Unlikely Gravel: Orange County, California – a Photo Essay by Eric Foltz

orange county gravel cycling

Orange County, California isn’t an area you’d typically associate with gravel cycling. The area is home to the original Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm and surf beaches such as Huntington Beach.

orange county gravel cycling

Orange County also happens to be one of the largest urban areas in the world, yet if you know where to ride, there are over 500 miles of gravel bike friendly trails and thoroughfares throughout the County.

orange county gravel cycling

These trails were originally designed for mountain biking, but gravel bikes adapt just fine, according to Eric Foltz.

orange county gravel cycling
Anyone for coastal gravel?

Eric was a brand ambassador for Strava for four years, which gave him plenty of opportunities to take photos, appear in photos, and ride these amazing trails.

orange county gravel cycling

Eric typically rides over 8,000 miles per year. This network of trails and unmaintained fire roads feature during much of his riding.

orange county gravel cycling
Note the apartment complexes in the background.

orange county gravel cycling

orange county gravel cycling
An amazing gravel playground.
orange county gravel cycling
Smiles abound, what’s not to love?!

orange county gravel cycling

orange county gravel cycling
Dorothy, we aren’t in Kansas anymore.
orange county gravel cycling
Orange County is so diverse: mountains, gravel and the ocean.

orange county gravel cycling

orange county gravel cycling

orange county gravel cycling

orange county gravel cycling

Many thanks to Eric for his excellent contribution.

Please check out more of Eric’s work at Eric Foltz Photography.

If you ride in a special area and dabble in photography, we’d love to hear from you!

8 Comments

  1. Avatar Marcee

    A SoCal, Orange County gravel rider here. Thank you for this post about where I ride! This weekend, will be able to experience some of these trails on my new Lynskey GR260 with Whisky fork. Excited! Love Gravel Cyclist, happy you are there.

    • JOM JOM

      Thanks Marcee and good luck with the new bike, you will LOVE the Lynskey. Hopefully, I can make it out to California in 2018, it has been WAY too long!

      • Avatar Marcee

        Would love to see you on a gravel ride here! Thanks JOM.

        • JOM JOM

          I’m pretty certain it will happen next year 🙂 Hopefully you can join me for a ride!

  2. Avatar Marcee

    JOM, sounds great! Super excited for first ride on the Lynskey GR260 today. Next event, SPNDX Stampede Grinder on 11/12 in Temecula, CA wine country. The word is Alison Tetrick in attendance there too!

  3. Avatar David

    Eric, I live in Orange County….where is all this stuff?!!? I always just end up riding Chino Hills SP or Fullerton Loop…some of this looks amazing. Where is it all???

    • David, I lead a monthly gravel ride from Pure Ride Cycles in Lake Forest. Look them up on FB for the schedule.

  4. Avatar Christopher Sanchez

    Cool. So where is this?

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