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Activity Level: M
Start / Finish: Santa Barbara / Santa Barbara
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“Napa? Never heard of it.”
Ah, Southern California: land of picturesque vineyards, rugged mountain trails, sleepy cowboy towns and fresh air by the lungful. Wait… what? Believe it. There’s a place down there that makes the Golden State live up to its loft nickname. In Santa Barbara, we swap the congested highways and sprawling cities for refreshing sea breezes and exhilarating rides through small towns, past grandiose estates and up Mount Figueroa. We forgo downtown glitz for guest ranches and tastefully opulent oceanfront properties. We trade celebrity and surface gloss for boutique galleries, private vineyards and cowboy authenticity. We like to have our SoCal both ways—a healthy balance of style and substance.
Here’s a sample of what you can expect on your custom-designed Bespoke Santa Barbara Biking adventure. Intrigued? Contact a Bespoke Trip Planner for further details.
Day 1 Get in some great biking and take in the stunning views of Los Padres National Forest
Day 2 Tour Solvang, a Danish oasis smack-dab in the middle of Southern California
Day 3 Follow in the tire-tracks of the pros to the summit of Mount Figueroa
Day 4 Browse the stylish boutiques and stellar restaurants of Santa Barbara’s back streets
Day 5 Explore Mission Santa Barbara with a local expert before biking through the tony neighbourhoods of Montecito
Day 6 Breakfast and farewells in Santa Barbara
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Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort, Solvang
The Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort is a premier property on a 10,000-acre working cattle ranch. It has remained a hideaway for generations of families, couples and the famous since it opened its doors in 1946. The Alisal features two 18-hole golf courses, tennis, more than 80 km (50 mi.) of riding trails and fly fishing on its private, 100-acre spring-fed lake. Amenities include an outdoor pool with hot tub and fitness centre, but not all is modern: guest rooms are blissfully television- and telephone-free.
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Four Seasons Biltmore, Santa Barbara
The Four Seasons Biltmore sits on a 20-acre property along the edge of Santa Barbara’s pristine Butterfly Beach oceanfront. This is the Grande Dame of Santa Barbara hotels and, according to Condé Nast Traveler, a “sprawling pleasure palace on the edge of the Pacific.” Built in 1927, this Mediterranean-style complex has recently undergone more than $60 million-worth of renovations. Fitness centre, saunas, steam rooms and Swiss showers, a 10,000-square-foot spa, three tennis courts… all the amenities are here.
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Moderate
This trip is rated Moderate. Rides range from 40 to 56 km (25 to 35 mi.), with a blend of flat-to-undulating terrain that covers everything from the vineyard country of Santa Ynez to the Pacific coastline in and around Santa Barbara. Along the way, there are a few climbs, but none longer than a couple of miles. For those desiring more vigorous cycling, the trip can be upgraded to Challenging by adding on the longer options available on most days.
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