Sacramento has some of the best biking trails around. Even if you are not an avid biker and don’t sport the fancy shorts, you can still enjoy a stroll down the trails with your family by your side.

Whether you want to stay within the Sacramento city limits or head to some of our surrounding areas, you will find a trail that meets your needs. Rugged or flat terrain, cityscapes or river views…we have them all!

Here is a list of some of our favorite family-friendly bike trails in the area:

American River Bike Trail  (Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail). This is probably one of the most popular trails in Sacramento. On any given day, you find people running, hiking, biking and even rollerblading along this trail. The trail is paved, runs along the river in many parts and is easily accessible from Beals Point (near Folsom Lake) and at Jibboom Street in Discovery Park. Spanning 32 miles from Folsom to Old Sacramento Waterfront, there are several options as to where to get on the trail at. We have done this trail many times with our children (ages 8 and 10) and we always find it easy to get on the trail at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery (off of Highway 50 at Hazel Avenue).

Yolo Causeway Bike Path  is a path that follows along the highway from West Sacramento to Davis. If you are looking for an easy 3.7 mile path to lead you into the city of Davis, then this is it.  It’s definitely not a quiet path (going alongside the freeway is a bit noisy and windy), but it does have some nice views and is well-traveled by locals commuting in and out of the city.  There are no parking areas for the Yolo Causeway Bike Path, but the trail can be accessed from West Capitol Avenue in West Sacramento and County Route 32A east of Davis.

Miners Ravine Trail is a 7.5-mile trail that winds its way through the city of Roseville. The trail travels between Sierra College Boulevard, through Royer Park and into Downtown Historic Roseville, along the way enjoying a wooded greenway, passing over creeks and through suburban neighborhoods. This is a very easy trail for walkers, bikers and strollers to take advantage of. There are several access points to the trail, but I have found the easiest (with children) have been to begin at the access at the shopping plaza along Sunrise Avenue (opposite of the Roseville Auto Mall).

Finally, if you are searching for a nice and easy ride with kids, then check out William Land Park. Trails will wind you around gardens, ponds and of course – the famous Sacramento Zoo, Funderland and Fairytale Town. Plenty of shade and areas to stop and rest make this a nice family-friendly bike ride in the heart of Sacramento.

If you are visiting from out-of-town and want to check out some of these great trails but don’t have access to a bike, there are plenty of places to rent nearby.

Jump Bike. Electric powered bikes and scooters are found all over downtown and Midtown and can be rented by the minute using an app on your smartphone. This is a great way for the whole family to get around. 

Practical Cycle is conveniently located at 114 J Street in Old Sacramento and also at 150 Natoma Station Drive in Folsom. They rent bikes, hybrids and even electric bikes.

Trek Bicycle is another option for bike rentals in downtown Sacramento.  Located at 2419 K Street, they have road bikes, hybrids and mountain bikes for daily rentals.