Your Next Adventure
Your Next Adventure
Taste of Southern California Bike Tour
DURATION
6 Day(s)
DAILY BIKING
22 to 51 miles
TRIP DIFFICULTY
3-Intermediate
STARTING FROM
$3595
SINGLES ADD FROM
$1,200
Trip Overview
The Taste of Southern California tour 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 six-day trip highlights two exquisite areas. You spend the first four days exploring the Santa Ynez (pronounced “ee-nez”) Valley — with its scenic canyons, vast vineyards, and low-traffic roads. Then spend two days pedaling along the Pacific Coast and visiting Avila and Pismo beaches. Stay at ForFriends Inn and Hotel San Luis Obispo, both known for their ample charm and relaxing ambience.
Itinerary
From start to finish, check out the route.
DAY 1 - Arrival Day: Foxen Canyon
Distance: 24 miles | Terrain: Intermediate | ForFriends Inn
Meet at 9 a.m. in downtown San Luis Obispo. Be ready to ride. After brief introductions, you are on your way to your first taste of Southern California. Shuttle to Rancho Sisquoc Winery, where you are fitted to your bike and enjoy a wine tasting and meal with your new riding companions. After lunch, hop on your bike and pedal through the picturesque and serpentine-like Foxen Canyon. As you cycle along the “Wine Trail,” consider stopping for tastings at many of the best- known wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley, including Foxen, Zaca Mesa, and Fess Parker. End today’s ride at the boutique B&B ForFriends Inn. Make yourself at home, as you spend three nights at the inn. Dine together at the nearby Brothers Restaurant at the Red Barn.
Meet at 9 a.m. in downtown San Luis Obispo. Be ready to ride. After brief introductions, you are on your way to your first taste of Southern California. Shuttle to Rancho Sisquoc Winery, where you are fitted to your bike and enjoy a wine tasting and meal with your new riding companions. After lunch, hop on your bike and pedal through the picturesque and serpentine-like Foxen Canyon. As you cycle along the “Wine Trail,” consider stopping for tastings at many of the best- known wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley, including Foxen, Zaca Mesa, and Fess Parker. End today’s ride at the boutique B&B ForFriends Inn. Make yourself at home, as you spend three nights at the inn. Dine together at the nearby Brothers Restaurant at the Red Barn.
DAY 2 - Happy Canyon & Ballard Canyon
Distance: 37 miles | Terrain: Intermediate | ForFriends Inn
Enjoy a tasty three-course homemade breakfast before setting out for today’s ride. 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 quiet, low-traffic, and rolling route offers jaw-dropping views of vineyards and ranches. Just a few miles into your ride, you pass the horse farm and race track made famous in “Seabiscuit.” Shortly after passing through Los Olivos, consider visiting the tasting room at Rusack Winery. Return to Santa Ynez for lunch at one of the town’s many inviting restaurants. In the afternoon, head out for another loop, this time through Beautiful Ballard Canyon, where you enjoy more scenic vistas as the hills roll by. This route is used for time trials for the annual pro Amgen tours. Just a few miles before the end of this afternoon’s ride, explore the Danish town of Solvang, made popular in the film “Sideways.” You’re on your own for dinner tonight to enjoy one of the many restaurants within walking distance from the inn.
Enjoy a tasty three-course homemade breakfast before setting out for today’s ride. 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 quiet, low-traffic, and rolling route offers jaw-dropping views of vineyards and ranches. Just a few miles into your ride, you pass the horse farm and race track made famous in “Seabiscuit.” Shortly after passing through Los Olivos, consider visiting the tasting room at Rusack Winery. Return to Santa Ynez for lunch at one of the town’s many inviting restaurants. In the afternoon, head out for another loop, this time through Beautiful Ballard Canyon, where you enjoy more scenic vistas as the hills roll by. This route is used for time trials for the annual pro Amgen tours. Just a few miles before the end of this afternoon’s ride, explore the Danish town of Solvang, made popular in the film “Sideways.” You’re on your own for dinner tonight to enjoy one of the many restaurants within walking distance from the inn.
DAY 3 - Canyons galore!
Distance: 23 or 49 miles | Terrain: Intermediate | ForFriends Inn
Today’s ride is all about canyons, canyons, canyons. After a few miles of pedaling to warm up your legs, you begin the 10-mile ride through Drum Canyon and up and over the summit. You then find yourself in Los Alamos, a perfect spot for lunch. Those wishing to end the day’s ride in Los Alamos can shuttle back to the inn. Those wishing to keep pedaling press forward for a gentle climb up Alisos Canyon. After a few miles, rejoin Foxen Canyon, where you pedaled your first day of the trip. Finish today’s loop with a climb up Zaca Mesa and Firestone Hills before returning to ForFriends Inn. You’re on your own once again to enjoy dinner in Santa Ynez.
Today’s ride is all about canyons, canyons, canyons. After a few miles of pedaling to warm up your legs, you begin the 10-mile ride through Drum Canyon and up and over the summit. You then find yourself in Los Alamos, a perfect spot for lunch. Those wishing to end the day’s ride in Los Alamos can shuttle back to the inn. Those wishing to keep pedaling press forward for a gentle climb up Alisos Canyon. After a few miles, rejoin Foxen Canyon, where you pedaled your first day of the trip. Finish today’s loop with a climb up Zaca Mesa and Firestone Hills before returning to ForFriends Inn. You’re on your own once again to enjoy dinner in Santa Ynez.
DAY 4 - Mt. Figueroa
Distance: 22 or 44 miles | Terrain: Intermediate/Advanced | Hotel San Luis Obispo
After breakfast, you take on the challenge of Mt. Figueroa. Located in the San Rafael Mountains, the summit of Mt. Figueroa takes you to just over 4,500 ft. Today’s ride is not for the faint of heart. It is a grueling 10-mile pedal to the top of the mountain. For those who opt for the climb, you earn yourself bragging rights as well as a feather for your cap. Make sure to enjoy the lookout before you descend to a lower elevation. For those of you who respect your limits, consider grabbing a lift to the top of the mountain for an eyebrow-raising, nearly pedal-free descent down the other side. Or, consider sleeping in and having a lazy morning soaking in the sun’s rays from the balcony of the inn. After lunch, pack your bags, say goodbye to ForFriends, and shuttle to San Luis Obispo. You spend the last two nights of our tour at Hotel San Luis Obispo. You’re on your own to explore dinner options in San Luis Obispo.
After breakfast, you take on the challenge of Mt. Figueroa. Located in the San Rafael Mountains, the summit of Mt. Figueroa takes you to just over 4,500 ft. Today’s ride is not for the faint of heart. It is a grueling 10-mile pedal to the top of the mountain. For those who opt for the climb, you earn yourself bragging rights as well as a feather for your cap. Make sure to enjoy the lookout before you descend to a lower elevation. For those of you who respect your limits, consider grabbing a lift to the top of the mountain for an eyebrow-raising, nearly pedal-free descent down the other side. Or, consider sleeping in and having a lazy morning soaking in the sun’s rays from the balcony of the inn. After lunch, pack your bags, say goodbye to ForFriends, and shuttle to San Luis Obispo. You spend the last two nights of our tour at Hotel San Luis Obispo. You’re on your own to explore dinner options in San Luis Obispo.
DAY 5 - Pacific Coast
Distance: 51 miles | Terrain: Intermediate |Hotel San Luis Obispo
Today’s ride is along a classic section of the Pacific Coast Highway. After breakfast, shuttle to Elephant Seal Vista Point where you can experience elephant seals up-close and personal. After bidding adieu to your marine mammal friends, pedal south and enjoy the breathtaking views of the ocean off to your right. A few miles into the ride, consider stopping for a tour of the Hearst Castle in San Simeon. A national historic landmark, the castle helped inspire the plot of Orson Welles’s satire “Citizen Kane.” Twenty miles into the ride, stop for a tasting at Harmony Cellars. Further down the coast, enjoy lunch in either Cayucos or Morro Bay before returning to Hotel San Luis Obispo. Gather tonight to celebrate our final dinner together.
Today’s ride is along a classic section of the Pacific Coast Highway. After breakfast, shuttle to Elephant Seal Vista Point where you can experience elephant seals up-close and personal. After bidding adieu to your marine mammal friends, pedal south and enjoy the breathtaking views of the ocean off to your right. A few miles into the ride, consider stopping for a tour of the Hearst Castle in San Simeon. A national historic landmark, the castle helped inspire the plot of Orson Welles’s satire “Citizen Kane.” Twenty miles into the ride, stop for a tasting at Harmony Cellars. Further down the coast, enjoy lunch in either Cayucos or Morro Bay before returning to Hotel San Luis Obispo. Gather tonight to celebrate our final dinner together.
DAY 6 - Departure Day: Avila Beach
Distance: 14 or 28 miles | Terrain: Easier
Wake to your last morning on the tour. Whether you choose the one-way or round-trip route option, you have a leisurely pedal to Avila and Pismo beaches via the Bob Jones Trail. Return to the inn for showers and goodbyes, feeling satiated with a week-long tour tasting the best of Southern California.
Wake to your last morning on the tour. Whether you choose the one-way or round-trip route option, you have a leisurely pedal to Avila and Pismo beaches via the Bob Jones Trail. Return to the inn for showers and goodbyes, feeling satiated with a week-long tour tasting the best of Southern California.
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
Professionally guided biking, 5 nights’ lodging, 5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 2 dinners (you are on your own for 4 lunches, and 3 dinners), prepackaged snacks to take along on the ride, two leaders, van support, bicycle 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
Professionally guided biking, 5 nights’ lodging, 5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 2 dinners (you are on your own for 4 lunches, and 3 dinners), prepackaged snacks to take along on the ride, two leaders, van support, bicycle and helmet. Airfare is not included.
Inns
Where you stay along the way.
ForFriends Inn
Enjoy this boutique B&B with gracious hosts and welcoming accommodations. Well-located in the heart of Santa Barbara wine country, this inn is within walking distance of tasting rooms and great restaurants. It offers a delicious breakfast and so much more!
Hotel San Luis Obispo
Hotel San Luis Obispo is a modern urban resort that embodies the essence of SLO (San Luis Obispo). Alluring hills surround it, and it's simultaneously easy going and elegant with light, airy spaces and two restaurants and bars. Enjoy amenities such as their pool, hot tub and full-service spa.
Gallery
Images from this tour. Click each to see it larger.
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