Kick Ass Guide to San Diego

Trails, Food, Beer, Live Music Around Town

You’re planning a trip to San Diego, thinking of sun and surf, which is proper, and you’re wondering if there are trails to ride in and around the city to mix things up a bit. You’re in luck. There are enough rides around town that will get you an hour or so of riding, longer if you add on an extra lap.

What follows is my list of go-to places for quick rides before/after work or when I don’t have at least a half day to get out to our mountains (that guide is forthcoming). All of these places are single speed friendly, which means gears are not necessary.

Florida Canyon in Balboa Park

If you link up everything on both sides of Florida Drive that bisects the canyon, you can easily get in a solid hour of riding. It will be more strenuous than you think. Cobbles. Short, punchy climbs. A few power moves here and there. You’ll probably happen upon a jump line. You may encounter people living in the canyon. Ride around up top on the east side on a clear day. You’ll see the Coronado Islands in Mexican waters. Tip: There’s single track alongside Pershing Drive. Beer: When you’re done, you can easily go on into North Park where the indie offerings seem endless. Start at North Park Beer Co. and order a pint of Hop Fu! If you’re oriented more towards Balboa Park and the city, make your way to Banker’s Hill and check out Pure Project. Get a pint of Rain.

Florida Canyon. Coronado Bridge in the distance.

Florida Canyon. Looking in the direction of the San Diego Zoo.

Mission Trails Regional Park

Every mountain biker in San Diego will mostly complain about MTRP because, they’ll say, it’s not really mountain biking, as the “trails” are not single track and all you are doing is riding on fire roads. If you’re riding one gear, it’s great for mashing. Ride everything open to bikes that is around the visitor center/south end, covering both sides of the hard road that is called Father Junipero Serra trail, which runs through the park. No need to climb up the steeps. Then take the hard road to the other end/northside of the park. Ride everything in the Grasslands area. Wander around. When you’re done, head back the way you came and ride it all a second time. Tip: Spring wildflowers are always a treat. Beer: Head down Mission Gorge Rd. to the newly refreshed San Diego Brewing Company. Whatever version of a Mexican Lager is on tap, is what I’d recommend, along with any of their IPAs.

Penasquitos Canyon

North of the city, PQ is a race track, the way I see it. Ride the entire thing on both sides of the creek. Hit all of the single track pieces. By the waterfall, be sure to take the only sorta tech/rocky stretch that is there. If you want, climb up to the Tunnels. It will be a bit of an effort on 1-gear, but well worth it. In summer, the place heats up fast. Watch for rattlesnakes. Tip: On the eastern end of the canyon, be sure to ride through the oak groves/forest. Beer: Head to Miramar Rd. You’re in San Diego. You should go to Ale Smith.

Penasquitos Canyon.

PQ Cyn

Tecolote Canyon

It’s good enough if you’re staying in the beach area around Mission and Pacific Beaches. Start at the south end by the University of San Diego and ride north, pedaling all of it before turning back around, getting two trails in one, the way I see it. This will help you get your mountain biking fix, if you need one. Then go ride waves. Tip: watch out for golf balls! Beer: Coronado Brewing Company has a spot pretty much right there where you parked/Tecolote Rd. You might also go a few minutes away to Harland Brewing Company. If you do, since you’re right there, go to Siesel’s Meats and order something from the deli.

Food Around Town

Tacos — Mitch’s by Shelter Island. Oscar’s Mexican Seafood in Pacific Beach. Track Taco at Blue Water Seafood. If you’re south of town, TJ Oyster Bar. Tacos El Gordo in the city/downtown. It’s endless. These will get you started.

Other spots: Pizza Port Brewing Company. Tom Ham’s for oysters and the view. Breakfast burrito and coffee at Newbreak in Ocean Beach. GOAL./Barley & Sword/Seek on El Cajon Blvd. Mayahuel for fresh-squeezed margaritas and a mescal/tequila selection that is mind boggling. Higher end — Agave in Old Town for ambience and house made mole, meaning the sauce from Mexico. Henry’s on Coronado.

Live Music Around Town

My favorite place is the Belly Up. Check out the lineup and if you can get a ticket for who you wanna see, go. The place is legendary. Humphrey’s By The Bay is a local favorite and the new Rady Shell is worth seeing, though you probably wanna splurge for seating down low. The terraced seating should have been more sloped, meaning your view could be blocked depending on who is in front of you. The Observatory in North Park, Music Box, The Casbah, and a lesser known spot for the cool kids is Soda Bar. And there’s SDSU’s campus, with Viejas Arena and the Amphitheater.

There you go, my Kick Ass Guide to San Diego for mountain biking, beer, food and live music. I did not include URLs/weblinks. Why? To express that I am 100% independent and receive zero kickbacks from anyone. No sponsors/corporate influence here. You can easily find these places with a quick search. For the trails, use your preferred mapping app. You’ll be fine.

The Kick Ass Guide Series is inspired by Shanna’s Kick Ass Cogs (and Rings) at Endless Bikes Co. I asked if I could use the “Kick Ass” part for naming the series, as the guides are set up to be about single speed riding. She graciously and immediately said, hell yeah! Check out what she offers at: https://endlessbikes.com/

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