SAWYER CAMP RECREATION TRAIL
(San Francisco Peninsula)
This 12-mile round-trip travels the length of Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir, then leads through marshlands to southern San Andreas Lake, ending at Hillcrest Boulevard in Millbrae. Watch for the Jepson laurel tree, the oldest and largest living California laurel at 600-plus years and 55 feet tall. Expect to see plenty of bird life and deer along the shores of the reservoir.
Information: San Mateo County Parks and Recreation, 650/363-4020.
Directions: From I-280 in San Mateo, take the Highway 92 exit west, then turn north immediately on Highway 35. Drive 0.5 mile to Crystal Springs Road and the trail entrance.

NIMITZ WAY BIKE TRAIL
(East San Francisco Bay Area)
Perched on the tip of San Pablo Ridge in Tilden Park, this four-mile one-way paved trail provides ever-changing views. Near its start cyclists survey San Pablo Reservoir, with Briones Reservoir behind, plus looming Mount Diablo. A few pedal cranks later San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Angel Island come into view. At every turn in the trail, over every hill, you gain a different perspective on the panorama: the Richmond Bridge appears, the Gold Coast shows up, San Francisco’s skyline emerges, the Brothers Islands steal the scene. 
Information: East Bay Regional Park District, 510/562-7275.
Directions: From I-580 in Oakland, take Highway 24 east. Go through the Caldecott Tunnel and exit at Orinda. Turn left on Camino Pablo. Drive north for two miles, then turn left on Wildcat Canyon Road. Drive 2.5 miles to Inspiration Point parking lot.

SIR FRANCIS DRAKE BIKEWAY
(Marin County)
If you’re yearning for a dose of redwoods, this trail fits the bill. The Sir Francis Drake Bikeway offers seven miles round-trip of smooth pavement that begins just outside Samuel P. Taylor State Park, travels alongside Papermill Creek, then crosses a broad meadow before entering the park’s dense redwood groves. The path tunnels through lofty trees and low-growing ferns and sorrel, then jogs past park campgrounds and picnic areas.
Information: Samuel P. Taylor State Park, 415/488-9897.
Directions: From U.S. 101 in Corte Madera, take the Sir Francis Drake Boulevard exit west. Drive 18.7 miles to the right turnoff for Platform Bridge Road, 3.4 miles west of Samuel P. Taylor State Park’s main entrance. (If you reach the town of Olema, you’ve gone two miles too far.) Turn right on Platform Bridge Road and park in the pullout on the left. 

MONTEREY RECREATION TRAIL
(Monterey)
This 29-mile round-trip trail runs from Marina to Pacific Grove, passing by famous Monterey attractions such as Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Most people don’t ride the entire route, but it’s nice to know it’s an option. Obvious starting points are at the trail’s north terminus in Marina and the southwest terminus at Lover’s Point Park in Pacific Grove.  Many local riders begin mid-trail at Laguna Grande Park in Seaside. If you want to enjoy coastal views and salty sea air, this is your trail.
Information: Transportation Agency for Monterey County, 831/755-8961, or Pacific Grove Recreation Department, 831/648-3130.
Directions: To access the north end of the trail, from Highway 1 south of Moss Landing take the Marina/Del Monte Boulevard exit. Cross over to the east side of the highway; the trail begins at the junction of Del Monte Boulevard and Lapis Road, about 100 yards from Highway 1 (a dirt parking area is located there).

TRUCKEE RIVER RECREATION TRAIL
(North Lake Tahoe)
Lake Tahoe has several excellent paved recreation trails, but this 11.2-mile round-trip pathway along the scenic Truckee River is the best of the lot. The trail is deservedly popular, so during peak vacation season your best bet is to ride at the edges of the day--early in the morning or just before sunset--to avoid most of the trail traffic. The route parallels Highway 89 north of Tahoe City, but it was ingeniously built 15 to 20 feet below the highway embankment and within a few feet of the river. The sight and sound of cars are no distraction and the river takes center stage. A common practice is to stop mid-trail at the River Ranch Inn and have lunch on their riverside deck. The entire trail runs from Tahoe City to Squaw Valley Ski Resort.
Information: Tahoe City Public Utility District, Parks and Recreation Department, 530/583-5544.
Directions: From Tahoe City at the junction of Highways 89 and 28, drive 0.25 mile south on Highway 89 to the sign for the recreation trail parking area on the right. Turn right (west) and park. 

HAMMOND TRAIL
(McKinleyville)
The Hammond Trail is a proud example of the rails-to-trails movement’s success: it presents a safe and easy route from Arcata to McKinleyville, grand views of the coast and rural farmlands, beach access, and a ride through a historic railroad bridge that is closed to all motorized traffic. Two short sections of the trail follow quiet neighborhood streets, but the remainder is completely car-free. A 13-mile round-trip from the Mad River in McKinleyville leads to windswept Clam Beach County Park.
Information: Humboldt County Parks, 707/445-7651.
Directions: From U.S. 101 in Eureka, drive north 10 miles to the north end of Arcata, then take the Giuntoli Lane exit and head west (left). Cross over the freeway, then turn right on to Heindon Road and drive 0.3 mile. Turn left on Miller Lane and drive 0.8 mile. Turn right on Mad River Road and drive 1.6 miles to an old steel railroad bridge. 

AMERICAN RIVER PARKWAY
(Sacramento)
This 32.8-mile-long trail is one of the oldest and longest paved recreation trails in the United States, leading from Discovery Park in Sacramento to Folsom Lake. More than 500,000 people ride the trail each year. If you’re ambitious, you can pedal the whole thing for 65.6 miles of paved recreation trail riding, with only a few slight rises for hills. Some sections are more scenic than others, however, so if it’s your first trip, you might want to go straight to one of the best parts and ride westward from Beals Point at Folsom Lake (start at the trail’s eastern terminus; see directions below).
Information: American River Parkway Foundation, 916/456-7423. Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, 916/988-0205.
Directions: To access the eastern terminus at Folsom Lake: From I-80 in Sacramento, drive east for 15 miles and take the Douglas Road exit near Roseville. Drive east 5.3 miles on Douglas Road, then turn right on Auburn-Folsom Road and drive 1.7 miles. Turn left at the sign for Beals Point; you’ll cross the bike path as you drive to the parking area.

For more easy bike trails, see Easy Biking in Northern California. Or, for intermediate-level riding, see Northern California Biking.