Sepulveda Basin Loops

This lovely biking experience takes you through much of the 2000-acre Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, one of the soft-bottom stretches of the river. You'll see verdant trees and plants here, and a healthy array of birdlife.

Along the meandering bike loop, you'll see Angelenos engaged in all manners of physical activities. You'll also catch glimpses of the Los Angeles River in a much more natural form. We recommend the nine-mile loop, but the ride can easily be broken up into smaller segments, depending on your time and needs. Although the condition of the bike path varies from section to section, it is generally well-maintained. Some sections are smooth enough for rollerbladers and skateboarders, so be ready to share the road. A 2.5-mile section of the path passes through the serene core of Lake Balboa Park and adjoining Woodley Avenue Park. This ride offers all the basic amenities: water, restrooms, playgrounds and and picnic tables, plus extras like boat and equipment rentals, fishing, golf courses and baseball fields. In Woodley Avenue Park you'll find Japanese gardens, cricket fields, a wildlife preserve, and a field for radio-controlled aircraft.

STARTING POINT

Parking lot at Balboa Boulevard at the L.A. River

DIRECTIONS TO THE START

BIKE: Cyclist headed southbound will find easy access via the Orange Line Busway Bike Path. Those headed northbound can take the Los Angeles River Bike Path then continue right onto Riverside Drive. Turn right on Keystone Street. Make a left on the Chandler Boulevard bikeway and continue onto the Orange Line Busway Bike Path.

TRANSIT: Take the Metro 154 Bus to Burbank and Balboa Boulevard. Walk north on Balboa to parking lot.

CAR: Take the 101 Freeway and exit on Balboa Boulevard. Head north on Balboa.

NEARBY PARKS

Anthony C. Beilenson Park

This is an 80-acre water recreation facility within the Sepulveda Flood Control basin. The centerpiece of the park, Lake Balboa, is a 27 acre lake filled with water reclaimed from the Tillman Water Reclamation Plant. Recreation activities include fishing, boating, remote-control boating and jogging/walking. Access is from Balboa Boulevard.

6300 Balboa Boulevard, Van Nuys, CA 91406

Woodley Avenue Park

Features include a children's play area, picnic tables, barbecue pits, baseball diamond, Apollo 3 flight field, archery range, cricket fields, wild life reservation area, and restrooms.

6350 Woodley Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91436

Japanese Gardens

6100 Woodley Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91406