Bicycle tours / Track #184968
Doheny State Beach base-camp loop: San Juan Creek Trail, Mission San Juan Capistrano and Dana Point Harbor

An easy 15 km (9.4 mi) loop for a rest day when you are car camping at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point. It starts and ends at the campground, so you can leave the stove packed and be back before lunch.

Route: from the campground take the paved San Juan Creek Trail inland along the creek, short street sections on Alipaz Street and Del Obispo Street bring you to Camino Capistrano and Mission San Juan Capistrano. Come back the same way to the creek mouth, then follow Dana Point Harbor Drive and Island Way out around the harbor before returning to camp. Gentle: about 390 ft (120 m) of climbing in total, with a few short steeper pitches around the harbor. The creek trail is shared with walkers and runners, so ride at walking speed when it is busy.

Route was planned on OpenStreetMap bicycle routing. Check the trail and street conditions yourself before riding: construction and closures change.

Before you ride (camp kitchen notes):

• Put perishables back in the cooler, lid closed, cooler in the shade. Food left out more than 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F) should be thrown away (USDA).
• Lock food, trash and anything scented in your vehicle or the campsite food locker. Campground birds and raccoons work fast.
• Fill water before you leave so you come back to a full jug for lunch and dishes.
• Wash breakfast dishes first: strain the food bits out of the dish water and use the campground sink or utility drain if one is provided.

If your kitchen lives in one case, such as the VOZ Camp Kitchen, closing the lid before the ride takes care of most of that list.

Local rules override general advice: check Doheny State Beach regulations for food storage and bike use.

Further information at