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California Dreamin': The Central Coast |
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Dates: (7
days, 6 nights; Sun-Sat) |
Assembly Point:
Monterey |
Tour
Cost: $2,395 |
In so many ways, California’s Highway 1, as it snakes southward from Monterey hugging the incomparable Pacific shoreline through Big Sur, Cambria, San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach to Santa Barbara, is, arguably, America’s greatest, most scenic roadway. Nowhere along the entirety of the Pacific coastline are the cliffs so sheer, the headlands so overpowering and the Surf as wild and relentless as that which characterizes the dramatic tapestry of the Central Coast.
Add to the thrill and challenge of cycling along this shoreline the opportunity to explore the rolling, verdant valleys to the east that comprise one of the world’s great wine-producing regions and we believe that you will agree that our latest addition to California Dreamin’ is a cyclist’s fantasy to its core.
By design, we’ve chosen to construe liberally the northern parameters of the Central Coast by launching our week-long adventure in Monterey. Once you’ve cycled the beautiful 17-Mile Drive early morning of Day 1 to Carmel-By-the-Sea and experienced the excitement of Rocky Point and the many arched bridges and spectacular headlands that extend to Big Sur and beyond, we know that you will forgive our geographic transgressions.
We’ll spend our first overnight south of Big Sur at the Ragged Point Resort overlooking the ocean and continue south along the coast through San Simeon to Cambria on Day 2. Once again, this day, like Day 1, is a continuum of one spectacular vista after another as we cycle Highway 1. We’ll pause in San Simeon to tour the Hearst Castle and then ride on to Cambria.
On Day 3, we’ll leave the coast for our first of several forays into the wine country to the east. Early into our ride through the hills east of Cambria, you’ll know why we’ve chosen a spring date for this tour. We’ve never been to Ireland, but we can’t imagine anything greener or more beautiful than the hills that we’ll encounter as we ride to Paso Robles. We’ll explore several of the region’s local vineyards, and a bakery or two, before settling into the beautiful Paso Robles Inn in the heart of town.
It’s back to the ocean on Day 4 as we ride to Morro Bay and then visit exciting San Luis Obispo. We’ll linger in this historic town well into the afternoon before continuing to Pismo Beach, where we’ll spend our next two evenings.
We’re headed to the Edna Valley on Day 5, not only to visit a few additional vineyards, but more importantly, to enjoy the valley’s rolling, quiet country roads that constitute a not-to-be-missed cycling opportunity. We’ll climb gradually to the Lopez Lake Recreational Area, picnic at the lake and then return to Pismo Beach.
On Day 6, we’ll ride south to Solvang and experience its old-world Danish culture and charm. We’ll spend our final night in Solvang, explore Santa Ynez and Los Olivos (of Sideways fame) the next morning and continue through the rural countryside of Santa Barbara County to Santa Maria. We’ll call it a tour mid-afternoon in Santa Maria and van shuttle back to San Jose.
Total Mileage — 350
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