Bike-Friendly Watsonville will host another community event on September 24, 2017, the Pajaro River Levee Bike Ride. Details on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Bike-Friendly-Watsonville-1608419292777466/ or contact Felipe Hernandez, (831) 707-4392 or hernandezdistrict1@gmail.com.

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Monterey County and Santa Cruz County are in the process of being better connected for people who bike and hike, thanks to the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network. Click here to learn more.

Another way to be better connected is to get together at bike community events on both sides of the Pajaro River (the county line).

The first Bike-Friendly Watsonville (South Santa Cruz County) community bike ride—for all ages and experience levels—was back on June 27, 2015. For current Bike-Friendly Watsonville ride schedule, contact Felipe Hernandez, (831) 707-4392. Felipe is also happy about Open Streets dates in Watsonville. The second Open Streets Watsonville was  May 21, 2017, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Details: http://www.scopenstreets.org/open-streets-watsonville-2/

Prepare for such rides by brushing up on CA bike laws: Leyes de ciclismo de CA – Laws for bicyclists in CA (Spanish, English) – Summary – Be Cool, Be Safe – Bike Law Summary & Advocating for Biking

After your time biking Watsonville…

Consider biking over the little bridge to have lunch or dinner in neighboring Pajaro (North Monterey County). The two counties are separated there by the Pajaro River.

Among North Monterey County’s extra bike-friendly spots are two HER Helmet Thursdays eateries in Pajaro—places among the Monterey County businesses and organizations participating in the long-term HER Helmet Thursdays Project. (If you live in Santa Cruz County or another county anywhere in the U.S. and would like to see HER Helmet Thursdays there too, click here or contact me.)

Whether or not you’re biking on a Thursday, consider supporting these extra bike-friendly Pajaro spots anyway!

G’s Tacos,

Real Colima I

North Monterey County 

Curious about other North Monterey County HER Helmet Thursdays spots? There are spots in Castroville, Moss Landing, and Pajaro. The first of these are listed below (and also featured in the Castroville / North Monterey County tips).

For all of the 200+ places participating throughout Monterey County, refer to the Listings/FAQs page which always has the most current Quick Reference Guide too. For your ease of referral, here’s the HER Helmet Thursdays – Quick Reference Guide – as of 20 Feb 2017.

1. Birrieria & Restaurant Estilo Coalcoman, Castroville

2. Coastal Valley Inn, Castroville

3. G’s Tacos, Pajaro

4. Hanabi Japanese, Castroville

5. Haute Enchilada Cafe & Gallery, Moss Landing

6. Lemon Grass Seafood Bar and Grill, Moss Landing

7. Mariscos Nayarita, Castroville

8. Real Colima I, Pajaro

9. Round Table Pizza, Castroville

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Congratulations to the City of Watsonville, recipient of a 2017 Bicycle Friendly Communities Bronze Award from the League of American Bicyclists.

Watsonville joins City of Santa Cruz in being one of two (as of 5/11/17) League-designated Bicycle Friendly Communities in the Monterey Bay tri-county region.