Experience the best of the wine country and the coast on this unforgettable cycling excursion on the Central Coast of California. This spectacular scenic cycling vacation includes deluxe accommodations, farm-to-table vineyard lunches & fine wine tastings, highlighting Rhone & Bordeaux varietals and breath-taking scenery in Santa Ynez and Morro Bay. The tour includes breathtaking rides to some of the area’s most beautiful roads, including Happy Canyon and Montana de Oro State Park, one of Californian’s favorite hidden gems. Our shuttle will also dispatch us to the town of Cambria, and around Ragged Point to witness elephant seals in their seasonal beachside courtship rituals. The tour also spends some time in the town of Morro Bay. Enjoy the bustling harbor, while looking out over the leviathan that is morro rock, a 580 foot volcanic plug resting at the edge of the continent.
$3,395 per person
2024 Dates: Apr 14-19, May 26-31, July 14-19, Aug 18-23, Sept 29-Oct 4 (6-day/ 5-night)
Details
6-Day /5-Night Cycling Vacation includes:
- (2) Nights of deluxe accommodations at the Inn at Morro Bay (Morro Bay, CA).
- (2) Nights of deluxe accommodations at the Landsby (Solvang, CA).
- (1) Night of deluxe accommodations at the Santa Barbara Inn (Santa Barbara, CA)
- (1) Half Day cycling tour upon arrival.
- (4) Full days of guided cycling tours with professional tour guide.
- Farm-to-table picnic lunch with local wine tasting in the wine country.
- Favorite lunch restaurants in Cambria and Santa Barbara.
- (3) Dinners at local fine dining (food, tip and tax incl., alcohol on own)
- Bicycle rentals, helmets, and custom water bottles.
SAG vehicle for mechanical support, hydration & nutrition. - Optional Pickup/Drop-off at Santa Barbara Airport
* double occupancy (minimum 2 people)
* tour price subject to hotel availability
Arrive: Sunday – Santa Barbara, CA
Depart: Friday – Santa Barbara, CA
2024 Dates: Apr 14-19, May 26-31, July 14-19, Aug 18-23, Sept 29-Oct 4 (6-day/ 5-night)
Accommodations
The Inn at Morro Bay (innatmorrobay.com)
The Inn at Morro Bay is perfectly located with views overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Montana de Oro dunes and the Morro Bay rock. Nested on 4,000 acres just inside Morro Bay State Park, this inn offers visitors a true coastal hideaway of unsurpassed natural beauty.
Hotel facilities include two restaurants with panoramic bay views, a full-service spa, and an outdoor heated swimming pool.
The Landsby ( thelandsby.com )
The most innovative hotel in the Santa Ynez Valley. This stunning 51-room boutique hotel offers warm hospitality and refined, stylish accommodations. The Landsby features a clean contemporary design, with a hint of traditional Scandinavian aesthetic. The completely remodeled, bright and open guest rooms are finished with blonde woods, brushed brass accents, and elegant but comfortable hand-crafted furnishings complete with updated bathrooms, 47-inch flat-screen HDTVs, minibars, and stunning artwork commissioned from regional artists.
Itinerary
DAY ONE: Sunday – Arrival, Shuttle & Warm-up Ride
Optional SB Hotel/Airport Pickup
11:30 AM Meet at Santa Barbara Wine Country Cycling Tours in Solvang for introductions & bike fittings.
Shuttle to Morro Bay
Route: Montana de Oro State Park
Distance: 15-20 miles, (options for additional mileage)
Level of Difficulty: easy to moderate with some short climbs
1:00 PM Depart on ride through Montana de Oro State Park
This scenic ride begins in the fishing village of Morro Bay and follows a circuitous route with views of the Baywood wetlands, the Pacific Ocean and the magnificent golden sand dunes. Your tour continues under a canopy of Eucalyptus trees along Pecho Valley road into Montana de Oro State Park. Enjoy breath-taking views of Spooners Cove, the rugged coastline and the iconic Morro Bay rock.
Dinner at Morro Bay Inn with views of the Pacific Ocean.
DAY TWO: Monday – Ragged Point, Pacific Coastline & Elephant Seals
Breakfast at the Inn
8:30 AM Shuttle to Ragged Point
9:30 AM Depart on ride along Pacific Coastline from Ragged Point parking area
Route: Ragged Point to Cambria
Distance: 34 miles, (options for additional mileage)
Level of Difficulty: easy to moderate, optional climb back to Morro bay for stronger riders
This ride begins on the southern tip of California’s iconic Big Sur Coastline. Enjoy a scenic bike ride along the Pacific Coast Highway on wide shoulders past expansive beaches, wetlands and learn about migratory routes of humpback whales. Your tour will visit the Elephant Seal Rockery to see the impressive marine animals just north of the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse. You will continue meandering down the coastline taking in impressive views of Hearst Castle, perched amongst the Santa Lucia Mountains.
Enjoy lunch at Robins Café in the charming village of Cambria.
Shuttle back to Morro Bay (optional miles for those who choose to continue biking after lunch)
Dinner on Your Own in the village of Morro Bay. Recommendations and shuttle service available.
DAY THREE: Tuesday – Foxen Canyon & Farm-to-Table Vineyard Lunch
Breakfast at the Inn
Check Out
8:30 AM Shuttle to Foxen Canyon Road in Santa Ynez Valley
10:00 AM Depart on ride along Foxen Canyon through the wine country.
Route: Foxen Canyon Road
Distance: 35-40 miles, (options for additional mileage)
Level of Difficulty: moderate with two climbs
Today’s ride begins at the gateway to the Santa Barbara Wine Country near the Sisquoc River Valley. Enjoy pedaling past expansive vineyard and the picturesque San Ramon Chapel built in 1875. There are two climbs; the first is a long circuitous road through a canopy of oak trees with views of the San Rafael Mountains at the summit. The route continues on Foxen Canyon Road passing rangeland and rolling hills before the short, but challenging climb past Firestone Vineyard. Enjoy a leisurely respite downhill towards the quaint town of Los Olivos making our way to the tour shop in Ballard.
1:00 PM Arrive at Rusack Vineyard for our signature farm-to-table picnic lunch served on a wooden veranda tucked amongst the Oak Trees overlooking the vines. Lunch is followed by wine tasting.
Shuttle Service is available for those who wish to skip the short bike ride to the tour store in the village of Solvang. Transfer to the Inn.
3:00 PM Check-in to the Landsby
Afternoon on your own to explore the Danish village of Solvang
Dinner at the Santa Ynez Kitchen – Shuttle to Santa Ynez.
DAY FOUR: Wednesday – Happy Canyon Tour & Vineyard Lunch
Breakfast
9:00 AM Meet your guide in the lobby of hotel for route discussion. Short shuttle to Happy Canyon.
Route: Happy Canyon
Distance: 25-30 miles, (options for additional mileage)
Level of Difficulty: easy to moderate; rolling hills
9:30 AM Depart on tour
The “Happy Canyon Tour” features the stunning Happy Canyon road through the foothills of the San Rafael Mountains. Your guide will bring you passed world-famous thoroughbred farms including the pastures where Secretariat retired and the movie Sea Biscuit was filmed. This part of our valley offers sweeping expanses and breath-taking views.
For those seeking to accelerate their heart-rate, your guide will modify the route and lead you up a few turns of the road to Figueroa Mountain – a bucket list climb where the pros train. Both routes lead to Beckmen Vineyard where a farm-to-table lunch will be served alfresco in the vineyard with wine tasting to follow.
1:30 PM Arrive at Beckmen Winery for our signature farm-to-table picnic lunch served in a wooden gazebo overlooking a duck pond. Lunch is followed by wine tasting.
Shuttle Service is available for those who wish to skip the short bike ride to the Landsby
3:00 PM Return to the Inn
Dinner on your own. Recommendations & shuttle available.
DAY FIVE: Thursday – Santa Barbara Waterfront & Foothills
Breakfast
Check Out of the Landsby
9:00 AM Meet your guides at the Inn. Shuttle to Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara
Route: Santa Barbara Waterfront & Foothills
Distance: 20-25 miles, (options for additional mileage)
Level of Difficulty: easy to moderate
9:45 AM Depart on tour from Leadbetter Beach
This beginning of this route predominately travels the bike paths along the beaches between Santa Barbara and Summerland. It begins on the bluffs of Leadbetter beach, passes the stunning landscapes of the Four Seasons Hotel, the Music Academy of the West and the Andree Clark Bird Refuge. This is mostly flat course with some gentle hills; comfortable shoulders and Class 2 bike lanes round out what is otherwise, a beach cruise. The views are what make this tour unique. Santa Barbara is known as America’s Riveria because of it’s breath-taking ocean views and also the temperate climate which allows for botanical diversity and vibrant colors seldom seen elsewhere.
12:00 PM Lunch at the Garden Market in Carpinteria is served in a courtyard garden a stone’s throw from the ocean
After lunch, your tour will continue with a gradual climb up San Ysidro Road passing through the upper village of Montecito. Continue along the circuitous Mountain Drive, showcasing breath-taking views of the Santa Barbara Channel Islands. Enjoy a brief visit to the Santa Barbara Mission, before the gentle downhill to the Inn.
Shuttle service is available from both lunch and the Mission.
Arrive at the Santa Barbara Inn
Check-in to hotel
Dinner at the Convivo Restaurant located in the Santa Barbara Inn
DAY SIX: Friday – Breakfast & Departure
Enjoy a plentiful breakfast with your newfound friends. This commences your cycling journey through the Central Coast of California.
Shuttle service is available to the Santa Barbara airport.
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