The team at Strambecco rates the Best Gravel Cycling Events California 2025 based on various factors, including reputation, route quality, location, rider feedback, and the event’s or race’s overall uniqueness. California offers a stunning array of event options spanning high alpine, old-growth forests, remote logging roads, coastal (the famed Highway 1), desert, and everything in between. Strambecco does not cover every event; we only cover those we deem the best. Our recommendations are bucket list events by themselves and almost always take place at a high-quality destination that offers a great opportunity for a longer getaway.
For those seeking the best of the Best Gravel Cycling Events California 2025, we start with the famed Belgian Waffle Ride California (San Diego), which is part of the Belgian Waffle Ride Series, a North American series offering some of the world’s most highly respected and well-organized gravel events/races in North America. The Belgian Waffle Ride California (San Diego) is well known among cycling enthusiasts and pros as one of the most difficult bicycle races in the US at 146 miles, 40 of which are off-road sectors. BWR CA is the culminating event in the Tripel Crown of Gravel Series, a special competition within the full Belgian Waffle Ride Series lineup that involves participation in BWR AZ (March 1-2), BWR UT (April 5-6), BWR CA (27-28). The series is produced by innovative production company Monuments of Cycling.
If you are scoping out Northern California options, check out our Best-in-Class Norcal list here. Two preeminent event producers in Northern California, Bike Monkey and Grasshopper Adventures Series, produce many of the Best-in-Class picks on Strambecco rankings. The Sea Otter Classic, in Monterey in the Spring, is also noteworthy for being one of the largest bike festivals in the world.
Strambecco does not list every event. We strive to identify and review events that are special and noteworthy. If you have suggestions on other events we should consider or review, please get in touch with us here or send us a note at editors@strambecco.com.
The Lost and Found Gravel Festival 2026 is a celebration of Gravel Cycling in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The event takes place in the Lost Sierra, one of California’s most beautiful and…
Truckee Tahoe Gravel 2026, produced by premier event operator Bike Monkey, is a wild mixed-terrain adventure ride into the gravel and dirt roads of the majestic Tahoe National Forest. Picked as one…
The Usal Lost Coast Hopper 2026, chosen as one of our best gravel cycling events in California and the Northwest. Nestled between the vast Pacific Ocean and the meandering Eel River, 25…
Heart of Gold Gravel 2026, produced by Bike Monkey, explores remote roads north and east of Nevada City, California. Repeatedly picked as one of Strambecco’s Best Gravel Cycling Events in NorCal, California,…
The Bovine Classic 2026 is a relatively new event billed tongue in cheek as “America’s 4th Hardest, Cow-Themed, Wine Country Experience” and an event that our team at Strambecco considers one of…
Last updated April 20, 2026 Event for 2027 not confirmed yet… A favorite among gravel aficionados, Rock Cobbler is a quirky and challenging adventure race in/around the surrounding hills of Bakersfield, California.…
This 70-mile gravel cycling event in Boonville, California delivers exactly what it promises: a road bike race for riders who aren’t afraid of hardcore gravel. With 10,507 feet of elevation gain, Fish…
