Author Topic: Central Coast ride - advice on where to stay in the area  (Read 5289 times)

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Offline jshoaff

Central Coast ride - advice on where to stay in the area
« on: July 04, 2016, 05:39:19 pm »
We're cycling the central coast of California from SF to Santa Barbara in September. We'd like to avoid camping, but are having trouble finding affordable lodging in the area of Lucia. Our stops are Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, Monterey/Carmel, Lucia, Cambria, SLO, Lompoc, SB.

Any advice on where to stay in the Lucia area that's no too far off Hwy 1? We'd also welcome changes to our itinerary if that makes sense. We're hoping for 40-60 mile days.

thanks,
Jeanne and Charlie

Offline John Nelson

Re: Central Coast ride - advice on where to stay in the area
« Reply #1 on: July 04, 2016, 06:25:12 pm »
I take it that you have been able to find lodging, just not affordable lodging. What does affordable mean to you? Lucia is a tiny, tiny place. I found that even a candy bar there was three times as expensive as I expected. If you can squeeze in one night of camping, campgrounds don't get any prettier than Kirk Creek just down the road from Lucia. Kirk Creek has hiker/biker sites, although it has no potable water and the raccoons will drive you crazy.

You've certainly chosen a beautiful stretch of road, and a nice time of year to do it!

P.S. Although it doesn't really matter much what forum you use, putting this question in the Bicycle Route 66 forum may throw a few people off.
« Last Edit: July 04, 2016, 06:32:08 pm by John Nelson »

Offline jshoaff

Re: Central Coast ride - advice on where to stay in the area
« Reply #2 on: July 07, 2016, 11:41:37 pm »
Oops - sorry for posting to the wrong route - obviously I'm a newbie to this ;D

Thanks for the info about the Lucia area. We don't want to go much higher than $175 and can't really do a stretch of those. We've decided to change our itinerary a bit. We'll stay at a small cabin at Ripplewood Resort ($125/night) in Big Sur and ride through to Cambria the next day. That gives us a shorter day and more time to explore Big Sur, followed by a longer day, but I think we can manage. We're hoping to use Warm Showers the final three days, where there are lots of options. Otherwise we're using a mix of Airbnbs and a lighthouse hostel.

Anyway, thanks for your help and encouragement!
Jeanne

Offline erniegrillo

Re: Central Coast ride - advice on where to stay in the area
« Reply #3 on: July 27, 2016, 04:44:19 pm »
if you are still planning,  the Hostel at the Montara Lighthouse just south of San Fran has good accommodations and a great location and view.
There is another hostel just south at another lighthouse also.

Offline jshoaff

Re: Central Coast ride - advice on where to stay in the area
« Reply #4 on: July 27, 2016, 08:59:03 pm »
Thanks! We went ahead and booked at the Montara lighthouse. Sounds like it will be a good time!