Your Next Adventure
Your Next Adventure
Santa Barbara Wine Country Getaway Bike Tour
Trip Overview
The Santa Barbara Wine Country Getaway is doubly-delectable! Not only do you get to ride some of the finest routes in California's Santa Barbara wine country … but you also get to savor the most delicious fresh foods and wines from the region. This four-day trip includes amazing vistas of vineyards, canyons and famous horse farms—dotted with stately oak trees.
You explore the Santa Ynez (pronounced “ee-nez”) Valley with its low-traffic roads and backdrop of beautiful mountains. And you ride down to the Pacific for a stroll on the beach and to marvel at the surf. Stay all three nights at the spectacular ForFriends Inn*, where you are treated to a nightly wine happy hour and a three-course breakfast. This tour is all road biking, and the shorter distances each day include shuttling around slightly busier roads and intersections.
*Upgrades are available at the ForFriends Inn for an additional $200 per night ($600 total for the tour) to stay in one of the six California Craftsman bungalows. These are larger than the inn rooms — with studio layouts featuring heirloom quality furniture, kitchenettes, premium finishes, high-speed internet, private porches and parking. Notify us on registration, and we will reserve an upgraded room for you in a bungalow, first-come, first-served.
Surfaces for this tour: 100% Paved
Itinerary
From start to finish, check out the route.
Meet at 11 a.m. at the ForFriends Inn in Santa Ynez and be ready to ride. There is an optional shuttle from the Residence Inn Santa Barbara Goleta at 9 a.m., which is next to the Santa Barbara Airport. After brief introductions, you are on your way to your first ride in wine country. The morning has you pedaling a loop along Happy Canyon, considered by locals to be one of the most beautiful rides in the region. Have your camera ready, as this is quiet and low-traffic … and the rolling route offers jaw-dropping views of vineyards and ranches. Early in the ride, you arrive in the village of Los Olivos, where you can enjoy lunch at one of the town’s many inviting restaurants. Today’s ride goes through numerous horse ranches including the horse farm and race track made famous in the film “Seabiscuit.” End today’s ride at the boutique B&B ForFriends Inn. After the happy hour, walk to a nearby restaurant for a group dinner.
Enjoy a tasty three-course homemade breakfast before setting out for today’s adventure. Start your day with an optional bike ride on Mt. Figueroa Road or a short hike at the base of the magnificent Mt. Figueroa. Located in the San Rafael Mountains, the summit of Mt. Figueroa is over 4,500 ft, and the roads and trails along the base of the mountain are quiet and rolling. From the mountain, you ride or shuttle back to the beautiful town of Los Olivos and onto Foxen Canyon Road. Ride up Foxen Canyon past numerous wineries and horse farms to one of the oldest wineries in Santa Barbara County, Rancho Sisquoc Winery. Recharge yourself with a picnic and wine under a magnificent oak tree at the edge of their vineyard. After lunch, you can either van or bike your way back to Santa Ynez through the picturesque horse country. As you cycle along the “Wine Trail,” consider stopping for another tasting at the Fess Parker Winery. End today’s ride back at ForFriends Inn. You’re on your own for dinner tonight to enjoy one of the many restaurants within walking distance from the inn.
Today’s ride is toward the breathtaking ocean views of Jalama Beach. After breakfast, shuttle to Buellton and ride along the iconic Santa Rosa Road to the Hilt Estate Vineyard. From there, you are soon on Jalama Beach Road, a beautiful and quiet coastal road which ends at a county park on the beach and a classic California burger shack. After enjoying lunch and the beach, shuttle back to the Danish-themed town of Solvang, made popular in the film “Sideways.” Return to the inn and gather tonight to celebrate our final happy hour and dinner together. Enjoy a fantastic dinner at SY Kitchen, one of the top farm-to-table restaurants in the county!
Enjoy another homemade breakfast before setting out for today’s ride. Get ready for the beautiful Ballard Canyon, where you enjoy more scenic vistas as the hills roll by. This route was used for time trials for the annual pro-Amgen tours. Just a few miles before the end of this afternoon’s ride, you roll through Solvang again, then return to Santa Ynez in time for showers and check out. Have a farewell lunch at a nearby Italian restaurant before departure. Then there is an optional shuttle to Santa Barbara Airport and the adjacent Residence Inn Santa Barbara Goleta to say our goodbyes.
Map
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $500 holds your reservation for most tours. For weekend tours, the deposit is $300.
What’s Included
3 nights' lodging, 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners, 1 wine tasting, nightly happy hour with wine included, and one complimentary bottle of wine from ForFriends Inn. Optional transfer from/to Santa Barbara Airport area at 1 set time each for arrival and departure. We also include detailed maps and itineraries, experienced guides, full van support — plus use of a bike and helmet. Airfare is not included.
Dates & Pricing
Prices are per person based on double occupancy (2 people in one room). Single supplement for private room is listed at the top of this page. A deposit of $500 holds your reservation for most tours. For weekend tours, the deposit is $300.
What’s Included
3 nights' lodging, 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners, 1 wine tasting, nightly happy hour with wine included, and one complimentary bottle of wine from ForFriends Inn. Optional transfer from/to Santa Barbara Airport area at 1 set time each for arrival and departure. We also include detailed maps and itineraries, experienced guides, full van support — plus use of a bike and helmet. Airfare is not included.
Inns
Where you stay along the way.
Gallery
Images from this tour. Click each to see it larger.
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