Central Coast California bike trips and outdoor trips in San Luis Obispo California. Central Coast Outdoors offer bike trips and outdoor trips on the Central Coast of California in San Luis Obispo.

After a mid-day arrival it's a short shuttle to Monterey, where we will ride the famed 17 Mile Drive past golf courses and along the edge of the ocean. Keep an eye out for sea otters and the Lone Cypress as we wind our way by exclusive mansions and stunning views of the Pacific. If the group arrives early enough, there should be time to relax by the pool after the warm-up ride.

Accommodations Ideas: Inn at Spanish Bay, Pebble Beach or Seven Gables Inn, Pacific Grove

Get ready for one of the most epic stretches of coastal riding anywhere in the world, the Big Sur Coast. Here, Highway One often clings to cliffs, sometimes hundreds of feet above the water, while mountains soar thousands of feet just inland. Rocky wooded points of land alternate with sandy beaches and deep, narrow redwood lined canyons. All in all, a ride along the Big Sur Coast is a feast for the senses.

Accommodations Ideas: Ventana Inn or Big Sur Lodge, Big Sur

For stronger riders, the southern Big Sur Coast beckons. More climbs, more stunning views and more epic riding. It's about 50 hilly miles from Ventana Inn to the southern end of the Big Sur Coast at Ragged Point. For those with energy left after all those hills (and if time allows) the ride can also be extended along the relatively level stretch of coast down to Cambria. If more hills aren't your cup of tea today, we'll also shuttle a group down to Ragged Point at the start of the day and do the leisurely 22 mile ride to Cambria, riding past Hearst Castle and an elephant seal colony along the way. Cambria features numerous art gallery and other shops. After collecting everyone, we'll shuttle about 2 1/2 - 3 hours to Santa Barbara.

Accommodations Ideas: Four Seasons Biltmore or Inn of the Spanish Garden, Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara has beaches, extravagant mansions, historical buildings and stunning coastal views. Our ride today winds in and around Santa Barbara and takes it all in. We'll spin along the beaches, climb and descend through the exclusive residential neighborhoods of Santa Barbara and Montecito and pass by the Santa Barbara Mission. After a late restaurant lunch in downtown Santa Barbara, the afternoon is free for relaxing back at the hotel, booking a spa treatment or doing a short but challenging ride. Much of the optional afternoon ride is high above town with beautiful views out to the Channel Islands if it's a clear day. Tonight we'll dine in an excellent Santa Barbara restaurant to be determined, perhaps Bouchon, Downey's or Olio e Limone.

Accommodations Ideas: Four Seasons Biltmore or Inn of the Spanish Garden, Santa Barbara

The Santa Ynez Valley is a perfect locale for bicycling and wine tasting. Numerous secondary roads wind between ranches and vineyards. This was also a winter training area for Lance Armstrong and Team Discovery. We'll shuttle from Santa Barbara to the tiny town of Los Olivos, featured in the movie "Sideways." From here, we'll do the Foxen Canyon Loop and have a picnic lunch at Zaca Mesa Winery before riding back to Los Olivos, where there is more wine tasting and plenty of shopping to be had. Other wineries along the route include Firestone and Koehler. Those enticed by more riding can add an out-and-back along Figueroa Mountain Road or do a pleasing loop along Ballard Canyon. The Ballard Canyon Loop features some more excellent wineries, such as Rideau and Rusack. After shuttling back to Santa Barbara, we'll have a farewell dinner in whichever excellent Santa Barbara restaurant we didn't get to last night. For more information about the wineries in the area, follow this link to the Santa Barbara County Vintners' Association.

Accommodations Ideas: Four Seasons Biltmore or Inn of the Spanish Garden, Santa Barbara

Alas, all good things must come to an end. If time allows, there is a great short loop along the coast down to Carpinteria which takes in some classic California beach towns. The Santa Barbara Airport is about a 20 minute drive from the hotel.