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Highlights
Explore the best of Northern California as you cycle the Pacific Coast
Cycle along the spectacular coast for amazing scenery and visits to the surf and beach towns along your route.
Bike into wine country and discover the incredible produce from the local vineyards.
Ride to Hearst Castle and visit the incredible estate, grounds, and museum.
Enjoy the dramatic locations of some of your cliff-top hotels that offer sweeping views of the ocean.
This 8-day guided cycling tour shows you that California offers so much more than just beaches! You will spend time cycling in the salty sea air and enjoying the spectacular coastline, but this tour also explores the Santa Cruz Mountains, wine country, and even the Hearst Castle.
This energetic road cycling tour follows some of the famous Highway 1, with its thrilling views of the dramatic cliffs with the Pacific crashing below. You’ll begin your tour riding from San Jose towards the mountains all the way down to Pismo Beach, taking in all the California splendor as you travel south. Savor nights in charming hotels and sample the region’s delicious food and wine. For a cycling tour in California, this can’t be beaten!
This 8-day guided cycling tour shows you that California offers so much more than just beaches! You will spend time cycling in the salty sea air and enjoying the spectacular coastline, but this tour also explores the Santa Cruz Mountains, wine country, and even the Hearst Castle.
This energetic road cycling tour follows some of the famous Highway 1, with its thrilling views of the dramatic cliffs with the Pacific crashing below. You’ll begin your tour riding from San Jose towards the mountains all the way down to Pismo Beach, taking in all the California splendor as you travel south. Savor nights in charming hotels and sample the region’s delicious food and wine. For a cycling tour in California, this can’t be beaten!
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California Coast Biking Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Bike Preparation and Orientation Dinner
Your tour begins when you meet the shuttle for your drive to Saratoga. When you arrive you’ll have time to fit your bike before you go to the welcome dinner with the group.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Saratoga
Distance: None
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Santa Cruz Mountain Ride
Today you’ll ride high into the Santa Cruz Mountains. Enjoy plenty of vantage points from the trail as you enjoy some of the highest elevations of the tour.
You’ll end the day in Aptos, where you’ll be treated to dinner at an award-winning restaurant, The Sparrow Café.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Aptos
Distance: 56 miles, 4,781ft of ascent, 5,082ft of descent
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 3 Cycle to Carmel
You’ll be cycling along the Pacific Coast Trail today, and will enjoy gorgeous coastal views of the ocean. Keep an eye out for sea lions, dolphins, or even whales as you cruise.
Then, you’ll take an exhilarating ride on 17-Mile Drive on your way to Carmel Valley. This is probably one of the most picturesque rides you can do in the country.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Distance: 47 miles, 1,749ft of ascent, 1,823ft of descent
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 4 Riding to Rocky Point and Beyond
During your ride today, you’ll visit the dramatic arched bridges of Rocky Point. Stop to snap some photos under these fascinating formations.
You’ll be riding through Big Sur and on to Ragged Point- truly one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline you’ll likely ever enjoy.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Big Sur
Distance: 74 miles, 7,335ft of ascent, 7,016ft of descent
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5 Visit Hearst Castle
Continue your ride along the glorious Pacific Ocean towards San Simeon. Here you’ll find California’s majestic Hearst Castle, a National Historic Monument where you can stop to explore the property and museum before arriving in Cambria for the night.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Cambria
Distance: 24 miles, 2,338ft of ascent, 2,339ft of descent
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 6 Ride Through Wine Country
Today you’ll be leaving the ocean behind as you head into wine country. Ride through the lush hills and vineyards on your way to Paso Robles. You’ll have plenty of time to stop throughout the ride to sample some of the local creations!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Paso Robles
Distance: 44 miles, 4,769ft of ascent, 4,058ft of descent
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 7 Explore San Luis Obispo
Cycle back to the oceanfront on your ride to Morro Bay and San Luis Obispo. Take some time to explore the historic town before you cycle to Pismo Beach. This is an area of astounding biodiversity, so keep an eye out for sea life and birds!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Pismo Beach
Distance: 48 miles, 2,913ft of ascent, 3,540ft of descent
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Day 8 Cycle Edna Valley and Depart
The ride today takes you back into beautiful wine country. Cycle the Edna Valley and explore the vineyards and rolling hills on your way to Lopez Lake. You’ll ride back to Pismo Beach in the afternoon to catch the shuttle back to San Jose.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 30 miles
Meals: Breakfast
California Coast Biking Tour Price and Dates
This guided California Coast Biking Tour is run as a group tour for your group only and the price is fixed per person.The prices below are per person:
Start
Finish
Duration
Spaces Left
Price
Accommodation on the California Coast Biking Tour
This tour is based on 3-star hotel accommodations. The hotels offer comfortable rooms, and many of them have ocean views.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy, and single travelers may be required to pay a supplement. Please let us know if you prefer a single room where possible (this will incur a fee).
What’s Included in the California Coast Biking Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts and 7 dinners and are included in this tour. Please note that your non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages are not included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodations before and after the tour in San Jose are not included.
Please note this tour arrives in San Jose on the evening of your final day, so you may wish to add a hotel night post-tour. We can help you arrange this.
Transportation during the Tour
Transport for you and your luggage is included as outlined in the itinerary. Round trip transport between Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport and Saratoga at the beginning of the tour and from Pismo Beach to San Jose at the end of the tour is included.
Also Included
- English-speaking guide
- Van shuttle and support van
- Trail maps and narratives
Not included
- Bike rental
- Cycling equipment such as helmets, gloves, and shoes
- Entrance fees were applicable or admission to Hearst Castle
- Travel insurance
- Flights
- Tourist taxes if applicable
- Visas if required
- Personal equipment
- Beverages both non-alcoholic and alcoholic
- Fees not mentioned as included
- Gratuities for guides, drivers, servers, or hotel staff if desired
Optional Extras
- Various bicycle rentals are available and include touring saddles, odometers, pumps, tire irons, and patch kits. You may choose to combine your rental with your own saddle and pedals. Pricing and options available on request
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Solo traveler supplements
- Any additional nights before or after the tour
- How hard is the California Coast Biking Tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to the United States of America?
- Are meals included on the California Coast Biking Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to San Jose to start this tour?
- Is the California Coast Biking Tour guided?
- Where does the California Coast Biking Tour end?
- Are equipment rentals included?
- Can I bring my own bike?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to the United States of America?
- Are there any travel restrictions for the United States of America?
- When is the best time to travel to the United States for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 4/5. This tour is best for riders with experience road biking, as the pace is energetic and you’ll be riding up to 74 miles each day. The tour is predominantly on paved roads and highways with some steep climbs.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
7 breakfasts and 7 dinners and are included in this tour. Please note that your non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages are not included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover cycling. Get your Travel Insurance.
The nearest airport is Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), where your shuttle van will meet you.
Yes, you will have an English-speaking guide for the duration of the tour.
This tour ends with a drop-off at the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport ( SJC ).
No, bike rentals are not included but can be added as a supplement. There are various style and size options available to rent to mitigate the challenges of shipping your bike. Please bring any additional equipment desired.
Yes, you bring your own bike. If you would like to do so it is recommended that you use a reputable specialty company to ship your bike ahead of time to the first hotel. You can also bring your own saddle and pedals to combine with your rental bike.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to California for this tour is between April and October. The weather on the north-central coast tends to stay pleasant and mild throughout the spring, summer, and fall.
Customer Ratings
Timberline Adventures specializes in fully supported cycling, hiking, and multisport adventure tours in the United States and Canada.
Over the last 38 years, our adventure experts have crafted unique itineraries consisting of only the best routes and trails. We are all about striking the perfect balance of challenge, discovery, and tons of fun! Our epic tours include visits to 35 different national parks, and we take great pride in introducing our guests to some of the wildest and most beautiful areas in North America, like Glacier, Yosemite, Acadia, Big Bend, and so much more!
We share in the joy, exhilaration, and sense of accomplishment that is a part of every single tour, and the quality of your experience is how we measure our growing success.
