LA to SB
![](images/bottom_pg.gif)
Thread started by
Schwinner at 04.28.10 - 10:21 pm
This Friday I will be biking from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara. Will I be able to take the PCH up all the way? Any info from anyone would be great! Thanks.
reply
![](/images/forums/small/bikesbythesea_1272520266.jpg)
Yes, you can take PCH all the way. And you may be able to get a buddy for part of the way if you contact the riding club in SB as they have frequent rides up and down from SB to Ventura, SB to Goleta.
Feel free to contact the webmiss for ride buddy contacts: http://www.bikebythesea.com/
They have a ride from SB to Carpinteria State campground in Ventura later next month, with an over night campout.
Girl Power04.28.10 - 10:51 pm
reply
contrary to whatever girl power just posted, you cannot take pch all the way.
heres a rough map i made for someone else who was attempting this a while back.
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/sm-2-sb
ruinedbyidiots04.28.10 - 11:48 pm
reply
oo girl you just got contradicted
_iJunes responding to a
comment by ruinedbyidiots
04.28.10 - 11:49 pm
reply
RBI -- you're right, you're basically allowed on PCH for the first half of the ride until you get to Las Posas near the Navy Base at Pt. Mugu. After that you're pretty much forced into taking a lot of surface roads to Santa Barbara. I don't know where she got the idea you could take PCH all the way to SB.
I know the route and it is really messy so I'm wondering since so many people ride it, is there some place they can find the directions..
mk4524 responding to a
comment by mechazawa
04.29.10 - 1:11 am
reply
I'm a little confused. Carpinteria State Campground is in the city of Carpinteria in Santa Barbara County, it's not in Ventura.
mk4524 responding to a
comment by Girl Power
04.29.10 - 1:15 am
reply
Carpenteria (Carp) may be in SB county but its on the way to ventura.
Part of the way you will be on the freeway. the road is not great but the space you can ride in is not narrow. also, the portion before magu and after malibu surfrider is not supa smooth either, but it is where the film car commercials
i have been wanting to do this route, very soon i cannot. But, no hills except up the hill right after rincon; its short.
thanks for posting the ride map/route!
nolikedrive responding to a
comment by mk4524
04.29.10 - 3:20 am
reply
oh, and @ girlpower: I funkinlove the spot where the picture you posted is. dear to my heart - gaucho por vida..
nolikedrive04.29.10 - 3:22 am
reply
Heeeeyyy .. Im suppose to say that ..
OsnapsonJC responding to a
comment by mechazawa
04.29.10 - 7:02 am
reply
carp is north of ventura. ventura is on the way to carp, but carp isnt on the way to ventura.
ruinedbyidiots responding to a
comment by nolikedrive
04.29.10 - 8:46 am
reply
Yes .... you pass Ventura.... then Ojai.....then Rincon.....then Carp .... then Summerland ... then Santa Barbara ...
OsnapsonJC responding to a
comment by ruinedbyidiots
04.29.10 - 9:13 am
reply
I forgot that you have to take a road from the Navy Base through Ventura up to the Channel Island Harbor and then you end up in Ventura and can hop back on HWY. It's not a big deal actually, I drive it all the time, but I can't remember the name of the road. It runs parallel to the water all the way up and it will end at the big Crown hotel on the beach in Ventura.
So, take HWY 1 to just past Pt. Magu, then take E. Hueneme Rd towards the ocean.
To N. Ventura Rd and go Right to W. Channel Island Blvd.
Take W. Channel Island Blvd to Harbor Blvd. (WCB actually turns into HB).
Harbor Blvd runs parallel to the ocean past the Channel Islands Harbor and Mc Grath State Beach and goes right into Ventura City where you may hop back on to PCH or HWY 1.
Here is a map, it's not routed out because I don't know how to use that feature, but you can see the roads I'm talking about and it's a fairly easy route. As you can see it's a pretty simple ride with not a lot of turns. And the majority of the ride is on one road basically that just changes it's name part way through (W Channel Island Blvd become Harbor Blvd.)
http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&rls=en&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=ventura+hotel&fb=1&split=1&gl=us&ei=qb7DSZzBHsbynQfps4meCQ&sa=X&oi=local_group&resnum=1&ct=image
I recommend you stop at the Port Hueneme Beach Park and visit the fish shack for fresh lobster and fish tacos on your way.
Andy's Seafood & Fresh Fish
550 E Surfside Dr, Port Hueneme, CA 93041
Girl Power04.29.10 - 11:26 am
reply
P.S. I wrote the directions out again so they look nicer. :)
So, take HWY 1 to just past Pt. Magu, then take E. Hueneme Rd turn Left, (towards the ocean.)
to N. Ventura Rd, turn Right
to W. Channel Island Blvd. turn Left,
Take W. Channel Island Blvd to Harbor Blvd. (WCB *turns into/becomes* HB).
Harbor Blvd runs parallel to the ocean past the Channel Islands Harbor and Mc Grath State Beach and goes right into Ventura City where you may hop back on to PCH or HWY 1.
Girl Power04.29.10 - 11:30 am
reply
It may look that way but you are wrong ...
OsnapsonJC responding to a
comment by Girl Power
04.29.10 - 11:36 am
reply
take it from me, the PCH chased us off the PCH from ventura to SB,
there are bike path signs but it gets hella confusing.
_iJunes responding to a
comment by Girl Power
04.29.10 - 11:49 am
reply
How am I wrong? You get off PCH and go left on Hueneme Rd. HR runs along the farms and agriculture area. I've driven it a million times for the last twenty years.
Then you make a right onto N. Ventura Rd and a left on Channel Island Road. These two roads run around the military base and golf course.
Then after the military base Channel Island Rd. become Harbor Rd and you go right past Channel Island Harbor and it curves up into the residential keys and takes you into Ventura City Proper.
I've driven it a million times, it the simplest most straightforward way to go from PCH up to Ventura City without having to go back inland either by street or highways. I was a professional driver for FedEx for ten years, I know this route thankyouverymuch! LOL
Girl Power04.29.10 - 11:51 am
reply
Really? How do you get from Ventura to the bike lane in front of La Conchita by Rincon ? I always wondered this when i would go surfing at Rincon
OsnapsonJC responding to a
comment by _iJunes
04.29.10 - 11:51 am
reply
lol be careful where this thread is headed.
we don't want another rbi vs bikebrooke situation
or do we?
_iJunes responding to a
comment by Girl Power
04.29.10 - 11:53 am
reply
IJunes, unless there are some differnt laws for Ventura/SB county regarding PCH as far as I know bikes are allowed on PCH the entire length of California, Portland and Washington. It may be you were not in a straight line or riding erratically, or the laws are different, I don't wish to assume, but I see cyclists on PCH from Ventura to SB every time I drive up there, but you must ride in line, not side-by-side.
Girl Power responding to a
comment by _iJunes
04.29.10 - 11:54 am
reply
Rincon is that little surfer beach after Ventura City but before SB right? I think you just ride on PCH. I always see cyclists on PCH...
Girl Power responding to a
comment by OsnapsonJC
04.29.10 - 11:56 am
reply
little surfer beach? LOL .. Rincon is a well known surf spot .. shit gets packed.. people get all point break in the water ... I have driven this route a bunch of times and I have never ever not once seen a cyclist on the freeway leaving Ventura .....EVER... Near Rincon... Yeah where there is a bike lane ..
OsnapsonJC responding to a
comment by Girl Power
04.29.10 - 12:06 pm
reply
i got 10 bucks that says you end up takin the bus at some point
Jet-son04.29.10 - 12:09 pm
reply
To OP,
I recommend you drive my route and see for yourself.
Hueneme Rd is very picturesque and takes you by all the local farms, then you come to a residential area up to Ventura Rd.
Ventura Rd is beautiful road lined on both sides with towering old eucalyptus trees,
you make the left onto Channel Island road and you have the golf course on your left and some mixed resi/comm buildings on your right until you hit the Channel Island Harbor, then you have the lovely harbor on your left and the beautiful residential keys on your right.
As Harbor curves you have mostly wildlife estuaries with some residential areas mixed in, it's very pretty and I know you will love it. You won't miss not being on PCH for this short part of your trip up to Santa Barbara. Good luck and have fun!
Girl Power04.29.10 - 12:10 pm
reply
The beach bike trail starts in front of the Crown Hotel on the beach. If that is what you're talking about. It goes up to the campground. Then there is another trail below the hotel that takes you down to the dunes. Beach trails stop and start all along the coast so it's hard to say exactly where they begin and end unless you get a map from the State Park or go to thier website.
Girl Power responding to a
comment by OsnapsonJC
04.29.10 - 12:12 pm
reply
so the CHP getting on their megaphones "GET OFF THE FREEWAY YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO RIDE ON THIS SECTION OF THE FREEWAY" doesn't mean anything
_iJunes responding to a
comment by Girl Power
04.29.10 - 12:29 pm
reply
I know the area... I use to live in Santa Barbara and surf the area ...
OsnapsonJC responding to a
comment by Girl Power
04.29.10 - 12:34 pm
reply
Where you on the 101 Fwy or on PCH?
You're allowed to ride a bike on PCH. Just call the Ventura County Sherriff's Dept. and ask them where *exactly* PCH from Ventura to SB starts.
Harbor Blvd. goes into Ventura City proper, then you go left on Main St. to PCH, or you can take Harbor to the Crown Hotel and get on the pedestrian/bike path up past the fair grounds to close to where PCH starts, you may have to eyeball it once you are there.
Hope this helps!
Girl Power responding to a
comment by _iJunes
04.29.10 - 12:41 pm
reply
I serously doubt GIRL POWER has evar ridden a distance over the one block from her house to her nearest burger fix. Reputable advise regarding this topic will come from junes, rbi, and JC, if you've never done the distance...STFU!!!! I've spoken.
TK421 responding to a
comment by _iJunes
04.29.10 - 1:30 pm
reply
yes... and i wubbs u too barfo!!!!
TK421 responding to a
comment by Joe Borfo
04.29.10 - 2:21 pm
reply
yeah by rbi's route http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/sm-2-sb we took the 101 right after the 33 instead of taking that little side street under the bridge
_iJunes04.29.10 - 2:30 pm
reply
Did you do this during summer? the route looks nice but I know it gets crazy hot in Santa Paula during the summer...
OsnapsonJC responding to a
comment by sancho1
04.29.10 - 2:54 pm
reply
Wow, you were on 1 and they told you to get off? Maybe there were just being jerks. I would call the Ventura County Sheriff's dept and confirm that the law is not different in that particular area.
Bikes ride on 1 all up and down California, Oregon and Washington.
The bike ride from Ventura to SB is something that has been going on for decades, but, maybe a new law has changed all that.
Girl Power responding to a
comment by _iJunes
04.29.10 - 3:09 pm
reply
omg girl power you are the best troll ever
_iJunes responding to a
comment by Girl Power
04.29.10 - 3:14 pm
reply
No offense, but I think my ride is more scenic and less hills. You're route has you going inland for the majority of the ride.
Mine takes you along PCH (starting from anyplace you like Santa Monica, Malibu, etc,) until Hueneme Rd, then back to the beach on Channel Islands Blvd.
Girl Power responding to a
comment by sancho1
04.29.10 - 3:17 pm
reply
Troll? LOL You think I'm being dishonest on the boards? That's funny!
Girl Power responding to a
comment by _iJunes
04.29.10 - 3:18 pm
reply
True that! LOL
But I don't see why you guys have a problem with my posts. Unless I'm misunderstaning you. I'm just giving the OP a route, which he asked for, through Ventura to PCH...what's the big deal?
Girl Power responding to a
comment by OsnapsonJC
04.29.10 - 3:20 pm
reply
So I take it you gained zero knowledge from the informative video....
OsnapsonJC responding to a
comment by Girl Power
04.29.10 - 4:03 pm
reply
thanks everyone for their info - I think I finalized the route (thanks to you guys + girl):
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3685168
I will be taking pictures along the way. Will post when I get back. Thanks!
Schwinner04.29.10 - 4:08 pm
reply
Wow! That's a long route, how fast will you be riding? I would offer you some company for part of the ride, but I ride a cruiser and go about 9-11 mph... I would be open to meeting you in Ventura to SB or Channel Island harbor up to Ventura.
Girl Power responding to a
comment by Schwinner
04.29.10 - 5:53 pm
reply
I like riding in summerland and montecito.....
OsnapsonJC responding to a
comment by Schwinner
04.29.10 - 6:34 pm
reply
The ride from Santa Monica to Santa Barbara is around 95 miles, not quite a century.
When you get into Ventura, there's a bike path you can pick up in Santa Buenaventura State Park. It runs parallel to Harbor Blvd and keeps you off a really narrow but fast road. At California, instead of turning right, I'd stay on the bike path that runs between the Crowne Plaza and the ocean. You'll need to make a small detour to get across the river but take it past Emma Woods State Park and you'll be on Hiway 1 -- the old Hiway 101.
One other suggestion, in Montecito, take Jameson Lane to Olive Mill until it turns into Channel Drive. That's a really scenic ride that gets you to Cabrillo via a short bike path.
Your route keeps you off 101 except for that short stretch around Rincon where the 101 is not a freeway. If the 101 is PCH in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, you are not allowed on the freeway except for that short stretch around Rincon.
Don't forget, Santa Barbara is a lot more west of Santa Monica than it is North. That will mean under normal weather conditions, you're going to have a head wind most of the way up.
If you plan on taking the train back, the Amtrak station is on State St, about two blocks from Cabrillo otherwise ride up State Street and enjoy our fair city. If you stick around for Saturday, CycleMayNia will start, kicking off bike month in Santa Barbara.
http://cyclemaynia.org/cal.html
mk4524 responding to a
comment by Girl Power
04.29.10 - 6:49 pm
reply
If you like Summerland and Montecito, there's a really good ride along Mountain Drive with lots of hills. Lance used to bring his team out here in the winter and ride up Gibraltar Road to the top of la Cumbre peak.
mk4524 responding to a
comment by OsnapsonJC
04.29.10 - 6:51 pm
reply
Let me clarify ... Im not talking going up the step hills .... Im talking about more coastal .. Not a chance that I could ride a beach cruiser in sandals and a 7'3 fun-nose strapped to the side up any of those hills ... NOT A CHANCE ....
OsnapsonJC responding to a
comment by mk4524
04.29.10 - 9:41 pm
reply