Shoreline Park:
On a nice day, Shoreline park is filled with family picnics and little kids flying kites. All of this is wonderful, but the true reason to start here is very simple; it’s mostly downhill or flat until you reach the pier. Heading west from the park, take the bike route parallel to Ledbetter Beach, a nice alternative to the popular West beach. The path is quieter and less busy for bikes to pass through. After passing Ledbetter, you enter the Marina, an often busy hub where you can see all of the sailboats and pick up some sushi at Sushi Go-Go while facing the water and the pier in the distance.[column width=30% padding=5%]
The Pier:
The bike route snakes through the Marina between the parking lot and the walkway and then opens up to my favorite part of the route, a long stretch of separated concrete road running directly through West beach. The only downside of this stretch of concrete is that you are constantly navigating past and through those lethargically slow, 4-person bikes carrying tourists who end up gawking at their surroundings.
This issue quickly self corrects, for once you reach the pier the bike lane opens up and regains its relaxed nature. Before continuing, take a few minutes to check out the pier and its eclectic sights like Longboards Restaurant.
[/column]
[column width= 30% padding =5%]
Montecito:
Once passed the bird refuge, you’ll head under the freeway bridge and around the roundabout, where you finally enter Montecito Village. Montecito is great for biking, it’s small, but bike-friendly streets offer beautiful scenery and fun places to stop around town. Once in the village, head to Jeannine’s Bakery for a cool iced-energy boost, especially on a foggy Santa Barbara morning.
If you have extra time, take a turn into the hedge row, and coast through the nearly empty little streets lined with green hedges. Continue down the bike route down past the village and towards Summerland.
[/column]
[column width=30%]
Summerland:
Once you see the Big Yellow House, you know you’ve entered Summerland and it’s time to turn around. On the way back, you’re met with a grueling hill, but once you conquer it, it’s mostly downhill from there.
As a break from the continuous pedaling, hit State Street via Mission Street and coast down, taking in all of the surrounding shops and restaurants.
You can coast nearly all the way from the top of State down to the beach through the busy streets, and do some great people watching along the way.
Once at Cabrillo, head back up to Shoreline Park to wrap up your ride.
[/column]
