Undiscovered Wine Country and Pacific Coast Bike Tour —
Northern California USA
Daily Itinerary
Note: This is an Undiscovered Country “Bike More, Drive Less” itinerary, in which you can cycle from start to finish without ever riding in the van.
Day One: Sunday [43-65 miles]
We all meet in the lobby of the Sheraton in Petaluma. Shuttle service is available to the nearby Petaluma Fairgrounds from the San Francisco and Santa Rosa airports. After introductions and a brief orientation meeting, we bike to a café in the town of Graton for lunch, then we continue through the Russian River and Dry Creek Valley appellations to Healdsburg. Dinner at a local restaurant in Healdsburg, lodging at the H2 Hotel Healdsburg.
Day Two: Monday [40-62 miles, 1500 feet]
Today we ride a loop that starts and ends in Healdsburg. Some of the best rated wineries are on this route, but it's the cycling that makes this route special to us. The Alexander Valley is our first destination, full of wineries and butted up against volcanic mountains. Then we climb up and over Chalk Hill, known for its excellent grape growing conditions. Rolling along the edge of the Russian River Valley offers splendid vistas of vineyards and the surrounding mountains. Then it's back to Healdsburg to enjoy the rest of the day in town. Wander the plaza, browse the shops, or get yourself a massage. Dinner is on your own tonight, as we stay once again at the H2 Hotel Healdsburg.
Day Three: Tuesday [40-55 miles]
This morning we say goodbye to Healdsburg and head to the redwoods of the Russian River. The route takes us once again along quiet vineyard roads into redwood country. We'll stop to experience a majestic old growth redwood forest, with its trees reaching over 300 feet in height, before continuing into an apple orchard region. Finally, the quiet roads bring us to our destination of Occidental, a tiny town resting quietly between the redwoods. Lodging tonight is at the Inn at Occidental, a luxurious bed and breakfast inn right in town.
Day Four: Wednesday [40-50 miles]
Today we ride through the redwoods of the Russian River to the tiny bohemian town of Cazadero. From there, we have a significant climb onto King Ridge Road, one of the greatest cycling roads anywhere. First climbing steeply through a dense redwood forest, King Ridge Road merges into the sunlit grassy meadows of the coast range (if climbing is not your favorite activity, the van will be there to ferry you to the top of climbs). King Ridge undulates along the crest of this range, finally plunging through the redwoods back down to the coast. Our destination is the Sea Ranch Lodge, perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Dinner and lodging tonight is at the Sea Ranch Lodge, where every room has a view of the ocean.
Day Five: Thursday [40-55 miles]
Today's route hugs the Pacific Coast along Highway One, arguably one of the most scenic roads in the world. The road is a cyclist's dream, with its smooth road surface undulating along the bluffs over the ocean's edge. There is very little development along this section of the coast, so the traffic is minimal. Bodega Bay Lodge and Spa is our home for the night, where you can enjoy the view of the bay from your patio or schedule a massage. Dinner is at the ocean-view Duck Club Restaurant, called “one of the most romantic dining spots in Sonoma County”.
Day Six: Friday [37 miles]
This morning we leave the vineyards, redwoods, and coast behind on our route back to Petaluma. Today's terrain is the classic California countryside of rolling hills, studded with sturdy oaks. This is dairy country, the source of some of the finest artisan cheeses in the world. You'll notice the happy cows at the fence lines, staring at the colorful cyclists rolling by. We'll make a stop at the Tomales Bakery, a favorite refreshment spot for local bicyclists, then turn east onto even quieter roads through hidden valleys. Other than the occasional bicyclist, there is little activity on these roads. Finally, we arrive back to the Sheraton Petaluma, where our trip ends.
