The Bicycle Adventure Club - Come Ride With Us!

CA Coast: San Francisco to Santa Barbara

September 9th to September 21st

Ride Director: Lucy Glover
Ride Co-Director: Randy Glover
Ride Driver: Arleen Sakamoto
Report by: Margaret Gibson

Written by participants and compiled by Peggy Gibson and Arleen Sakamoto

The theme was set for this coastline journey with an estuary view framed by a large circular porthole in our hotel room. We were warmly welcomed by our experienced trip leaders Lucy and Randy Glover along with driver Arleen Sakamoto. We introduced ourselves while indulging in Arleen’s artfully served happy hour treats of Proseco, luscious fruit and fresh veggie snacks. Logistics of the trip were set in place. Temperatures didn’t change until we arrived in Solvang further south. Anticipation of crossing the iconic Golden Gate Bridge buzzed in our chats. New friendships and memories were already being forged and embraced and the riding was still to come!                                                                             

This ride was special in that the leaders plus 9 participants lived in the Bay Area sharing hidden gems (**) along the way. Several had already ridden this spectacular coastline. It meant leaving the main coastal highway for absolute serene roads and knowing where to get the best fresh baked artichoke bread, fresh strawberries and lattes.                                                                               

The prevailing winds helped with the longest journey into the quintessential beach town of Santa Cruz. For many, there was time to cruise over to the popular Boardwalk and pier on the Pacific Ocean.                                                           

The next day our best lunch was at the busy but efficient Phil’s Fishery ** in an eclectic port of Moss Landing for the freshest seafood, especially choppino. At this point also begins salad bowl agriculture, you see and smell brussel sprouts, assorted greens and artichoke globes. Then suddenly you are cycling on paths through huge sand dunes on the coast into Monterey for 2 lovely days.           

Many of us thought the ride out of Monterey along the 17 Mile Drive was the best day. You hear the crashing waves hitting against huge boulders, you cite the austere, windswept cypress trees even in the cooling marine layer of fog. The fog doesn’t last long, once you climb above the beaches and rugged shoreline in order to experience the Bixby Bridge,** a most notable landmark before entering Big Sur. Big Sur is surreal, it’s like no other CA community. We stayed at Pfeiffer State Park surrounded by nature at it’s best in sweet cabins.                                       

Again there was a climb out in the always chilly shade of the Redwoods. Again, this is disputed to be the best cycling leg of the tour because of its challenges and most exclusive scenery. The National Big Sur Scenic Byway is rated one of the top roadways for automobiles, so imagine what it was for us. The Santa Lucia Mountains alongside the road provided the greatest elevation gain of the ride, which also kept the stretch rural, until we arrived at Ragged Point Inn, our respite for the night.

The next 3 days we spent visiting the elephant seals**on the beach and viewing the bird rock of Morro Bay, before starting inland through undulating fields of vegetables and then vineyards to the Danish capital of the US, Solvang. What a refreshing treat to taste pleasant flavors of fine wine along with modern CA cuisine.

The last day of cycling isn’t just another day. The Santa Ynez Mountains created a stunning valley, left natural for miles ahead. We left the highway for tree shaded Old Stagecoach Road, which took us under the highway around to a popular tavern,** probably once a stagecoach inn. It was a climb to get out but, alas the gorgeous panoramic vista of the blue Pacific and the American Riviera, Santa Barbara, was before us.                                                                                         

All aboard, the Amtrak Coast Starlight train en route from Santa Barbara to Oakland showed us a view of the scenic southern Pacific coastline that we didn’t ride. Veering inland west of Santa Maria brought memories of the fields we were in a few days before. The train afforded us time to reflect on our journey, remembering the magnificent miles we accomplished and provided time to strengthen our bonds with our fellow cohorts. It was an extended happy hour.

In conclusion, this cycling adventure was a success. CA Coast, it’s awesome panoramas, the food, the wine, diversity in nature and experiences plus our group of friends now. There were 4 first timers to BAC who fit in with the group just perfectly and we hope to see them again.