The Pacific Coast of the US carries a mystique that's known around the world. Many people immediately think of the beaches of Southern California or the surf at Big Sur, but you'll discover there's so much more than ocean to the western boundary of The USA.

This tour is being offered in two segments of seven riding days each. The daily riding distances are not long - usually under 200 miles (321km), so your days will be filled with sights abd sounds, not extreme miles.

PART 2 - San Francisco, July 21 Click here for Part 1 Description
As is true of the northern part of this "Pacific Coast" Tour, there's much more to see than just water. Yes, our ride takes us to the seashore south of San Francisco. But soon we divert, with a an excursion inland to Yosemite, King's Canyon and Sequoia National Parks.

Yosemite is not just a great Valley... but a shrine to human foresight, strength of granite, power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. Yosemite National Park, one of the first wilderness parks in the United States, is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more.

Just to the South, King's Canyon and Sequoia will amaze you with rugged terrain, massive trees and King's Canyon itself. The park is home to the largest tree on earth, a Giant Sequoia know as General Sherman. By volume, it is the largest known living single stem tree on Earth, with a height of 275 ft (84m, a diameter of 25 ft (7.7m) and an estimated volume of 52,513 cubic ft (1,487 cubic m), and an estimated age of 2,300 - 2,700 years.

At a depth of of 8,200 feet (2,500 m), King's Canyon it is one of the deepest canyons in the United State. To the east of the canyons are the high peaks of the Sierra Crest.This is classic high Sierra country: barren alpine ridges and glacially scoured lake-filled basins. Free of snow only for only a few months of the year, the high country is accessible only by foot or on horseback.

We'll make our return to the coast taking the back way through the Carmel Valley to one of the most scenic coastal towns in California - Carmel-by-the-Sea. Originally established as a Spanish mission, Carmel became (and still is) an arts colony, now filled with inns, shops and restaurants. Explore the village as you seek out some fabulous seafod for dinner!

Our ride continues, following the coast south. Attractions along the way are numerous and you'll have time to stop and enjoy at your leisure. Willia Randolph Heart's San Simeon is one of the highlights. Now a California State Park, Hearst Castle is a look back into an age of wealth and privelege that is foreign to most of us.

The last day of the ride takes us inland once again, with the option of returning to the coast for the final ride into LA or entering the city from the higher elevations to the north and east. In any case our ride ends near the coast, a short distance form Los Angeles International Airport.