It’s been referred to as “the greatest meeting of land and sea,” and we can’t help but agree. We’re talking about the star of this tour: Big Sur, on California’s Central Coast.
Our tour is curated to contain all the biggest highlights of this little stretch of the Golden State’s coast. The view from your bike seat is animated by breathless sea cliffs, breaching Gray whales, and furtive sea otters. We’ll encounter rolling wine country and take on the iconic Highway 1, and hike amongst the noble Redwoods.
From the burly rawness of Big Sur to the picturesque Santa Barbara’s coastline, our brushstrokes in the saddle sweep past peaceful farmland and great spans of ocean. A dreamy, essentially California-quality light outlines each successive landscape.
Each epic day winds down to a relaxing evening. The non-biking part of your trip will be full of the small-town charm so unique to the Central Coast. Enjoy fresh clam chowder on the Pismo Beach pier. Sip on Pinot Noir from grapes grown in Monterrey. Drink in the Cali lifestyle at the pace that it is meant to be experienced; nice and slow.
Day 1: Loop through Wine Country
Meet in Santa Barbara. Then a short shuttle to Los Olivos (pop. 1138): one of a handful of small communities dotting the bucolic Santa Ynez Valley. Saddle up for a legwarmer ride, sweeping past the windy vineyard roads mixed with humble farmlands of the Santa Ynez. Halfway through our ride, we stop in Solvang, some 46-miles northwest of Santa Barbara. Solvang (pop. 5245) is a 107-year old Danish colony, replete with windmills and Scandinavian architecture. Besides walking streets and handsome dining spots, the area around Solvang claims many wine and olive oil tastings. After some traditional Danish food, we bike back to Los Olivos. That evening, we catch some zzz’s at a handsome Air BNB in Santa Inez(zz).
Day 2: Los Olivos to Pismo
Waking to the valley’s cool, embracing air, our first order of business is to shoot toward the coast. We follow a cycling touring route that swerves into Pismo Beach, a classic Central Coast community (pop 7931). We stop at the Monarch Butterfly Grove. Walking distance from the ocean, tens of thousands of Monarch butterflies gather here to flit around the aromatic Eucalyptus. Day Two closes out with a phenomenal dinner overlooking the ocean.
Day 3: Pismo to Cambria
Sometimes a good vacation means a chill half day. Day three we shuttle to Morro Bay. Yes, home of the famous Morro Rock! At nearly 600′ tall, it is actually what is called a ‘volcanic plug.’ This is just a fancy way of saying it was a vent in a very old volcano. From our giant rock friend, we bike to Cambria (pop. 6000), a low-fi art colony tucked into the Pines. After that, we enjoy the beach, the small town vibes, and relax.
Day 4: Cambria to Big Sur
Today we ride in close proximity to Hearse Castle. So keep your eyes peeled, you might see a zebra! To start the day, we bike out and back on a beautiful, lightly-trafficked farm road in Cambria. We lunch in Cambria then ride to an elephant seal viewing point. You might have to cover your ears! The elephant seals haven’t quite mastered ‘whispering’… or anything below bellowing. The ride ends at point Sierra Nevada trailhead south. Day four also has an opportunity for a scenic hike when we shuttle to the town of Big Sur. Big Sur is so gorgeous with its seaside cliffs framed by Redwoods, you’re going to want to tag along for this one.
Day 5: Big Sur to Point Lobos
Today is the day for comfy shoes and a camera! We hike 8 miles around Point Lobos: a broad sweep of raw coastal park with a refreshingly anti-industrial tourism/keep-it-real vibe. After a lunch in the park, the afternoon is a ‘choose your own adventure’. The choice is yours, a rail to trail bike path or the Monterrey Bay Aquarium. Not to steer you away from a great ride, but the Aquarium of Monterrey touts 35,000 animals plus 550 plant species.
Day 6: Monterrey and 17-Mile Drive
Our last ride in the bike saddle is the world-famous 17-Mile Drive. Privately managed and minimally traveled, this phenomenal cycling route follows a smooth roadbed that hugs the coastline, from Pebble Beach to Pacific Grove. Sweeping through a wind sculpted grove of Cypress trees, we take in the unique, architectural eye-candy of the local estates. Lunch in Monterrey. When all is said and done, we shuttle back to San Juan airport for a warm goodbye to the Central Coast.
Escape Adventures
Since 1992, we at Escape Adventures have been blessed to shape and lead adventure travel vacations through some of the most awe-inspiring natural destinations in the world. Each successive season, our passion for adventure grows through memorable moments with our guests. Fresh air, faith, fitness and friends are the building blocks for our ventures, the treasured experiences that keep us moving forward. For those of you who have trekked and traveled with us over the past quarter century, Heather and I express our sincerest gratitude. The memories are priceless.
For those who have yet to tour with us, we appreciate the opportunity to introduce you to our family-run company and guiding principles of sustainability and adventure. Our portfolio specializes in Western North America and is rapidly growing internationally. Building on over 100 destinations, we cater to the full spectrum of active traveler, respective to fitness level and activity type. From road cyclist to mountain biker to electric biker, hiker, and multi-sport enthusiast, and from first-timer to friends and family groups of all ability levels, on behalf of our Escape Adventures family, we look forward to many new and exciting adventures with you.
With much gratitude, and happy trails,
Jared and Heather Fisher
Founders and Owner-Operators
Escape Adventures
Located in downtown Los Olivos, this quiet hamlet offers wine tasting in several different tasting rooms. The Bear & Star Restaurant, which features ranch-inspired refined cuisine, opened in May 2017. Fess Parker Wine Country Inn guests will also enjoy complimentary wine tasting for two at the Parker Family tasting rooms. The Spa and Boutique, also newly renovated, offer wine infused treatments, such as Vino Therapy and a variety of massages.
46800 Highway One
“The ridiculously amazing bedding! The proximity to great hiking and other attractions. The lovely benches in the river. The art gallery next door and the man who runs it. We bought some great art! On site restaurant good too plus convenience stores on site.”
Look Ma, no hands! Stay connected and safe with this “game-changer” mobile accessory. The Wraptor gives you full screen visibility and holds your phone safe and securely, even over rough terrain. It’s designed to quickly attach and detach from the bar, and the base rotates between landscape and portrait mode with ease. It’s a must-have if you want to spend less time fiddling with your device and more time pedaling your bike.
It’s lit! When it comes to bike safety, illumination is key. Even when you are on the road in the daytime, you need to be seen from all directions. So we’ve teamed up with NiteRider to offer the best daytime lighting for your ride. Each road bike is equipped with a headlight and a taillight with the proper lumen output and run time to keep you safe from every angle.
