Cycling San Simeon

The Bike Ride of a Lifetime

Visit San Simeon and you will find a biker’s paradise – cruise down long stretches of coastal highway, suitable for both the avid and novice cyclist; breeze down the beach boardwalk for a leisurely ride with the family or discover thrilling mountain biking trails for the daring. Located centrally between Los Angeles and San Francisco with long stretches of scenic highway on one side, and mountains on the other, it is no wonder San Simeon is host to multiple global cycling events. Pair this with the cool ocean air, breathtaking views and exciting discoveries around every bend for a memorable ride for everyone.

Enjoy the Ride on Highway 1

The historic Highway 1 is arguably one of the most iconic coastal biking routes on the West Coast and the 20 mile stretch from San Simeon to Ragged Point is made for cycling enthusiasts. Avid riders will be greeted with dramatic and unspoiled shoreline views and ocean breezes. Intensive road-biking not your thing? San Simeon also offers more leisurely rides, like cruising down the beachside boardwalk or riding through the quaint town of San Simeon and stopping to grab lunch at Sebastian’s Café or wine tasting at Hearst Ranch Winery. Whether you are a spandex-clad cyclist or beginning rider, this beautiful stretch of coastline will make you want to explore on two wheels and experience the oceanside communities. Located right off of Highway 1, San Simeon is the ideal, hassle-free spot to stop along your route. With scenic views, breezy ocean air and stunning vistas, San Simeon is guaranteed to take your breath away.

Cycle Through Historic San Simeon

Miles: 33 miles
Difficulty Level: Easy
Elevation Gain/Loss: +1,392 ft/ -1,397 ft
Location: Cambria to Piedras Blancas and back

Directions: Starting at the Cambria Dog Park, turn left on Main Street and follow the road until you reach Highway 1 North. Once you arrive at Piedras Blancas Light Station, travel back down Highway 1 South and turn right onto San Simeon Road to ride through the Historic San Simeon. Once you’re done exploring Old San Simeon, merge back onto the Cabrillo Highway South. As you approach Cambria, turn right onto Moonstone Beach Drive

Trail Overview: Riders will get a unique taste of the Central Coast with a route that loops from Cambria’s East Village up to Piedras Blancas Light Station and back, all while following the scenic Highway 1. This trek allows you to follow a section of Highway 1’s scenic coastline, through Old San Simeon, San Simeon and Cambria.

Discover the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Miles: 99.2 miles
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Elevation Gain/Loss: +8,472 ft
Location: Monterey to San Simeon

Directions: Starting at Monterey State Beach on Municipal Wharf 2, head South to merge onto Highway 1 South and ride until just before Cambria.

Trail Overview: From Monterey, this windy trail takes you down the historic Highway 1 through Carmel, Big Sur, Ragged Point, past the elephant seals and through the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary where you might be able to spot some of San Simeon’s famous marine wildlife. Endless panoramic ocean views tempt you to make a pitstop and explore parks along the way, such as Pfeiffer-Big Sur State Park where you can walk trails leading to beaches, canyons, hot springs and bluffs.

Explore Highway 1

Miles: 69.1 miles
Difficulty Level: Moderate - Difficult
Elevation Gain/Loss: +5,027 ft/ -5,027 ft
Location: Cambria to Gorda and back

Directions: Starting in Cambria, near the Piedras Blancas Light Station Lens, get onto Highway 1 North. Shortly exit to cruise up Moonstone Beach Drive until it puts you back on Highway 1 North. Ride through Historic San Simeon and follow Highway 1 all the way to Gorda. On the way back to Cambria, take Moonstone Beach Drive to Santa Rosa Creek Trail for a quick change of scenery.

Trail Overview: Cyclists will not be bored on this route –– coast on and off Highway 1 to explore the rugged sea bluffs that switch back and forth up to Gorda. Along the ride, stop to take in the view and snap a photo of the zebras at Hearst Ranch, Hearst Castle set up on the hill, the Elephant Seal Rookery, Piedras Blancas Light Station or anywhere with a gorgeous view.

Adventure to Big Sur

Miles: 80.1 miles
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Elevation Gain/Loss: +9,155 ft/ -8,932ft
Location: Cambria to Big Sur

Directions: Leaving from Cambria, get onto Highway 1 North for approximately 27 miles until you reach Salmon Creek, then continue onto Salmon Creek Trail. In about 5.5 miles, take a left on South Coast Ridge Road. After riding on South Coast Ridge Road for 4.5 miles, take a left on Willow Creek Road/Los Burros Road and follow the road back to Highway 1 until you reach the Big Sur Ranger Station.

Trail Overview: Bike your way along the coast’s Highway 1 and into the rugged terrain of Silver Peak Wilderness up to Big Sur. By following the Salmon Creek Trail, you will get a glimpse of Big Sur’s hidden waterfalls and canyon views that open up to the ocean. The ride’s scenery shifts from views of chilled, mossy forests to chiseled sea cliffs until you finish in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.

Ragged Point Route

Miles: 37 miles
Difficulty Level: Easy
Elevation Gain/Loss: +1,872 ft / -1,871 ft
Location: San Simeon to Ragged Point

Directions: Starting at Vista Del Mar Avenue, turn left to head North on Cabrillo Highway. Continue North until you get to Ragged Point Inn, where you will be able to turn around.

Trail Overview: Hit all of San Simeon’s major attractions with a single ride from San Simeon to Ragged Point and back. This 37-mile route will take you on Highway 1 past notable landmarks, challenging hills, and stunning views. It features some of the historic points for which San Simeon and Ragged Point are best known: Hearst Castle, the elephant seals, the Piedras Blancas Light Station, the San Simeon Pier, and beyond. More details about the route, here.

International Cycling Events in San Simeon

Embark on the journey of a lifetime with one of the many globally-recognized cycling events that run through San Simeon. Discover opportunities to challenge yourself, race down unpaved roads, celebrate the history of cycling, make a difference with charity rides, camp along the iconic Highway 1 and even attend an after-party at the historic Hearst Castle.

Eroica California

Originating in Italy, Eroica celebrates and pays homage to the passion of classic cycling through challenging routes, magnificent landscapes and unforgettable adventure. Since its start, the event has grown globally with eleven annual celebrations. Moving its way into San Simeon, you can now join in on this unique event. Choose the classic event to rediscover the beauty of fatigue and the thrill of conquest, or NOVA Eroica California for a step beyond vintage to celebrate modern bikes in Eroica-style.

Amgen Tour of California

Experience a race like never before with the Amgen Tour of California, the professional cycling road race modeled after The Tour de France. As these cyclists make their way through hundreds of miles of diverse and challenging terrain, join in on the excitement and cheer them on in San Simeon while they complete their journey, or celebrate with them at the finish line.

Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle

Cruise down the Highway 1 while changing lives at this annual charity event. Riders take off from Carmel with beautiful views of Big Sur, Lucia Gorda and Ragged Point along the way. Race to the finish line at Hearst Castle in San Simeon and finish the day off with a barbeque and concert at Hearst Ranch. Top donors are invited to an after-party at the famed Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle.

Lighthouse Century Ride

Join the San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club for this scenic and challenging annual event. With three different route options, satellite tracking to keep track of your personal best challenges and scenic views throughout, this event is for the cyclist lovers. Bike from Morro Bay to San Simeon, stop at the Piedras Blancas Light Station and make a rest stop at the Cavalier Oceanfront Resort and San Simeon Lodge.

Arthritis Bike Classic

Explore the Central Coast from a different perspective with an exhilarating and rewarding bike ride down Highway 1. Starting in San Francisco, make your way along the waves, woods and wineries at your own pace for this 8-day event. Camp and stay at hotels throughout your journey, such as either of San Simeon’s two coastal campgrounds or any of the 11 hotels, and end in Los Angeles for a celebratory closing ceremony. All money raised during the Bike Classic goes to helping the lives of those effected by arthritis and to finding a cure.

Leisurely Bike Rides

Bike from your hotel to restaurants and points of interest in the small coastal town of San Simeon. Cruise down the beachside boardwalk for a leisurely ride amid the cool ocean air or take a guided tour of then central coast with the recreational experts.

For guided tours, bike rentals and more information visit Central Coast Outdoors.

Cardiacs

Miles: 1.1 miles
Difficulty Level: Easy
Elevation Gain/Loss: +34 ft/ -50 ft
Location: San Simeon

Directions: At the end of Lone Palm Drive, the Bluff Trail begins and will take you on a short coastal ride to San Simeon.

Trail Overview: Riders of all skill levels welcome to coast the Bluff Trail that hugs the ocean’s edges of San Simeon. Grab a bike and enjoy a short and breezy coastal ride with unobstructed ocean views on a sunny Saturday.

Santa Rosa Creek Trail

Miles: 1.5 miles (one way)
Difficulty Level: Easy
Elevation Gain/Loss: +79 ft/ -50 ft
Location: Cambria

Directions: Santa Rosa Creek Trail begins on Windsor Blvd. and follows the Santa Rosa Creek until it reaches Cambria’s old Highway 1 on Main Street.

Trail Overview: Explore the grassy wildlife that surrounds the Santa Rosa Creek on a comfortable 1.5-mile route. The dirt and gravel path take riders through beautiful greenery as you make your way into the center of Cambria.

East West Ranch Access

Miles: 1.5 miles (one way)
Difficulty Level: Easy
Elevation Gain/Loss: +85 ft/ -27 ft
Location: Cambria

Directions: Starting on Huntington Drive, follow signs for the East West Ranch Access Trail.

Trail Overview: This flat, wooded trail weaves through 1.5 miles of the East West Ranch within the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. The grasslands give way to picturesque views down to the ocean.

Dairy Trail

Miles: 0.4 miles
Difficulty Level: Easy
Elevation Gain/Loss: +167 ft
Location: Cambria

Directions: Off of Highway 1 and past the Santa Rosa Creek Trail, follow signs for Dairy Trail.

Trail Overview: Grab a bike and head onto Dairy Trail for a leisurely ride on a tree-laden, dirt path. The short climb takes cyclists to the top of East West Ranch where the trail intersects with Indian Mound Trail.