Welcome to the Ultimate Central Coast Cycling Adventure
Three days. Coastline climbs, gravel grit, and golden sunsets. Ready to conquer the Central Coast on two wheels?
This flexible three-day challenge is built for every kind of rider—road cyclists chasing mileage, weekend warriors craving adventure, and seasoned riders looking to push limits.
This itinerary is your guide to experiencing the Central Coast on two wheels. From Cambria, to Paso Robles, to San Simeon, to Cayucos, your ultimate tour of this sweet slice of California starts here.
The Three-Day Central Coast Ride
Day 1 – Cambria to Paso Robles and Back
Distance: 80.4 miles
Featured Route: La Via Scalatore
Warm up heading south to Cayucos, then get ready to test yourself on the climb of Santa Rita road. This is followed by a technical descent, then the steep, narrow gravel road section of Kiler Canyon. At the end, you’ll conquer the twisty climb of Cypress Mountain Drive—then take on the white-knuckle descent back to Cambria.
Must-See Stops:
- Cayucos Pier: Known for views of the beautiful beach, stop off on the pier to admire this seaside panorama.
- Olea Farm: Their cozy tasting room lets you enjoy the best olive oil California has to offer.
- Halter Ranch: Sample coastal varietals at this vineyard and winery with a rich history.
Day 2 – Cambria to San Simeon
Distance: 29.9 miles
Featured Route: San Simeon Creek Climb
Your earlier sufferfest pays off today. This shorter burst will let you burn your legs climbing the hills on a route that includes intense gravel riding, steep inclines, and views to take your breath away. Finish up strong by pushing yourself climbing the hills up to San Simeon, before dropping back into the ocean air where you can enjoy a well-earned sunset.
Must-See Stops:
- Hearst San Simeon State Park: Take a slight detour and enjoy this natural wonderland of coastal bluffs and scenic overlooks.
- Leffingwell Landing: Enjoy beautiful ocean overlooks at the north end of Moonstone Beach.
- Stepladder Ranch Creamery: Visit this farmstead creamery (and their goats!) and see how their cheese is made.
Day 3 – San Simeon to Cambria to Cayucos
Distance: 33.9 miles
Featured Route: Beach to Beach Route
Today’s about recovery, with minimal climbing on this coastal cruise. This is a southbound journey that features plenty of appealing stops, including stunning vistas. It’s an all-asphalt ride that’s here to let you spin out your legs all the way around to coasting back into Cambria.
Must-See Stops:
- Moonstone Beach Boardwalk: Here you can catch glimpses of marine life, explore tide pools, or simply ride by and enjoy the views.
- Cayucos State Beach: Take a quick break and enjoy the mild weather and salty spray of this sandy beach.
- Morro Rock: Check out the trails to a vista point that lead to incredible views of Morro Rock—it’s a short hike with a big reward.
Know Before You Go
Now that you’ve got your route mapped out, make sure you’re set for success on your three-day Central Coast cycling adventure.
Where to Stay
Both Cambria and San Simeon feature lodging options that let you rest, relax, and recover—plus, many of them are bike-friendly.
- In Cambria you’ll find everything you need: bike-friendly lodging, hearty meals, and coastal chill to recharge after big miles.
- San Simeon offers coastal highlights like Hearst Castle and the elephant seal rookery—ideal for day trips when you’re off the bike.
Ride Essentials
From cycling to staying, these are the essentials you can’t do without:
- Flat kit (tube, multitool, CO₂)
- Lights, ID, snacks
- Route GPS links or downloaded maps
- First-aid kit
- Offline navigation (for those no-signal stretches)
Bike Shops on the Central Coast
If you need anything else, or even a tune-up to your bike partway through your ride, know that we’ve got you covered with shop recommendations on our resources page.
Where to Dine?
When it’s time to refuel after your ride, you’ve got lots of options. Turn your three-day tour into a sampler of the unique local eateries of the Central Coast, and check out our recommendations for the most worthy pit stops in the area.
Your Map to the Challenge
We recommend using tools like RideWithGPS to download offline navigation for your routes before rolling out. You can also explore our full routes page to find a ride that speaks to you and map out your own tour.
Ready to Ride the Coast?
Pick your ride days, prep your gear, and switch on your Strava tracker to show off your highlights as you crush the coast over the next three days. Also be sure to follow and tag @CycleCentralCoast to share your ride.
Book your trip and start your cycling adventure today.