CA Coast: San Francisco to Santa Barbara

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW
Start with a surprising day with a ferry ride to San Francisco, ride along the Embarcadero and across the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito before heading south through Golden Gate Park to the oceanside town of Pacifica. Then spend nine days cycling the famous and spectacular coastal route, riding the pristine San Mateo coast, the Monterey Peninsula, the 17 Mile Drive, the incomparable Big Sur, and the rolling Hearst coastline before swinging inland beyond Pismo Beach. Continue for two more days through strawberry fields, ranches, and vineyards before crossing the coast range on the old stagecoach route to descend steeply into Santa Barbara. Return to Oakland by Amtrak or rental car.

RIDE RATING
This tour is similar to the 2018 San Francisco to Santa Barbara tour though it is in the Fall instead of the spring. The ride is a solid 2B, with some harder options. The longest day (the 2nd day) is 66 rolling miles with 3150 feel of climbing; the average day is 47 miles with 2250 feet of cumulative climb; and the toughest day is 50 panoramic miles along the Big Sur coast with a series of climbs totaling 3690 feet. We depart from Highway 1 to ride on paths and small roads whenever possible. Riders must be comfortable with traffic and the intermittent absence of shoulders. Our club has ridden these roads for more than 25 years, and we think this route is the most spectacular 400 mile ride in the country. GPS tracks will be offered, but it is up to the rider to know how to use his or her GPS.

WEATHER
The weather on the coast ranges from lows of 50-55 and highs of 65 -70. The inland temperatures range from lows of 40-55 and highs of 70-75. Precipitation is anyone's guess as we are in a drought but rainfall for the month averages anywhere from .1 to .4 inches. Expect the unexpected. Temperatures can range from cool and rainy to warm and dry. Be prepared for all kinds of weather.

LODGING & MEALS
We are staying in motels starting in Oakland's Jack London Square next to the ferry dock, an oceanside Wyndham hotel in Pacifica just south of San Francisco, a Best Western in Santa Cruz (surfers' heaven), a Days Inn in Monterey (home of the famous aquarium and a 2-night stay), cabins in the park at Big Sur, an inn 300 feet above the crashing surf on the cliffs of Ragged Point, another Best Western hotel in Morro Bay (working fishing port), an inn in Santa Maria (broccoli fields and oil wells), a garden lodge in Solvang (Danish capital of America) and Spanish Mediterranean motel in Santa Barbara before returning to Oakland  for one last night after the train ride up from Santa Barbara. All breakfast, lunches and most dinners are on your own. There will be one group dinner the first night. Grab N Go breakfasts may be provided at 4 of our 10 hotels.

LOGISTICS
The tour starts in Oakland, CA at 5PM on Thursday, September 9, 2021. Departure is Tuesday morning September 21 in Oakland, CA. Oakland International Airport is the closest airport. We will be leaving bicycle suitcases in the hotel while we are gone. We will be taking the Amtrak Coast Starlight from Santa Barbara back to Oakland's Jack London Square, so please bring a carry on size suitcase, as you will have to take it on the train. Ride ends Tuesday morning September 21 in Oakland, CA, unless COVID restrictions do not permit us to take AMTRAK back to Oakland for one last night after the train ride up from Santa Barbara. In that case, the tour will end a day early, and participants will arrange their own transportation from Santa Barbara back to Oakland. Arleen Sakamoto will be our van driver. The van's primary role will be to transport luggage and supplies. Participants are expected to complete the ride each day, as the van will not serve as a sag vehicle, however the van will be available to assist with any emergencies.

COST & ADMINISTRATION
Cost estimate of $1775 per person double occupancy for 12 nights, 4 Grab N Go breakfasts, and 1 dinner, Amtrak train ticket, luggage transfer, maps, route sheets, daily route review with happy hour drink and snacks, and sightseeing information. Tickets for sight seeing and ferry tickets are not included in the cost. Electronic versions of maps and route sheets will be emailed, and participants are expected to print their own copies of them. GPS tracks will be provided for those who want them, but it is up to the rider to know how to use his or her GPS before the trip begins. Initial deposit $800 with additional payment of $975 on June 1, 2021.

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY
Singles are welcome, but encouraged to find compatible roommates and/or riding partners. Ride Directors will introduce and assist singles to find roommates, but singles must make their own rooming decision. We do not accept solos, as the number of rooms available are limited due to September being high season.

CANCELLATION POLICY
The BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled due to participation below stated minimum requirements. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations. If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time.  If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the canceling roommate may also be liable for the single supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

COVID 
The specific safety precautions to protect participants from COVID will be determined 60 days prior to the tour start date. At that time, we will meet with tour participants using a video conference to explain any safety precautions that will be necessary. You may be required to wear PPE in public, maintain social distance in public and limit social gathering in public according to the state's mandate. All participants must have completed the 2-dose vaccine prior to starting the tour. Negative COVID tests may be requested. Ideally we would like to consider our group our COVID-free bubble.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY
Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

Before participating in any BAC tour, members should review their medical coverage and assess whether what you have is sufficient. If it isn’t, you should purchase additional travel medical coverage. BAC maintains a policy that provides limited coverage for medical expenses associated with accidents incurred by US residents when on tours within the US.  The policy does not cover costs associated with self-quarantines that may be government mandated. Members should also ensure that vaccinations are up to date (e.g., annual influenza, tetanus, etc.). If traveling outside your home country you may wish to consult with a travel physician or nurse to ensure that the appropriate vaccinations are up to date.

SIGN-UP
To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. You will then be contacted by the Ride Leader. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the terms of the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the non- refundable BAC fee and $800 tour deposit by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List.BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description. Waitlisting is encouraged.