It’s Saturday morning—don’t just roll out of bed … roll out to the LA River Bikeway. Also known as the paved Los Angeles River Trail or the Los Angeles River Greenway Trail, whatever you call it, it makes for a nice morning ride. Start at the Figueroa entrance right across from the Home Depot at the intersection of the Golden State Freeway and the 110.

Follow the path north as it snakes its way along the Los Angeles River towards Griffith Park. There’s a surprising amount of greenery and wildlife concentrated around the river. Drink in the view of a pearly-white snowy egret poised elegantly on the bank of the river, or hear the honking squawk of a great blue heron. 

The first stretch of the path is charmingly peaceful as it curves behind Elysian Valley’s quiet residential neighborhood. As you travel north, you’ll come across cafes and stores open to cyclists and pedestrians ambling down the path. Spoke Bicycle Café is a great place to rest and refresh (they also offer bike rentals and repair services).

As you continue on, you will be met with various pocket parks, such as the Lewis MacAdams Riverfront Park, and historic bridges that connect you to Glendale and nearby Los Feliz. Stop by the park in Atwater Village Equestrian District, where you can go fishing or horseback riding. There’s also a place for kayak rentals along the path. Pedal, paddle, repeat!

Story and photos by Lena Marceca