Indolent58

Tracie and I headed up to Cambria on Thursday for some biking and touristing. We arrived around 5PM on Thursday and after checking in at the Cambria Pines Lodge, we took a ride through town and out Santa Rosa Creek Road. It was a 20 mile out and back with a wee bit more climbing for Tracie than I had advertised (1900ft ), but she did great. The road follows the creek for the most part and the route is heavily treed and beautiful. While we did an out and back, the road continues to climb into the hills and eventually meets up with Hwy 46. A loop ride with Hwy 46 and Hwy 1 thrown in would probably be glorious but will have to wait for another trip.

The next morning we set off on Hw1 for Ragged Point, which is about 24 miles North of Cambria.



We stopped at the Elephant Seal lookout area North of San Simeon. While I suppose the seals must work hard while we aren't looking, I can really relate to their lifestyle on the beach.





The ride to Ragged Point is mostly gentle rollers, there is a steep climb up to the Point itself and the Ragged Point Resort. There is nothing else for miles, so no climb, no lunch.



The restaurant and surrounding grounds were a perfect stopping point. We had a nice lunch and relaxed in some relatively rare sunshine. Funny, now that I see the pictures it looks sunnier than it seemed at the time, probably because it was fairly cool during most of the day.




On the way back we stopped at the mostly defunct town of San Simeon. A few houses, an historically designated mini-mart and nice fishing pier and beach are about it.




This morning it was a fair bit colder but we wanted to get a short ride in before heading back. A friendly cycling couple I met at breakfast suggested San Simeon Creek Rd. as an out and back ride that was not too steep. It's the friendly ones you have to watch out for. It turns out that the road climbs 3000ft in 9 miles with some short sections where it pitches up to over 15%. Needless to say we didn't get to the top, but Tracie was a good sport until her legs said "enough!".



Overall this was a great trip. It's the first time we've done a cycling vacation, but it will not be the last.

octico

Wow very nice !! It brings memories when Kris and I drove through there.
Thanks for sharing your pics and memories.
John

jschen

Cool. Glad you had a great trip.

DanteB

It’s amazing I didn’t run into you. I’ve been in Cayucos since Saturday the 1st. I’ve been riding everyday and Thursday I drove some friends up the coast to Lucia. I just got back from having dinner at the Sea Chest, GREAT SEAFOOD! I’m here for the next two weeks and I’m going to enjoy every minute of it.

herbm

If you didnt eat at the Sea Cheast..you weren't really there!

BTW..Dante..I cant even tell you how jealous I am that you are eating there..I would eat there every night if I could!!!

DanteB

I'll be there again Friday night! Sitting at the bar visiting with Steve.

thomson

Nice ride and pictures. I love riding up there as well.

Have they repaved Santa Rosa yet?

Mr. Beanz

No climb, no lunch? Tracie musta been hungry cause she looks like she was tearing up that climb, BOY!

Nice pics!

Gretzky

Now that looks like an awesome ride! Thanks for sharing

merider1

Nice pics, Dan! The scenery is gorgeous as is your DW! She's got legs! Sounds like you had a great time. Thanks for sharing.

Indolent58

No - it's not such a good road but the scenery makes up for it. At one point my flasher shook off my seat bag and I had to go hunt for it in the bushes.

nesdog

Great pix! We stayed at the Inn next door to the Sea Chest a few weeks ago when we went for the Country Coast Classic. Vicki and I drove up Santa Rosa Creek road from town to Hwy 46 while looking for more bike routes. Beautiful area but we both agreed that riding it seemed a bit dicey so you guys are better than us!

Your cruise on the coast was exactly the ride we did. Hope you had better luck with the headwinds than we did! Looks like you had a great time!

Sheldon

herbm

Tell Steve and Chico hi!!!
I am so jealous!!

roadfix

Thanks for the nice photos, Dan! Glad you both enjoyed your stay up north.

DanteB

The Central Coast Double uses Santa Rosa Creek road, we went from Hwy 46 to Cambria. First climbing the wall is tough, I measured it at 18% overall with pitches of 22%. Then came the downhill, the first couple of miles is steep and very rough. The rest of the ride to Cambria is fast and rough, although it’s absolutely beautiful. The biggest things to watch for, besides the rough road, are cars not paying attention and wild turkeys in the road. You really have to keep your head in the game when you come down Santa Rosa Creek road, sometimes it makes it hard to enjoy the scenery. Great report and pics!

DanteB

If I mention your name will I only have to wait 30 minutes to an hour for the bar? Last night it was busy, we had a party of 6 and it was an hour and half before we were seated at a table. But, it was worth every minute of it.

Yen

Looks like a great time! Cambria is our favorite getaway. We stay on the beach at Cambria Shores Inn.... LOVE to just sit out on the adirondak chairs and drink coffee or watch the sunset. Now that we are back into riding, we plan to take our bikes next time we go. Last time, we drove to Linn's and to Ragged Point.... now your pics will challenge us to ride there instead.

My tail light was bumped off my seat bag quite a few times until Hubby put a small piece of blue painter's tape across the opening at the bottom of the hook, that holds it on quite well.

The Sea Chest has awesome food. A line forms outside before it even opens, so arriving very early for a front window seat is highly recommended. Here's some pics we took when we were there.... we ate to our hearts' content but thanks to daily walks on the boardwalk along the beach I actually lost a couple of pounds.

Indolent58

It turns out we stayed right next to it on our second night at the Little Sur Inn. We didn't know it was recommended, but our dinner at the Black Cat Bistro was excellent. Next time we'll try the Sea Chest.

efficiency

Cool. That cycling couple must have selective memories, or they might be doping.

nesdog

That is where we stayed as well. We'll probably go back there as we found the room to be nice sized and decently priced. Cool to have a little ocean view. Liked walking along the boardwalk each day.

Sheldon

dddave

my girlfriend's parents live in cambria and we go there every thanksgiving with her family and spend a few days there. this year our bikes will be in tow.

ever been to hearst castle?

DanteB

The Black Cat is very good also. Another good choice is Taco Temple in Morro Bay (order from the specials board), Basil in Paso Robles. For lunch try Riddel’s Smokehouse in Cayucos, they have great smoked fish tacos.

DanteB

I like to sit at the bar and watch the cooks. It’s hard getting a seat there, that’s where most of the locals sit.

herbm

Oh yeah, you will get seated right away....wish that were true.....

efsculpt

Looks like a great trip- Super Pictures.
A couple of thoughts,as I live here:
Looks like you guys hit all the great rides. I didn't know San Simeon Creek was so steep atend.
The Elephant Seals were males, up on the beach for several weeks, to shed skin. Females and juviniles do the same during summer- so always something going on. Late December, January, Febuary is the "Big Show".
The Santa Rosa Creek Road is a great place to ride. Sunday=least traffic. The road goes back along creek (was the old to Paso Robles road) then begins to climb out of stream valley. It connects to Hwy 46, east of costal hills, so if one wanted to do a loop, it would mean lots of steep climbing to get out of valley and over hills, back to Cambria.
The "Burrito Wagon" next to B of A parking lot in East Village, on weekends, has great food. Buy food, go across to Soto's Market for, aaaahhhhh, mineral water,and fruit, ride bikes to Luffingwell Park at north end of Moonstones Drive, have pic-nic, watching waves.
Other good rides in area:
Morro Bay to Los Osos, then to Montania de Oro St. Park, following edge of bay. MB to LO road has reasonable bikelane shoulder. Mt. de Oro road is narrow but not real busy. I think it is a good place to Mt. Bike offroad. Buy food at Vons or Ralphs in downtown Los Osos for lunch at Mt. de Oro. Eat pastery at Carlock's Bakery, also in LO.
Sincerely,
efsculpt