road climb gets. Nothing but 7 miles of climbing, followed by the descent of the same.

San Juan Bautista to Elkhorn Slough

A convoluted ramble through little-known backroads aimed at stringing together a few worthwhile cycling roads, which you can embellish with a touch of history and some bird watching.

Santa Teresa (Suggestion 1)

Easily the most mountain biking fun to be had around South San Jose. Two great technical singletrack trails connected via scenic fire roads with frequent steep climbs.

Saratoga Gap and Long Ridge

One of the jewels of the Peninsula in terms of first-rate singletrack riding.

Sierra Vista (Suggestion 1)

A mixed ride with great views that allows a sampling of some of this area's rare (and newest) singletrack, if you're okay with lots of climbing, though a shorter and easier version is possible.

Sierra Vista (Suggestion 2)

An easier and shorter option for sampling the newest and nicest non-technical singletrack in this area, though this still can't avoid a handful of steep climbs.

Stevens Canyon

A reasonably entertaining out-and-back mixed ride whose length and (hence) difficulty you can adjust to your taste.

Stevens Creek Trail

A very easy ride on a paved, family-grade trail that's made especially useful because it connects to the very popular Shoreline Park and to a whole bevy of flat dirt trails by the bay shore.

Uvas Reservoir Loop

A short and easy road loop with pretty landscape and nice water views just a hop and a skip away from the busy Highway 101 corridor.

Wilder Ranch (Enchanted Loop via Horseman's Trail)

A slight variation on my favorite loop in one of my favorite parks to ride in. The variation doesn't add much to the fun of the ride, but it's okay enough to try once for a change.

Wilder Ranch (Eucalyptus Loop and Long Meadow Trail)

This alternate route through this scenic park misses some of the park's highlights, but it's worth a try to see different parts of the park's trail network and may be preferable for riders with less experience.