Santa Barbara Wine Country

Today you arrive in Santa Barbara and check in to your hotel. Most people arrive in the late afternoon.

Once settled into your hotel, there is plenty to explore in Santa Barbara, including a lively downtown with great dining and shopping. Stearns Wharf & Waterfront makes for a great evening stroll with ocean views. Head to East Beach to watch sunset volleyball games under swaying palms. The Funk Zone has an urban wine trail as well as numerous breweries and art galleries.

Your guide will meet you tomorrow for your bike fitting and route briefing.

The Intermediate ride blends coastal beauty, challenging climbs, and the refined tranquility of Montecito. The ride starts heading east along the palm-lined coastal bike path. From the coast, you climb up to the leafy neighborhood of Montecito: home to the rich and famous. The roads here are perched above the city with spectacular views of both the ocean and the mountains. The descent back into Santa Barbara takes you past the historic Old Mission.

The Leisure route is similar to the Intermediate route, but skips the most easterly part of that ride.

The Challenge ride shares much of the Intermediate route but adds on the famous Gibraltar Road climb: a 6-mile climb averaging 7%.

The Epic ride follows the Challenge ride to the top of Gibraltar Road, then continues to climb up to La Cumbre Peak.

The Intermediate ride takes you north through the Santa Ynez Valley past horse ranches and family vineyards to the charming town of Los Olivos. The town has several excellent tasting rooms and restaurants.

The Leisure route heads south into the serene beauty of Alisal Valley. Here moss-draped oaks line the road that leads to Folded Hills Winery.

The Challenge ride follows the Intermediate route but continues past Sanford Winery to the agricultural town of Lompoc before returning through the De la Cuesta canyon.

The Epic ride builds on the Challenge loop with a dramatic detour into the mountains.

Today's rides explore the rolling hills and vineyards of the Santa Ynez Valley. The Intermediate route meanders past family wineries and olive groves on quiet country lanes.

Leisure riders enjoy a gentle out-and-back through the valley floor.

Challenge riders add a climb into the hills above the valley with sweeping views of the wine country below.

The Intermediate ride heads north through the valley to explore more of the wine country, passing through the charming towns and tasting rooms of the Santa Ynez area.

Leisure riders enjoy a shorter loop through the gentler valley terrain.

The Challenge ride adds on additional climbing into the Santa Ynez Mountains for panoramic views.

Your final day takes you back through the Santa Ynez wine country on your choice of route before meeting your guide for the transfer back to Santa Barbara.

Leisure riders enjoy a relaxed loop through the valley.

Intermediate and Challenge riders can explore further into the hills or along the valley floor.