Mini Touring, Day 2

It’s day #2 of our 4-day mini bike tour of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. We started with bikes aboard the Surfliner out of Santa Barbara. Start reading with Mini Touring, Day 1.

We have time on our hands Thursday morning, time for more exploring, but nothing’s open yet, it’s early. I’m up first and head over to Ascendo Coffee at 974 Monterey Street where a pecan scone and coffee get me going.

Breakfast at the Granada Hotel feels quite homey – the 2nd floor lounge attendant is waiting to take our order. After breakfast we take a self-guided walking tour, that’s when we discover the Fremont Theatre, well lit by the morning sun.

We check out and as we roll out of town we go souvenir shopping at Fromagerie Sophe the local cheese shop – it’s adorable. We have our eye on dish towels – they have a nice selection and we’ve been collecting lately. A free sample of a slice of brie led me to want more, so we wrapped the cheese in the dish towel, packed both on my bike and off we go.

It’s an 11-mile ride from SLO to Avila Beach, almost all downhill. We’ve done this ride before, but as an “out and back” route – this time it would be one-way.

SLO has great infrastructure, which brings out lots of folks on bikes, which means motorists are used to riding safely alongside cyclists – we felt comfortable and you would, too.

Today’s highlight is riding the Bob Jones Trail into Avila Beach. It’s a paved, 2-way bike and ped path through the woods alongside a stream – everyone’s fantasy country bike ride!

After lunch we’re back on the Bob Jones Trail retracing our route until we turn south for Pismo Beach. Most motorists choose the 101 Fwy, so we’re enjoying a wide bike lane and light traffic as we cruise towards the Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa.

We’re waiting for our room to be ready, so the valet secures our bikes in the bike valet room – nice. They offer directions – Barbara still needs a bathing suit, but she’s in luck there’s a surf shop within walking distance of the hotel.

Turns out the room was worth waiting for – it’s gorgeous with a 180º ocean view – it’s large with a kitchen, a separate bedroom & bath and a washer/dryer. Wish we were staying longer!

An hour later our dirty laundry is in the wash, while we head for the pool.

“Forget Hawaii,” Barbara declares. We’re ordering white wine while we’re in the pool. It’s a gorgeous spring afternoon – we’re delighted with this fabulous hotel discovery. We’ll be back.