Tour Code: WT- California 03      8-Day Cycling Tour of San Francisco - Half Moon Bay State Park - Santa Cruz - Big Basin Redwoods State Park - Portola State Park - Golden Gate Park - Point Reyes - San Francisco

Departure: Daily

 Day 01: Entry San Francisco - Half Moon Bay State Park
In the morning we leave San Francisco along a series of bike paths and bike lanes to the California Coast. We follow the coast south to Half Moon Bay State Park where we spend our first night listening to the rhythmic surf of the Pacific Ocean. After a warm shower and a delicious dinner, we can go to explore the beach. Today we ride 38 miles.

 Day 02: Half Moon Bay State Park - Santa Cruz
After a hearty breakfast we continue our journey down the coast to just south of Santa Cruz where we spend another night along the California Coast. While you relax and explore your guides will serve appetizers and prepare a wonderful meal using fresh local produce. This will be our last night along the California Coast before riding inland under a canopy of giant redwoods. Today’s mileage is 56 miles.

 Day 03: Santa Cruz - Big Basin Redwoods State Park
As we leave the coast we climb through meadows and forest into the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains. As we gain elevation dramatic ocean vistas will come into view. Our destination is Big Basin Redwoods State Park. In the lush forest of Big Basin we are surrounded by the silent redwood sentinels of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Today’s mileage is 42 miles.

 Day 04: Big Basin Redwoods State Park - Portola State Park
The morning begins with a climb through a magnificent redwood grove along a very quiet road. We follow a ridge along aptly-named Skyline Boulevard, finishing our day with a fantastic descent to Portola State Park. Once we make camp, you may want to take a nature hike through the Redwoods, or just enjoy a hot shower and bask in the peace of this amazingly quiet and beautiful canyon. Today’s mileage is only 32 miles though we will have significantly climbed.

 Days 05: Portola State Park - Golden Gate Park
This morning we start by reversing the fantastic descent you enjoyed yesterday afternoon giving you time to truly enjoy the beauty of this area. Once you've gained the ridgeline again, the rest of your ride today will be relatively flat, with one long descent from the ridge to Crystal Springs Reservoir. About 10 miles of today's ride is on quiet bike paths - you'll never guess you're passing through the famous "Silicon Valley" as you wind your way through the woods along two reservoirs. At the end of the bike path we take a bike-friendly route into the city, using quiet roads, bike lanes and paths. After passing through Golden Gate Park, we make our way to the bay, where we stay at the water front Fort Mason Hostel. This is a popular stop for bike tourists and international visitors, with many cyclist-friendly amenities and a great location on the San Francisco water front. Tonight we dine at an amazing vegetarian restaurant that offers food that meets our high standards for a delicious meal. This wonderful restaurant is only a short walk from the hostel. Today’s mileage is 62 miles.

 Day 06: Golden Gate Park - Point Reyes
We can hop onto a bike path right outside the hostel which will take us to the world famous Fisherman’s Wharf. Here we hop aboard a ferry that takes us across San Francisco Bay to the beautiful town of Tiburon. After an espresso and a little more breakfast at a local cyclist’s café in Tiburon we continue along the Bay. Our ride takes us through quiet residential streets, along a bike trail underneath a canopy of Redwoods, and over rolling farm land to Point Reyes. For the next two nights we camp at the Olema Ranch Campground, close to the towns of Olema and Point Reyes Station and central to the many terrific activities on Point Reyes. Today’s mileage is a relaxing 32 miles. Options exist to increase this distance if desired.

 Day 07: Point Reyes
Today we leave the tents in place and explore the local area. There are many great options, from an ambitious day tour, to a short ride to the beach, to an afternoon browsing books at Point Reyes Books and noshing in the Bovine Bakery. Our guides can give you ideas for exploring on your own, or go for a ride with you. Lunch will be on your own today. To celebrate the last evening of a great tour we'll have a delicious meal to complement this amazing ride.

 Day 08: Point Reyes - San Francisco
As we leave Point Reyes and head back towards San Francisco, you'll already be thinking about how soon you can return. After a pleasant ride through the countryside with some gentle climbs, we wind our way along quiet streets to the little town of Sausalito. There we grab a quick espresso and pastry from Café Trieste before crossing the Golden Gate Bridge to San Francisco. The views from this magnificent structure are nothing less than spectacular. Crossing this bridge will leave with memories of a lifetime. Today’s mileage is 38 miles.