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24.0 miles
Distance
991 ft
Climb
-992 ft
Descent
439 ft
High Point
-2 ft
Altitude change
1 ft
Altitude min
236 ft
Altitude start
233 ft
Altitude end
-42.4%
Grade max
34.1%
Grade min
8 miles
Distance climb
8 miles
Distance down
8 miles
Distance flat
A loop from PQ Canyon, along the beach, and back.
To ride on the sand, only low tide works. If tide isn't low, you can modify by riding on the roads, or trail along the train tracks (which is not legal).
Two potential beer stops noted: Viewpoint Brewery and New English Brewing. Or, if you're wearing Lycra, join the roadies at a coffee shop.
Detailed Description
A PQ Beach Loop is a 24 mile popular easy route located near San Diego California. This mountain bike primary route can be used both directions and has a moderate overall physical rating. This route includes 37 trails. This route climbs 991 ft with a max elevation of 439 ft then descends -992 ft.
Trail Issues on Route
- Closed: 1 trail (newest: Apr 16, 2023)
- Minor Issue / Yellow: 4 trails (newest: Aug 2, 2026)
Local Trail Association
Please consider joining or donating to the local riding association to support trail development & maintenance.
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Stats
-
Distance24 miles
-
Avg time3 hr 28 min
-
Altitude min1 ft
-
Altitude start236 ft
-
Altitude end233 ft
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Climb991 ft
-
Descent-992 ft
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Grade max-42.4%
-
Grade min34.1%
-
Distance climb8 miles
-
Distance down8 miles
-
Distance flat8 miles
42 Reviews & Comments
Pathangi
For the most part, the route and the maps the trail forks shows is accurate, there are some places where you will see no trespassing signs or the trails fork that can be missed but as long as you have the maps of the trail forks open and try to follow the directions and get back on the route when lost, you will make it. Keep the phone screen always on and track yourself on the route it displays. Used a specialized full suspension bike with pedal assist, took three hours
MrGrenadeMcBoom
Rode most of this route today (19July). I did it on my Cyclocross bike with 38c Panaracers. Due to my choice of bikes I avoided Eucalyptus by staying on the fire road and also bypassed West Rim and Hurry home and added about a mile and come change by taking the Santa Monica Ridge double track. All the trails and route before and after that were very doable on a cyclocross/gravel bike with minimal hike-a-bike that was on me more than the bike.
eirwik
has anyone recently done this? how is it?
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Trails in Route
| 1,089 ft | |||||
| 4,278 ft | |||||
| 4,692 ft | |||||
| 1,667 ft | |||||
| 994 ft | |||||
| 2,251 ft | |||||
| 738 ft | |||||
| 623 ft | |||||
| 2,756 ft | |||||
| 4,144 ft | |||||
| 203 ft | |||||
| 1 mile | |||||
| 4,108 ft | |||||
| 2 miles | |||||
| 2,365 ft | |||||
| 3 miles | |||||
| 5,174 ft | |||||
| 2,690 ft | |||||
| 295 ft | |||||
| 2,513 ft | |||||
| 968 ft | |||||
| 1,391 ft | |||||
| 1,214 ft | |||||
| 1,089 ft |
Route POI
 | Viewpoint Brewery | Other |
| New English Brewing | Other |
Details
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Riding area
-
Primary ActivityMountain Bike
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Other Activities
- E-Bike
- Gravel Bike
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Difficulty ratingGreen
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Route TypeLoop
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eBike Allowed
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Bike typeAM, XC, CX, Gravel
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DirectionBoth Directions
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Physical ratingModerate
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Trail Conditions
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Snow Cover Partial
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
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The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
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Service Road Atlas is a free to use, community-driven service for viewing and creating reports on the numerous back-country service roads around B.C. and Alberta.
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Photos
Videos
mtb
Amflow MTB Hill Test vs. 2022 Specialized Turbo Levo. sold at North of the Border bikes, San Diego
trail: Old Sorrento Valley Rd
3:57 | 252 | comments: 0 | favs:
Mar 10, 2026
mtb
San Diego Mountain Bike Trail Review for Beginners and Advanced riders, Duck Pond Loop.
trail: Switchbacks
15:53 | 79 | comments: 0 | favs:
Oct 3, 2025
Recent Trail Reports Along Route
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- By brianpetry
TRAILFORKS & contributors - #11772 - 4,037 views
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