Big Sur & Pacific Coast Cycling

After meeting in San Jose, your guides will transport you to our ride start in Monterey. Our ride today includes the scenic 17-Mile Drive along Pebble Beach to the charming village of Carmel-by-the-Sea, then south along Highway 1 into the heart of Big Sur. We?ll ride over the stunning Bixby Bridge arriving at our lodging for the night. We?ll enjoy dinner tonight at a hilltop restaurant overlooking the ocean. Lunch and Dinner included.

Cycling: 39 mi Elevation Gain/Loss +2639 ft / -2448 ft; Transfer: 2 hours.

Today we continue along Big Sur, soaking in the natural wonder surrounding us. Get your heart pumping with today?s rolling hills and climbs along Highway 1. Pacific Ocean vistas at the top of nearly every short climb will be stunning and awe-inspiring. This is the best of the best of coastal riding on the west coast. The craggy, rocky shoreline below will remind you of the geologic events that created, and will eventually destroy, this beauty of nature. We will finish our day with a well-deserved rest overlooking the same ocean that was on our right the entire day. Congratulations. All meals included.

Cycling: 50 mi Elevation Gain/Loss +5104 ft / -4990 ft.

We have an easier day today over flatter roads to the quaint town of Cambria. Along the way, we?ll stop in at Hearst Castle to tour the William Randoph Hearst estate and learn about the history and fame of this media mogul that inspired Orson Welles' movie "Citizen Kane." After a lunch stop with an ocean view, you can choose to tackle a challenging optional climb to the summit of Santa Rosa Creek Road or crash at your hotel. The reward of the sweet descent back makes it all worthwhile. Our lodging is a beachfront hotel where you can hear the waves crashing, lulling you to sleep this evening; or perhaps take a moonlight stroll before turning in. All meals included.

Cycling: 57 miles, Elevation gain/loss: 57.4 miles +4,409 ft / -4,716 ft.

Today you?ll continue south from Cambria, riding down the coast to Morro Bay with lunch on own at one of the many quaint cafes in Morro Bay. It is home to the weathering volcanic plug, Morro Rock, giving rise to call the city ?the Gibraltar of the Pacific?. It will be one of our lowest elevation gain days, but no less scenic. After lunch, we will head inland a bit as there are no other roads along the ocean in the area, then we will turn west toward the coast to Avila Beach. We will dine together this evening out on the pier near Avila Beach at a popular seafood restaurant. Breakfast and dinner included.

Cycling: 50 miles, Elevation gain/loss: +1683 ft / -1692 ft.

After breakfast you'll head through neighboring beach towns and past the many acres of farms for which the region is known. The ride continues into the wine producing region of Santa Barbara County and one of our favorite roads: Foxen Canyon. You'll ride past ranches, vineyards and enjoy a stunning ridge line view on your way to the quaint town center of Los Olivos where you may wish to grab a cup of coffee (or sip a glass of wine in a tasting room). A final spin brings you to our home for the final night in Solvang. All meals included.

Cycling: 69 miles, Elevation gain/loss: +2708 ft / -2272 ft.

This morning we?ll shuttle to an old mountainside western saloon along the appropriately named Stagecoach Road. From there we?ll saddle up and head uphill to the famed Camino Cielo or ?Heaven Road? that undulates along the ridge line of the Santa Ynez mountains offering the opportunity for amazing panoramic views of the city down below and on clear days out to the Channel Islands. We?ll roll down Gibraltar Road, past the historic mission and into the heart of the ?American Riviera?, Santa Barbara and the end of our journey together. An optional shuttle (for a fee) is provided for anyone heading back to San Jose otherwise take the evening to explore Santa Barbara before heading home from here. Breakfast and lunch included.

Cycling: 33 miles, Elevation gain/loss: +3250 ft / -4883 ft; Transfer: 5 hours (Optional).