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Go Greenbelt! Route
The
Route* in Detail:
Day 1:
San Francisco to Los Gatos, 70 miles. After enjoying the scenic view of
the Bay from the St. Francis Yacht Club, we begin our tour along Ocean
Beach, Skyline Drive, and bike trails that follow the San Andreas Fault.
After lunch in Woodside, there is the option to climb to the ridgeline
or take a lower, gentler route to Los Gatos; either way the roads are
wooded and beautiful.
Day 2
Los Gatos to East San Jose, 60 miles. Cruise the rolling hills and fertile
valleys of southern Santa Clara County. We ride the beautiful Coyote
Creek Trail to the only significant climb of the day—the infamous Metcalf—and a roaring descent into sprawling East San Jose.
Day 3
East San Jose to Livermore, 75 miles. Stretch your quads before tackling
Mount Hamilton, the highest peak in the Bay Area. The climbing is mostly
gentle, giving riders time to enjoy the spectacular wildflowers! A great
day to ride with a naturalist guide. We lunch in remote San Antonio Valley,
then roll on into Livermore where the group stays in the Hawthorne Suites
Hotel. Three-day riders leaving the tour will be transported to BART.
Day 4
Livermore to Fairfield. Today's route has changed
from prior years and is still being finalized, but will include a Mt.
Diablo option, shuttle across the Benicia Bridge, traversing the scenic
San Pablo estuary, and entering Fairfield with a tailwind!
Day 5
Fairfield to Santa Rosa, 65 miles. We'll be joined by folks riding the
last three days. Awesome riding through Solano County's Gordon Valley,
and a climb up Mt. George into Napa. We'll quickly traverse Napa valley
and climb Dry Creek Road and the challenging Trinity Grade to our lunch
stop at Benzinger Winery in Glen Ellen. After lunch, enjoy a mostly
flat and short ride into Santa Rosa. Dine on your own tonight at any
of Downtown Santa Rosa's hot spots.
Day 6
Santa Rosa to Olema, 70 miles. Onward to rural West Marin. We ride through
scenic vineyards that will make you think you're in the south of France. From Occidental
you can take the road to Freestone or climb scenic Coleman Valley Road
through forested hills and then down to the coast—your choice! There
are plenty of places to enjoy seafood this day—especially Tony's just
south of Marshall. We celebrate the final night of our tour with a group
dinner and celebration at the Olema Campground. This night, you'll need
a tent.
Day 7
Olema to San Francisco, 40 miles. Poised triumphantly atop Mount Tamalpais,
we stop for a view of much of the land we've crossed during the last seven
days. It's all downhill from here. We cross the Golden Gate for the finale
picnic at the Presidio's Thoreau Center for Sustainability!
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