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The Best of Culver City
The best places to eat, hike, play and unwind in Culver City and nearby Mar Vista and…
Ballona Creek
Categories: Active Life Beaches Active Life Mountain Biking Beaches, Mountain Biking [Edit]
Culver City, CA 90232- Good for Kids:
- Yes
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23 reviews for Ballona Creek
23 reviews in English
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Review from Re M.
Culver City, CA
1/26/2012
Not bad and getting better & better. Who knew just as little as 2 years ago that this would become a thriving cycling paradise? Fadt forward to today and you have a busy, clean place to cycle whether your just out for a cruise orr want some hard core workout, you can't go wrong.
Great way to get to the beach and connects to both North & South routes along the coast. South down to Torrance or North up to Malibu. The choice is yours!
Gone are the broken bottles, trash and weeds and in with the native plants, trash cans, seating and absolutely cool gates at every exit. The real gem is that we live close so paradise is a few pedals away.
Ballona Creek Renaissance with other have done an A+ job and continue to do so. Please....go...and enjoy! -
Review from Jim A.
Los Angeles, CA
12/19/2011 6 Check-ins Here
What the city of los angeles needs are more designated bike routes for the increased bicycle traffic.
This route is great! Really a nice way to get tot he beach of come at the city.
Its next to the new expo line being opened so you can increase your reach and become more green.
I have been riding this route for years.
Only complaint is the occasional beer bottle broken or the foliage that has grown wild into the lane. The latter the city is slow to clean up. The broken bottles we have started taking care of ourselves.
Take care of each other out there. If you see a downed cyclist stop and see if they re all right. They will return the favor. GIve them that extra tube of co2 you have to get them back on the road. What goes around comes around. TRust me as cyclist i have seen this so many times.
We should lead by example.
Ballona creek is a great route for us. -
Review from nicholas s.
Culver City, CA
12/18/2011
Ballona Creek, or "Heavenly Gateway to the Pacific Ocean," (roughly translated, of course) is a great direct route to the solid beach path.
I have ridden this quite a few times and love it. The ONLY thing that keeps it from being 5 stars:
The quality of the path varies greatly. One second you're cruising on smooth asphalt, the next mile you feel like you're going over rumble strips and hope to Smokey Bear you're able to have children.
Besides those things, this is a great route for those of us who want to get to the ocean without stoplights and traffic.
Try it out! And if you see a goofy guy huffing and puffing, be sure to say hello to me. -
Review from Stephanie H.
Calabasas, CA
12/9/2011 4 Check-ins Here
I've run this a few times and really enjoyed my run...it's not as gorgeous like the beach run along Santa Monica still pretty nice. It's nowhere near as crowded either. I see a few runners and cyclists here and there but you should be able to run at your pace w/o having to weave around folks.
The review from Lisa A. is a bit scary so I will def be more aware of my surroundings as I'm running at the Creek but so far my experience has been nothing but positive. I've yet to make it all the way down to the marina but looking forward to a good long run one of these days down to the Marina.Listed in: when i need to get my run…
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Review from Mark T.
Los Angeles, CA
10/18/2011
I usually ride my bike to the Ballona Creek Bike path where it intersects with Centinela Ave. From there I hook up with the Bike Path at the Beach and continue south toward Manhattan Beach. The Ballona Creek Path is continuously used by bikers, joggers and walkers. You don't realize the narrowness of the path until you come upon some traffic. It's a relatively short but well maintained bike path that is much appreciated.
There's nothing really scenic until you get close to the marina. At the marina there's the boat house for the UCLA Crew Team. They use the Creek to train as well as race. And once you've reached the bridge at the jetty you can watch all the boats and yachts coming and going. It's a nice place to take a break and hang out with your fellow bikers.
Hey! I noticed the pictures provided by Yelpers make the bike path more beautiful than it really is. I didn't realize there was any greenery along the path or any blue water in the creek. I thought the water was an odor filled black color. Am I missing some thing? -
Review from Lisa A.
Culver City, CA
7/30/2011
Been meaning to write a view of this bike path for a while now. I used to go running here. I started at Duquesne and headed west to Marina del Rey. Not very scenic, but a nice straight shot without street traffic or lights to deal with and slow you down.
Just a warning to the females... BEWARE !!! If you want to use the path, don't go alone. It's best to travel with someone else. Parts of this bike path are sketchy. There are a few shady characters and homeless people hanging out at times. Sometimes there are packs of teens hanging out behind the columns and under the overpasses.
I was attacked on this path at the Overland entrance around 12:30pm with male biker right next to me by two guys. They got on each side of me and tried to rip my Ipod off my arm out of my arm band. They only got my headphones, my ipod fell on the ground. When I realized what was happening, I picked it up and they chased me.
Scary to say the least. I'd always been a little sceptical about being on here. Unfortunately, I haven't been back since-although I'd really like to see the improvements that were made. Perhaps I'll hop back on but only if I travel in multiples. -
Review from Sarah C.
Culver City, CA
7/17/2011
Things must be changing for the better with this bike path. Despite some reviews from 2008-2009 about the sketchiness and unsavory characters, my ride today from Culver City to MDR beach was outstanding! For the first time since I bought a bike in LA, I had the liberating feeling of being free of traffic and the constant feeling that I might get run over by a car. Moreover, I got that feeling of excitement that I remember from being a kid of whizzing down a hill full speed to help get up the incline on the other side.
I even found this path very beautiful, despite what other reviewers have mentioned. Going west, you watch the creek grow and feed into the ocean, and ducks become sea gulls and other sea birds. The concreteness is serene, and i enjoyed the patches of wild poppies in bloom, passing by parks including one where a group of men were singing while one played a guitar, and seeing a Sunday soccer game at a school. It's rare to get that feeling of connectedness in LA.
Best of all? You can get off the path at Sepulveda and treat yourself to Mateos Ice Cream and Fruit Bars on the way to or from the beach. -
Review from Gene k.
Los Angeles, CA
6/1/2011 2 photos
This is a semi nice bike trail. It's safe once you hit Sepulveda and from there it starts getting sketchy all the way up to National going inland. The the population of people dwindles down to almost zero. There are some homeless people here on the path so I'd say night riding alone would not be recommended. If your a girl on a beach cruiser riding alone, totally not recommended at any time of the day.
If your going west towards the beach it's much safer and a lot more people so it's cool. LA does need more bike paths connecting to major arteries yet safe bike paths so people can ride without worrying about their safety.
This paths connects the South Bay Trail to Santa Monica Bike Path and those paths are a lot more safer. Just don't go inland if your not prepared. -
Review from Sheila P.
Los Angeles, CA
10/9/2011 3 photos
I got a moderate workout on this path from Overland to the beach, past the Westside's one and only section 8 housing, and had no problems with it. It looks like most of the graffiti has been painted over, and the only people I saw hanging out under a bridge was a young couple relaxing with their dog. I thought a Sunday late morning would be crowded, but it really wasn't until I hit Lincoln and continued west. Overall it was a very smooth ride- a rare treat for LA cyclists.
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Review from Andrea Z.
Los Angeles, CA
8/30/2010
LA needs more bike paths and roads which are safe for pedestrians and cyclists like the Ballona Creek Bike Path.
Its nice to not have to stop at any lights or deal with pot holes or bad drivers all the way to the beach and back. And the ocean breeze is quite refreshing.
It would be nice to see more efforts to keep the creek clean as I have seen lots of trash next to the water.
I usually enter through the Overland gate next to the library. I enjoy the wind going west and the fun dips under the overpasses!
It can be a little annoying when people ride or walk without being more conscious of the traffic around them... but usually this ride is very relaxing and great for a non-stop workout! -
Review from Guy N.
San Pedro, CA
8/17/2010
This is perfect for a lunchtime stroll or if you lug around your bike, a quick ride.
I usually park off of Centinela on a residential street on the east side and just head west from there.
Heading west, there is a lot of headwind from the Pacific but it makes for a pretty good workout. There are a few dips under the overpasses but otherwise, it's pretty straight and flat. There are a lot of areas to enter and exit the path at all the major streets and passes. It's not the widest path in the world so if there are runners and bikers at the same area, it can make for a little maneuvering. The worst are the leisurely bikers/walkers that walk 3-4 wide and don't move when they clearly see others coming. Not too many of these people so it's not usually a problem.
Once you get past Culver, it eventually merges with the path that goes through MDR so you can go right and head to Fiji Way or go straight and head to the Marina Channel and eventually cross over the bridge to the beginning of the Playa Del Rey beach area. The roads are all mile marked so you can keep track of your ride/run.
Depending on your timing, the path can be very empty. A lot of people though head to the path during the usual lunch hour (12-1) and take a walk so it can be crowded. Take your lunch at 11 and it should be empty.
Head out, put on your sun screen, tie on your walking shoes, and get some fresh air and exercise during your lunch hour!Listed in: Lunch Time in the MDR
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Review from Joshua H.
Sherman Oaks, CA
7/31/2011
I love this path. Possibly one of the best in LA. I ride from Sherman Oaks through Hollywood and catch it at La Cienega and National at the sports park. This is a great ride with some hills when you go under streets and freeways but nothing that will wind you. Tons of people ride it, families, kids etc. It can get kinda smelly at times from stagnant water but once you get past Mar Vista, the Ocean breeze kicks in and its a beautiful ride into Marina Del Rey and onto either Santa Monica or Palos Verdes.
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Review from Lindsey W.
Los Angeles, CA
4/16/2011
Great ride west of Duquesne. I would give it 5 stars if it weren't for the fact we were feeling adventurous and decided to see if the La Cienega exit was open on the way home.
The road gets a little rough, there's lots of graffiti and we encountered some shady characters that looked like they were about to jump us (two were heading directly at us on both sides of the road, one was on lookout above, and I believe there were others hanging out on the side). We quickly turned around to avoid a problem.
So I would not recommend going east of Duquesne, and use extra caution if you're a female. -
Review from Leigh-Anne L.
Culver City, CA
8/9/2008
This path is a little sketchy. And it's definitely not pretty, as noted. But I used to love hopping on my bike and riding down to the beach to chill out after a tough day at the office.
Unfortunately, I was attacked by a homeless man who blocked my path and tried to grab my neck one Friday afternoon as I was riding by on my bike. I broke free from his grip quickly, but it scared the shit out of me. Totally unprovoked, and (I hope) totally random. It happened while I was going towards the beach, just before the Lincoln Blvd overpass. The police told me afterwards that stretch is where a lot of homeless folks live. Women who use this path by themselves, be careful. I used to run down here alone, and will no longer.
Glad to hear from Carl that the police are actually patrolling the area now. -
Review from carl t.
Los Angeles, CA
4/13/2008 1 photo
CATEGORY: RECREATION
Th Ballona Creek Bike Path starts at Syd Kronenthal Park in east Culver City and extends about 7 miles to the Coast Bike Path. I usually run this path about 5 times a week, it does amazing help for my cardio needs. I enter at Inglewood and run to the beach. Many bikers frequent this bike path as well, biking back and forth. Once you start in Culver City, you have a couple options once you get to Marina Del Rey. You can either head into the touristy part of the Marina, or you can continue towards the Manhattan and Hermosa beaches by utilizing the path.
If you run or bike this thing consistently, you will start recognizing regulars, as some people actually frequent the bike path everyday. Also, they are steadily doing improvements on it, such as marking distances to the beach, repainting the yellow lines on the path to give it a fresher look.
At one point, the bike path had a bad element as many vagrants and sometimes illicit activities would happen here. However, there has been a larger presence of patrol on the bike path and its been appreciated.
Physical fitness resonates throughout your demeanor in a positive fashion, if you want to push yourself by running or biking, Ballona Creek Bike Path provides the perfect outlet. -
Review from Brian D.
Los Angeles, CA
2/12/2009
I'm looking forward to the renovations being complete on the Eastern end of this path. Otherwise, Ballona Creek is a perfectly pleasant-and-traffic-free bike artery between Culver City and the Marina.
Leigh-Anne is right - you need to be aware of your surroundings as the path can attract some unsavory elements. I wouldn't worry about it too much, though.
I enjoy riding East -- with the wind -- but heading West towards the sea yields a better workout. It's true the view is of the gritty-urban-bowels variety, but the flow of the water at high tide and the shenanigans of the various avian species here are enough to keep me amused. -
Review from Thomas H.
Culver City, CA
9/1/2009
I haven't seen homeless people along the path lately and I use it fairly frequently. I do see a lot of teens hanging out under the cross-roads (god, have I gotten so old that I look at all "kids" with skepticism?). The only "incident" I've ever encountered was once I saw some pre-teens push over a middle-aged man who was biking. They quickly hopped a fence and ran off.
But I LOVE this path all the same. It's a straight shot to the ocean. It's not pretty, but there's a great breeze that blows through there (making it sometimes difficult to go west-bound). It's straight, relatively flat, and there are no stops.
Please, please, please ride this path. The more bikers we can get on it, the more it will be self-policing.
But it's definitely better to ride with at least one other person, and try not to ride it after dark. -
Review from Jared W.
Santa Monica, CA
8/6/2008
I've done this ride a lot because it's free and clear of any killer cars trying to rub my back tire and cause me an endo. It's a great workout with the slight up and downs and you can go as fast and as long as you want without having to stop! That alone makes it worth a ride. The views are of concrete, gross water, backs of houses and finally the beach- only one of those is good. I take the path from Culver to the Marina and back and I feel perfectly safe especially since I always go on a weekend afternoon and there's plenty of other bikers and walkers out and about. So get out there and spin away, just don't stare at the water too long lest you make too good of friends with a chain link fence.
Listed in: Westside Workouts
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Review from Bob Y.
Los Angeles, CA
9/12/2010
Fantastic! Well populated with riders and some walkers, nicely maintained. Best way to travel betweeen Culver City and the Coastal bike path. I love this! Another of LA's lesser known treasures.
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Review from David Z.
Culver City, CA
11/21/2010 14 Check-ins Here
Decent bike/walk path that goes all the way to marina del rey and beyond to the beach. Not sure I would ride it at night it just seems like it could be a little sketchy.
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Review from Laura L.
Beverly Hills, CA
10/2/2010
I love ridding my bike here. It's really pretty and takes you straight to the beach. There's also an exit that takes you towards the marina. I'd be perfect if they fenced off a section for pedestrians because it can get a bit crowded.
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Review from Samantha H.
CA
7/21/2008
It's not pretty. It isn't completely safe. It even smells a little funny. But heck, it is a clear shot from downtown culver city to the beach. If you have a bike, this is the best way to get from culver to manhattan beach or playa on a busy summer's day. Plus, biking saves the environment!
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Review from Kevin C.
8/25/2009
Some say this path is sketchy, other say this is a place for relaxation. I love this path. I absolutely love this path. I bike to work quite often. It's a great path to ride on. At times, the "river" might smell a bit because people would dump shit into the stream. On a nice day, in most occasions, you get to see wild life in the stream. Ducks, seagulls, cranes, pelicans and more. This path would can lead you to Marina Del Rey as well as Redondo Beach. I also enjoy making runs from Lincoln at EA all the way to the beach. Great run.
