Big Sur Spectacular Bike Tour — California USA
Daily Itinerary
Stage 1: Monterey - Big Sur
Distance: 44 or 59 miles – Vertical: 3,000 or 5,600 feet
We meet in Monterey at 9:00 AM, at the Hyatt Regency Monterey. Today's route takes us along 17-Mile Drive through famous Pebble Beach to Carmel-by-the-Sea, then on to Highway 1 for our journey to Pfeifer Big Sur State Park and our lodging for the night, the Big Sur Lodge: nestled amongst the aged oak trees and tall ancient redwoods of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, with modern and spacious private cabins in a tranquil wooded setting, swimming pool, restaurant, gift shop. Dinner will be at 6:30 PM at the Big Sur Lodge.
Stage 2: Big Sur - Ragged Point
Distance: 48 or 62 miles – Vertical: 5,400 or 8,100 feet
We meet at 8:30 AM, packed and ready to ride, as we will be cycling nearby to the historic Deetjen's Big Sur Inn for breakfast. Today's route is a long but very scenic one, with three categorized climbs along Highway 1 and small rolling terrain in between. At mile 27, there is a feed zone at the Kirk Creek Campground, on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Across the highway is one of the most spectacular climbs in the world—Nacimiento Ferguson Road. 7 miles up and 7 miles down, it's a breakaway option for the day.
Today's destination is the Ragged Point Inn, perched on a cliff over the ocean. Every room has an unobstructed view of the blue Pacific and crashing waves.
Stage 3: Ragged Point - Cambria
Distance: 24 miles – Vertical: 500 feet
Today's route is a promenade on mostly flat terrain. Imagine Tour de France cyclists sipping champagne as they spin towards Paris, except our promenade comes with unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean. Lodging for the next two nights in Cambria is at the Burton Inn, a charming bed & breakfast style hotel with 11 spacious rooms. A wine and cheese reception is held at the Burton Inn in the late afternoon. Dinner tonight is at Robin's Restaurant, an innovative restaurant with dishes inspired by cuisine from around the world.
Stage 4: Cambria "Rest Day"
Today we spend an additional day in Cambria, so cyclists may choose to join an optional bike ride, stroll the charming shops of Cambria or Moonstone Beach, take a guided tour of Hearst Castle, or schedule a massage at a day spa. Dinner tonight is unscheduled, so cyclists may choose any one of the great restaurants within walking distance of the Burton Inn, where we spend a second night.
Stage 5: Cambria - Paso Robles
Distance: 39 miles – Vertical: 4,500 feet
Today we travel away from the coast to 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. Thankfully, it's over quickly, as we make a feed zone stop at Farmstand 46, a roadside deli/restaurant that features local "farm-to-table" cuisine. Then it's on to one of the prettiest cycling roads anywhere: Peachy Canyon, winding its way through vineyards and walnut groves before it descends into Paso Robles.
Our lodging tonight is at the historic Paso Robles Inn, located in the heart of Downtown, with a pool, hot tub, and private mineral spa tubs in each room. Dinner is at 6:30 PM at Buona Tavola, one of the highest rated restaurants in the area, serving Northern Italian Cuisine.
Stage 6: Paso Robles
Distance: 32 miles – Vertical: 2,400 feet
The final stage of the tour heads deep into the Paso Robles Wine Country to the Justin Winery, a valley vineyard with grand views of the surrounding mountains. We then return to the Paso Robles Inn in the mid-afternoon to complete the final stage.
Rather than stuff everyone into a cramped van for the return travel, we've added some comfort and just a dash of adventure with a return trip by train. Amtrak's Coast Starlight train departs Paso Robles at in the late afternoon, arriving first in Salinas, with a connecting shuttle bringing cyclists back to the Hyatt Regency Monterey in the evening. Cyclists who wish to continue by train to another destination, such as San Jose, may purchase tickets on the train.
