Highlights: Monterey to Big Sur
After meeting in San Jose, your guides will then shuttle you to our starting location in Monterey. Today’s route takes us along 17-Mile Drive through famous Pebble Beach to Carmel-by-the-Sea, then south along Highway 1 for our journey along the coast. You’ll pass over the iconic Bixby Bridge and into the welcoming embrace of Big Sur, eventually arriving at our lodging for the night, Glen Oaks. We’ll enjoy a team dinner this evening at a nearby restaurant perched on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific.
Meals : Dinner
Lodging :
Glen Oaks Big Sur
Highlights: Summit of Nacimiento
Today we dive into the heart of Big Sur, witnessing the raw and rugged beauty on offer at every twist in the tarmac. The route is long and challenging, with three categorized climbs along Highway 1 and small rolling terrain in between. After a stop on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, you can choose to tackle the daily Bighorn Ride on the out and back spur to the summit of Nacimiento Ferguson Road. 7 miles up, 7 miles down and a perfect 10 in our book. Today’s destination is the Ragged Point Inn, perched on a cliff over the ocean with no shortage of memorable vistas. Every room has a full or partial ocean or mountain view to compliment the crashing sound of waves that are ready to lull you to sleep.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging :
Ragged Point Inn & Resort
Highlights: Elephant seals, Hearst Castle
There’s no rush this morning as we have a shorter course to tackle on mostly flat terrain to the quaint town of Cambria. We recommend you stop along the way to see an elephant seal rookery to witness these massive marine mammals that were once hunted almost to extinction. Thankfully today their population has rebounded. Enjoy an optional stop at Hearst Castle if you’re interested in learning about the history and fame of this media magnate. Our lodging for the next two nights is in Cambria at the Pelican Inn, a hotel with a view of Moonstone Beach. Take the time to get settled and kick the legs up before taking a walk of the town to check out the shops and cafés. Dinner tonight is often a favorite of the week.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging :
Pelican Inn & Suites
Highlights: Morro Bay, Cambria, Moonstone Beach
We will spend an additional day exploring the regions around Cambria, so cyclists may choose to join an optional bike ride down the coast to Morro Bay, stroll the charming shops of Cambria or Moonstone Beach or schedule a massage at a day spa. If you came for the riding and seek another dose of that ride-fueled endorphin rush, then follow your guide up Old Creek Road before a technical descent of Santa Rosa Road back to the hotel. Dinner tonight is on your own, so cyclists may choose any one of the great restaurants within walking distance of the Pelican Inn.
Meals : Breakfast
Lodging :
Pelican Inn & Suites
Highlights: Wine region and tasting
Today we travel inland, heading away from the coast and into the wine region of Paso Robles. To get there, we spin along a beautiful creekside country road – but the cost of this beauty is one of the steepest grades in all of California. Then it’s on to our feedzone stop at a winery, a great place to stretch and rest the legs followed by a descent past countless rows of vines into the town square. A tasting is included today if you’re interested in sampling some local wines. Our lodging tonight is at Hotel Cheval. Explore their beautiful grounds and be sure to stroll through town before we reconvene for a final team dinner at one of the highest-rated restaurants around.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging :
Hotel Cheval
Highlights: Peachy Canyon Loop, Depart San Jose
The final day of the tour heads deep into the Paso Robles wine country on one of the prettiest cycling roads anywhere: Peachy Canyon, with its winding curves through vineyards and walnut groves. We then return to Paso Robles to shower, pack up, and grab a bite to eat in town. A final van transfer will deliver you back to our meeting location in San Jose.
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch
