California Riviera ~ Self-Guided
Tours
Year-Round ~ $1195
Santa
Barbara California could
be the best
place for an off-season cycling
vacation. How
do Heather and Larry know?
We’ve indulged
in one ourselves for many
years, visiting Heather’s
family for the holidays.
She grew up there and began
her racing career there.
After mapping out our favorite
rides and discovering a charming
lodging for you just two
blocks from the beach, we’re
excited about sharing this
paradise with you. Enjoy
five nights lodging, great
cycling routes and Italian-inspired
food and wine for a true
"pedala forte, mangia
bene"!
vacation in California.
| Day
1 - Arrive
at our charming hotel and
assemble your bicycle
or do a quick check
of your rental machine
for a ride on the Santa
Barbara Riviera. This
ride heads up State
Street, the main downtown
promenade lined with
quaint shops and restaurants,
then turns to see the
court house — the
city's most photographed
building. It's a gradual
climb from here to
the historic Mission,
then a bit more climbing
to reach Santa Barbara's
Riviera, with its prestigious
homes and sweeping
views of downtown,
the ocean, and the
Channel Islands beyond.
This afternoon, take
a stroll along the
beach before a relaxing
dinner, perhaps at
nearby Emilio's. |
|
Day
2 - After
a satisfying breakfast,
roll along our Carpinteria
Loop down
palm-lined Cabrillo Boulevard,
then take a bikes-only
back-route to charming
Butterfly Beach. Continue
south through quaint Summerland
to Carpinteria. Enjoy lunch
of fresh fish tacos before
turning inland and following
California 192 between
avocado groves and flower
farms. Enjoy dinner this
evening at Heather and
Larry's favorite osteria, Ca
'Dario.
Day
3 - A
peaceful night's sleep
in a comfy bed readies
you for our Goleta Loop.
Cruise up the coast past
Santa Barbara's harbor
and Leadbetter Beach before
a climb to scenic Shoreline
Park. After a quick descent,
wind your way through exclusive
Hope Ranch, then follow
a quiet off-street bike
path to Goleta Beach. From
the beach you head inland
to the foot of the mountains
before taking another dedicated
bike path across town.
Enjoy an afternoon stroll
along State Street, shopping
or enjoying a cup of gelato
(we'll tell you where the
good stuff is) as you think
about tonight's sumptuous
dinner.
Day
4 - Another
gorgeous day in Paradise.
Try
our Montecito Loop
along the coastline
south to Butterfly
Beach, then head inland
through the green heart
of Montecito. Want
more challenge? Turn
up Ladera Lane, a straight
one mile climb with
grades touching 15%.
Your effort is rewarded
with sweeping ocean
views along Montecito's
quiet, twisting Bella
Vista Drive. Wind your
way among the oaks
and sycamores of California
192, taking in a few
steep climbs as you
pedal through the foothills.
Spend the afternoon
exploring Stearn's
Wharf and enjoy a fresh
seafood dinner.
|
Stearn's Wharf
|
Day
5 - Sleep
in a bit on your final day
on the
Riviera. Wind
down with our Foothill Loop
and a promenade
through the shops and cafes
of downtown Santa Barbara
before riding past the historic
Mission to Foothill Road.
Up for a final big challenge?
Take Gibraltar Road — a
sustained climb with challenging
grades and sweeping ocean
views — used by a certain
Texan when he visits the
area.
Continue along Camino Cielo
"the road of the sky" up
to La Cumbre Peak, before
descending Old San Marcos
Pass Road, the most-fun descent
in the area, with its tight
switchbacks and good pavement.
Spin out your tired legs
on a mostly flat return to
town. Splurge tonight with
a return visit to Ca
'Dario for
dinner, you've earned it!
Elevation Profile
California
Riviera Self-Guided Tour
Fact Sheet
Self-Guided
FAQ
Self-Guided
Reservation Form
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