California Coast Bike Tour

Our adventure begins on the cusp of Northern California as you meet your guides in Palo Alto for a transfer to Monterey. And just like that, you’re on California’s Central Coast! We’ll get to know each other over coffee at the historic Fisherman’s Wharf, then get fitted to our bikes for an unforgettable first ride: the scenic coastal road plainly called 17 Mile Drive. Pedal by Cannery Row (a nod to Steinbeck’s novel of the same name), past Spanish Bay, and alongside Pebble Beach, home to the legendary golf links. Pull into our favorite cycling-themed bistro for a laid-back lunch in Carmel: this artsy beach town gives you a taste of the Central Coast flavor, and it’s a local hotspot for shopping and exploring. After lunch, finish up with a short spin to our luxury hotel in the heart of a charming coastal town. Settle in with a glass of champagne before our first dinner at a local restaurant.

Meals: Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Monterey, Carmel
Accomplished: 23 miles / 37 km, elevation gain: 1,099 feet / 335 meters
Accommodations: Hotel Villa Mara

Rise and shine: we’re heading out early so we can enjoy the coastal road during the cool and peaceful morning hours. Today it’s Highway 1 all the way—and the postcard-worthy views that come along with it. From the fog-shrouded mountains above to the crashing surf below, every mile is a visual feast. We’ll even pedal across Bixby Creek Bridge, one of the most recognizable landmarks on the Big Sur coast. Stop for a well-earned lunch in Big Sur, a place that derives its name from the Spanish “el pais grande del sur” or the “big land of the south.” Since these coastlands lie south of Monterey, the onetime Spanish capital, this beautiful community became known as “Big South”—or Big Sur. This afternoon, get settled at the hotel, head down to the beach, or wind down with a hike into the backcountry. Tonight we’ll have a beautiful sunset dinner—a quintessential Central Coast experience.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Notleys Landing, Bixby Creek Bridge, Big Sur
Accomplished: 26 miles / 42 km, elevation gain: 2,831 feet / 863 meters; optional afternoon hike
Accommodations: Glen Oaks Big Sur

Time for the biggest ride of the trip—a day of total coastal bliss. Start cycling towards McWay Falls and check out this breathtaking waterfall that empties directly on the beach. Then it’s back on the bikes as we climb and descend through a changing landscape: first towering redwoods, then endless coastal panoramas. Take a moment to appreciate the view during a snack stop before we continue riding to Ragged Point. After lunch, transfer to Los Olivos, home to our fantastically whimsical hotel—or make it a full century and pedal all the way to Morro Bay, where Highway 1 finally veers away from the coast. The rest of the day is yours to explore Los Olivos’ many tasting rooms.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations: Gorda, Big Sur, San Simeon
Accomplished: 47 miles / 75 km, elevation gain: 4,800 feet / 1,223 meters
Longer Option: 100 miles / 162 km, elevation gain: 7,580 feet / 2,311 meters
Accommodations: Fess Parker Hotel

This morning we’ll head inland on the sinuous roads that surround Santa Maria, making our way into the Santa Ynez Valley by way of Foxen Canyon. Ride through the epicenter of Santa Barbara wine country and its well-loved vineyards lining the route to Ballard Canyon. We’ll stop for lunch at a destination restaurant serving locally-sourced dishes. After lunch, bike the rest of the way to the wine-tasting village of Los Olivos (or catch a lift in the van). Our hotel is right in the heart of town, so take a stroll around or relax by the pool before dinner. Tonight, regroup for a fantastic farewell meal prepared by an innovative local chef.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Foxen Canyon Road, Los Olivos, Buellton
Accomplished: 37 miles / 59 km, elevation gain: 1,856 feet / 566 meters
Longer Option: 47 miles / 75 km, elevation gain: 2,594 feet / 791 meters
Accommodations: Fess Parker Hotel

On our final morning, choose to take a spin through the vineyards or catch some extra sleep and a leisurely breakfast. Your guides will transfer you to Santa Barbara and see you off to the next leg of your California travels.

Meals: Breakfast
Destinations: Santa Barbara
Accomplished: Optional morning ride