Nestled tightly on the shores of Southern California, lies a unique beach town where the ocean meets the mountains. Located roughly between the city of Los Angeles and San Diego, the city of Laguna Beach sits on prime beach real estate and is only accessible by two highways.
With crystal clear water and tide pool filled lagoons, this scenic beach village has been a major attraction for the artist community since early 1900's, and in later years these shores and coves would provide ideal filming locations for the Hollywood movie industry. The late 1960s and early 1970s would see Laguna as a major hub for the hippie counter culture, and a meeting place for open minded individuals. As the times changed, Laguna Beach began to fill in with a new generation of home buyers and savvy business owners, and would capitalize on the resort and tourist business as well as prime California living.
Despite all the shops, restaurants and art galleries that draw in visitors, for the mountain bike community there is a special side to this town that the average tourist will never see. Part of a multi-park system, the Laguna Coast Wilderness Area is a 7,000 acre space which backs up against 4 other protected park areas in bordering cities. With an approximate 20,000 acre area, the trail combinations are seemingly endless. The trails vary drastically from mellow scenic ocean views, to screaming downhill shuttles of high consequence. The trails that spread off of Top of the World and across Laguna Canyon have also provided countless photo and video shoots for bike brands and also serve as a training ground for local and international racers. Some of the wildlife you may see on these trails are deer, coyotes, bobcats, rattlesnakes, and a variety of birds.
It's this special environment that has brought notables in the bike industry such as Hans Rey, Brian Lopes, Richie Schley, Troy Lee and countless others to call this place home. We got to spend a day hanging out with local legend Hans Rey, to see what trails and locations make this place so special for him.
Here are a few of his favourite spots, and insight to why he calls Laguna Beach home.
 | Many refer to Treasure Island beach as one of the nicest beaches in California, it is right across the street from where I live and it is surrounded by one of Americas top hotels, The Montage. I often go to the nearby park there with my wife, dog, SUP or a bottle of wine and sometimes practice my trials skills there as well. Hans Rey |
| Heissler Park is one of my training spots for trials riding, in So Cal, I know every rock and section of the terrain there. The park is located north of Main Beach. I remember many great training sessions in this park, mostly alone but also with Ot Pi, Kevin Norton, Dave Wonderly, Libor Karas, Kenny Belaey or Dominik Raab. I also filmed many of my early videos on the rocks, walls and picnic tables of Heissler Park. Many photographers and TV crews have shot at this scenic spot as well. It was almost impossible to ride and train there on weekends because of the massive crowds watching and asking questions. Recently Italian Roadbike Trials rider Brumotti filmed there for his latest Roadbike Freestyle Clip. It is not rare to see whales, dolphins, pro surfers, incredible sunsets and all sorts of beach culture. Hans Rey |
| Laguna Cyclery is now the only major bike shop in town. They are also helpful with rental bikes and riding tips. It's one of the places where they truly embrace the cycling culture. Hans Rey |
| Crank Brothers has been a long time sponsor of mine who started their business in Laguna Beach and their HQ's and store are still in Laguna only a few blocks from Main Beach on the Canyon Road. Most of the people who work there ride bikes and often they organize group rides and other cool events. They have been a big supporter of my charity Wheels 4 Life and are also currently promoting many other noble causes with their #CB4Others campaign. That is what the CB (temporary) tattoos are all about that many of the racers are sporting these days. Hans Rey |
| La Serena is one of my favorite Mexican Restaurants in the area. Many people that I have introduced to the place go out of their way to travel through Laguna to eat one of their burritos or drink one of the many tap brews. Wahoo's is another local Mexican place with great food that has always embraced the action sports culture. Eva's Caribbean Kitchen is another favorite restaurant. For nice ocean view and drinks or dining, try out the Rooftop Bar or Hotel Laguna. Breakfast is great at Cafe Zinc, The Orange Inn, Cafe Heidelberg, or grab a Sambazon Acai Bowl at one of the restaurants. Hans Rey |
| Lately, one place that has become one of my favorite lunch spots is Adonis, a small Gyros place near Main Beach. They are located on a small side street between Main Beach and the Library. Their Chicken or Beef Gyros are golden. Hans Rey |
| Laguna has many trails but it is not exactly beginner friendly due to the nature of the terrain. Steep uphills and even steeper downhills but offers great views of the canyons and coastline. I've been riding and roaming these hills for nearly 30 years. Hans Rey |
| Lately, the park has finally started to embrace bikers a bit more. Until recently we were merely tolerated on existing fire roads and deer trails. There are many illegal trails in Laguna, and some irresponsible riders are pushing it too far and also promoting the trails on strava and social media. These hills are also the home of the legendary Laguna Rads, the original freeriders - a group of hardcore riders that have been roaming these hills on a weekly basis for 33 years. Some of the more popular or famous trails and spots include: Top of the World, Car Wreck, Rock-it, Meadows, Telonics, Lizard, Camario Gap and BVD just to mention a few. Hans Rey |
It's always nice to wrap up the evening ride with one of Laguna's famous sunsets.
For more info on trails in the area visit:
ocparks.com/parks/lagunac
MENTIONS:
@danyul /
@GTBicycles / @iXSsports /
@adidaseyewear /
@crankbrothers
Trail conditions are typically loose, dry and dusty. Take your eyes off the trail and you may find yourself making friends with the native plant life.
There, fixed it for ya!
The risk is that mtbs could get excluded from the parks altogether. We are working diligently with OCParks, Federal and State Fish and Wildlife authorities, the Coastal Commission and the other agencies to develop a positive relationship with the hikers and other trail users - plus respect the plant and wildlife within the parks. Ironically, if a few of the off-menu trails were embraced and made legal, hikers wouldn't have to share with as many mtb-ers on their favorite routes.
oh... well good!
"There are many illegal trails in Laguna, and some irresponsible riders are pushing it too far and also promoting the trails on strava and social media."
The main trail you are riding (featured 4 times) in this post is on private property and most definitely illegal. Pinkbike, just delete this post all together and a lot of locals will thank you for it. This post is "irresponsible" and has "pushed it too far". Stop selling out Laguna on a global level. It's too crowded as is, especially w the limited amount of legal trails there are.
At some point everyone has to return something back to help grow the community - for illegal trails more riders means more exciting trails and also increasing chance that stuff you built will get legalized one nice day in the far future.
I hope people dont strava, utube, ride illegal trails, esp. without picking ur bike up and walking in/out, not to leave noticable tracks.