Cool Coastal Rides In South Bay/Santa Cruz Area?

[-holiday76]

As i've mentioned I just moved to Los Gatos/San Jose area from the east coast a few weeks ago. My mother in law is visiting for two weeks starting tonight so this weekend will be my first chance to go on a longer ride. I'm thinking something around a metric century or so. Can anyone recommend anything that at least partially goes near the ocean ? I'm looking for something with great views that I can make my friends back on the east coast jealous with. If I have to drive a bit to get to the start of the route that would be fine too. I was thinking of maybe going up the 1 from Santa Cruz, or maybe ven heading down towards Monterey and riding the 1 down towards big sur?

Any help would be appreciated. i've been busy working so I havent had much chance to look into places to do yet....

[bigbenaugust]

I'm in Sunnyvale, so it is somewhat longer for me, but I have gone from my house to Capitola-- an 82mile round trip through town, over the Los Gatos Creek Trail, around Lexington reservoir, and up Old Santa Cruz Hwy to Summit Rd, then down Soquel-San Jose Rd. Depends on how you feel about a little dirt, though (I have a CX bike).

The more common route is to go up and over to Santa Cruz via Highway 9. Then you can go north on 1 and come back up on 84, then come back to Los Gatos via 35 to 9.

[MarkoPolo]

It doesnt really follow the coastline closely, but similar to bigben's route, I like Old Santa Cruz to Summit and then San Jose Rd to Capitola (Gayle's in Capitola is highly recommended for refuel stop). Then cruise by Capitola beach to get your sand, surf and beach fauna photos before heading south to Corralitos and then climb up Eureka Canyon which has almost no traffic and is very wooded and a beautiful ride, although the road surface has lots of rough spots. Here's a link to the route from Lexington School, but you can just as easily leave for Los Gatos via the LG Creek trail across the face of thedam and around the reservoir.

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/47728

Hwy 1 north of Santa Cruz is fine for riding and follows the coastline, but from SC south to past Watsonville is freeway and not rideable. Carmel to Big Sur is awesome, but I would only do it on a weekday. Blind corners, narrow shoulder and large RV's make it a non-starter Fri-Sun.

North to south on 1 is the preferable direction to get a tailwind.