Overview

Looking for a little backcountry adventure with gorgeous views? Take an e-bike ride with us on the Old Coast Road Tour! From panoramic ocean views to the enchanted redwood forest, experience Big Sur on the pioneer’s wagon road.

What once was a road for horses and wagons has evolved into a rough 4x4 dirt road that runs 10 miles through the hills and valleys of northern Big Sur. Much of the ride is through the middle of a 7,100 acre ranch that has been running cattle here since 1834. Depending on the season, there may be cows on the road!

The hills are intense, so be ready to challenge your balance. Our powerful Pedego eBikes smooth out the daunting climbs. But riders over 180 lb should be prepared to pedal when climbing the hills. And be ready for some long descents on loose dirt (or mud in the winter).

Local guides will make the ride come alive with fun info about the flora & fauna that we pass along the way. There's so much fun history that makes Big Sur special!

Description

Stop At: Pacific Coast Highway, 147161, California

Our tour launches from a pullout off of the Pacific Coast Hwy and climbs the mountains to sweeping vistas of Hwy 1 and the surrounding mountains and ocean.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Andrew Molera State Park, Cabrillo Hwy, Big Sur, California 93920

We meet across from the entrance to the State Park and get a briefing on how the eBikes operate before heading up the old dirt wagon road that the pioneers used before Hwy 1 was built. We ride along this road, through the State Park and stop at sweeping vistas of the Park and the Pacific Ocean.

Duration: 20 minutes

Pass By: Old Coast Road, Big Sur, California

We ride about 5 miles along the Old Coast Road, from Andrew Molera State Park into the Little Sur River Valley before turning around and riding back. The ride is full of sweeping vistas. It can be dry and dusty or muddy depending on the season. Make sure you're ready for a ride with some loose dirt and gravel on some long hills.

Pass By: Andrew Molera Beach, Andrew Molera Beach, California 93920, USA

Our first stop is a scenic overlook where we see the Big Sur River join the Ocean at this "smugglers beach." It's a beautiful view and has some fun history.

Pass By: Big Sur River, Big Sur River, California 93920, USA

As we climb the hill you'll look out over the Big Sur Valley and see where the river meanders to the sea.

Pass By: Point Sur State Historic Park, Highway 1, Big Sur, California 93940

As our ride winds across the ridge, we gaze out across the fields of the Pint Sur State Historic Park and the Pacific Ocean beyond.

Pass By: Point Sur Light Station, Highway 1, 19 miles south of Rio Rd. in Carmel, Carmel, California

As our tour gains altitude we gaze out past the Point Sur Light Station in the distance. Learn about the fun history that brought this lighthouse to us.

Pass By: Big Sur, Big Sur, California

From the peak of our ride you can see sweeping vistas of Big Sur for miles in all directions.

Stop At: El Sur Ranch, CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920, USA

Over half of our ride is bordered on both sides of the Old Coast Road by the massive, 7,100 acre, El Sur Ranch. A working cattle ranch since 1834, this is one of the few original Mexican land grants still intact. Depending on the time of year, there may be cattle from the ranch grazing along side the road. There are always cattle in the pastures along the ocean. One of the most beautiful cattle ranches you'll ever see.

Duration: 2 hours

Pass By: Pico Blanco, Pico Blanco, California 93923, USA

This white marble peak follows us through our ride. A sacred mountain to the Esselen tribes, this mountain provides a stunning focal point throughout our ride.

Stop At: Little Sur River, Little Sur River, California, USA

After our first big hill climb, we descend into the Little Sur River Valley, part of the San Andreas Fault system. The river winds through a beautiful redwood forest. The towering trees, cliffs of ferns, and the sound of the river babbling below make us feel like part of a prehistoric landscape.

Duration: 30 minutes