Big Sur Coast Bike Tour

Meet us in San Jose, CA. Head out to bicycle one of the most famous roads in the region: iconic 17-Mile Drive. Stunning coastal vistas unspool as we ride past Pebble Beach’s fabled mansions and golf course, through pine forest and along the oceanfront, passing the reefs and tide pools of Bird Rock, the white sands of breathtaking Fanshell Beach and the famed Lone Cypress tree. Watch for deer, black cormorants, brown pelicans and California sea lions. Spend tonight at the Pine Inn or Tradewinds in Carmel-by-the-Sea, where Clint Eastwood once held office as mayor.

Pedal the weathered coastline from Carmel-by-the-Sea to the community of Big Sur. Follow the dramatic knolls and tumbled rock headlands of the Cabrillo Highway (aka Highway One): enormous live oaks, green-and-gold hillsides, pale sand dunes and the blue Pacific Ocean. Ride across Bixby Bridge, a historic open-spandrel arch bridge that brought automobile travel to the central coast. Finish cycling early in the afternoon. Relax at the hotel or take advantage of the beach or one the amazing hikes at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Stay at the Fernwood Resort.

Yesterday was a long day on the bikes, so we take the day off here to enjoy the views from “on high” today before descending from Ragged Point. You can spend time relaxing, watching the water for whales or enjoying the area on a short, easy walk from the inn, or take on one of the more challenging trails like the Cliffside Trail to a waterfall or the solitude of the Baldwin Ranch Trail which heads up into the hills. In addition, we will offer a shuttle (or you can cycle, of course) back up the coast to Lime Kiln State Park to explore the trails, the beach and the historic lime kiln. Dinner is on your own tonight.

Today’s ride is a veritable variety show. Sweeping curves of coastline are punctuated by surfers and beachgoers. Rolling fields and pastures are dotted with live oaks, racehorses, and honest-to-goodness cowboys. While the mileage is longer today, the hills are not as challenging as they were along Big Sur. Refuel your legs with a seaside picnic lunch in Morro Bay beneath landmark Morro Rock. Continue bicycling south to the white sands of Pismo Beach, halfway point between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Go for a swim in the ocean to cool off, or just soak up some rays by the surf. Relax and enjoy beachfront lodging and dining at SeaVenture Beach Hotel – the only hotel and restaurant (literally) on Pismo Beach!