Big Sur Spectacular
Road Cycling in California with Undiscovered Country Bike Tours
Highlights
- Cycle Big Sur, the “grandest meeting of land and sea.”
- Bicycle the Paso Robles Wine Country.
- Experience the rugged beauty of the Central California Pacific Coast
Full Description
Big Sur is a 90-mile stretch of rugged and awesomely beautiful Pacific coastline, bordered by Carmel to the north and San Simeon (Hearst Castle) to the south. Scenic Highway One winds along its length, tucked between the majestic Santa Lucia Mountains and the rocky Pacific Coast.
Cycling the breathtaking coastline of Big Sur might just be the ultimate California bike touring experience, rated a Top Ten Touring Area by Adventure Cyclist Magazine. Such a special place demands a special biking tour, which is what we have in store for up to twelve fortunate guests. It starts with the times of year, spring and fall. This is when the weather is ideal for cycling: not too hot, not too cold, not too wet. It's also when the summertime tourists are gone, leaving the roads less traveled. Springtime brings the emerald green hillsides and colorful wildflowers. In fall, the hills turn a golden brown, and the leaves begin to show their colors.
Then there are the places we choose to visit. We begin right at the beach in Monterey Bay. We make our way through the waterfronts of Monterey and Pacific Grove to the world famous 17-Mile Drive, a fitting start to our trip. No other expanse offers the combination of natural splendor and refined elegance of 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach as this road hugs the dramatic Pacific coastline and delves deep into the 5,000-acre Del Monte Forest.
Highway One takes us along the rugged cliffs and through the coastal forests of Big Sur, where we spend the night under the towering redwoods at the Big Sur Lodge. Then we continue south as we roll past Hearst Castle and on to the charming coastal town of Cambria, loaded with quaint shops and award winning restaurants. From Cambria, we head inland to the bountiful winery region of Paso Robles, where we will spend the night at the relaxing and historic Paso Robles Inn.
After our night in Paso Robles, we take a morning ride to a nearby winery, then shuttle back to Monterey Bay, where we began our journey. This completes our circular traverse through the varied terrain that defines Central California. The tour ends on a Friday, so those who wish to can choose to stay another night and enjoy the sights of Monterey Bay (Cannery Row, Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey Bay Aquarium, etc.).
The Big Sur region truly is a grand spectacle of natural beauty, and it’s no surprise that it’s one of our favorite places to share with our guests.
Includes:
- Use of a quality, lightweight road bike
- Four nights lodging, in Pacific Grove, Big Sur, Cambria, Paso Robles
- Four breakfasts
- Four dinners
- Snacks during and after the rides
- Daily route sheets and maps
- Two expert hosts on bike and driving van
- SAG support
- Mechanical support for minor bike repairs
- Two water bottles
Excludes:
- Transportation to San Jose at the beginning of the trip
- Lodging before and after the trip
- Lunches (we recommend places to stop for lunch on the ride route, at your leisure)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Hotel charges for incidentals (phone calls, etc.)
- Helmets
- Gratuities at your discretion
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Monterey
Our tour begins at the beach in Monterey, at the Beach Resort Monterey. Today's ride explores the coastline of Monterey Bay and Cannery Row. Dinner tonight in Monterey and lodging at the Beach Resort Monterey, with rooms overlooking the bay. Distance: 25 miles.
Day 2: Monterey to Big Sur
Orientation and daily ride information at breakfast. Bicycle Seventeen Mile Drive to Carmel, Highway 1 past Point Lobos and Carmel Highlands, to Big Sur and the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Lodging at the Big Sur Lodge in the park. Dinner at a nearby restaurant. Distance: 41 miles.
Day 3: Big Sur to Cambria
Breakfast to order at the Big Sur Lodge. Ride Highway 1 from Big Sur towards Cambria, through the tiny coastal hamlets of Lucia, Gorda by the Sea, and Ragged Point. After a brief lunch stop at Ragged Point, we continue south along the coast, past the Piedras Blancas Light Station, the opulent Hearst Castle at San Simeon, and the resting sea elephants on the beaches near Cambria. Lodging at the Burton Inn in Cambria, dinner at a nearby restaurant. Distance: 44-72 miles.
Day 4: Cambria “Rest” Day
We spend another night in Cambria, so today may be used as a rest day after yesterday's long ride. Stroll the quaint shops of Cambria, schedule a massage at a day spa, walk the Moonstone Beach, or take a guided tour of the grand Hearst Castle. Or take a spin on the bike. Distance: 0-25 miles.
Day 5: Cambria to Paso Robles
Continental breakfast at the Burton Inn. Ride away from the coast through the wine region of Paso Robles, spend the afternoon exploring downtown area, relaxing at the hotel, or continue riding through the Wine Country. Lodging at the Hotel Cheval, dinner at a local restaurant. Distance: 38 miles, with longer options.
Day 6: Paso Robles Wine Country
Breakfast to order at a nearby restaurant. Cycle to a nearby winery, return to Paso Robles. Ride the Amtrak train from Paso Robles back to Monterey, scheduled to arrive at 7:30 PM. Distance: 36 miles.
About The Operator:
Undiscovered Country Bike Tours
Headquarters:
Palo Alto, CA
Established:
January 2003
Undiscovered Country Tours specializes in quality road bike tours in California for adults. Our trips are held throughout the state, all year long. We offer more bicycle vacation choices in more California locations than any other company.
At Undiscovered Country Tours, we love bicycling in California and enjoy sharing it with our welcome guests. We've spent a lifetime bicycling the state, so we know California cycle touring as well as anyone can. We feel strongly that traveling through a region by bicycle is a life enhancing experience. An Undiscovered Country trip is a departure from the ordinary—invigorating the body, recharging the mind, and renewing the spirit.
Everyone at Undiscovered Country Tours is dedicated to provide our guests the most rewarding, most memorable, and most satisfying bicycle trips possible.