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)
Locate ride on interactive map.
[Interactive Course | enlarge]
California Coast - 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.
[Fort Bragg to Bodega Bay - Route Profile]
Fort Bragg to Bodega Bay - Counties Visited:
Mendocino County and Sonoma County
Fort Bragg to Bodega Bay - Cities/Towns Visited:
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
Fort Bragg to Bodega Bay - Climbs:
Mile 19 (cat. 4), 28 (cat. 4), 81 (cat. 4), 89 (cat. 3), 93 (cat. 4), and 102 (cat. 4)
Fort Bragg to Bodega Bay - Stops (Self-Supported):
Mile 58 (Anchor Bay)
Fort Bragg to Bodega Bay - Description:
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.
[Bodega Bay to Half Moon Bay - Route Profile]
Bodega Bay to Half Moon Bay - Counties Visited:
Sonoma County, Marin County, San Francisco County, and San Mateo County
Bodega Bay to Half Moon Bay - Cities/Towns Visited:
Bodega Bay, Valley Ford, Tomales, Marshall, Millerton, Point Reyes Station, Olema, Five Brooks, Stinson Beach, Muir Beach, Tamalpais Valley, Manzanita, Waldo, Sausalito, San Francisco, Daly City, Broadmoor, Edgemar, Pacifica, Montara, Moss Beach, El Granada, and Half Moon Bay
Bodega Bay to Half Moon Bay - Climbs:
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)
Bodega Bay to Half Moon Bay - Stops (Self-Supported):
Mile 69 (San Francisco)
Bodega Bay to Half Moon Bay - Description:
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 Tam. 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».
[Half Moon Bay to Carmel - Route Profile]
Half Moon Bay to Carmel - Counties Visited:
San Mateo County, Santa Cruz County, and Monterey County
Half Moon Bay to Carmel - Cities/Towns Visited:
Half Moon Bay, San Gregorio, Pescadero, Davenport, Santa Cruz, Soquel, Aptos, Moss Landing, Marina, Seaside, Sand City, Monterey, Pacific Grove, and Carmel
Half Moon Bay to Carmel - Climbs:
Mile 8 (cat. 4), 11 (cat. 4), and 13 (cat. 4)
Half Moon Bay to Carmel - Stops (Self-Supported):
Mile 77 (Moss Landing)
Half Moon Bay to Carmel - Description:
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.
[Carmel to Cambria - Route Profile]
Carmel to Cambria - Counties Visited:
Monterey County and San Luis Obispo County
Carmel to Cambria - Cities/Towns Visited:
Carmel, Carmel Highlands, Big Sur, Lucia, Gorda, San Simeon, and Cambria
Carmel to Cambria - Climbs:
Mile 16 (cat. 4), 28 (cat. 3), 63 (cat. 4), 67 (cat. 3), and 73 (cat. 4)
Carmel to Cambria - Stops (Self-Supported):
Mile 65 (Gorda)
Carmel to Cambria - Description:
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.
[Cambria to Solvang - Route Profile]
Cambria to Solvang - Counties Visited:
San Luis Obispo County and Santa Barbara County
Cambria to Solvang - Cities/Towns Visited:
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
Cambria to Solvang - Climbs:
Mile 77 (cat. 4), 98 (cat. 4), and 104 (cat. 4)
Cambria to Solvang - Stops (Self-Supported):
Mile 65 (Guadalupe)
Cambria to Solvang - Description:
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.
[Solvang to Malibu - Route Profile]
Solvang to Malibu - Counties Visited:
Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, and Los Angeles County
Solvang to Malibu - Cities/Towns Visited:
Solvang, Santa Ynez, Santa Barbara, Summerland, Carpinteria, Ventura, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, and Malibu
Solvang to Malibu - Climbs:
Mile 7 (cat. 4), 18 (cat. 3), and 111 (cat. 4)
Solvang to Malibu - Stops (Self-Supported):
Mile 73 (Port Hueneme)
Solvang to Malibu - Description:
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 - Pictures:
[Mendocino Coast]
[Ward and Jacky]
[Cows on Sonoma Coast]
[Stinson Beach]
[«Devil's Slide»]
[Sea Lions in Moss Landing]
[17 Mile Drive]
[Lone Cypress in Carmel]
[Point Sur Lighthouse]
[Big Sur]
[Ragged Point]
[Elephant Seals in San Simeon]
[Morro Bay]
[Mural in Guadalupe]
[Ballard Canyon]
[San Marcos Pass]
[Malibu]
California Coast - 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 were 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)
- Flat tires: Bernd 1, Joel 0
California Coast - Current Weather:
For a related book, see Bicycling the Pacific Coast.
For good cycling maps, see Adventure Cycling Association.
See also Redwood Coast and Los Angeles to San Diego.