Take a detour off of Highway 1 for this high-flying ride into the mountains, past Lake Nacimiento and all the way to Big Sur. The peak altitude for this route is 2,776 feet, so be prepared for some challenging climbs—and some incredible views from the top, as well. After making your diversion, you’ll return to Highway 1, riding all the way to the northern end of the Central Coast.
Note: You may want to break this route down into a multi-day adventure. There are plenty of campgrounds and lodging properties on the way that are very friendly to bikepacking cyclists.