(Mostly) Gravel Circuit of Chula Vista
Gravel Route
On Wueste Rd, Chula Vista, San Diego County, California
A little bit of everything from single track to paved bike lane to road cycling and some rock gardens, even a horse trail. This route will take you from the multimillion dollar mansions in Eastlake to homeless camps on the Otay River bottom. You could even stretch it out farther and loop around Mt. San Miguel down the washboard hell of eastern Proctor Valley Road if you want to keep your chiropractor in business.
There are a couple of gates you will have to hop over or under, don't worry, those signs are meant for 4x4s. Highlights include riding under the 125 bridge (it is huge), seeing bobcats and coyotes, riding through the palm tree farm and maybe getting buzzed by an ultralight in the otay valley. It is a really cool way to see the hidden side of Chula Vista.
Distance
Elevation
34.91
miles
7 ft
minimum
702 ft
maximum
1,266 ft
gain
1,243 ft
loss
100%
gravel
3 images
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on July 13, 2023
I ran this route in reverse (7-13-23). Starting from the park and going through the neighborhoods and finishing off the back side of the Otay Lakes county park. The one big surprise I had on this ride was the creek crossing that was about a foot deep with water! I assume maybe this was dry when the route was logged? Also, issues when riding this on a gravel bike (700x45). The sections where people also ride horses. A lot of dirt has been pulverized by horse shoes creating a bit of a sand pit. Some of which I think you would need a fat bike to pedal through! I’m not sure the widest mountain bike tire could stay afloat through that!
This loop is legit. Looking forward to hitting it again in the fall when the temps go down.
on July 3, 2023
I did most of this ride clockwise in April 2023. The southern section, from Lower Otay Reservoir to Otay Valley Road, appears to be illegal, with a locked gate and several No Trespassing signs that say that biking and hiking are "strictly prohibited by law". I turned around and re-routed on streets to avoid this section.
I rode a rigid gravel bike with 700x40 Bontrager GR2 Team Issue gravel tires, which worked well except for a few loose spots where I had to be careful to maintain traction.
Pepper Park (at the northwest corner of the ride) is a great place to park if you're coming from San Diego.
on September 19, 2021
Rode this clockwise today from downtown San Diego. About 50 miles round trip. Great ride on 700x40 WTB Nanos. Anything skinnier or less aggressive would not be recommended. Some sections are questionable access. Definitely a few “no stop” zones.