Tours

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Bixby Bridge Motorcycles offers several three-day tours each month (in season), with additional special event rides scheduled throughout the year. Business travelers and couples often tack a tour on the end of a conference or retreat or make it a part of their Monterey area vacation. Our outings are also popular for reunions with friends and families, or to celebrate a special occasion. We limit the size of the tours to eight bikes to maximize your comfort and safety and to provide exclusivity and a personalized experience.

Lead by experienced guides, you'll ride with the group for four to five hours each day. The rest of each day is yours to relax, take in local attractions or head out for a few hours of solo cycling. In addition to cruising along the region's most renowned routes, you'll discover the scenic back roads and hidden treasures that locals love.

We recommend that you fly directly into the Monterey Airport (MRY), which is just minutes from downtown Monterey and our orientation activities. Alternatively, you can fly into the San Jose International Airport, 75 miles north of Monterey, or San Francisco International Airport, 110 miles north. Since you won't need a car during the tour, we can arrange one-way car rentals or airport shuttles to get you to Monterey.

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What's Included in Our Tour Costs

• The services of our experienced tour guides
• Daily route briefing
• Insider travel tips
• All motorcycle rental and transportation fees
• Motorcycle fuel
• Support vehicle (carries luggage and, if necessary, fatigued or camera-wielding passengers)
• Transportation from Monterey Peninsula Airport to the orientation hotel
• Upscale hotel accommodations for the duration of the tour
• Transportation of luggage between hotels
• Welcome and orientation dinner on Day One
• Most other meals each day of the tour
• Scheduled wine tastings
• Other activities based on season, location and events

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What's Not Included

• Alcohol and gratuity with tour meals
• Airfare to/from Monterey, San Jose or San Francisco
• Airport transfers to/from San Jose or San Francisco International Airport (we can arrange rental cars or airport shuttles)
• Individual activities and entrance feels outside those scheduled for each tour
• Helmets and riding gear
• Motorcycle Rental Insurance
• Optional pre-tour skills training clinic with our Certified Motorcycle Coach

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Tour Itinerary: Monterey, Big Sur and Carmel Valley

This is the classic California Road Trip, set along striking Highway 1 and adjacent area back roads. In just three days, you'll explore the settings of John Steinbeck's novels, look out over the San Andreas Fault and sleep in a historic lodge perched above the Pacific Ocean. We look forward to hosting you on this truly once-in-a-lifetime journey.

Day One (Sunday)

Make your way to Monterey and transfer to your host hotel. If you arrive early, plan to explore the area's top sites and attractions. Marvel at the Monterey Bay Aquarium's jellyfish and sea otters before dining on Cannery Row. Wander through charming Carmel-by-the-Sea or arrange a tee time at one of 20 public golf courses - including the renowned Pebble Beach Golf Links. Still have time left? Take a kayak tour, stroll along the beach or sip a glass of local chardonnay or pinot noir.

An optional motorcycle skills clinic is available, at an additional fee, from 4:00 pm - 5:30 on Day One. If you choose to take this clinic, plan your travel to allow time to check in at the hotel prior to the course. (Check in time is around 2:00 p.m.) The clinic is geared to those who haven't ridden in some time or haven't taken long cycle trips, as well as those who want to practice or bond with the bike they'll take on tour. Our Certified Motorcycle Safety Coach provides instruction and assessment as he reviews California motorcycle laws, shares group riding procedures and reviews techniques such as cornering, street awareness and slow maneuvers on the bike you will be using for your trip.

The full tour group will meet for dinner at 6:30 pm on Day One.

Day Two (Monday)

The adventure begins as you fire up your motorcycle and ride along the ocean on the world famous Seventeen Mile Drive through Pebble Beach. The ocean views and rocky coastline are stunning. The route passes by the famed Lone Cypress and provides views of Point Lobos. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the Pebble Beach Lodge and a photo opportunity for the golfers who really wanted to play Pebble Beach.

After breakfast, we travel through the bohemian art community of Carmel-by-the Sea and on through Carmel Highlands towards Big Sur on Pacific Highway 1. One of the world's most photographed routes, the highway boasts steep grades, hairpin turns and straight, flat stretches as it winds along the Santa Lucia Mountains. Riders may spot migrating whales at certain times of the year; several pullout stops along the way provide an opportunity to view the rocky shores, crashing waves, and hidden beaches that make this road so spectacular. You'll pass unique California establishments such as Nepenthe and Esalen, and marvel at the flora and vegetation in this part of the Western United States.

We'll ride south to Ragged Point and then on to Cambria making a stop to view the enormous elephant seals. You'll spend the night at a comfortable hotel right on the ocean. Hot tubs are the possibility! After wining and dining in this quaint town, we'll spend the night ocean side, relaxing to the sound of the waves.

Day Three (Tuesday)

After breakfast we'll ride south to mysterious Morro Bay. If you are too scared to venture to this puzzling alien locale, or simply want to sleep late, you can remain in Cambria for an hour or so until we return...

Turning north we will begin our return along the coastal highway catching all the views you missed on the ride down. Passing back through Cambria, you'll experience the estate lands of Hearst Castle, pine-studded hills, wide beaches and historic lighthouses, as we again hug the world class coast for much of the day's ride.

As you ride the route to Ragged Point, you'll weave through tight, technical turns around the cliffside and experience the ups and downs of various grades. You'll breathe a sigh of relief as we stop for coffee or tea at Lucia.

From Lucia, we return to the Big Sur area. The next stop is the Hawthorne Gallery which is "California famous" for sculptures and jewelry. Gas up in the redwoods of Big Sur, and cross back over the iconic, arch-bottomed Bixby Bridge. Once past the Carmel Highlands, we turn inland and now enter the Carmel Valley--the real John Steinbeck stomping grounds. Passing vineyards and organic farms, you'll be riding by family ranches and experiencing the rich and rural parts of California's present and historical past. Our host hotel tonight is Los Laureles Lodge, Carmel Valley's original hunting lodge and the former Vanderbilt thoroughbred stables. Before sitting down to dinner in the historic saloon and dining area, we'll participate in a private wine tasting hosted by one of the local vineyards. And how many courses did we have for dinner?

Day Four - Wednesday

The last day of our tour starts a bit later than most, so that early risers can explore on their own or plan a morning swim at the Los Laureles pool. As we leave the lodge, we ride deeper into the Carmel Valley experiencing woodlands, pastures, farms and vineyards and vineyards and vineyards set alongside rural roads. On approaching the Salinas Valley, we'll cruise into Steinbeck country (The Wrath of God, Pastures of Heaven) and see the sites that inspired his 1930's novels. We ride deeper into the Salinas Valley on back roads that cross farm fields, orchards and vineyards, before stopping to explore an original 1770s Spanish mission. In this area, we enjoy views the Gabilan Mountains and Pinnacles National Monument - a series of rock spires set atop the San Andreas Fault. Lunch is at an authentic Hispanic Taqueria set amidst the valley's agricultural expanse.

Leaving the Salinas Valley behind, we journey back toward the coast. Our excursion ends in Monterey at mid-day, but the adventure doesn't have to end there. Riders may arrange extended rental time or take a few hours to see local sites. Details of these are available on request. All you have to do is ask.

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