How do I get onto the Ballona Creek bike path? (Santa Monica: home, construction)

[Santa's Neighbor]

I took a bike ride to the Ballona Creek bike path today, and found it, but I couldn't find a way to get down onto it. I was at Jefferson and National, and according to the map there should be an entrance there but I couldn't see it. I Continued down Jefferson then, but then the road (not sure which) turned away from it, so I gave up and took Venice Blvd. to the beach instead.

Where's a good spot to get on that path? Are the entrances to it marked? What do they look like, are they signed? Jefferson and National would still be a good spot for me to get on, if I can find the entrance (there's some construction going on there right now, so is it blocked off maybe?)

Thanks for any tips!

[jbunniii]

It's been almost ten years since I last rode on that path, so this information might be dated, but at that time the entry point was at the southeast corner of McManus Park, which is northwest of the intersection of Jefferson and National, though its main entrance is accessed from Washington Blvd. Here's a link to the Google Maps satellite image:

Google Maps

If you follow along with me on Google Maps, look for the side street, Roberts Ave., that intersects with Washington Blvd. a few blocks west of La Cienega. Take Roberts Ave. south until it ends at McManus Park (apparently also known as Syd Kronenthal Park).

Notice that from the end of Roberts Ave., there is a road/parking lot that curves around some tennis courts. Notice an unpaved path leading south from that curved road. To its east is a tennis court and to its west is a baseball diamond. Go along that path until you notice you are riding alongside a chain link fence to the east (on your left as you are riding south).

Near the end of the path, there is an open gate in that fence. Go through that gate to get to the bike trail. As of 1999 or so, there were no signs whatsoever guiding you there. Hopefully that has changed by now.

Apparently you can also access it from National; if you zoom in as far as you can go in Google Maps, you can see a diagonal ramp leading off National Blvd. right behind the home plate section of the baseball field in McManus Park. I've never entered that way, but it looks like it would work.

Here's some more info that might be of interest:

Ballona Creek Bike Path Information

Note that this link says that the bike path was closed between National and Duquesne through February 2009 (apparently for Expo Line construction!) It's not clear what the current status is. Maybe try getting on at Duquesne and seeing whether it's closed in that direction or not.

[Santa's Neighbor]

Wow, no wonder I couldn't find the path... thanks! I'll try this next time.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

This thread definitely brings back memories of my West LA, Santa Monica, Venice, Marina, etc bike riding days. Between the beach path and this one, you can cover a good amount of territory, add to that, Santa Monica and West LA back streets ... nice!

[LivingLikeAGradStudent]

Yes, we catch the bike path by the softball field in the back of the Culver City park off Washington. If not there, then it's easy to catch in Playa del Rey when it splits with the coastal route.

[tylersminerals]

Wow the bike path, that brings back some memories lol! Duquense and Jefferson is a good spot to jump on the path, washington blvd between Farragut and Overland. We used to hand out on the bike path as teenagers. I remember in elementary school there was a really bad storm and the creek filled up so high it was just at the path. I remember a girl I went to school with fell in and died. That was sad, only a 4th grader from what I remember. Anyway, a great path to the beach. One of the things I miss. But I think I miss Titos tacos more.

[the one]

there is a blog, creek freak. check it out.