Santa Barbara Cycling Tour

Meals: Dinner

We start in fabled Santa Barbara on Day 1 just below it’s Landmark Spanish Mission for an orientation and bike fitting, and probably a meal near the beach.

Meals: Breakfast, Snacks, Dinner

Distance: 31 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,870 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 440 feet

On our first day of riding on Day 2 we’ll ride a pleasant loop starting across the foothills with views of the Channel Islands. We head to Carpinteria before looping back closer to the shore line to the city center and up to our hotel.

Accommodation: Breakfast, Snacks, Dinner

Distance: 33.6 miles

Elevation Gain: 3,240 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 650 feet

Day 3 we say goodbye to the hip, coastal town and travel over Old San Marcos Pass. If you are feeling spry, you can include the detour around Painted Caven where views of the entire California shoreline opens up before you (additional 3 miles and 600 ft of climbing). We scream down from the heights, taking side roads where possible, then continue past Cachuma Lake Recreation area and on to Solvang, known for its Danish-style architecture and many wineries. Here we will spend our last three nights in the charming Corque Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Snacks, Dinner

Distance: 34 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 140 feet

Day 4 of the tour takes us back out to the coast to visit the Vanderberg State Marine Reserve – a destination in itself. We return from the coast via van to Solvang. Explore the streets and shops of this unique vilage.

Meals: Breakfast, Snacks, Dinner

Distance: 45 miles

Elevation Gain: 3,140 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 690 feet

Day 5 will an exhilerating ride through Four Canyons. We start by biking through Ballard on Alamo Pintado, before entering Foxen Canyon and its many wineries. We cut back through Allison Canyon for a lunch stop in Los Alamos. We’re not done yet, as spectacular Drum Canyon calls, popping us out into the Santa Ynez River valley and our return to Solvang. No foul if you want to catch a bump in the van to the last summit and save your self for enjoying the scene in Solvang. And of course, there are ways to lengthen the ride as well.

Meals: Breakfast, Snacks

Distance: 39 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,950 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 1,350 feet

For our final Day 6 of riding we return to the coast by the spectacular Refugio Pass – adjacent to Reagan’s Rancho del Cielo, and a no holds barred decent down to Refugio Beach. Side roads and bike paths along the beaches, like El Capitán State Beach, and a few miles on the famed California Highway 101 bring us back to Santa Barbara for the conclusion of our tour.