20 Best Mountain Bike Trails in Southern California with Majestic Views

Once you are addicted to mountain biking, there is no coming back. All MT bikers want to explore more and more. Recently, I received a query from my MTB community about the best mountain bike trails in southern California.

I felt so excited to cover it because mountain biking in southern California, SoCal, is the next-level experience.

There are the safest yet most adventurous trails to ride: cliffs, mud, chunky rocks, craters, and whatnot.

But, I have made a based on my personal favorite MTB tracks in SoCal, which I loved biking as a beginner and still enjoy it like ever.

This Never-to-Miss Best SoCal Mountain biking trails list no bikers should miss.

What I explored? Some unseen biking locations you must visit:

Mountain Biking in Southern California

Before I start with the majestic mountain biking locations, here is why you should know about mountain biking tracks in southern California. Some hints before my guide.

SoCal has:

1. Epic sunny weather
2. Dramatic Pacific coastline
3. Massive parks
4. Beverly Hills
5. Gigantic variety of terrains

The list is enormous; if I tried to pen it down, the rest of the discussion might be missed.

So, in a nutshell, mountain biking in southern California is the future because, from beginner to epic rugged tracks, it has it all.

I will not take your any more time. Here you go with the tworth-biking cliffs and trails list in Southern California.

Best Mountain Bike Trails in Southern California

What are the best mountain biking trails in Southern California? The definition of an idyllic mountain biking trail can vary due to people and their resonant choices.

It narrates your level of experience, the sceneries you seek to see, the difficulty level, speed or jumps if you like, and many other such things.

The mountain biking trails we brought you here in SoCal are different so that you can treasure some rendering to your characterization of an ultimate MTB track.

Here are some:

1.     Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park

If you cannot find it, simply ask me where Whiting is, as all MTB enthusiasts use this short form for this epic and one of the best mountain bike trails in Southern California.

What I love about this trail in SoCal is its starting which comes on a basic loop and then turns into epic climbing for the first half, and the rest is downhill.

You will get all the tastes of trialing here: beginner, expert, and adventurous.

2.     Chiquito Trail

Chiquito is a single trail initializing at Blue Jay Campground. On the way, you will have scenic extracts of forests, and rocky mountains, combined with bird chirps.

But let me tell you, this track is for advanced bikers and stands among the best mountain bike trails in southern California.

It begins with a slightly easy ride but proceeds through a progressive mountain biking trajectory. You will feel this rollercoaster mountaineering on a bike, the real fun.

3.     San Juan Trail

San Juan is often known as an out-and-back trail, a longer one with moderate to strenuous terrains offering mountain biking opportunities all through fall, winter, and spring.

This is a place I visit not just with my bikers and hikers friends but also with rock climbers, campers, and backpacking expeditioners.

This is always jam-packed, so even if you come alone, you will never feel alone while biking and come to meet so many people all the way.

4.     Cheeseboro Loop

Intermediate to advance, the Cheeseboro Loop track will require some technical skills to pass some areas. This is located at the most epic location, away from fire roads.

I love riding here when I am done with the hustle and bustle of the world and need some time alone with nature, the sky, trees, flora, and fauna.

If you are also looking to spend riding time in the laps of Mother Nature, away from the hustle and bustle of people and traffic, this is the track where you need to go.

Best SoCal Mountain Biking Trails

SoCal is the shorts form for southern California, derived by biking enthusiasts, campers, mountain climbers, and people who love to breathe in the laps of Mother Nature, just like you and me.

My list of best mountain bike trails in southern California doesn’t end here.

There is still a lot more to explore and suggest.

Check out some more epic locations with the best views you can enjoy trailing on the southern cliffs of California with me in the lines coming ahead.

5.     Noble Canyon Trail

For a three-in-one bike ride that passes through woods, meadows, and dunes, the Noble Canyon Trail is waiting for your visit. When I first entered here, the majestic view just took me into a trance.

As the ride begins, just with a bit of rising in pedaling, you will come upfront a view having gigantic mountains.  Moving further will ride you through the forests having tall timber everywhere.

But please note that this ride is for advanced-level bikers that end in the desert, from where you can begin your return ride.  So be careful with your skills when choosing this pathway.

6.     Del Cerro Trail

Well, as mountain bikers, we are never bored with a list of trails we can enjoy in the laps of mother earth. So, my list of the best mountain bike trails in southern California doesn’t end here.

The next is Del Cerro Trail, with picturesque hilly views lying adjacent to the Pacific Ocean and green rolling hills of grass and flowers.

This will be a smoother ride that has some surprises on the way to require pro-level biking techniques.

However, being much recommended, this is mostly jam-packed. Always filled with campers and vacationists, Del Cerro Trail is not for someone looking for an alone ride on the terrain.

7.     Lizard Trail

Lizard trail is for advanced and pro-level mountain bikers because, from the very beginning, you will need to take a steep downhill ride through man-made obstacles.

Although these are artificial and placed here just to add adventure to the rides, riding through the path will give you some real next-level experience.

From going on to coming back, this needs uphill bike hiking. Due to upheaved riding, people having low-weight and lightweight mountain bikes will relish this ride more as they have to push the pedals with the least effort required to enjoy a jaunt at Lizard trail.

8.     Cannell Trail – IMBA Epic Trail

At the very beginning, an epic elevation can be felt, making Cannell one of the best SoCal mountain biking trails that require steep climbing to 7000 ft. I have been there, and I can tell.

But this is not all about this ride.

The real adventure begins in the middle of your gallop, where comes downhill pathways, sometimes steeper, and through alpine meadows.

There are plenty of locations for sightseeing. You can enjoy a ride with your eyes on the sky and the path, getting stunned by the majestic views of Mother Nature.

Best Mountain Bike Trails in California

California is filled with natural scenic locations, making it a biker’s heaven. From the southern side to east or western crooks, California comes with some ‘The’ worth watching and trailing settings.

Here find some best mountain bike trails in California:

9.     Fullerton Loop – MTB & Hiking Trail

Fullerton is a hiking trail for beginners who need some excitement on the go, with an 11-mile easy loop across downtown that later flows clockwise.

I went there when I was learning to maneuver on rough terrains. On the way, there comes a bridal trail, railroad-adjacent sections, true singletrack, and a few steep and rutty climbs.

What you can expect are scenic vistas and even a shady lakeside section. If this isn’t epic, then what is?

10.  Gabrielino Trail

Another one of the best mountain bike trails in southern California, surrounded by woods and dappled in the long tree shades, which I loved the most, is Gabrielino Trail, which runs through Angeles National Forest.

Rather than complex or complicated, I would call Gabriel trail safer as it helps you have a recreational bike ride with elevations and jumps.

But you need to go and find accessible pathways to enjoy the scenery. There is so much to explore on the go.

11.  Ken Burton Loop

Built not so long ago, a 15-mile ride from Downtown Los Angeles to Angeles National Forest takes you to a 30-year-old Ken Burton Loop trail.

I have not been there, as southern California is a bit out of my way. However, a friend of mine told me about this epic place, and ever since, I am dreaming of visiting it whenever I get a chance.

It does come on the side where you don’t find many biking tracks because ken burton makes alone and only one official cycling trajectory available for bikers to have recreational rides.

12.  Portuguese Bend Reserve Loop

For ocean lovers, the Portuguese Bend Reserve Loop gives a classy view of serene water throughout the trailing ride. It is somewhat away from the hustle and bustle of life.

This can be a long trip with downhill cycling and many more obstacles, so you are advised to carry a map of the location before maneuvering through the cliffs.

Mountain Bike Parks in Southern California

For beginner riders who need safer outings and don’t want to expedite the unseen and surprising locations in the woods and mountains, here are some more ideas from my side.

I would suggest riding safely through mountain bike parks of Southern California to start an official life as a mountain biker in the unruffled laps of nature:

13.  Topanga Creek Outpost Loop

This is not tough, but neither a boring biking terrain situated inside the Topanga State Park.

To make it exploratory, the pathway is spiced with moderate difficulty climbing, steeper downhill cycling, and exciting obstacles.

The views are also not any less; you see meadows, longer trees, strings of colorful flowers, and much more; if I call it one of the best mountain bike trails in southern California, that won’t be wrong.

And if you don’t believe it, go and have a ride through it.

14.  Elings Park

Do spare some time when you go to Elings for the perfect bike rides because it has plenty of trails offered for everyone from beginner to advanced levels.

I went there, but I did not have so much time. Reaching there made me realize how much there is to explore and enjoy on a mountain bike ride.

It can be a perfect trailing area to go with kids because the park’s size is not so big, and it is not difficult to find someone if lost.

15.  Chino Hills State Park

Chino hills are standing in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains. The place is lush with nature, including sightseeing, birdies, wildlife, and the best mountain bike trails in SoCal:

The single climbing track leads to many locations worth watching on the way. This can be a moderate to easy ride, based on your experience and skills in Mountain biking.

16.  Point Mugu State Park

Point Mugu State Park is in Malibu, where you get a 6-mile-long mountain biking track called Guadalasca Trail, one of the best mountain bike trails in southern California.

This is divided into small pieces mixed in the backbone trail at the end. The ride is quite exciting, but the best thing about this terrain is the view along the way.

It makes riders want to sit for a bit and breathe in such a majestic place.

California Mountain Biking Trails

There are more than 8008 mountains in California alone, based on small cliffs, majestic hills, and extraordinary wilderness of nature, making it complete to explore.

I have not only ridden through named and known places but could not resist taking voyages in the arms of wild jungles filled with epic flora and fauna.

Some more California mountain biking trails to explore are:

17.  Backbone Trail

Why is it called the Backbone train? Because just like the human spine, it is made with a series of bending tracks and twisted turns; if this is not among the best mountain bike trails in southern California, what is?

While I ran my cycle through God-created obstacles and breathtaking turns, the royal view of the Pacific Ocean stayed alongside that was bucking me up for your journey.

18.  Chutes Ridgeline

Based on skills and experience, one might feel it is an intermediate track; but based on the topographies and challenging pathways, I can say that it requires technical knowledge to pass through such ridges.

From an adventurous side, you seek all the obstacles you might dream of here. For example, it starts from boulders and rock clumps and later leads you to lose rocks and sloppy downhills.

19.  The Luge Loop

From dirt bike trekking to turning suddenly into the rocky, double track, The Luge Loop is not coming slow in the list of the best mountain bike trails in southern California.

However, it resides on the western coast.

You will have to maintain a speed limit and follow some rules while riding through the crazy good views enriched mountain biking track.

20.  T & A, AKA Laguna Ridge

T & A, AKA Laguna Ridge, is full of surprises. You find double tracks to choose any of your choices. One is rockier underneath and requires skillful cycling, while the other gets surprisingly bumpy while you ride through it.

It also had downhill riding wonders that required me to drive my bike on a slightly downward sloppy trail. However, this difficulty is for fun and will not end up in injuries.

Bottom Line

My epic ride list of the best mountain bike trails in southern California ends here. I have added 20 superb locations with superfluous views and exciting terrains for everyone.

In the end, I want to tell you that MTB Knowledge has become one of the number one sites to find out all about cycling and mountain biking. Thank you for liking my work.

Keep visiting my website, and let me know if you have any suggestions or stories to share. I love you, readers.