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.

Best Road Cycling Events in California 2025