650 miles with 35,900 feet of elevation gain
Day 1: Fort Bragg - Bodega Bay (113 miles / 7,350 feet)
Day 2: Bodega Bay - Half Moon Bay (101 miles / 6,990 feet)
Day 3: Half Moon Bay - Carmel (111 miles / 4,900 feet)
Day 4: Carmel - Cambria (98 miles / 6,550 feet)
Day 5: Cambria - Solvang (115 miles / 4,910 feet)
Day 6: Solvang - Malibu (114 miles / 5,230 feet)
View bike route as Google Maps overlay or play bike route as Google Earth three-dimensional animation.
[GPS Satellite Data]Fort Bragg to Bodega Bay elevation and grade from bike computer (for location, see interactive map of bike rides):
[Course Data - Day 1]Bodega Bay to Half Moon Bay elevation and grade from bike computer (for location, see interactive map of bike rides):
[Course Data - Day 2]Half Moon Bay to Carmel elevation and grade from bike computer (for location, see interactive map of bike rides):
[Course Data - Day 3]Carmel to Cambria elevation and grade from bike computer (for location, see interactive map of bike rides):
[Course Data - Day 4]Cambria to Solvang elevation and grade from bike computer (for location, see interactive map of bike rides):
[Course Data - Day 5]Solvang to Malibu elevation and grade from bike computer (for location, see interactive map of bike rides):
[Course Data - Day 6]California Coast Bike Ride - Cities/Towns Visited:
Fort Bragg to Bodega Bay: Fort Bragg, Caspar, Mendocino, Little River, Albion, Manchester, Flumeville, Point Arena, Anchor Bay, Gualala, Sea Ranch, Stewarts Point, Fort Ross, Jenner, Bridgehaven, Carmet, and Bodega Bay
Bodega Bay to Half Moon Bay: Bodega Bay, Valley Ford, Tomales, Marshall, Millerton, Point Reyes Station, Olema, Woodville, Stinson Beach, Muir Beach, Tamalpais Valley, Almonte, Marin City, Sausalito, San Francisco, Daly City, Broadmoor, Edgemar, Pacifica, Montara, Moss Beach, El Granada, and Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay to Carmel: Half Moon Bay, San Gregorio, Pescadero, Davenport, Santa Cruz, Soquel, Aptos, Moss Landing, Marina, Seaside, Sand City, Monterey, Pacific Grove, and Carmel
Carmel to Cambria: Carmel, Carmel Highlands, Big Sur, Lucia, Gorda, San Simeon, and Cambria
Cambria to Solvang: Cambria, Harmony, Cayucos, Morro Bay, Baywood Park, San Luis Obispo, Avila Beach, Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Oceano, Callender, Guadalupe, Orcutt, Sisquoc, Los Olivos, and Solvang
Solvang to Malibu: Solvang, Santa Ynez, Santa Barbara, Summerland, Carpinteria, Ventura, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, and Malibu
California Coast Bike Ride - Counties Visited:
Fort Bragg to Bodega Bay: Mendocino and Sonoma Counties
Bodega Bay to Half Moon Bay: Sonoma, Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties
Half Moon Bay to Carmel: San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Monterey Counties
Carmel to Cambria: Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties
Cambria to Solvang: San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties
Solvang to Malibu: Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles Counties
California Coast Bike Ride - Climbs:
Fort Bragg to Bodega Bay: Mile 19 (cat. 4), 28 (cat. 4), 81 (cat. 4), 89 (cat. 3), 93 (cat. 4), and 102 (cat. 4)
Bodega Bay to Half Moon Bay: Mile 1 (cat. 4), 8 (cat. 4), 13 (cat. 4), 38 (cat. 4), 49 (cat. 4), 56 (cat. 3), 67 (cat. 4), 71 (cat. 4), 79 (cat. 3), and 88 (cat. 4)
Half Moon Bay to Carmel: Mile 8 (cat. 4), 11 (cat. 4), and 13 (cat. 4)
Carmel to Cambria: Mile 16 (cat. 4), 28 (cat. 3), 63 (cat. 4), 67 (cat. 3), and 73 (cat. 4)
Cambria to Solvang: Mile 77 (cat. 4), 98 (cat. 4), and 104 (cat. 4)
Solvang to Malibu: Mile 7 (cat. 4), 18 (cat. 3), and 111 (cat. 4)
California Coast Bike Ride - Rest Stops (Self-Supported):
Fort Bragg to Bodega Bay: Mile 58 (Anchor Bay)
Bodega Bay to Half Moon Bay: Mile 69 (San Francisco)
Half Moon Bay to Carmel: Mile 77 (Moss Landing)
Carmel to Cambria: Mile 65 (Gorda)
Cambria to Solvang: Mile 65 (Guadalupe)
Solvang to Malibu: Mile 73 (Port Hueneme)
California Coast Bike Ride - Description:
This ride covers 650 miles of the about 2,000 mile long Pacific Coast Bicycle Route between Canada and Mexico. It leads through parts of Northern California, all along the Central Coast, and through parts of Southern California.
The ride is designed to be a six day series of centuries finishing in Los Angeles. While there is not a single major climb, the overall amount of climbing is significant. Most of the route follows Highway 1, also known as Pacific Coast Highway, Coast Highway, Shoreline Highway, and Cabrillo Highway - one of the most scenic roads in the United States. Parts of the route are featured in the Amgen Tour of California.
[Bixby Bridge]Day one starts in Fort Bragg, a once booming logging town surrounded by redwood forests. The route simply follows the Coast Highway. Two worthwhile extra mile options include a detour through the town of Mendocino and an out-and-back visit of Point Arena Lighthouse. Fort Ross, a former Russian settlement, is a point of interest along the course. The route visits several small towns and includes a mentionable climb near Jenner.
The second day starts in Bodega Bay, known as setting for Alfred Hitchcock's «The Birds». The route again simply follows Shoreline Highway. An alternate on quiet back-country roads is available between Valley Ford and Tomales. While many cyclists choose an inland route when approaching San Francisco, this ride follows the more scenic but less safe Highway 1, climbing the Pacific shoulder of Mount Tamalpais. The section through San Francisco and its suburbs requires the use of surface roads. South of San Francisco on Coast Highway, the route includes a climb and following descent through an area known for landslides and erosion, referred to as «Devil's Slide».
Day three starts in Half Moon Bay, the oldest city of San Mateo County, and leads through a large rural agriculture area. The ride continues on Cabrillo Highway until Santa Cruz, optionally using the former stagecoach route through Pescadero, which runs parallel to the coast. Starting in Santa Cruz, the course follows surface roads and the bike path until Monterey peninsula. One of the highlights of the day includes 17 Mile Drive, which passes by famous Pebble Beach Golf Course.
The fourth day starts in Carmel, known for its natural scenery and artistic history. The route again simply follows Cabrillo Highway. This part of the coast is known as Big Sur and is absolutely stunning. Towards the beginning, the course crosses a few historic bridges, including Bixby Bridge. There are only three tiny towns along this section, Big Sur, Gorda, and Lucia. Towards the end, the course passes San Simeon, home of Hearst Castle and one of only two beaches in California where elephant seals come ashore (the other one is in Año Nuevo and is less accessible). The route includes two mentionable climbs, one in Big Sur, and the other one close to Ragged Point.
Day five starts in Cambria, a quiet little seaside town. The route follows Cabrillo Highway until Morro Bay. From here it leads inland towards San Luis Obispo, before returning to the coast in Pismo Beach. The course then continues to lead inland, passing through Guadalupe and Orcutt. Eventually it follows Foxen Canyon and Ballard Canyon all the way into Solvang.
The sixth day starts in Solvang, the «Danish Capital of America». The route leads through Santa Ynez Valley and then climbs San Marcos Pass (the highest point of the ride), before descending to the coast in Santa Barbara. From here it follows the coast, passing through several cities and towns, including Ventura, Oxnard, and Port Hueneme. At Point Mugu the route continues on Pacific Coast Highway, which leads into Los Angeles County.
California Coast Bike Ride - Personal Notes:
What an amazing trip. We rented a minivan and took all day Sunday to drive up to Northern California. There were five of us - Joel G. and I, the riders, and Sandra, Guillermo C., and Sergio J., the runners.
While Joel and I were riding, our «crew» went running, sightseeing or shopping, and tried to catch us by the time we arrived at the hotel. On the second day we were joined by Mark G. from San Francisco, who showed us a great route through the city. Except for Ward and Jacky B., who are on a trip around the world, we only met few fellow cyclists.
Weather and wind were perfect during the entire trip (we went the week before Labor Day), the only headwind section was around Monterey, where the coast turns west. Traffic was light, and even «extremely hazardous» sections such as the Pacific shoulder of Mt. Tam and «Devil's Slide» turned out to be no problem.
Crossing the Golden Gate by bike is definitely an experience, but my favorite stages include the dramatic shoreline of Mendocino and Sonoma Counties, and the spectacular Big Sur coastline, where we saw California condors soar and heard sea lions bark while riding along mystical cliffs.
Here are some statistics:
- Total distance: 652 miles
- Min. / avg. / max. daily distance: 98 / 109 / 115 miles
- Total climbing: 35,920 feet
- Min. / avg. / max. daily climbing: 4,900 / 5,990 / 7,350 feet
- Highest elevation attained: 2,160 feet (San Marcos Pass)
- Total calories expended: 42,990 (Garmin accuracy)
- Flat tires: Bernd 1, Joel 0
California Coast Bike Ride - Pictures:
[Mendocino Coast]
[Ward and Jacky]
[Cows on Sonoma Coast]
[Stinson Beach]
[Golden Gate Bridge]
[«Devil's Slide»]
[Dinner in Half Moon Bay]
[Sea Lions in Moss Landing]
[Cannery Divers Memorial in Monterey]
[17 Mile Drive]
[Lone Cypress in Carmel]
[Point Sur Lighthouse]
[Big Sur]
[Ragged Point]
[Elephant Seals in San Simeon]
[Morro Bay]
[Mural in Guadalupe]
[Foxen Canyon (Solvang)]
[Ballard Canyon (Solvang)]
[San Marcos Pass]
[Santa Barbara Pier]
[Malibu]California Coast Bike Ride - Current Weather:
For a related book, see Bicycling the Pacific Coast.
For good cycling maps, see Adventure Cycling Association.
See also Los Angeles to San Diego.
Labels: California Multi-Day / Stage Bike Rides, California Year-Round Bike Rides
