Pescadero Loop

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Palo Alto, CA, US

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Route Overview

Western Wheelers Bicycle Club

Touring

67 mi.

6,521 ft.

The Classic Coastal loop over Old La Honda to Pescadero and back via Tunitas Creek and Woodside.

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Route Details

The Classic Coastal loop from Palo Alto.   Park at Gunn High School.  Ride up benchmark climb Old La Honda and down to the coast to Pescadero for a well-deserved lunch break.  After Pescadero, Stage Road and Highway one offer stunning views of the Ocean as you make your way towards Tunitas creek road for a beatuiful climb through the redwoods back to Palo Alto.   This is a good route year round.   Riders who are new to the area will find it challenging.   Check the forecast for coastal rain in the winter months.  Bring suitable clothing - it can be chilly up on Skyline and it will be colder out at the coast.

From Gunn, proceed directly onto Arastradero.  Make a left onto Page Mill after the first descent, and then right back onto Arastradero after 0.2 miles.   There is water and restrooms at @poi[Arastradero Open Space Preserve](1938535) on your right.

Proceed on Arastradero and carefully make a left onto Alpine.  Watch for high-speed traffic.   The shoulder is wide and clean, and the road is moderately travelled.   There is a grocery store and water at the intersection with Portola road (@poi[Triangle Park](1938541)).  Please scrupulously obey all traffic laws.

After you roll downhill through Portola Valley, you'll arrive at the benchmark climb of the south bay: @poi[Old La Honda](1989415).  Its a beautiful, narrow wooded climb to the summit.  Most area riders know their best time.

At the top, carefully make a right onto Skyline.  Skyline can be busy on weekends.  Take care.   Soon you'll be rolling down to  @poi[84 and Skyline](1938534).  Here you'll find local landmark Alice's Restaurant and a grocery store.  This is a busy area on the weekend.  Exercise caution when navigating the intersection.   Most rides will only make a brief stop here before heading to Pescadero for a mid-ride meal.

From Skyline, its a lovely descent through the trees down to La Honda, and the @poi[La Honda Market](1938536).  Continue on and make a left onto Pescadero road just beyond La Honda.  Don't miss it!  Pescadero makes a sharp right and heads uphill for a challenging, short climb.  You'll pass Sam Mcdonald County park on your right, where you'll find water and restrooms.

From there roll down Pescadero road and into downtown Pescadero, where you'll find an excellent grocery with good sandwiches and a picnic area out back, complete with a bike service station - @poi[Archangeli Bakery](1938538).  Archangeli is known for their artichoke bread and is a popular stop for cyclists.   You'll have company.  After a good lunch, you'll proceed along Stage road through San Gregorio and up to highway one.  Watch for high speed traffic.   The shoulder is wide and clean.

After a speedy descent down Highway 1 and crossing a bridge, you'll make a right onto Tunitas Creek Road.   This climb starts out gently in the open.  You'll pass the locally-loved @poi[Bike Hut](1938545), and then head into the trees for a challenging climb back up to Skyline.   This is a great shaded, cool road in the hot months.

At the summit of Tunitas, carefully cross over Skyline and then descend Kings Mountain.   Kings is a moderately technical descent.  It contains a few tight turns with limited visibility.   Exercise caution.

At the bottom of Kings Mountain, you'll pass Tripp Road.  There is water behind the historic store.   Proceed through Woodside and obey all traffic laws.  Woodside features a great little bakery and the excellent Roberts Market.  This is a common regroup and restocking point.

From Woodside, its a nice return to the start on wide, well-paved roads with gentle hills for the last 8 miles.   There are a wide variety of eateries near the finish along El Camino Real near San Antonio Road.

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Pescadero Loop

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