Originally Posted by
skidder
Since there's no real direct street route you could just ride down the SART. Its clear of debris, campers, and stoplights, so a nice (if somewhat boring) 20+ mile ride to the river's outlet and the HB/NB city border. Three miles north to the HB Pier, about the same (with more traffic and crowded streets) down to the NB Pier. And you'll have the onshore breeze at your back when you go back inland.
Most of the streets going from AH/YL to the beach cities are just a continuous stream of stoplights and traffic, I'd just skip those unless it really early in the morning or you're a glutton for that kind of punishment. There are some pavement routes through Tustin/North Irvine/East Orange/Lake Forest/South OC down to the south OC beaches, but those can get crowded with vehicles and are loaded with stoplights, too
I've used SART a lot before the corona virus mess and have enjoyed the absence of the homeless encampments. I was hoping for streets (less people for better distancing). SART up my way has been a zoo with walkers and noob cyclists (Lincoln to Green River--and it gets narrow). I want to be away from people more that 6 feet due to increased and deeper exhalations by all parties. The San Diego Creek Trail from Tustin to Back Bay has been the same: a zoo with walkers, scooters, cyclists hence me using Jamboree or Harvard/University to get to Newport. Maybe the SART is emptier as stated in another post away from my area?