2025
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Bicycle overlooking the California Pacific coast one of the most magnificent and stunning coasts anywhere in the world.
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Take in the most photographed bridge on the Pacific coast, the Bixby Bridge Vista Point. It is also the symbol for the Big Sur area.
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For those that have not seen the California pacific coast, think of the Hawaii coast but everything is bigger.
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We ride on California State Route 1 that most people say has the most beautiful views in the United States with an unspoiled and natural coast views.
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Yes, the road is hilly, but well worth the effort (or bring an e-bike).
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We are bicycling in the fall and in the morning so traffic is much lighter than during the summer.
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Big Sur and the Pacific coast make for a great ride and adventure with life-long memories.
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Our hotel is located in Watsonville, California. Watsonville grows, processes, freezes and distributes more fruits and vegetables than any other single area in the United States. Come early to get fresh, just harvested fruits and vegetables from a roadside stand.
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Also, the starting hotel is just minutes from the Pacific Ocean beach and Sunset State Beach State Park.
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We stay at one hotel for the entire trip. So only unpack one time.
Day 1, Saturday
Welcome Dinner
Start your vacation on Saturday in Watsonville, California just north of Monterey. Everywhere you look you will see agriculture and farms that grow fruits and vegetables, including strawberries, apples, fresh flowers, cauliflower, broccoli and artichokes. Also, close by is Cupertino, California which is famous as the home of Apple computers. While visiting you check Apple Park and the Visitor Center and store. This area is amazing. Find your favorite thing to do and make some great memories.
If you are flying, San Jose is your arrival airport and a city known as the area where Silicon Valley meets Spanish History with many restored 19th century buildings adjacent to high-tech companies. One of the must-see areas is the Tech Museum of Innovation, an exploration of Silicon Valley and its impact on the area. After exploring the area, meet at the hotel at 4:00 pm for the Welcome meeting, followed by a wonderful dinner with nearby sourced fruits and vegetable eating with friends - new and old - to begin your bicycling vacation!
Dinner:
Ella's Italian at the Airport
Watsonville, California
Entrée Choices include:
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Spaghetti & Meatballs - Just like it should be...homemade meatballs of pork & grass-fed beef, topped with Ella's tomato reduction & shaved pecorino Romano cheese.
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Prawns & Linguini - Herbed prawns, sautéed kale, Gilroy garlic, fresh lemon, capers, Italian parsley, pecorino, melted leeks & chardonnay reduction over linguine.
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Veggie Lasagna - Layers of lovely local veggies: organic spinach, shaved fennel, cremini mushrooms & sun-dried tomatoes, herbed ricotta, mozzarella, Ella's roasted tomato reduction & light lasagna noodles.
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Local, Sustainable Fresh Catch - Sustainable daily catch determines the Chef's preparation
Lodging:
Hampton Inn Watsonville
Watsonville, California
(Stay at the same hotel for the entire bicycle tour. Just unpack one time!)
- Internet
- Business Center
- HD TVs
- Fitness Center
- Coin Laundry
- Indoor Pool
Day 2, Sunday
Point San Pedro Tunnel to Bean Hollow State Beach
We start bicycling at the top of the hill adjacent to Point San Pedro Point Tunnel overlooking the Pacific Ocean with view of San Pedro Mountain. From this area you can take in beautiful ocean views pelicans, seals and even whales if we are lucky. Later we will bicycle past Point Montara lighthouse in Montara that is located on a beautiful bluff overlooking the ocean. It offers a beachfront coastal escape from the city or suburbs. The beaches that you will see pass breathtaking scenery on the California Coast Trail. We will probably see surfers, kayakers, windsurfers and birdwatchers.
We will then pass by El Granada – originally planned by the Ocean Shore Railroad as the “Jewel of the Coast” a grandiose resort town was laid out by architect Daniel Burnham to rival Atlantic City. Then we will ride through Half Moon Bay - the oldest community in San Mateo. Both these communities were planned in the 1920s to be huge resort towns, but the failure of the railroad cut short the planned development. We will also bicycle to Pigeon Point with its breathtaking beach and a historic, century old light station named after the carrier pigeon. Finally, we will see Pescadero Point, offering spectacular views of the ocean with unique rock formation that is known for its legendary "not to miss" waves that can be as large as 50 feet.
Breakfast provided by the hotel each morning.
Bicycling Route: On California State Route 1; 0 miles, staying at the hotel; or 29 miles riding from Point San Pedro Tunnel to Bean Hollow State Beach. [The route is hilly with 1900 ft of climbing.]
Dinner:
Cilantros Parrilla y Cantina
Watsonville, California
Entrée Choices include:
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Huachinango -Charbroiled snapper topped with a sautéed tomatillo or guajillo salsa served with guacamole, sour cream and tortillas.
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Fajitas - Served sizzling with sautéed bell peppers, onions an ranchera salsa, guacamole, sour cream salsa Fresca and tortillas with grilled chicken or steak; or with prawns or combination.
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Tacos Chicken or Carne Asada - Handmade corn tortillas filled with grilled chicken or steak, tomatillo salsa, chopped cilantro and onions.
- Enslada de Pollo - House salad topped with grilled chicken sautéed in tomatillo salsa, salsa Fresca, whole beans and sliced avocado.
Day 3, Monday
Bean Hollow State Beach to Lagoon Park in Santa Cruz
We start bicycling where we ended the previous day at Bean Hollow State Beach, located on the most scenic San Mateo Coast, well known for its natural beauty as well as many opportunities for fishing, picnicking or beach viewing. At low tide, you may see sea urchins, crabs and star fish. You can also take in the geological stone formations called tafone - cavities that develop in granular rock. Photographers love this place. We will pass by Ano Nuevo Pont and may even get to see an elephant seal. Don’t miss taking in the seals that are either on the beach or playing in the water. It is an amazing site.
Be sure to bring your camera to get a few beautiful pictures of seals, sea lions and birds. In addition, we will ride through Davenport, California viewing coastal bluffs which is perfect place for watching migrating whales. Windswept beaches are covered with sea glass, and collecting these treasures is a top activity for both locals and visitors.
Breakfast provided by the hotel each morning
Bicycling Route: On California State Route 1; 0 miles, staying at the hotel; or 30 miles, riding directly from Bean Hollow State Beach to Lagoon Park in Santa Cruz. [The route is hilly with 900 ft of climbing.]
Dinner:
On your own
Day 4, Tuesday
Monastery Beach to Big Sur Village
Today's riding highlight is viewing Bixby Bridge Vista Point (The big bridge) – Built in 1932, Bixby Bridge is an amazing sight. This bridge is the most photographed bridges on the Pacific Coast. It is not only an unforgettable photo taking opportunity but also offers amazing views of the ocean below. This is a must-see area. You will be amazed when you get home and view your amazing photos. We will also pass by Carmel, California. As you probably know, Clint Eastwood was once mayor of this small, but high-end community. This city is a seaside, art-filled village and is very memorable.
We will also go through the Garrapata State Park area with views that are amazing! The waves breaking on the beach is stunning. The views, rocks and flowered hills are all amazing. It is clean and unpopulated. Finally, we will pass through Point Sur State Historic Park, Andrew Molear Sate park and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. These are all amazing areas with everything from seals, seal pups, waterfalls, scenic rivers and redwood trees, as well as magnificent photo opportunities of the cliffs and ocean.
Breakfast provided by the hotel each morning
Bicycling Route: On California State Route 1; 0 miles, staying at the hotel; or 22 miles, riding from Monastery Beach to Big Sur Village. [The route is hilly with 1200 ft of climbing.]
Dinner:
On your own
Day 5, Wednesday
Free Day or Big Sur Village to Milcreek Picnic Area near Lucia
Once again, we start our ride at the place we ended the previous day in Big Sur, California. Are you ready to take in this amazing area with some of California’s most memorable ocean vistas. Grey whales migrate past Big Sur two times per year. Elephant Seals also can be found basking in the beaches in this area. You will take many unforgettable pictures within this amazing park. Big Sur has so many stunning vistas and spectacular views along this iconic sea. We will also go through Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and Limekiln State Park with their lush and green forests. There are a lot of great views of redwoods and many stream crossings to see as well. You will bike near the redwoods as well as Sequoias before ending your day overlooking the ocean a little bit past Lucia.
Breakfast provided by the hotel each morning.
Bicycling Route: On California State Route 1; 0 miles, staying at the hotel; or 30 miles, riding directly from Big Sur Village to Mill Creek Picnic Area near Lucia. [The route is hilly with 2250 ft of climbing.]
Dinner:
On your own
Day 6, Thursday
Monterey Recreational Trailhead in Castroville to Pebble Beach to Pacific Grove
Today we begin riding and trading in our climbing for a mostly flat ride on a dedicated bike path to Monterey (the big city) – This is a beautiful area with uncrowded beaches, delicious seafood and views of the amazing Monterey Bay. The water views offers many whale sightings, sea lions, and otters. We will also ride part of the 17 mile ride in Pebble Beach (Riding the flat part). This secluded beach in Pebble Beach is nestled in the forest of Tamales Bay State Park. Some highlights in Pebble Beach viewing Lone Cypress, Bird Rock Vista Point or beautiful ocean views at Spanish Bay. This exclusive gated area of Pebble beach has a median home price of $2.7 million with green fees for playing a round of golf at $625. We get to bicycle into the community and see the sights as their guests.
Breakfast provided by the hotel each morning.
Bicycling Route: On the Monterey Bike Trail and in Pebble Beach on parts of the "17-mile Drive"; 0 miles, staying at the hotel; or 34 miles, riding from Castroville to Pebble Beach to Pacific Grove. [The route is mostly flat.]
Dinner:
California Grill
- Farm Fresh: The restaurant owner grows all the organic vegetables and salads right from the fields of the Pajaro Valley -
Watsonville, California
Dinner choices include:
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Awesome Organic Entree Salads - choose from: Slice of Ice; Beets and Greens; Buffalo Chicken Bleu; Lakeside Organic Whole Farm vegetable salad; or Organic Salmon Salad
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Grilled Swordfish - Flat top grilled swordfish, lemon beurre blanc, avocado salsa Fresca
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Castroville Chicken - Chicken breast, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, tomato, garlic, scallions, lemon white wine butter sauce
- Baby Back Ribs - Half-rack pork baby back ribs, choice of chipotle barbecue or teriyaki sauce
Day 7, Friday
Bicycle one last time on your own before departing for home.
Breakfast provided by hotel each morning
Please note all trip information is based on previous trips and/or contracted lodging and restaurants and is subject to change based on availability or specific trip needs.
Riding difficulty:
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Riders who are comfortable road riding and climbing hills should have an enjoyable trip. The routes are primarily on State Route 1 with limited shoulder. Please see the daily routes descriptions for additional information. Of course, if a rider is tired or does not feel like riding, the SAG vehicle will transport the rider to the end of the ride. All riders may ride at their own pace, slow or fast or anything in-between. We recommend a road bike with climbing gears or an e-bike due to the hills.
Arriving by Automobile:
- Drive to the starting hotel: Hampton Inn Watsonville, 75 Lee Road, Watsonville, California 95076
Arriving by Plane:
- Fly into San Jose Mineta California Airport (SJC) and rent a car for the 48 minute drive without traffic to the hotel. Some people may choose to fly into San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and rent a car for the for the 1 hr 10 minute drive without traffic to hotel.
Deposit:
- $200 to reserve your spot and the remainder due 45 days before the trip start.
What is Included:
- Hotel lodging
- Ride Packets with Cue Sheets (directions)
- Garmin/GPS routes to download
- Google Maps routes for your iPhone or Android Phone
- Fully sagged including van transportation and rider assistance.
- Breakfast each morning
- Happy Hours (BYOB) on selected evenings
- Dinner with the group three evenings (see above)
- Great riding, scenery, fun and enjoyment!
Bicycles:
- Most participants bring their own bicycles
- To ship your bike, we would suggest using shipbikes.com or bikeflight.com for shipping. To ship your bike to the hotel: Hampton Inn Watsonville, 75 Lee Road, Watsonville, California 95076
- If you fly, many major airlines including now waive the oversize fee for bicycles (sporting equipment) and just the standard luggage fee applies. Please contact your airline for all the details.
- Bike Rental: Bikes are available for rent in the area. We suggest conducting a Google search in nearby Santa Cruz or Monterey to find the best place to accommodate your needs.
Weather in the Big Sur area at the time of trip:
- Average High: 67°