30.5 miles
Distance
1,828 ft
Climb
-1,948 ft
Descent
440 ft
High Point
Like the other beach loop, just more.
Detailed Description
Beach loop #2 is a 30 mile popular intermediate route located near Los Peñasquitos Canyon California. This mountain bike primary route can be used both directions and has a moderate overall physical rating. This route includes 38 trails. This route climbs 1,828 ft with a max elevation of 440 ft then descends -1,948 ft.
Local Trail Association
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71 Reviews & Comments
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+ 2
d1d
(Oct 24, 2022 at 14:30)
Trail Tunnel 1
What's the story on the fenced area and a steel tube on the ground with DO NOT ENTER or similar written in red? This is just after finishing Tunnel 4. I didn't go past to respect the nature area (I suspect that's what it's for), but some other dude on an ebike did.
[Reply]


Trail Tunnel 1
The rangers installed those to warn against entering a closed area. There are a few of these around Del Mar Mesa. The ones to the east of Tunnel 4 are about land parcels owned by California Dept of Fish and Wildlife or US Fish and Wildlife Service. By law they have to "protect" and easiest thing to do is just shut off access. Other areas with the same tubes are on City property and the city and rangers have determined to "protect." Part of the rim trail off bowtie, and Tunnel 5. Rather than build fences and have them constantly vandalized, they thought they could put the tubes down and write people tickets sometimes (which they do). There are some endangered and threatened species that live in those areas.
Long story, and lots of debate and opinions about whether those areas a really worthy of shutting out public access. Is the land managed well by city, state and feds? Is access, including bikes, causing harm to the protected species living there? Some people think obeying the tubes will prevent larger scale shutdowns of the areas. Others think entering sends a signal that more trail access is needed, as "civil disobedience."
[Reply]
Long story, and lots of debate and opinions about whether those areas a really worthy of shutting out public access. Is the land managed well by city, state and feds? Is access, including bikes, causing harm to the protected species living there? Some people think obeying the tubes will prevent larger scale shutdowns of the areas. Others think entering sends a signal that more trail access is needed, as "civil disobedience."
d1d
(Oct 24, 2022 at 14:17)
Trail Tunnel 4
Still awesome! Been a little while, and I'm on a new bike. Felt easier. Was it the bike or the "tree chopping report"? Not sure. Hiker was coming up, but I had a bell and speed under control no problem. I yielded/stopped, said hi, he walked past. and I kept having fun. Be a good steward.
[Reply]
Ksmcafee
(Jul 4, 2022 at 7:08)

Trail Switchbacks
Fun but very hard as a climb. Not sure if there is a better option up from "Big Tony's" trailhead off of the 56
[Reply]
mattyj2001
(Apr 10, 2022 at 14:12)

Trail Switchbacks
Descent is fun AF. Many climbers still seem unaware that this is bidirectional now. Prepare for snark. Put your bells on and announce your presence in both directions.
Would be neat to designate this downhill only and provide a different climb because Eucalyptus can jump in a lake as far as I’m concerned.
[Reply]
Would be neat to designate this downhill only and provide a different climb because Eucalyptus can jump in a lake as far as I’m concerned.

Trail Eucalyptus
Definitely not a black. Hope this trail can get some attention and maybe a couple of berms on the top section.
[Reply]


Trail Eucalyptus
Well, maybe barely black. Check out IMBA rating system (not great though): www.imba.com/resource/trail-difficulty-rating-system. Agree this trail could use some maintenance and berms.
[Reply]
DaveDaum
(Sep 25, 2021 at 15:12)

Trail Blazing Star
Fun 5 minute single track with moderately steep initial and final climbs that are less than 100 high.
[Reply]
DaveDaum
(Sep 25, 2021 at 15:07)

Trail Torrey Pine Trail East
This is a great downhill run. The top has some tight switchbacks requiring intermediate and above skills. It is very fun to rid up this section on an emtb. Watch out for all kinds of traffic.
[Reply]
DaveDaum
(Sep 25, 2021 at 15:04)

This is an absolute blast to climb on an EMTB. It has very tight winding single track. Most of this section is solid intermediate riding with some fairly steep switch backs towards to last 1/4 mile.
[Reply]
DaveDaum
(Sep 25, 2021 at 15:04)

This is an absolute blast to climb on an EMTB. It has very tight winding single track. Most of this section is solid intermediate riding with some fairly steep switch backs towards to last 1/4 mile.
[Reply]
DaveDaum
(Sep 25, 2021 at 15:01)

Trail torrey Pines trail
This is a fun easy ride with lots of greenery. This section is a great entry-level ride.
[Reply]
DaveDaum
(Sep 25, 2021 at 15:01)

Trail torrey Pines trail
This is a fun easy ride with lots of greenery. This section is a great entry-level ride.
[Reply]


Trail Switchbacks
This trail is back to bidirectional, as of March 2021
[Reply]
bike4us
(Aug 25, 2021 at 9:38)
Trail Tunnels Road
I believe the drop from the mesa at .9 miles is very steep, not flat as shown on profile.
[Reply]


Trail Tunnels Road
Yes, it's fairly steep and about 1/4 mile long. Fire-road descent with loose rocks. Not sure why the elevation profile does not show it properly. But it's also climbable in the reverse direction. Strava calculates average grade 15.7%. www.strava.com/segments/856274
[Reply]
Drew12345678911
(Jul 14, 2021 at 22:34)
Trail The Appendix
Not very fun it was super loose and there were many blind corners with no berms and was very overgrown
[Reply]
Michaelnz7Tdh
(Jun 15, 2021 at 19:37)
Trail Tunnel 4
Needs a one way do not enter sign at the exit for mtb. Almost collided with some guys going the wrong way. Who enjoys climbing this thing?
[Reply]


Trail Tunnel 4
The PQ rangers tried that and then reverted to bi-directional. I climb T4 fairly frequently. It's a more enjoyable climb than cardiac. Also, hikers and trail runners use T4 in both directions. Bells are important.
[Reply]

Trail Eucalyptus
very fun but it sucks that you need to climb to ride it, then after it you have to climb back up lol.
[Reply]
traderscoach
(Mar 19, 2021 at 16:34)

Trail North Side Trail - East
Any mountain lions seen in this region?
[Reply]


Trail Switchbacks
Please make this trail back to DH! TBH Eucalyptus sucks...
[Reply]
JGiovanni
(Jan 3, 2021 at 19:11)

Trail Switchbacks
This is a solid climb back out from where eucalyptus spits you out. Great if you wanted to do multiple runs of the recently renovated trail
.
[Reply]

ChristopherK8bOD
(Dec 16, 2020 at 17:30)

Trail Switchbacks
So...where is this uphill “rule” posted? And why on the green earth was one of the funnest downhills at PQ ruined this way? Roadbikers- keep your rules of the road on the road, please.
[Reply]


Trail Switchbacks
The city rangers posted a sign at the top. No longer there. I wouldn't worry about the "rule". Just be ready for uphill riders, as usual.
[Reply]
bike4us
(Aug 23, 2021 at 18:23)
Trail Switchbacks
No sign, road down it today. Down hillers just need to be aware of up-hillers
[Reply]
JGiovanni
(Nov 30, 2020 at 16:44)

Trail Eucalyptus
Someone has done work on this trail and I very much appreciate you. Underrated trail. Wouldn’t really call this a black.
[Reply]
mattyj2001
(Nov 27, 2020 at 15:56)

Trail Switchbacks
As an uphill this thing is brutal. I don't know why anyone would want to subject themselves to this.
[Reply]


Trail Switchbacks
Haha. Keep doing it and you'll get it! A good workout is to lap switchbacks-up and eucalyptus-down multiple times.
[Reply]
mattyj2001
(Nov 22, 2020 at 17:19)

Trail Cobbles
Fun downhill. First time down it today and it didn’t seem too rutty. A little rutty but that just keeps you on you toes.
Heed all the warnings about hikers. Seems like a not fun route to hike up but I passed four or five people on the way down. I don’t have a bell so I verbalize ‘ding! ding!’ on corners and hikers today seemed courteous, aware and not full of contempt.
[Reply]
Heed all the warnings about hikers. Seems like a not fun route to hike up but I passed four or five people on the way down. I don’t have a bell so I verbalize ‘ding! ding!’ on corners and hikers today seemed courteous, aware and not full of contempt.
mattyj2001
(Nov 22, 2020 at 17:08)

Trail Tunnel 1
Fun trail in the shade. If you’re 6’1” or above like me, dropper seat post is highly recommended. I feel like I was pushing the limits of height on this one. Lots of opportunity to smack your head into trees. One particularly low tree was marked with red ribbon. Very nice but taller people, especially with 29s, really need to be alert on this one.
[Reply]
NFLPhD
(Oct 25, 2020 at 15:15)
Trail Tunnel 4
This is a great trail that is fast and flowy and weaves its way through the canopy of trees and bushes... A lot of cobblestones at the top so make sure you ride fast enough to get up on the dirt berms to go through the turns... Several low branches that you can hit your head on or your light on your helmet if riding at night. The trail is narrow on a few sections.
A must ride for anyone visiting this area for the first time.
[Reply]
A must ride for anyone visiting this area for the first time.
NFLPhD
(Oct 25, 2020 at 15:00)
Trail Cobbles
A fast flowy downhill but make sure you have a bell ???? to warn people because there are several blind turns... People walk up and down the trail and some people ride up but most bikers fly down this trail. Very fun downhill. Fairly easy trail to go fast with a few small jumps towards the top of the trail.
[Reply]
SDBill
(Oct 11, 2020 at 14:19)

Trail Eucalyptus
Trail is getting better with use but could definitely use some TLC to smooth out some of the ruts.
[Reply]
kkim0228
(Oct 6, 2020 at 12:26)

Trail Torrey Pine Trail East
Steep tight switchbacks initially, tricky midsection due to erosion control steps.
[Reply]

Trail Switchbacks
This trail, in my opinion is much better going down than up. Kinda sucks.
[Reply]

Trail Switchbacks
RIP Switchbacks Downhill 2020. You will be missed even though I rarely see people climbing this trail
[Reply]

Trail The Appendix
Would recommend starting at the tunnel/ cobbles and ride clockwise. More fun that way.
[Reply]

Trail Eucalyptus
I hope this trail gets some attention, especially after you can't go down switchbacks.
[Reply]


Trail Eucalyptus
Yes, this one is a sanctioned trail. It needs more attention, with the ruts and so forth though.
[Reply]
Crock619
(Oct 12, 2018 at 11:03)
Trail The Appendix
Rode this for the first time before hitting cobbles. Was an awesome extra section! Tight with a few little jumps, and about the same climb either way.
[Reply]
anthonydiaz
(Jul 18, 2018 at 12:52)
Trail The Appendix
fun trail with an easy climb at the end. definitely one to hit before going down cobbles
[Reply]
anthonydiaz
(Jun 13, 2018 at 8:27)
Fun trail with a lot of branching off trails. There is a lot to explore here and make sure to bring water if you plan to go in the later morning.
[Reply]
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1 mile | |||||
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4,406 ft | |||||
774 ft | |||||
4,491 ft | |||||
279 ft | |||||
997 ft | |||||
4,137 ft | |||||
2 miles | |||||
2,398 ft | |||||
1,024 ft | |||||
5,167 ft | |||||
2 miles | |||||
2 miles | |||||
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699 ft | |||||
1,306 ft |
Details
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Riding area
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Primary ActivityMountain Bike
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Other Activities
- E-Bike
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Difficulty ratingBlue
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Route TypeLoop
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eBike Allowed
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Bike typeAM, XC, Adaptive MTB
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DirectionBoth Directions
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Physical ratingModerate
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Ridelogs
More Stats for Beach loop #2 mountain bike route
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Altitude min9 ft
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Altitude start364 ft
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Altitude end246 ft
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Grade-0.1%
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Grade max-40.9%
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Grade min29.1%
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Distance climb11 miles
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Distance down11 miles
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Distance flat8 miles
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Photos
Videos

Another Run Down Cobbles | PQ Peñasquitos | San Diego Mountain Biking | Pivot Switchblade | 8.19.2
trail: Cobbles
4:19 | 84 | comments: 0 | favs:
Oct 16, 2022

First Time at Tunnel 4 | Los Peñasquitos | Pivot Switchblade | San Diego Mountain Biking | 8/26/22
trail: Tunnel 4
5:47 | 89 | comments: 0 | favs:
Sep 16, 2022
Recent Trail Reports Along Route
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- By dailyshredder & contributors
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