Bike San Luis Obispo
Dan Buettner wrote a book entitled Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way in which he measured the quality of life and personal well-being to determine the happiest places in the world. San Luis Obispo was the only city in the United States that made the list.
Situated halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco on the Central Coast of California, it’s unsurprising that the happiest city in the U.S.
is also a mecca for cycling. San Luis Obispo is home to professional cycling Team HTC-Highroad and past host for the Jeep, King of the Mountain Race. Abundant cycling lanes, a free bike valet at the weekly farmer’s market, bike paths and trails galore, and a monthly celebration of hundreds of costumed cyclists who peacefully pedal the main streets of downtown leave no doubt that cycling is engrained into the city’s culture.
That said, if you visit the city to see what all the happiness hype is about (and I suggest you do), don’t forget to bring your bike! With beautiful scenery and trails to accommodate both serious and casual cyclists alike, it’s the ideal place for a mountain bike-based vacation.
Where to Mountain Bike
San Luis Obispo’s countryside boasts more than 6,500 acres of scenic, protected open space. Miles of mountain biking trails exist within this area, along with plenty of scenic bike-friendly roads that pass by pristine beaches, vineyards, lakes and more.
Looking for a casual pedal while you’re in town?
Make the Johnson Ranch Trail your first stop. Perfect for beginners or those wanting to take the whole family for a spin off road. Featuring 2.3 miles of singletrack. Begin at a dirt parking lot, where South Higuera turns into Ontario Road.
Craving something a bit more difficult? Madonna Mountain is a moderate to hard dirt trail, offering both singletrack and fire road options. Point your front wheel towards the sky and pedal two miles of fire road until you reach the top of the hill. I hope you stuffed your camera in that hydration pack because a picturesque panorama of the surrounding area awaits. From here, drop down into the Rock Garden Trail—the name says it all—and take this to Lemon Grove Trail, which features spectacular singletrack. Depending on the loop, you can turn this local favorite into a 10-mile ride. Start off the Marsh Road exit to highway 101.
Poly Canyon is an 8-mile fire road loop that starts at the upper parking lot of the university at the end of Perimeter Road. The loop offers a variety of singletrack options if you so please, but is a family-friendly ride in and of itself, featuring wide fire roads and hardly any climbing.
If you’d prefer to cruise around San Luis Obispo via paved bike paths, plenty of urban options exsist, such as the Madonna Inn Bike Path, which goes from the heart of downtown to the entrance of the Madonna Inn; the Bill Roalman Bike Boulevard, a street that discourages vehicle traffic; and the Railroad Bicycle Trail, a flat, traffic-free route from Cal Poly University to the southern city limit. In development is the Bob Jones City to Sea Trail, which will connect downtown San Luis Obispo with Avila Beach, which is 12 miles away.
Where to Rent Bikes
If you’re staying at the Petit Soleil, you simply need to walk across the street to Cambria Bicycle Outfitters to rent a mountain bike if you haven't brought your own. Rentals will run you about $75 the first day and $40 each day after that. While you’re there, pick up a local trail map for 50 cents and ask a shop employee for some trail recommendations. When I stopped in during my stay, the staff was friendly and helpful.
If you find yourself in another part of town, find a set of wheels at popular, centrally-located rental shop like Wally’s and Art’s Cyclery.
Where to Stay
For “a touch of European charm in the heart of San Luis Obispo,” I recommend the Petit Soleil Bed & Breakfast. I stayed at the 15-room (and one suite) B&B during my visit to the city and couldn’t have chosen a better spot to rest my travel weary bones. I found myself in the bike-friendly city without my bike, as I was in the area for a family wedding. So, I was thrilled to find out that the Petit Soleil offers “house” bikes to guests. Explore downtown on their complimentary set of wheels without the hassle of traveling with your own. Rates start at $159.
Situated halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco on the Central Coast of California, it’s unsurprising that the happiest city in the U.S.
is also a mecca for cycling. San Luis Obispo is home to professional cycling Team HTC-Highroad and past host for the Jeep, King of the Mountain Race. Abundant cycling lanes, a free bike valet at the weekly farmer’s market, bike paths and trails galore, and a monthly celebration of hundreds of costumed cyclists who peacefully pedal the main streets of downtown leave no doubt that cycling is engrained into the city’s culture.
That said, if you visit the city to see what all the happiness hype is about (and I suggest you do), don’t forget to bring your bike! With beautiful scenery and trails to accommodate both serious and casual cyclists alike, it’s the ideal place for a mountain bike-based vacation.
Where to Mountain Bike
San Luis Obispo’s countryside boasts more than 6,500 acres of scenic, protected open space. Miles of mountain biking trails exist within this area, along with plenty of scenic bike-friendly roads that pass by pristine beaches, vineyards, lakes and more.
Looking for a casual pedal while you’re in town?
Make the Johnson Ranch Trail your first stop. Perfect for beginners or those wanting to take the whole family for a spin off road. Featuring 2.3 miles of singletrack. Begin at a dirt parking lot, where South Higuera turns into Ontario Road.
Craving something a bit more difficult? Madonna Mountain is a moderate to hard dirt trail, offering both singletrack and fire road options. Point your front wheel towards the sky and pedal two miles of fire road until you reach the top of the hill. I hope you stuffed your camera in that hydration pack because a picturesque panorama of the surrounding area awaits. From here, drop down into the Rock Garden Trail—the name says it all—and take this to Lemon Grove Trail, which features spectacular singletrack. Depending on the loop, you can turn this local favorite into a 10-mile ride. Start off the Marsh Road exit to highway 101.
Poly Canyon is an 8-mile fire road loop that starts at the upper parking lot of the university at the end of Perimeter Road. The loop offers a variety of singletrack options if you so please, but is a family-friendly ride in and of itself, featuring wide fire roads and hardly any climbing.
If you’d prefer to cruise around San Luis Obispo via paved bike paths, plenty of urban options exsist, such as the Madonna Inn Bike Path, which goes from the heart of downtown to the entrance of the Madonna Inn; the Bill Roalman Bike Boulevard, a street that discourages vehicle traffic; and the Railroad Bicycle Trail, a flat, traffic-free route from Cal Poly University to the southern city limit. In development is the Bob Jones City to Sea Trail, which will connect downtown San Luis Obispo with Avila Beach, which is 12 miles away.
Where to Rent Bikes
If you’re staying at the Petit Soleil, you simply need to walk across the street to Cambria Bicycle Outfitters to rent a mountain bike if you haven't brought your own. Rentals will run you about $75 the first day and $40 each day after that. While you’re there, pick up a local trail map for 50 cents and ask a shop employee for some trail recommendations. When I stopped in during my stay, the staff was friendly and helpful.
If you find yourself in another part of town, find a set of wheels at popular, centrally-located rental shop like Wally’s and Art’s Cyclery.
Where to Stay
For “a touch of European charm in the heart of San Luis Obispo,” I recommend the Petit Soleil Bed & Breakfast. I stayed at the 15-room (and one suite) B&B during my visit to the city and couldn’t have chosen a better spot to rest my travel weary bones. I found myself in the bike-friendly city without my bike, as I was in the area for a family wedding. So, I was thrilled to find out that the Petit Soleil offers “house” bikes to guests. Explore downtown on their complimentary set of wheels without the hassle of traveling with your own. Rates start at $159.
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