5 of the best mountain bike trails in California

More than any place on earth, California is steeped in mountain biking lore. The genesis of the sport on Mount Tam in Marin County at the hands of heroes such as Charlie Kelly, Gary Fisher, Tom Ritchey, and others is the stuff of legends. Even all these years later, if the mountain bike industry could be considered to have a headquarters, a hot spot, or a center of the mountain bike universe, that would be California.

Thankfully, California, the third largest state in the US, is also geographically gifted and uniquely qualified to be a revered mountain bike destination for much more than the fact that our sport began here. But would mountain biking have been conceived if it wasn’t for these mountains and trails? You’ll have to pose that question to the chicken-or-the-egg philosophers.

Regardless of which came first, the fact remains that California is home to all manner of excellent mountain bike terrain: tall sky-scraping mountains with endless singletrack, arid deserts, massive redwood forests hiding serpentine trails, and a plethora of coastal climate zones offering year-round riding.

California was the original mountain bike mecca, and while Colorado or Utah may now give it a run for its money, it’s still one of the hottest spots to travel to with your mountain bike in 2025. If you do head to California, here are five of the very best trails that you need to ride:

Downieville Downhill, Downieville

The Downieville Downhill never gets old. Especially if you take the shuttle to the top. Several outfitters in this small old mining town offer rides to Packer Saddle, and from there, you can choose to zoom or lollygag through Sunset, Butcher Ranch, and the Divide of one’s choice.

If training or practicing for the legendary Downieville race, you had better pad up and open the throttle, but be ready for that god-awful slap-in-the-face climb right in the middle of your rollicking descent, the one that makes you wish you brought the XC bike (but only for these 11 minutes). With a river running alongside, forming deep crystal pools beneath behemoth boulders, you might be tempted to abandon thoughts of the podium and answer the siren song of the swimming hole. While options abound, the race course is a great choice at 16 miles long with 1,100 feet of climbing (slap!) and 5,500 feet of descending.

And when you’re done, just behind the pizza parlor, picnic tables, and a nicely-kept public restroom, you’ll find a great swim spot at the confluence of the Downie and Yuba Rivers, in case you forewent the trailside dip. There are good and varied options for accommodation in Downieville from small rustic hotels, campgrounds near and a little less near, or you can rent a house with your crew.

If you’ve ridden the classic Downieville Downhill one too many times, be sure to try one of the many other epic shuttle runs spread throughout the Lost Sierra.

See also: “Shredding the Classic Downieville Downhill in California“

Cannell Plunge, Kernville

The Cannell Trail, finished off with “The Plunge,” ranks among the best shuttle-accessible rides in California—and possibly the country. This 25-mile point-to-point ride features about 2,000 feet of climbing and a massive 8,400 feet of descending, making it a big day even with a shuttle assist. This massive route has rightfully earned an IMBA Epic designation.

The Cannell Plunge starts high in the mountains with mellow singletrack through open meadows, but quickly drops into drier, rockier terrain typical of Southern California. The trail mixes fast, smooth sections with rockier, more technical bits, and corners that range from wide and flowy to tight and off-camber. The Plunge lives up to its name, delivering a long, fast descent that caps off the ride with a sustained drop into the Kern River Valley.

“The flow and speed on Cannell Plunge is unreal… I’m blown away every time I ride this trail,” said Eric Carter, Pro BMX racer, Mountain X, and Downhill Legend, according to KernRiverSierra.com.

Soquel Demonstration Forest, Santa Cruz

The Soquel Demonstration Forest, or “Demo Forest” as it’s more commonly called, is one of California’s historic trail networks that has remained a premier mountain bike destination to this day. “These are the most mountain bike-oriented trails — legitimate trails — we have in the region,” said Matt De Young, Executive Director of Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship (SCMTS).

Demo Forest was originally known for its raw, natural downhills, but the construction of the Flow Trail in 2015 changed everything. The new trail quickly became known as one of the best flow trails in the country, and even helped define the category as flow trails began to be built all around the world. In 2025, the iconic trail received a massive glow-up thanks to a top-to-bottom rebuild that has improved the flow, modified the features, and revitalized worn-out trail tread.

“Demo Forest is absolutely the must-do area in Santa Cruz… Period!” wrote Singletracks trail reviewer larryhogueisson. “There are many different routes, so pick your poison. I am one who never minds the opportunity to mash some pedals in order to earn some DH fun. In Demo Forest, there is definitely some work to be done in the earning department. It’s a slow steady climb to get to the Forest, but once you’re there, you’ll forget you just climbed to get there. Amazing flowing DH rides with GREAT natural terrain features, huge banking turns, and even a few spots to create some white-knuckled riding. A day of riding Sawpit, Braille, and Flow will give you PLENTY of fun and remind your legs why carbs are important when you pedal back to the car. You’ll take a puff or two with all the climbing, but EPIC flowing downhills make it every bit worth it.”

See also: “The iconic Demo Forest Flow trail near Santa Cruz, CA, is being rebuilt this spring“

Northstar Bike Park, Truckee

The Singletracks database reports 125 miles of black diamond singletrack at Northstar. While this may be true, it is important to note that the resort does have lift-serviced trails that do not require a full-face helmet, a neck brace, or a chest protector. But just so you know, the last time my partner and I showed up at the lift in our spandex with our XC helmets and 140 mm forks, we might as well have been aardvarks at the Kentucky Derby.

While the bro is strong here and most folks are riding massive rigs and catching serious air, there’s no denying that Northstar is a rip-roaring good time. And when you’re done hurtling down Gypsy, you can enjoy a beverage and lunch at the lodge, where you’ll also find a full fleet of rental bikes and gear. The lifts also serve hikers, so if your family or friends don’t ride, plan to meet them at the lodge after your respective forays.

“[I’ve been going] to Northstar a couple of times every summer for the last 4 years. Always a blast!!!!” wrote Singletracks trail reviewer Jnat1998. “I can get some double diamond runs in, and my kids love riding the fire roads and easy-rider trails. It’s got something for every skill level and is a great place if [you’re] new to lift riding. I would also recommend lessons for the kids. The instructors are great and my kids’ confidence is always sky-high after.”

Tahoe Rim Trail, South Lake Tahoe

Clocking in at 165 miles of intermediate singletrack at varying elevations (6,000 feet generally), the Tahoe Rim Trail, or TRT, spans six counties and two states. While some portions of the TRT are not open to bikes, and some operate on an even-odd day schedule, plenty of singletrack is available for two-wheeled adventure.

The beauty of this area cannot be overstated. Whether you choose Martis Peak to Tahoe City, Kingsbury to Spooner, be sure your camera battery is charged, you’ve got food, water, and a whole day to take in whichever segment you’ve chosen, for this is a truly special experience.

Shuttle services are available for some of the routes, and remember to check which segments operate on day-of-week restrictions—nothing’s worse than saddling up and finding out you’re there on the wrong day.

See also: “Mountain Biking the Tahoe Rim and Flume Trails“

Runners-up

1. San Juan Trail, Mission Viejo
2. Mammoth Mountain Resort, Mammoth
3. Mt. Hough, Quincy
4. Annadel State Park, Santa Rosa
5. Mount Lowe, Pasadena

Picking only five trails in the nation’s third-largest state is ridiculously hard, votes or no. Since we couldn’t nearly do justice in this article to all the best spots to ride in Cali, let us know in the comments below: What’s your favorite trail in California?