California

Top 10 Trails in California

Posted 01/25/21 by Scott Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, California, Top10, Trail Destinations

Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail in California | Photo by Elizabeth Bean Photography

Here are 10 of our Golden State favorite trails. From a temperate rainforest to an arid desert, California offers a climate for just about everyone. And whether you feel at home along the beach or among the mountains, our country’s most populous state probably has a trail experience tailored for you.

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Ed and Jenn Coleman on the Chief Ladiga Trail | Courtesy Ed Coleman

The Long Trail Home

Posted 12/17/20 by Ed Coleman in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Alabama, Arizona, California, COVID-19, Encouraging Trail Use, Florida, Trail Moments, Why Use Trails?

Trail riding encompasses my fondest childhood memories and confirmation of my life partner. It grounds me to myself and makes the world around me my home. I lost that connection during the pandemic, and I have realized that rediscovering the trails around me—my #TrailMoments—makes me feel whole and like the world will be ok.

Photo by Getty Images

Notice: Upcoming Railroad Abandonment in Riverside, California

Posted 09/19/20 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails | Tagged with Abandonment Notices, California, Corridors and Railbanking

On or about Sept. 18, 2020, Union Pacific Railroad Company filed for the abandonment of 0.54 mile of track in Crestmore, Riverside County, California. We are providing this information because it presents an opportunity to develop a real regional asset: a multi-use trail that can accommodate hikers, bikers, equestrians and other appropriate uses.

Bicycle riders enjoying a new section of the Miners Ravine Trail in Roseville, California | Courtesy City of Roseville

As California ATP Cycle 5 Kicks Off—Here's a Snapshot of Some Success Stories

Posted 04/08/20 by Laura Cohen, Ben Kaufman, Mary Elise Conzelmann in Building Trails | Tagged with BATC, California, Connected Systems, Funding, RTC in Action, TrailNation

On March 26, California released a call for projects for the next round of the Active Transportation Program (ATP)—the state’s largest single source of funding for trails and walking and biking projects.

Family riding along the Cross Alameda Trail through Jean Sweeney Park | Photo by Laura Cohen and Rolf Bell

City of Alameda Celebrates Opening of Newest Trail Connection

Posted 03/04/20 by Ben Kaufman, Mary Elise Conzelmann in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with BATC, California, Community Events, Demand for Trails, Local Organizing, TrailNation

On Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, hundreds of people came out to celebrate the opening of a new segment of the Cross Alameda Trail (CAT), a developing 4-mile rail-trail across the island city of Alameda just south of Oakland in California’s Bay Area. The newly minted 0.9-mile section of trail—which stretches east from Main Street to Constitution Way along Ralph Appezzato Memorial Parkway and Atlantic Avenue—is a vital new walking and biking connection for Alameda and the region. This nearly mile-long trail segment connects to an existing 0.6-mile segment of the CAT to form 1.5 miles of continuous rail-trail between Alameda Point and the new 25-acre Jean Sweeney Open Space Park.

View from the Ivanhoe Trestle along New River Trail State Park | Courtesy Virginia DCR

Nine Romantic Trail Destinations That Will Make You Swoon

Posted 02/10/20 by Amy Kapp, Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with BATC, Best Of, California, Great American Rail-Trail, Hall of Fame, Hawaii, IHTC, Iowa, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tourism , Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail Use Tips, TrailNation, Virginia

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we thought it was a great time to bust out this list of top romantic rail-trails in the United States, chosen for their “swoon-worthy” romantic views, date-worthy amenities and just plain good old-fashioned charm. Here are nine, great, date-worthy trail destinations to try and catch cupid’s arrow!

Encinitas Coastal Rail Trail | Photo courtesy San Diego Association of Governments

Greet the New Rail-Trails of 2019

Posted 12/16/19 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, California, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Walkability and Bikeability, Wisconsin

Today, more than 24,000 miles of completed rail-trails traverse the nation, often serving as backbones for regional trail systems that are transforming the places where we live, work and play. Here are just a few of the exciting new rail-trails added to the ranks in 2019.

Bicyclists gathered outside of the Richmond BART Station on Nov. 16, 2019, to ride together to the opening of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge bike and pedestrian path | Photo courtesy Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

New Transbay Crossing: Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Bike and Pedestrian Path Opens in California

Posted 11/18/19 by Ben Kaufman, Mary Elise Conzelmann in Building Trails | Tagged with BATC, Bike Commuting, Biking, California, Connected Systems, TrailNation, Transportation and Health, Walkability and Bikeability

On Nov. 16, 2019, the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge bicycle and pedestrian path—a new 6-mile trail that parallels I-580 in the San Francisco Bay Area, officially opened to the public in a special ribbon cutting ceremony. The opening of the new pathway—a fully protected east–west pedestrian and bicycle connection across the Bay—signifies an exciting time in California trail history, as people can now safely walk and bike between the North and East Bay for the first time.

Mural by Cinta Vidal along Napa Valley Vine Trail | Photo by Maureen Gaffney

Napa Valley Vine Trail Brings a Wealth of Benefits to California’s Wine Country

Posted 11/07/19 by Maggie McAden in America's Trails, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Art, Best Of, California, Community Events, Connected Systems, Health and Active Living, Mode Shift, Signage and Amenities, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Walkability and Bikeability

Northern California’s Napa Valley is becoming known for the 47.5-mile Napa Valley Vine Trail, a developing pathway stretching north-south from Vallejo to Calistoga and featuring the area’s vineyards, clear skies and a staggering mountain backdrop.

Along the route of the Great Redwood Trail in California | Photo by Charles Gandy

Seeds Planted for California's 300-Mile Great Redwood Trail

Posted 05/17/19 by Laura Cohen in Building Trails, America's Trails | Tagged with California, Champions, Connected Systems, Ecology and Environment, RTC in Action, Rural Communities, Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Destinations, Walkability and Bikeability, Wild and Wonderful

Hundreds of trail enthusiasts gathered in Arcata, California, on May 4, for a Town Hall to learn more about the Great Redwood Trail—a 300-mile proposed walking and biking trail that would stretch from the shores of San Francisco Bay to the redwoods of Eureka on Humboldt Bay, highlighting California’s wine country as well as some of the state’s most treasured and remote natural areas.

Richmond Greenway in California | Photo courtesy Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

At the Heart of It: Trails and Public Spaces

Posted 05/03/19 by Ryan Chao in America's Trails | Tagged with BATC, California, Cross-Sector Collaboration, Great American Rail-Trail, Montana, Route of the Badger, RTC in Action, TrailNation, Why Use Trails?

We are pleased to present this new blog series by RTC President Ryan Chao—who will provide monthly insights on the role of trails in connecting the nation, and creating healthy, thriving communities across America. Enjoy!