Itinerary

Day 1: Pedal the Newton B. Drury scenic Parkway through massive redwoods.

Meet us in Eureka (we found it!). After a short one-hour shuttle north, we begin cycling on the the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway through the mammoth redwoods of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Stop for a quick hike to crane your neck at Big Tree, standing over 300 feet tall. It measures 21 feet in diameter and just keeps on growing past its estimated 1,500 years. Sneak a peek at the Pacific Ocean from Patrick’s Point, surrounded by lush ferns and mosses. Relax at the Trinidad Inn tonight.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner. Lodging: Trinidad Inn
Distance: 43 miles (or less), Elevation: +2622 ft / – 2770 ft.

Day 2: Continue south along the coast to Eureka.

Ride the scenic drive from Patrick’s Point through Trinidad again in the morning, then head inland for pastoral farm roads. After a spin through Arcata, a one-time gold-rush provisioning stop on the shores of Humboldt Bay and now home to Humboldt State University, ride out to the North Jetty and relax in the sea breeze. Explore Eureka this afternoon. The entire town is a state historic landmark, with hundreds of Victorian homes. Enjoy the Old Town neighborhood with its charming cafes, bookstores and window shopping. Stay at the Carter House tonight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Lodging: Carter House
Distance: 27 miles, Elevation: +679 ft / – 903 ft.

Day 3: Kayak Humboldt Bay National Wildlife refuge and ride the south Jetty to Ferndale

Kayak Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, then ride the South Jetty on to Ferndale. Kayak Humboldt Bay , one of California’s most pristine wetlands. After a quick lesson, paddle through archaeological sites, an egret rookery and windswept cypress trees. After lunch, continue on to historic Ferndale, which posed as the ideal 1950s town for Jim Carrey’s movie The Majestic. You’ll love the Victorian Village Inn, which National Geographic Traveler calls ‘…one of the world’s top ten great places.’ Dinner is on your own tonight in Ferndale.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch. Lodging: Victorian Inn
Distance: 33 miles, Elevation: +932 ft / – 887 ft.

Day 4: Ride the “Lost Coast” over Panther Gap and through Bull Creek Redwoods

Ride from the “Lost Coast” over Panther Gap and through the Bull Creek Redwoods. The wild and rugged Lost Coast is the only section of California’s coastline that doesn’t have a major highway. Despite some rough sections of road on today’s route, this is an unforgettable ride you won’t want to miss! Begin cycling along shimmering blue waters and utterly deserted beaches. Along here, it’s not hard to imagine the relatively undisturbed California coast of a century ago – essentially, you are looking at it! Eventually the road veers inland following a remote river valley that feels likewise “lost in time.” After about 25 miles the grade kicks up dramatically as you begin the 2500’ ascent to Panther Gap – the summit for today’s ride. Or you can choose to do like many folks and opt for a scenic and relaxing boost over the pass in the van instead. Whichever method of transportation you choose, dizzying views over the Pacific Ocean and redwood forests await. After the descent, pedal a quiet road through the massive redwoods of Bull Creek before shuttling back to Ferndale for a second night at the Victorian Inn.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Lodging: Victorian Inn
Distance: 47 miles (or skip the big climb), Elevation: +5015 ft / – 4894 ft. (or skip the big climb)

Day 5: Cycle through Morro Bay on your way to Pismo Beach and dig your toes into the sand!

Ride through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Pedal along the banks of the Eel River amongst ancient redwood forests on the “Avenue of the Giants.” These magnificent Coast Redwoods can live more than 2,000 years and are the tallest living things on earth, reaching heights of more than 350 feet – taller than a football field is long! Ride your bike through a giant space between the roots of a living redwood. Options today range up to 50+ miles, if you’d like to do them all. Relax on the banks of the Eel River at the historic Benbow Inn tonight.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch, Lodging: Benbow Inn
Distance: 43 miles.(or more), Elevation: +2397 ft / – 2139 ft.

Day 6: Hike Bull Creek Redwoods

Slow down and wind down with a hike along Bull Creek in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Savor the quiet serenity of the forest primeval – the largest old-growth redwood forest remaining in the world! Wander through cathedral-like groves and enjoy their magic spell one more time before shuttling back to Eureka for your trip home.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

While it is indeed a spectacular route, much of the cycling on this tour is along Highway One. Riders should be comfortable cycling on a highway with some traffic.

* This is a general itinerary. Tour itineraries are subject to change based on the group, available accommodations and other unforeseen circumstances such as the weather, local conditions, government intervention, that may affect the quality of the trip and/or safety of the participants. Please view this itinerary as an outline as to what to expect on this tour.

Lodging

Trinidad Inn
Carter House
Victorian Inn
Benbow Inn

The hotels, Inns, and B&B’s we use are always among the finest the area has to offer. We work closely with the innkeepers to make sure they understand your needs and ours, whether that is having a place to store your bike, an early morning breakfast or a convenient place to park the van, they are as committed to your vacation experience as we are.

Lodging is based upon two people to a room with a private bath. If you’re traveling solo on any of our trips, we’ll assign you a roommate of the same gender and often of the same age bracket. There is no extra charge if we can’t find you a roommate, even if you sign up the day before the trip starts. You can guarantee yourself a private room and bath if you pay the Single Room Fee. Occasionally a room with two beds consists of one bed plus a roll away bed or sofa bed.

Included:

• Lodging
• Meals: all included except 1 dinner.
• Road / Hybrid Bike, ( E-bike rent possible)
• Luggage transfer.

Not included:

• Night before and after the tour.
• Flights to and from the tour
• Gratuities guides

Pricing / Tour dates

Tour price 2024: Ask for price
Extra option E-bike rental $200.-pp
Tour dates 2024: June, July, August and September.
You can choose a date you prefer in the four months mentioned
Note: Only available as a private tour with a minimum of 6 participants in one booking.
Requires 4 months lead time for permitting.

Conditions

Deposit 25% For all private tours $500.–pp is non-refundable.
The deposit payment for a tour must be paid within two weeks after the booking is confirmed.
The remaining payment is due 90 days before the start of the tour.
For tours that are booked within 90 days before the start of the tour you will pay 100% of the tour price
Deposit amount of $500.-pp are non-refundable for Private tours.

Information

Meals and dining:
We know how important breakfast is to make sure your day starts off right. Most breakfasts are served at the inn where we spend the night and are either a set menu or a continental breakfast buffet. But if there is a local restaurant with a reputation for a great breakfast, we can guarantee we will find it and you will be treated to a nutritious meal to start the day.
Lunch is provided at a state park or similar scenic setting midway during the day’s ride. Guests are always surprised at the variety and quality of lunches we prepare. Besides sandwich fixings and cold drinks, we offer fresh fruits and vegetables and hot lunches such as tortellini with pesto or veggie burritos. If you prefer a certain item of food or drink, just let your tour guide know and we will be sure to prepare just the right lunch to keep your energy up for the rest of the day.
During the day water, fruit juices, soft drinks, energy bars, fruit, and snacks are available from the van. A cold beer from our cooler waits at the end of the day, and you can relive the day’s highlights at our wine and cheese party before dinner.
Dinner is eaten together at the best restaurant in the area. At most restaurants, you order what you want from the menu. Except for alcohol, everything is included, even appetizers, salad, soup, and dessert. If we have to shuttle everyone a short distance to get to that special place, we do it. We like to eat well.