Vacation Here

[GuyGadois]

It dawned on me on my ride today that I live in a damn nice place to vacation. There seem to be quite a few threads asking for ideas where to vacation. If you are looking for a nice laid back small town area for the family I can't think of too many places as unique as San Luis Obispo. Good activities for everyone and some nice riding to boot. You even have SteveWho'sNotTooSLO and I to show you some backroad rides.

Here are some snapshots from just an awesome day of riding.

I started off by riding down to Avila Beach. It's a very cool little beach alcove that rarely gets fog. I believe it has more sunny days then any beach in CA:

My feathered friends didn't really care how close I got
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7137/7464967660_34d510bd2c_b.jpg

You can still drive out to the end of this pier and get a steam dungeness crab
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8009/7464967156_9e632a3878_b.jpg

Avila Beach downtown
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7279/7464968098_fdf6f41274_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7269/7464968672_85d3dc7957_b.jpg


Leaving Avila Beach I headed inland about 1.5 miles and the scenery totally changes on See Canyon Road. This road is known for their delicious apples:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8148/7464969076_757549cf2b_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8027/7464969474_fe41c5daa9_b.jpg

The road meanders for about 5 miles and then heads uphill for 1.5 at an average of 9.8%. Not a car in sight. At the top the road changes to dirt for a couple of miles.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8150/7464969834_15fe94d788_b.jpg

Once you are done with the dirt you climb a short nasty hill that gives you increadible views of San Luis Obispo all the way to the coast. This one looks east
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7264/7464970314_c01790263b_b.jpg

This one looks towards the coast, Morro Bay which is frequently fogged in, especially in summer.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7132/7464970740_8f78f698ec_b.jpg

Then ride down an awesome decent and back home
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7126/7464971266_fb9bd3693b_b.jpg

Strava'd: http://app.strava.com/activities/11997156#

[esldude]

WOW!

Very nice place to ride, and to live I imagine. Thanks for sharing.

So did you use your commuter bike to cruise along this or a more race oriented road bike?

[Jaq]

Where are the pics of the man-eating clamshell urinals in the Madonna Inn?

If that don't bring 'em, nuthin' will.

[GuyGadois]

Where are the pics of the man-eating clamshell urinals in the Madonna Inn?

If that don't bring 'em, nuthin' will.

The urinals at the Madonna Inn are awesome. A waterfall urinal
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6209/6091667954_4899c7108e_z.jpg

A few years ago we stayed in the Cave Man room complete with clubs.
http://madonnainn.com/rooms/images/137.jpg

http://madonnainn.com/rooms/images/137a.jpg

[Louis]

Where are the pics of the man-eating clamshell urinals in the Madonna Inn?

Which Madonna are we talking about, the supposedly virgin one, or the definitely not virgin one? Regardless, I'm glad I don't use her interior decorator.

[Steve in SLO]

Great shots, GG!
I guess I should have played hookey from work and ridden with you today.

[alancw3]

nice pics! thanks for sharing.

[54ny77]

SLO is by far my favorite place in the country that I've been to and/or lived in.

If you live there full time, consider yourself EXTREMELY fortunate!

Am hoping for a trip there in early fall. Farmer's market on Thurs., trip-tip sandwich, cold beer, perfect...

[Jaq]

Good fishing out of Morro Bay, too. And the Harbor Hut serves a great steak.

[texbike]

Absolute heaven! Mid-Coast California is one of my favorite parts of the world (especially this time of year when we're having 100 plus degree days!).

Texbike

[metalheart]

Are the vehicle drivers "bike friendly" on the back roads?

[MattTuck]

I'd really like to make it out to that area, and Santa Ynez, Santa Barbara next February. What is the weather usually like that time of year?

[john903]

Great pictures and a great idea. My wife and I do this sometimes as well, we will play tourest in our home town and always come away thinking "we live in a real cool area." By the way I really like that area it seems to be a great balance of weather, population, scenery. If we ever leave Washington that area is high up on my list.
Thanks dor the pictures and have a great ride.

[Steve in SLO]

Are the vehicle drivers "bike friendly" on the back roads?

Moreso than most places, yes.
There are a few spots where folks live out on windy narrow roads where passing is difficult. They probably stuck behind cyclists fairly often, so they are less friendly, but rarely do we get yelled at/flipped off. For the most part we get along.

[54ny77]

Years back there was a couple of nasty dogs on Huer Huero that I thought wanted to eat my leg each time I passed. If I was tired, it wasn't fun because it was on a slightly punchy section and I had to hustle. :eek:

Eventually I learned they were protective but were pretty much all bark...although on more than one occasion they went to nip at my heel. Slightly unnerving....

Some days, zero traffic out there. Loved it. Sure could be COLD in early winter a.m.'s though!

Moreso than most places, yes.
There are a few spots where folks live out on windy narrow roads where passing is difficult. They probably stuck behind cyclists fairly often, so they are less friendly, but rarely do we get yelled at/flipped off. For the most part we get along.

[CaliFly]

Love that area. The missus and I spent a few days in your neck of the woods last month. Stayed in Pismo, but roamed from Santa Barbara to SLO. Visited a few Edna Valley wineries, too. Cambria is another favorite place to stay.

We keep threatening to move there...but we'll see.

[Onno]

What's the weather like there in March?

[Steve in SLO]

What's the weather like there in March?

Nicer than most. In SLO, generally lows 30-40s, highs 60-70s, some morning fog along the coast. Coastal winds from the north are just starting for teh year, so it pays to get out relatively early or ride north first then get blown back home.

[GuyGadois]

Generally, Fall and Winter are the nicest times IMO. Spring can be windy with cool winds off the ocean. Summer really never heats up beyond 75. Fall is the best with a few weeks of Indian Summers. Winter tenDs to be very nice too with cooler nights (this last winter was filled with 70 degree days). One of my favorite things is that even with warmer days the evenings drop to the 50s which is great sleeping weather. If you are going to visit I would say come in October. Avoid Spring.

[maxn]

That looks awesome. Such varied riding!

[norcalbiker]

My wife and I love Avila Beach. We normally stay in Sycamore Resort when we spend the weekend or so.

There is a nice hiking trail start at the resort and take you to the top of the hill to see the ocean.

[Ken Robb]

Peachy Canyon Rd. by Paso Robles is a dandy to ride or drive.

[GuyGadois]

Had another great ride today. This time with the kids to a little known area called Big Falls behind Lake Lopez. 30 minute drive to the end of the road and then on the mtn bikes. 12 stream crossings in 3.75 miles, a 1 mile steep hike to some swimming holes. There are cliffs to dive off for the Darwin ignorers. Some about 40 feet high. Water was cold and refreshing air was about 85. Fun ride.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8025/7475652486_b8c47460cc_b.jpg

Buddy going through on of the 12 stream crossings
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8007/7475650478_377d1d87b8_b.jpg

The kids didn't always make it across but were rewarded with nice cool water
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8017/7475651042_5330b2276a_b.jpg

A Fire truck in the middle of nowhere
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7125/7475651598_b3d7674f74_b.jpg

Hiking time to Big Falls
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7111/7475653080_cf3cde0002_b.jpg

360 photo of the small pond. The bigger one had kids cliff jumping in it.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8157/7475653938_3792ce119e_b.jpg