You've only got a few days. Where would you go/what route to ride in California?

[VonTrapp]

Here's the premise, I've got a few days off (thanks to Easter and my profession of teaching) on the horizon. I want to go somewhere in Northern California/Central Coast. I live here, but love exploring my own state. The idea is to...


Step 1: Ride/Amtrak to a beautiful location in California.

Step 2: Glamp/Airbnb/whatever in an awesome destination. Preferably in some tiny 1 man cabin.

Step 3: Ride in that area. Eat good food. Drink good beer.

Step 4: Ride/Amtrak back home.


Where would you go? What rides would you do?

Thanks for the help!

[roguedog]

Paso Robles / SLO or Santa Barbara


Oh and I heard that Death Valley is beautiful in Spring... That's been on my to do list for a bit

[VonTrapp]

I should add a note. I don't mind being in remote areas, with a lot of silence.

Teaching has me constantly around noise/movement/controlled chaos.

The middle of nowhere sound lovely.

[joosttx]

Bishop, CA:: many good routes there.

Can you bring bikes on the Amtrak in Cali. On the east coast is was not allowed universally

[beeatnik]

^you can from santa barbara to LA so I'm guessing it's qoo up and down the coast.

[cat6]

Bikes are welcome on Amtrak but you now must purchase a ticket w/bike reservation in advance. No extra fee for the bike but they have a limit for how many can fit on the train.

[Benneke]

I would look for a cabin somewhere in Loma Mar, La Honda, or the Boulder Creek area. The redwoods are breathtaking and there is a vast network of forested mountain roads perfect for cycling. I know there are many small cabins in the area (including a ton of geodesic domes), but I'm not sure how many are listed on AirBnB. There are many incredible rides in that area but the can't miss spots are the roads thru Big Basin State Park, Tunitas Creek Rd, and Alpine Rd into La Honda. Make sure to try the artichoke bread at the bakery in Pescadero.

[Jaq]

Originally Posted by roguedog

Paso Robles / SLO or Santa Barbara


Oh and I heard that Death Valley is beautiful in Spring... That's been on my to do list for a bit

With the rain we've had, the desert wild flowers should be pretty spectacular. I'd go for a desert odyssey. Maybe do some of the big high desert climbs like onion road and so on. If monitor pass is open you might try that.

[livingminimal]

Originally Posted by roguedog

Paso Robles / SLO or Santa Barbara

This +10000000

[ofcounsel]

Originally Posted by Jaq

With the rain we've had, the desert wild flowers should be pretty spectacular. I'd go for a desert odyssey. Maybe do some of the big high desert climbs like onion road and so on. If monitor pass is open you might try that.

Yeah, the Southern end of Death Valley is blooming now: http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/ca_dv.html

[ColnagoFan]

Originally Posted by livingminimal

This +10000000

Thirded. But it might be a haul via train from the Bay Area. That said it has all that you desire, and more. And WARM!

[Louis]

My only comment would be that if you only have a few days to do this, don't choose a base location that's too far from home - you don't want to spend too much time getting there and getting back.

[Peter B]

Day 1: GGB to Seaside.
Day 2: Seaside to Morro Bay.
Day 3: Morro Bay to Santa Barbara
Day 4: Amtrak/Bart Return.

~125 miles/day. Spectacular scenery. PM for more specific route info & hotel/dining suggestions.

[Drmojo]

every cyclist needs to experience Big Sur
you need to be up for 200k days, heaps of climbing on Day 2
This is known as "the Coast Ride" an annual event on MLK weekend, now in its 18th year or so. Between Peter B and other buddies we have collectvely done the ride at least 20 times
twice fixed
Glorious
Full stop

[CampyorBust]

Not exactly Northern California or the coast, but since Death Valley is being offered up I’ll throw this one into the mix… Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Though I am not sure if Amtrak even goes near there.

http://www.steephill.tv/galleries/20...uoia-kings-np/

Actually it looks like it might be possible...https://www.amtrak.com/sequoia-natio...liday-packages