The beautiful countryside of the Antelope Valley beckons to attract enthusiasts with classic high desert scenery and good weather year-round. Even in winter, mid-day highs are in the upper 50s or low 60s, great for a brisk ride.
Tree-lined streets from The Blvd to the Lancaster Auto Mall are excellent for biking. Many streets in Lancaster have dedicated bike lanes, and many others have wide bicycle-friendly shoulders. Sidewalks are spacious for parking while you shop or eat.
Attractions
Touring The Blvd is a lovely ride with plenty to do. The Blvd runs along W. Lancaster Blvd. between 10th St. W. and Sierra Hwy, bustling with restaurants, shops, theaters, museums, entertainment and more, a wide variety of delights. Don’t miss the MOAH, the Lancaster Museum of Art and History.
As you make your way along, keep an eye out for the pillars and plaques of the Aerospace Walk of Honor. Spaced along the length of The Blvd, these monuments to the legendary test pilots of Edwards Air Force Base are a highlight of The Blvd and a tribute to the heroes of the Antelope Valley. For aerospace enthusiasts, Edwards AFB is about 20 miles northeast of Lancaster. There are two public airparks adjoining Edwards, the Joe Davies Heritage Airpark and Blackbird Airpark, where fans can wander among classic aircraft like the B-52 and the SR-71 Blackbird.
Restaurants and Picnic Takeout
The Lancaster area is brimming with great places to eat. Throughout town you’ll find a wide variety of cuisines, including hearty American fare and steakhouses, Mexican, Italian, Japanese, Thai and Chinese. There’s also plenty of casual dining and fast food chains, diners and more.
If you’re grabbing picnic food to go, Sgt. Steve Owen Memorial Park just south of the Lancaster Auto Mall is a destination of choice. This 63-acre park has dozens of picnic tables, playgrounds, plus tennis, basketball and volleyball courts.
Mountain Biking
For country rides, the area is rich with scenic getaways. A springtime visit to spectacular Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve is a highlight, when flowers covers the rolling hills. Bicyclists take note: like most California state parks, the Poppy Reserve doesn’t allow bikes on the trails. For more mountain biking, to the west of the Lancaster / Palmdale metro is Los Padres National Forest and Castaic Lake State Park, a huge area of forest land and unspoiled country. South of the metro is the Angeles National Forest. Saddleback Butte State Park, about 15 miles east, sits on the edge of the Mojave Desert. It’s best to check with park rangers for details on where bikes are allowed.
All in all, the Antelope Valley is a premiere spot for a leisurely bike ride, with much to explore and good weather all year!
