Laguna Seca (Toro Park) to San Luis Obispo

Contributer: Steven Peltier (07-02-2007)
Distance: 149 mi.

After a incredible summer race weekend at Laguna Seca, we are always stoked to treat ourselves to an early evening run from Monterey to San Luis Obispo down the 1 (Cabrillo Hwy) with the sun setting at our backs. As you can imagine, the trip from Carmel, down around the cliffs through Point Lobos and Carmel Highlands, is just incredible. We typically don't stop too frequently, opting to soak up the views as we cruise above the marine layer. Regardless, the breezy lookout at Hurricane Point, the 300 ft cliffs around every bend and the various bridge crossings are truly magnificent. As with all trips down the 1, there can be a bit of traffic, especially through Big Sur where you wind past the redwood lined campgrounds and restaurants and pick up some of the tourist traffic. A bigger issue on the 1 can be the weather, especially as the ride flattens out and the fog rolls in. If you don't have your liners and/or some warmer gear, the last forty miles into SLO can be freakishly cold and damp, especially at higher speed. A couple of folks in our group learned this the hard way as the ride from Gorda all the way down to Morrow Bay was absolutely socked in with fog. With this section of the 1, like many other historic rides, you just have to do it and experience it for yourself.

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