THE RIDING EXPERIENCE

Imagine mountain biking for 4 days through the redwoods of Santa Cruz, the coast line of Monterey Bay, and some of the best bike trails in California. Santa Cruz is a mecca for mountain biking and the trails are year-round playgrounds. From purpose built flow trails, long loamy soft dirt single track under the redwood canopy, to sunset rides along the coast you will quickly see why this is an epicenter for mountain biking. Our Santa Cruz mountain bike trip is all about the unique bike culture, the artisanal craft beverage scene, primo single track and the free spirited culture of the town. We will be biking in areas like Wilder Ranch State Park, that has over 7000-acres and 35 miles of trails along the coastal preserve, and boasts beautiful trails amongst organic farms and towering Redwoods.  A true step back into the 1800’s of California history and preserved coastline along the Pacific Coast Highway.

Another local expansive trail system and home to the legendary Sea Otter bike event every year, Fort Ord, is a preserved open land space covering 14,000 acres with over 80 miles of trails looking out to the Monterey Bay. The area was one of the largest 20th century military bases that hosted over one million troops as they passed through over the years. Fort Ord is a preserved land space offering a flourishing eco system of native species and plants to the area. You can spend days riding the area and not ride the same trail. Soquel Demo Forest is one of the top areas in the Bay Area for mountain biking. The bike park area covers 19 trails over 27 miles with numerous trail options and routes to sample it all. This is also home to the well known Soquel Demo Flow trail which is 4 miles long and took two years to complete through a community partnership of local bike clubs and industry partners. This is one of the best trails to ride in California!

One of the best experiences of mountain biking around Santa Cruz are the trails that loop through the giant redwoods. The different microclimates around the Monterey bay offer a unique climate zone that allows a wide range of vegetation to grow with frequent moisture that creates an incredible forest right out of Star Wars (Star Wars was filmed nearby!) The Skyline area reaches just over 2,000 feet above the ocean and Bay area while some nearby peaks are just under 4,000 feet. There are numerous trails along the Skyline ridge lines that are tucked away deep in the redwoods above the Monterey Bay that offer some of the best trails in the area. These are some of our favorites and after a day riding amongst the forest giants you will see why we love these areas so much.

Your trip is prepared by professional coaches & local mountain bike guides with over 20 years of knowledge to show you the best the area has to offer. Winding trails along the coast, hidden gems around the Santa Cruz mountains, and breathtaking views of the Monterey and Santa Cruz coastline await you. Each bike trip is customized to the riders abilities and we can split into groups to offer more options. We have numerous routes to choose from and can accommodate any level of mountain biker. Santa Cruz mountain bike routes routes range from 15 miles to 28 miles a day. Average descents and ascents will range between 1500-2000 feet and can be adjusted to meet the ability of each group. Varying terrain and trails allow the groups to climb as much or as little as they want. Our guides will map out multiple ride options in the area to offer riders of all levels the best trails around.

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THE CULINARY EXPERIENCE

Enjoy a rich continental breakfast buffet with fresh local fruit, pastries, juice and other treats to prepare you for your ride. Our guides are also happy to show you around town to check out the local artisan coffee culture and bakeries the Santa Cruz area offers. Mid-day snacks from the local area. Lunches will be open for guests to try one of the many local favorite spots in the area. One day we will have a lunch near the beach with panoramic views overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

All of our trips include a Group Welcome Dinner at one of our many favorite spots in town. This is a great chance to try local dishes and items from the surrounding area. Dinners during the trip are left open for the group to try a wide range of local food, restaurants, happy hours and places like The Penny Ice Creamery that makes some of the best ice cream around! Our guides are happy to share their local favorites with you or book you a private dinner with your partner.  The Santa Cruz area of the Central Coast provides some of the best wines, breweries, and agriculture in the world for our groups to taste. After our rides, we will share with you the local favorites and try some of the well known brands that have won numerous awards for their crafts. Enjoy two brewery or wine tastings in the area after our rides and a tasting at the Welcome Aprés for the group. On the final night we will have a Group Farewell Dinner at one of our favorite restaurants in town. 

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THE LODGING EXPERIENCE

We have exclusive partnerships at a wide range of accommodations throughout Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay. All of our Santa Cruz mountain bike trips are based on twin/ double occupancy per room. The hotels are either local or national brands that offer a wide range of amenities for you to have a comfortable stay during your trip with us. Single room upgrades are possible at select locations for an additional charge. For private groups, we can customize the trip for you to stay in a luxury hotel, a local family owned B&B, or one of many classic coastal inns to unwind at after a great day on the bike. Every morning guests can rise to an early morning yoga session with your LGA host that will prepare you for an amazing day ahead or recover from a day on the trails with an afternoon session. Kickback and enjoy the coast of Santa Cruz and the many beaches around the area.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1: ARRIVAL DAY – SANTA CRUZ CLASSICS

The tour begins with a pickup at San Jose International Airport before heading to the coast of Santa Cruz. Four days of coastal redwood forest and rolling green valleys with amazing views along the Santa Cruz coast and world-class single track awaits! We will travel to the hotel and check in so you can drop off your gear and get ready for a ride to dust off the day of traveling. Kick off the trip with a ride at Wilder Ranch along the coast and in the Santa Cruz redwoods. Miles of trails, ocean views, and rolling terrain offer a great first day experience riding in Santa Cruz. With dozens of trails to explore our guides will show you some of their favorites. The afternoon is followed by a private beer tasting at one of our favorite craft breweries in the Santa Cruz area. Enjoy the local food at the brewery and sample some of the finest brews in Northern California. Once back to the Hotel, our home for three nights, feel free relax at the hotel until our Group Welcome dinner at a local favorite restaurant in town.

Distance: 15-20 miles
Climbing & Descent: 1500 feet +/-
Terrain: Redwood Single track, rolling coastal hill sides and flow trails
Included Meals: Ride Snacks-Drinks | Welcome Apres Hour & Group Welcome Dinner

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DAY 2: SOQUEL DEMO FOREST TRAILS AND FLOW TRAIL

One of the best mountain bike parks and trail systems in Northern California lies just outside of Santa Cruz and the Bay Area. Soquel Demo is a network of 19 trails including the well known and popular 4 mile long Flow Trail that offers one of the best trails in California. After a breakfast and group meeting at the hotel, we will shuttle up to the Demo Forest to ride some sweet single track through the eucalyptus and redwood trees. Lots of variations of trails that can be added on to the day to shorten or increase the ride. Fun, flowing, single track that offers a lot of great riding with a little bit of effort. After a great day of riding flow trails we will take the group to another local brewery to celebrate a great day of riding. Tonight’s dinner is open for the group to explore town with our guides or explore town on your own or with your partner.

Distance: 15-20 miles
Climbing & Descent: 1700 feet +/-
Terrain: Redwood Single track, rolling coastal hill sides and flow trails
Hotel: Monterey Bay Accommodations
Included Meals: Breakfast | Ride Snacks-Drinks | Brewery/ Wine Tasting

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DAY 3: FORT ORD-MONTEREY, CA

Wake up to an early morning yoga session and stretch that will help you get ready to ride above the Monterey coast and home to the Sea Otter bike event every year. The group will leave from the hotel after a hearty fresh breakfast and drive the coast to the Monterey area! Ride along the hillsides above the coast which feature some great rolling descents and trails in the area. A huge network of trails allows the group to try all of the classics as well as parts of the Sea Otter bike race course. A group lunch high above the coast awaits you at the end of the ride, as you stare at the Pacific Ocean and white clear sand. Next, we return to the hotel and head over to our last brewery/wine tasting with the group. Tonight we treat you to a delicious meal in a cozy atmosphere at one of our favorite local restaurants for our Farewell Group Dinner.

Distance: 20-25 miles
Climbing & Descent: 2200 feet +/-
Terrain: Coastal Single track, Rolling Coastal Hill Sides and Flowing Trails
Hotel: Santa Cruz Accommodations
Included Meals: Breakfast| Brewery/Wine Tasting | Group Farewell Dinner

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Day 4: SEA TO SKY – DEPARTURE DAY

Wake up to another early morning yoga session and enjoy the last morning to round off your trip. We will leave the hotel after another great breakfast and head for one of our favorite rides above Santa Cruz coast and the Bay Area. Miles of trails above the California coastline with views out to the Pacific above the redwoods and over the Bay Area and Monterey Bays. These trails are lesser known and offer some incredible riding amongst the redwood giants. These trails stretch from Santa Cruz to San Francisco and offer some of the best single track around. At the end of the day riding we will have our last group lunch before we set off to San Jose for the departure. Your bags will be ready and our team will assist you packing your bike if needed. If you had a rental bike, we will take care of that for you. We will say our goodbyes for now and look forward to the next time we ride together. Our team will have a snack and drinks ready for you after the ride as well. We are available to help with any suggestions before you leave and if you are staying longer, provide some points of interest to visit.

Distance: 16-25 miles
Climbing & Descent: 1900 feet +/-
Terrain: Coastal Redwood Single track, Rolling Coastal Hill Sides and Flowing Trails
Hotel: Santa Cruz Accommodations
Included Meals: Breakfast| Ride Snacks and Drinks

NOTE: This itinerary is an example. The tour may be altered to adjust for weather and conditions. Our guides will plan the tour around the conditions to make sure you have the best trip possible.

DETAILS

BOOKING YOUR TRAVEL

PLEASE RESERVE YOUR TOUR WITH LGA & GET TRIP CONFIRMATION BEFORE BOOKING FLIGHTS.

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE DETAILS

Flying: Fly into San Jose International Airport-SJC. Our team will provide you with the exact location at the airport once the trip is booked. Please do not book your flight until your trip is confirmed with us. Our team will pick you up at the airport and head to Santa Cruz for our first day of riding!

Driving: Getting to Santa Cruz is easy and one of the most scenic drives in Northern California.
Northern California/Highway 80/ San Francisco- Highway 1 South from San Francisco is a beautiful coastal drive that will take roughly 1.5hrs. Highway 17 from San Jose/Los Gatos and the Bay Area will lead you into Santa Cruz. We will provide you with the address of the accommodations to meet the group if driving.

Southern California/ Santa Barbara/San Diego- Highway 1 North through Big Sur is a beautiful coastal drive that will take roughly 6 to 8 hrs. Highway 101 from Santa Barbara is 4 hrs. The Orange County/ San Diego area is 6 to 7 hrs up Highway 5 and 101 which will lead you into Santa Cruz. We will provide you with the address of the accommodations to meet the group if driving.

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GEAR

RECOMMENDATIONS

Full-suspension Mountain bike (if you need a rental bike please contact us.) 
Bike Helmet- yup they are mandatory! 
Hydration or riding backpack for Water/gear or Water bottles (2), gloves
,  jersey or shorts & padded chamois shorts recommended, 
leg/ arm warmers or longer tights (depending on weather)
, rain jacket & Insulated layers (depending on conditions)
, socks- ankle high or taller recommended
, mountain Bike shoes (or athletic shoes if using flat pedals)
, eye protection-sunglasses or goggles, bike tools and everyday riding equipment.

RENTAL BIKES

We can rent bikes through our partner shops. Please provide advanced notice so we can help you reserve gear, thank you.

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ALL ABOUT SANTA CRUZ & MONTEREY

WEATHER & MOUNTAINS

For the most accurate weather please check the Santa Cruz and Monterey Weather Online a few days before your trip. 

SANTA CRUZ & MONTEREY SINGLE TRACK & SURF

The Santa Cruz single track ranges from purpose built flow trails under a partnership with local bike groups and some of the biggest names in the local bike industry (Specialized, Santa Cruz, Fox, Easton) in Soquel Demo Forest, Fort Ord which is host over 50 miles of trails and to home to one of the largest bike events in the US, Sea Otter, to long enduro rides amongst the redwood forest that are filled with playful trails, to true all day epic rides along the California Coast surround you in the bike playground of Santa Cruz and the Monterey Bay. 

Santa Cruz is also a historic surf town with over 50 surf breaks inside the city limits with hundreds of secret spots up and down the coast. On select days all guests will have the opportunity to surf with our local guides to enjoy the surf scene of Santa Cruz. Endless single track, Sunset surf sessions, local craft beers, bonfires on the beach and more await you in Santa Cruz.

FAQ

Check out our General FAQs section. Here you will find answers to your general questions.

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DO I NEED TRIP INSURANCE?

Trip Insurance is Not Included – We require trip insurance for all trips abroad. Protecting your trip & safety is our priority. We recommend World Nomads as they are the ultimate in travel protection and global emergencies and evacuations. They provide rescue and coverage designed for ski trips where other travel insurance options may not cover or rescue with mountain biking involved. This policy will cover you in case of any medical and personal accidents that could occur prior to or during your trip. This will also cover you if you have to cancel your trip for any reason or if your baggage gets delayed or lost.

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DO I NEED TO TIP OUR GUIDES?

Gratuities for your guides are not included in your trip price. We recommend tipping 7-10% of your trip price for the guide team. US Currency is preferred, however, local currency is also greatly appreciated. Unless you want to tip separately, guides will divide tips amongst themselves. Please tip your guides at your discretion, based on the overall trip experience provided by our team.

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WHAT IS THE BOOKING PROCESS?

Contact LGA Tours via our website or telephone and an LGA representative will be in touch with you. After we confirm availability and confirm trip details, you will be provided a booking link to reserve your trip. Once you book the trip, a guest confirmation letter is immediately sent out. In the confirmation letter you will find a link to complete your guest profile form online as well as a link to your liability release that you will need to complete. If you make a reservation more than 90 days prior to the trip, a deposit is due at the time of booking. If you reserve your trip less than 90 days prior to the departure, the full balance is due at the time of booking. One week prior to the trip start, you’ll receive an email containing your trip start meeting location reminder and any last-minute information that you’ll need to know before you go.

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CAN I RESERVE MY TRIP WITH A DEPOSIT?

Yes, you can reserve your trip with a Deposit for all Multi-Day Tours lasting 24 hours or longer. If you seek to reserve a spot on a Tour more than 90 days prior to the Date of Departure, the deposit amount is $1000. For Private Group Tours the Deposit amount is fifty percent (50%) of the Tour Price. Within 89 days or less prior to the date of departure, the full amount is due at time of booking.

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WHEN IS THE FINAL PAYMENT FOR THIS TOUR DUE?

Final payment is due no later than 90 days prior to departure, or 7 days from booking confirmation if booking is within 90 days.

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WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY?

Days to Departure	Refund	Adventure Deposit
More than 90 days	100% of Trip Price, LGA will retain the adventure deposit	100% Applied to future trip
61-90 days	50% of Trip Price	100% Applied to future trip
60 days or less	No Refund	100% Applied to future trip

Le Grand Adventure Tours cannot be held responsible for snow and/or weather conditions. Trips cannot be canceled or amended on the basis of snow and weather conditions. No refunds, reimbursements or discounts will be granted if, for any reason, client misses the tour, fails to join the tour, leaves the tour, is dismissed from the tour, or cannot fully participate in the tour. Any refunds will be at the discretion of Le Grand Adventure Tours if you are involuntarily forced to leave a tour for any reason. Travel Insurance is required on our trips to avoid the financial risks related to cancellations, involuntary early departures, medical reasons or any other travel related problems.

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WHAT IS THE GROUP SIZE?

We like to guide small group tours to ensure you have a great experience. Groups are typically between four to eight people. Private groups range anywhere from 6-16 people.

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WHAT SHOULD I BRING WITH ME?

Road Bike Gear:
Road bike (if you need a rental bike please contact us)
Bike Helmet & HeadBand for Sweat Protection
Water bottles (2)
Road Bike gloves
Road Bike jersey or tops
Bike Shorts & Padded chamois shorts recommended
Leg warmers or longer tights (depending on weather)
Rain jacket & Insulated layers (depending on conditions)
Socks- ankle high or taller recommended
Road bike shoes (or athletic shoes if using flat pedals)
Eye protection-sunglasses

Misc/Recommended:
Sunscreen
Extra Snacks/performance foodExtra tubes & patch kit for bike tube repairs. Guides will assist in repairs & will have extras
Optional: cycling computer, cell phone, camera
(We can assist with some gear, please feel free to contact us)

Après Clothing:
Bring proper clothing for when you’re not riding.

Travel Requirements:
Current Passport
Credit card, cash and/or traveler’s checks
ID or driver’s license
Medical insurance cards
Prescriptions or other medications
Important phone numbers
Proof of Travelers Insurance
Emergency contact & Medical info