August 25 - Big Sur and Conzelman Road

Wow! California is a showstopper! Today I had the pleasure of riding Pacific Coast Highway up past Big Sur and across the Golden Gate Bridge to the Marin Headlands. The ride hugging the California coastline was incredibly pleasing to the eye and soothing to the senses. I was greeted by vista after vista of blue oceans, sandy beaches, and rocky outcroppings while breathing in a smorgasbord of wonderful fragrances including salt, seaweed, pine, redwood, eucalyptus, and sun-drenched grass.

Heading north from San Luis Obispo, my first key destination today was Big Sur, the rocky stretch of coastline between San Simeon and Carmel. I particularly like southern half of Big Sur as that stretch of State Route 1 is more sparsely populated, making the scenery the focus of the drive. The road hugs the shoreline, providing views of the ocean to the west and the Santa Lucia Mountains to the east. The warm sun and incredible views were intoxicating, and I found it hard to leave after stopping for some photos.

From Big Sur I continued north to the Bay Area. One of the things I love about going to the Marin Headlands is driving through the city of San Francisco with its Queen Anne Style homes and then riding across the gorgeous Golden Gate suspension bridge over the one-mile-wide strait connecting San Francisco and the Pacific Ocean.

My very favorite part of the Marin Headlands and one of my five all time favorite rides is Conzelman Road. This road skirts the very edge of the north side of the Golden Gate, with breathtaking views of the city of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Pacific Ocean. It is thrilling to ride as well since much of it is curvy, one-way, and at an 18% grade. Tonight, I rode on the portion of the Conzelman road leading up to Hawk Hill and the Bonita Lighthouse. It was so much fun that I decided to ride it twice, each time marveling at how lucky I was to be in such a beautiful part of the country.

After checking in to my hotel I was fortunate to be able to spend the evening with my best friend from junior high, Michelle Levin, and her family at her home in Corte Madera. We enjoyed a delicious home-cooked meal and great conversation while looking out over the water. What a treat!