California, 17 Mile Drive, Who goes to Pebble Beach to ride a bike?

Each March I am obligated to travel to California for the Sierra Club's Spring Meeting -- a gathering of the trip leaders to discuss outings, safety, gear and bitch about participants.  What might seem as an inconvenience is actually on opportunity to visit my son Matt who lives in the bay area. This year my daughter Lauren volunteered to fly in from Seattle, join Mona and me on a short adventure, and hang with Mom while I attended the meeting.  We met at SFO and drove down to Monterey.  After a two hour drive, we arrived on the Pacific coast and bike rental called Adventures by the Sea.  As we walked over the to rental kiosk, Lauren and I checked out the bikes.  OMG, they were rusted out pieces of junk -- too many miles and too much sea air.  A quick Google search offered a bike shop across town, Work Horse Bicycles (highly recommended).  Wow, what a difference.  The Work Horse rental was only $1 more per day for far superior bicycles. The service was quick and professional. They sized our bikes with just a look, gave tips on the route and we were on our way. The bike trail is only a couple blocks away and the bathrooms were nice (always important to the girls).  Pacific coast View from China Rock Who goes to Pebble Beach for a bike ride? The dedicated bike trail runs through town and then connects with the famous 17 Mile Drive.  Famous for its ocean views and the Pebble Beach Gold Course.  We rode the entire shore to Carmel Way.  At Carmel Way, we faced a choice.  We could continue down to Carmel by the Sea, but it was a pretty big descent and we didn't relish the climb back.  Or we could continue on 17 Mile Drive as it cut back across the peninsula, but it seemed like a lot of traffic was using that route. Or we could retrace our ride along the coast.  Yep, let's ride the shore again. 17 Mile Drive Nap time That night we stayed at the Gosby House Inn (good deal in the off season). Creek bottom on Fan Shell Beach On Friday, we drove 20 miles north to the Elkhorn Slough State Marine Conservation Area and rented kayaks from Monterey Bay Kayaks (recommended).  The Elkhorn Slough is really an amazing place.  Within the first half hour we saw dozens of sea otters -- mostly floating as "rafts."  They hold hands while floating on their backs.  Sea otters spend all their time eating, sleeping, grooming or taking care of their offspring. The shores were covered with harbor seals and sea birds were everywhere.  This is a naturalist's bonanza -- not to be missed.  We paddled upstream almost to the end, but the best wildlife viewing was closest to the bay.  Elkhorn Slough 17 Mile Drive biking route Gathering intelligence on Matt's taste in art

State:	California
Date:	2019-03-21
Route:	Old Fisherman's Wharf (Work Horse Bicycles) to Carmel Way
Distance:	30 miles

California, Sonoma Wine Country

After our son left home to seek his fortune in the Silicon Valley we missed him.  So we used the opportunity of his first half-marathon to visit him at his hacker house in Palo Alto.  The race was a lot of fun and we met all of his house mates who turned out to support him at the race.

And of course, I used the opportunity to get in a bike ride.  Mona and I rented a Zip car parked across the street from our San Francisco hotel and drove north to Sonoma, CA. 

Golden Gate Bridge

Shops of Sonoma, CA

The bike tour left from downtown Sonoma which has is nice destination itself with interesting shops and a town square.  The biking was easy wandering the back roads of Sonoma.  On the way we visited several vineyards stopping for wine tasting.  It's a little weird to be sipping a Cabernet at 10 am in the morning and it will go straight to your head.  But a brisk pedal stroke will clear your head in time for the next vineyard.
  

Hydrating or cleansing our palates?

Founded by an SIU graduate

The Homewood Winery was founded by a SIU graduate.  They had a special offer for a blended red named after his college intramural basketball team, "The Flying Wizzbangers."  We bought a case.

I'll take a case of Flying Wizzbanger, thanks.

Wine! Biking! Whee!

The perfect spot for lunch!

 

When our tour guide informed us we were ahead of schedule, I conferred with the other riders.  "Since we have extra time, let's add this loop on Lovall Valley Road."  The guide later referred to her "trip getting hijacked," but she was a good sport.  Lovall Valley Road was the nicest riding of the day.

Extra loop around the Lovall Valley

While its nice to be led by a guide, you can easily tour these wineries on your own.

On the way back to the city, we stopped to admire the huge coastal Redwoods.

John Muir Woods

State:	California
Date:	2012-11-02
Route:	Sonoma Winery Loop plus side trip to the Lovall Valley
Distance:	20 miles