2026
-
Hotel to hotel - Bicycling to the destination hotel each day
-
Bicycle overlooking the California Pacific coast one of the most magnificent and stunning coasts anywhere in the world.
-
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.
- 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.
-
Yes, the road is hilly, but well worth the effort (or bring an e-bike).
-
We are bicycling in the fall and in the morning so traffic is much lighter than during the summer.
-
Big Sur and the Pacific coast make for a great ride and adventure with life-long memories.
-
Our starting 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.
-
Also, the starting hotel is just minutes from the Pacific Ocean beach and Sunset State Beach State Park.
Pricing options:
Economy: $1949 per person/double occupancy (single occupancy +$525)
✔️Lowest price
✔️Pay Now
✔️No changes
✔️Non-refundable
✔️Limited price availability
Standard/Signature $2199 (the old-fashioned way*) per person/double occupancy (single occupancy +$525)
✔️Pay $200 deposit now
✔️Pay balance 45 days before trip start
✔️Full Credit for future trip for change or cancellation up to 60 days before trip start
✔️*This is the exclusive pricing way that Vacation Bicycling used for 18 years
Premier $2699 per person/double occupancy (single occupancy +$525)
✔️Pay with credit card or debit card
✔️Fully refundable/changeable up to 15 days before trip start
✔️No change fees
✔️Pay Now
Complete trip information:
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:
Cilantros Parrilla y Cantina
Watsonville, California
Entrée Choices include:
- Huachinango -Charbroiled snapper topped with a sautéed tomatillo or guajillo salsa served with guacamole, sour cream and tortillas.
- 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.
- 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.
Lodging:
Hampton Inn Watsonville
Watsonville, California
- Internet
- Business Center
- HD TVs
- Fitness Center
- Coin Laundry
- Indoor Pool
Day 2, Sunday
Watsonville to Santa Cruz
We start bicycling from Watsonville and continue on to Santa Cruz and then you can decide if you would like to continue to Whale City Bakery Bar & Grill, which is the favorite out-and-back ride of local Santa Cruz bicyclists; or riding to Elephant Seal Overlook to see the seals and lighthouse before returning back to the hotel in Santa Cruz. The area is well known for its natural beauty as well as many opportunities for fpicnicking 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 scenic area.
With the option of riding to Ano Nuevo Point and you 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
Bicycling Route:
21 miles (with +817 ft of ascent and -761ft of total descent) riding from Watsonville to Santa Cruz; or 41 miles (with +1381 ft of ascent and -1382 ft of total descent) riding to Whale City Baker and back to Santa Cruz; or 65 miles (with +2192 ft of ascent and -2136 ft of total descent) to Elephant Seal Overlook and back to Santa Cruz. [The route is primarily on paved roads.]
Lodging:
Hampton Inn Santa Cruz West
Santa Cruz, California
- Internet
- Business Center
- HD TVs
- Fitness Center
- Coin Laundry
Dinner: Pick your favorite restaurant to enjoy
Day 2, Monday
Santa Cruz to Monterey Bay
We start bicycling where we ended the previous day at the hotel in Santa Cruz. This scenic bike route from Santa Cruz to Monterey Bay is one of California's most iconic coastal rides, spanning roughly 50 miles. Starting amid Santa Cruz's surf culture and Boardwalk energy, cyclists enjoy salty breezes, beaches, and redwood paths before heading south along (or near) Highway 1 and the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail network. The journey features breathtaking Pacific views, rugged cliffs, crashing waves, wildflowers, sandy bluffs, and wildlife like sea otters and sea lions. Much of the route offers flat riding and great views of the ocean and agriculture.. It culminates on the smooth, paved Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail, passing pristine beaches, rocky coves, dunes, and leading straight to Monterey's highlights: Cannery Row, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It's a sensory delight of ocean scents, wave rhythms, and seaside charm—ideal for a full-day adventure and unforgettable ride.
Breakfast provided by the hotel
Bicycling Route:
49 miles (with +1250 ft of ascent and -1309 ft of total descent), riding directly from Santa Cruz to Monterey Bay. [The route is primarily on paved roads with a section of bike paths.]
Lodging:
Holiday Inn Express Monterey Bay
Seaside, California
- Internet
- Indoor Pool
- Whirlpool
- Fitness Center
- Coin Laundry
- Hair Dryer
Dinner:
Monterey's Fish House
- Monterey's Premier Restaurant for 30+ years -
Monterey, California
Entrée Choices include:
- Snapper - Choose from oak grilled or blackened. Served with vegetables and pasta
- Salmon - Choose from oak grille or blackened. Served with vegetables and pasta.
- Crab Ravioli - Fresh pasta pockets stuffed with crab and ricotta cheese topped with rose shrimp sauce.
- New York Steak - Choose from oak grilled or blackened. Served with vegetables and Chef's choice.
Day 3, Tuesday
Monterey Bay to Big Sur Village
Pedal south from Monterey through Carmel-by-the-Sea into legendary Big Sur—one of the world's most spectacular bike routes. Highlights include the iconic Bixby Bridge (built 1932), the Pacific Coast's most photographed span, with jaw-dropping ocean vistas from its dramatic arch. Roll through artsy Carmel (Clint Eastwood's former mayor town), then Garrapata State's pristine bluffs, wildflowers, and crashing waves. Continue past Point Sur's historic lightstation (spot seals and whales), Andrew Molera's beaches and wildlife, and Pfeiffer Big Sur's towering redwoods along the scenic river. Expect challenging hills and narrow shoulders, but the cliffs, ocean panoramas, and redwood drama make this an unforgettable, bucket-list ride!
Breakfast provided by the hotel
Bicycling Route:
41 miles (with +1496 ft of ascent and -1617 ft of total descent) riding from Monastery Beach to Big Sur Village. [The route is primarily on paved roads.]
Lodging:
Big Sur Lodge
Big Sur Village, California
-
Complimentary 3 Park Entrance: Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Andrew Molera State Park and Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
-
Complimentary bottles of water
-
Hiking trails
Dinner: Pick your favorite restaurant to enjoy
Day 4, Wednesday
Big Sur Village to Monterey Bay
Are you ready to take in this amazing area with some of California’s most memorable ocean vistas. Discover the magic of bicycling north from Big Sur to Monterey along California's iconic Highway 1 an adventure blending epic scenery, thrilling descents, and coastal wonders. Stop near the breathtaking McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, where an 80-foot tidefall plunges dramatically into the Pacific Ocean, creating one of the most photographed views on Earth. Pedal through rugged Big Sur cliffs, past redwood groves in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, over the graceful Bixby Bridge, and along pristine shores with crashing waves and wildlife sightings. Enjoy sweeping ocean panoramas, wildflower hillsides, and quieter northbound traffic for safer, more immersive riding. This route rewards with exhilarating downhill sections after climbs, fresh sea air, and the satisfaction of conquering one of the world's most scenic bike paths. End once again in charming Monterey, refreshed and inspired—pure freedom on two wheels!
Breakfast: choose your favorite place to eat, including the iconic Big Sur Restaurant
Bicycling Route:
30 miles (with +2492 ft of ascent and -2602 ft of total descent) riding directly from Big Sur Village to to Monterey Bay; or 56 miles (with +3967 ft of ascent and -3990 ft of total descent) riding out to McWay Waterfall and then back to Big Sur and continuing on to Monterey Bay. [The route is primarily on paved roads.]
Lodging:
Holiday Inn Express Monterey Bay
Seaside, California
- Internet
- Pool
- Whirlpool
- Fitness Center
- Coin Laundry
- Hair Dryer
Dinner: Pick your favorite restaurant to enjoy
Day 5, Thursday
Monterey Bay to Pebble Beach's 17-Mile Drive to Watsonville
Start your day from the hotel and pedal to the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail for a smooth, scenic path along the bay. Connect to Pacific Grove, then enter the legendary 17-Mile Drive (bikes enter free sunrise to sunset) for a stunning 17-mile loop through Pebble Beach—think crashing waves, the iconic Lone Cypress, rugged coastline, cypress groves, and world-famous golf courses.
Enjoy moderate hills (as compared to the prior day), pristine roads then continue back to the tour's starting hotel for a rewarding bicycling day blending epic coastal beauty with relaxed inland pedaling. Pure magic on two wheels!
Enjoy moderate hills (as compared to the prior day), pristine roads then continue back to the tour's starting hotel for a rewarding bicycling day blending epic coastal beauty with relaxed inland pedaling. Pure magic on two wheels!
Breakfast provided by the hotel
Bicycling Route:
30 miles (with +548 ft of ascent and -541 ft of total descent) riding from Monterey Bay to Watsonville; or 57 miles (with +1201 ft of ascent and -1194 ft of total descent) riding from Monterey Bay to Pebble Beach to Watsonville. [The route is split between paved bike paths and paved roads.]
Lodging:
Hampton Inn Watsonville
Watsonville, California
- Internet
- Business Center
- HD TVs
- Fitness Center
- Coin Laundry
- Indoor Pool
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:
-
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
-
Grilled Swordfish - Flat top grilled swordfish, lemon beurre blanc, avocado salsa Fresca
- 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 6, 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:
-
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 most mornings (see above)
-
Happy Hours (BYOB) on selected evenings
-
Dinner with the group two 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 including Santa Cruz Cycle Sport. 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°