California Dreamin’

Accommodation: Saratoga Oaks Lodge

We start our tour in Saratoga, tucked away in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. Saratoga is a lovely community with a small-town feel, great restaurants, wineries and our hotel for the evening, the charming Saratoga Oaks Lodge.

Distance: 56 miles

Day 2, we start riding over the Santa Cruz Mountains ending in the surfing mecca of Santa Cruz County. Before we rest today we will climb almost 6000 feet of elevation through the back roads of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Our destination is the surf town of Aptos. The beach, the shopping, the people watching, and so many restaurants!

Distance: 47 miles

Next up Day 3, is the Pacific Ocean as we will bike to Carmel Valley along the Pacific coast trail, through the lush strawberry and artichoke fields, ending the day with the thrill of cycling the famous 17-Mile Drive.

Distance: 74 miles

Day 4 brings the excitement of Rocky Point and the many arched bridges and spectacular headlands that extend to Big Sur and beyond. We’ll spend our third overnight south of Big Sur at the spectacular Ragged Point Resort overlooking the ocean.

Distance: 24 miles

We continue south along the coast through San Simeon and a visit to California royalty at Hearst Castle eventually settling in the lovely Cambria on Day 5.

Distance: 44 miles

On Day 6, we’ll leave the coast for our first of several forays into the wine country to the east. We can’t imagine anything greener or more beautiful than the hills that we’ll encounter as we ride to Paso Robles. We’ll explore several of the region’s local vineyards, and a bakery or two, before settling into the beautiful Paso Robles Inn in the heart of town.

Distance: 48 miles

It’s back to the ocean on Day 7 as we ride to Morro Bay and then visit exciting San Luis Obispo. We’ll linger in this historic town well into the afternoon before continuing to Pismo Beach, where we’ll spend our next two evenings in the spectacular ocean side setting of the Shelter Cove Lodge.

Distance: 30 miles

We’re headed to the Edna Valley on Day 8, not only to visit a few additional vineyards, but more importantly, to enjoy the valley’s rolling, quiet country roads that constitute a not-to-be-missed cycling opportunity. We’ll climb gradually to the Lopez Lake Recreational Area and then return to Pismo Beach. Early afternoon we will van shuttle back to San Jose where our California Dreamin’ Cycling Tour concludes.