For cyclists who like to find ideal bike trails to take day trips with their families, here are some of the most beautiful in Northern California.
American River Bike Trail -- You can't beat this trail that follows along the banks of the American River. You can start on either end -- Sacramento or Natoma. You may not have enough staminia to do the entire 33-mile trail so you might choose some of the shorter destinations from start to finish. You could start at the Hazel Bridge in Gold River and ride down to the Sunrise bridge. You could also start in the reverse or you could start at Hazel and weave around the banks of Lake Natoma. Whichever direction you chose just note that the most scenic, in our opinion, tends toward Natoma where you ride through lush oak tree forests. Watch out for deer and other wildlife that live along the trail.
Winters, California -- You can start on the backroads from Davis and wind your way through the orchards to Winters located outside of Vacaville. This trail combines road cycling with trails along Putah Creek. When you begin in Davis, you will be more out in the open but by the time you arrive in Winters you'll enjoy the shade of fruit trees and other natural bushes and deciduous trees that follow the banks of the creek. You can make Winters you final destination and catch an amazing meal at Putah Creek Cafe where they serve a tasty Sunday brunch. Their signature French toast is cooked with homemade bread and if you would like lunch they have an authentic brick oven on wheels right outside to make homemade thin-crust pizza. Enjoy breakfast or lunch and then back down the trail before it gets too hot.
Lake Tahoe - North Shore -- This bike trail follows right along Lake Tahoe's shores going both north and south and winds down and over to the Truckee River. You can take a week to explore all ends of the trail and select cities as your destinations. The trail even takes you all the way into Squaw Valley. One of the most beautiful bike trails in California, you will enjoy the scenery of forest, lake and river. A definite must-do for any family of cyclers.
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