If you’re just starting out on your OneWheel, picking a place to ride can be daunting. Luckily, San Diego has a large offering of open grassy areas and gently winding paths where you can master a new boardsport and enjoy some world class views. The city is filled with unique neighborhoods just waiting to be explored, and there is no better adventure-mobile than the OneWheel!
Our Top Pick for Beginners: Liberty Station
Located close to Point Loma on a boat channel off of San Diego Bay, this former Naval Training Center is an ideal location to begin your OneWheel journey. There is plenty of flat grassy space to get your balance on, as well as a smooth bike and walking path. Liberty Station is also a great place to begin to test out the board’s off-road capabilities, as there is an easy dirt path along the water.
With so much fun to be had riding around, it is inevitable that you will need to stop to charge your board. Finding an accessible outlet can be a headache, but there are ample outlets located around the Liberty Station Public Market to keep you riding.
Hungry from shredding too hard? The Public market has a variety of food and beverage options that you can explore while waiting for your OneWheel to charge up.
Once you’ve reached a full charge, you are in a prime location to explore more. Bike paths and roads connect you to downtown San Diego, Point Loma/Ocean Beach, and Shelter Island.
Embarcadero
Setting the scene: You’ve just come from Liberty Station with a full charge and a full stomach, and you’re ready to take the next step in exploring the city. You decide to head downtown.
As you float down the bike path, you can see the city skyline on the horizon. The path curves alongside the shimmering blue water until you find yourself immersed in some of San Diego’s most historic landmarks.
Cruise by Waterfront Park, see the USS Midway, make a pitstop in Seaport Village, and take in awesome views of the Coronado Bridge, all from your OneWheel. There are plenty of places to stop if you need to charge or rest and unlimited sights to enjoy.
The only downside to riding the Embarcadero, is that there are plenty of other people out and about on the path. Pedestrian, bike, and traffic from other electric ridables is something to be aware of, especially on weekends. That being said, we recommend this for a slightly more experienced OneWheeler.
Balboa Park
Whether you are a San Diego local, seasoned traveller, or first time visitor, Balboa Park is always a must-see. One could easily spend all day sightseeing and exploring the 1200 acre park, but experiencing Balboa on a OneWheel opens up even more possibilities for adventure. Rideable paths will take you throughout the gardens, museums, and by the San Diego Zoo. If you’ve gotten a few miles under your feet, and are feeling like challenging yourself on a trail, Balboa has an extensive network of hiking and biking trails of varying difficulty.
Still just getting your bearings? Open, flat, grassy spaces are scattered around the park and will offer a nice break from the pedestrian traffic.
Balboa Park is also a hotspot for OneWheel activity. If you’re looking to link up with some local riders, chances are high that you’ll run into at least one as you explore the park. The San Diego OneWheel community is extremely welcoming of new and visiting riders, and always stoked to help a fellow OneWheeler out in their search for a charge or a new place to ride.
The San Diego OneWheel group also hosts group rides in Balboa Park most Friday nights. These are best suited for those who have been riding for a while, but they are a great way to connect with the community and discover some of the local favorite “secret” spots. The group meets at the Cabrillo Bridge at 7pm and hits an ever-changing route of trails, streets, and bike paths around the park and city.
San Diego River Trail
This trail runs alongside both sides of the San Diego River from Hotel Circle to the dog beach at the rivermouth in Ocean Beach. It is a gentle, yet winding, path that takes you past the Mission/Fashion Valley shopping areas and links to different parks and city streets. San Diego’s Old Town is easily accessible by this path, as well as the Mission Hills neighborhood, which boasts amazing views of the city.
Continue down the path towards the coast, and you’ll drop into the heart of Ocean Beach, where you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the many shops, restaurants, and hippie/beach lifestyle of the area.
From Ocean Beach, you can travel the coast to the picturesque Sunset Cliffs. There are limited bike lanes, and often some traffic, so use caution while riding here. If you can, time your ride here towards the end of the day-- they call them Sunset Cliffs for a reason.
Mission Bay
Miles of smooth, flat, slowly winding bike path lays between open grassy areas and Mission Bay. Besides Liberty Station, this is probably the best place to learn how to ride your OneWheel. Everything about this route is a new rider’s dream. Everything except one big thing-- there is currently a ban on all personal electric vehicles on the Mission Bay bike path.
The ban is more heavily enforced on the boardwalk, and less so on the backside of the bay from Campland to SeaWorld. This part of the path is more frequented by joggers, picnickers, and bikers, and less by the rowdy gangs of scooters that inspired the ban. If you choose to take the risk and ride the path, steer clear of the beaches--but you didn’t hear it from us.
La Jolla
If you’re looking for a mellow and beautiful coastal ride, look no further than cruising around La Jolla. Ride over gentle hills past stunning ocean views and beautiful upscale homes.
Start at the La Jolla shores parking lot to travel through downtown La Jolla, view seals at the Cove and Children’s Pool, and continue down the coast through the neighborhoods to watch surfers at Windansea. From here, you are able to cross the street to find the bike path that connects on Fay Avenue next to La Jolla High School. The trail will take you into Bird Rock, the neighborhood in between Pacific Beach and La Jolla, where there are many small businesses and restaurants.
Motor traffic isn’t too bad in the neighborhoods, but as always, use caution when traveling the main roads and downtown areas. The only other con about riding in La Jolla are the potholes. Even the most experienced rider can be caught off-guard by an unexpected pothole or uneven terrain, and there are definitely some chances for this along this route, especially in the Windansea area.
