California bike route advice - Lompoc to Santa Barbara

[Jim S.]

Hi all, 

This is a shot in the dark given the late notice, but tomorrow my son and I are going to ride, as the title says, from Lompoc to Santa Barbara. I'm wondering if anyone has an opinion on the best route? 

Adventure Cycling has us taking California 1 south to Gaviota Beach, and then following 1/101 along the ocean into Santa Barbara.

For whatever reason, Google Maps hates that route. It wants us taking 246 through Solvang and Santa Ynez. 

I guess my primary concern is safety. Has anyone ridden either of these lately?  

Any thoughts appreciated.

thanks in advance.

[Mike Godwin]

Have not ridden that route since 1986, but 246, and I suspect to 154, ya'll got a big hill there. But an awesome downhill to Goleta. 101 has OK shoulders except at the bridges. 

Mike SLO CA

[Eric Norris]

Not lately, but I’ve ridden that same route many times. I love it. 

Leaving Lompoc on San Julian Road, there’s about 20 miles of gentle uphill, followed by a great downhill to Gaviota. 

The coast highway is busy, but the shoulder is wide. I’ve never had a problem. 

Keep in mind that there are very few opportunities for water or food between Lompoc and Santa Barbara. The rest stop at Gaviota is the best place to water up. 

–Eric N

On Mar 12, 2023, at 6:20 PM, Jim S. <jjsi...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi all, 

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[Matthew Williams]

I too have been planning a ride along that route, and I found these plans for a bike path/trail connecting Guadalupe to Gaviota. I haven’t found anyone who’s ridden it, nor have I been able to determine its status: is it open, planned, proposed, or just a study?

What’s the story? Does anyone know?

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[Garth]

I don't even live there but in exploring the roads via google "street view" taking the highways 1 and 101 are the way to go. I use the "street view" feature a lot as it gives visual photos of the actual roads. 

That said, this https://cyclecalcoast.com/rides/pcbr/ gives you more detailed info about the route, including the narrow southbound 101 bridge near the Baron Ranch trailhead. 

I found that website via a Gibiru search for cycling from Santa Barbara to Gaviota .

[dougP]

Follow the Adventure Cycling route 1 to 101. There are state parks at Gaviota, Refugio & El Capitan. There is one dicey bridge but it is short, well marked, with good sight line & warnings to cars to look out for bicycles.  I have ridden this route several times & consider it perfectly safe.

If safety is a concern, DO NOT take the 246/154 option. It has a steep long uphill to the top of San Marcos Pass, with a fast, steep descent on a narrow road down to Santa Barbara. It is a shorter alternate between Santa Barbara & the Santa Ynez Valley & tends to attract people in a hurry. Plus the coastal route is more scenic.

dougP

[dougP]

I took a look at the coastal trail link. This is the first I've heard about it. They note that it's unlikely they'll get permission to cross Vandenberg AFB in this century. Amtrak's rail line pre-dates Vandenberg so it skates along the cliffs between Gaviota & Lompoc. Beautiful train ride but it'll take some work to keep the cliffs from crumbling away. 

dougP

[Jim S.]

Thanks to all for your responses. The 1 to the 101 was really nice. There's a real steep descent to the 101. Obviously not a problem going south. Had I been traveling north, I think I would have been walking the bike up that mountain.

[Andy Williams]

The route you suggest bypasses Buellton, and therefore Andersen's, home of split pea soup.