Bike
From paths along rolling hills and wide valleys to well-marked bike routes to wine shops and the historic downtown, San Luis Obispo has some of the finest year-round bicycling in the United States. Well-marked bike paths not only cover the downtown, but extend north to Morro Bay and other outlying areas. See Car Free Attractions and Itineraries for some suggested trips and adventures. You can even bring your bike on Amtrak trains or put it on any of the RTA or SLO Transit buses. If you are looking for a quick and easy map to get you where you need to be, try out the Google Trip Planner!
Bike Maps | Club Rides | SLO North Rides | SLO South Rides | Self-guided Bike Tours
Guided Bike Tours | Bike Rentals | Bike Events | Valet Bike Parking | Bicycle Clubs
Bike Maps
San Luis Obispo County has several detailed bicycle maps to help you plan your trip. Whether you want to just bike around town or ride for miles and miles along San Luis Obispo’s magnificent landscape, let us show you how!
Club Rides
San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club Rides
The San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club lists hundreds of bike rides on their website including some of San Luis Obispo’s challenging “Great Rides,” local “Favorite Rides,” as well as rides designed for “SLO Pokes” looking for a less strenuous adventure.
San Luis Obispo North Rides
Cuesta College Loop – 12.5 miles – Moderately Easy*
Ride Summary: A quick ride through Cuesta College on little trafficked back roads and returning to town on Highway One. Some small hills, but no major climbs.
For maps of the following rides, see the various North County and Coast North bike maps.
Starting Point for all SLO North rides: Santa Rosa Park at the corner of Santa Rosa and Oak in San Luis Obispo just north of US 101.
Morro Bay Loop – 28.3 miles – Moderate to Moderately Strenuous*
Ride Summary: A varied ride taking in Highway One and the coastal town of Morro Bay on the way north. On the return south you’ll ride Turri Rd; a great, little trafficked road often used for bike photo shoots. Great views of a series of craggy peaks between Highway One and Los Osos Valley called the Nine Sisters. Relatively level for most of the ride with a few gradual climbs and descents one steeper climb and descent on Turri Rd.
Los Osos and Montana de Oro – 33.4 miles – Moderately Strenuous*
Ride Summary: A longer out and back with a gorgeous coastal state park at the far end. Mostly level riding to start along a well trafficked rural highway with good shoulders to Los Osos. After Los Osos, the park road is hilly with spectacular views and medium to light traffic.
Riding to Cayucos on Highway One – about 40 miles round trip – Moderate*
Ride Summary: Highway One north to Cayucos is a busy four lane freeway most of the way with great coastal views between Morro Bay and Cayucos. As you enter Cayucos, look for Pacific Coast Bike Route signs to get you off the freeway.
San Luis Obispo South Rides
For the following rides, download the Edna Valley Wineries by Bike map from the SLO County Bicycle Coalition website.
Starting Point for all SLO South rides: San Luis Obispo Amtrak Station, 1011 Railroad Avenue at Santa Rosa Street. The station is just south of the downtown area at the end of Santa Rosa Street. Parking is available in the station parking lot.
Tip: Before heading out of town, pick up a quick sandwich at the Broad Street Giant Grinder for a picnic lunch. They offer a 20% for Car Free travelers!
Tiffany Ranch Road Loop – 19.7 miles – Moderate (short option crossing valley at Biddle Ranch is 13.4 miles and is Moderately Easy)*
Ride Summary: A scenic loop through the Edna Valley wine growing region. Several wineries along the route. Some hills toward the south end of the valley. Winds from the north tend to pick up in the afternoon. A shorter route (13.4 miles) that avoids the hills can be made by crossing the valley at Biddle Ranch Road.
Corbett Canyon Loop – 29.5 miles – Moderate*
Ride Summary: A scenic loop through the vineyard and ranch country south of SLO. Several wineries along the route. Some hills toward the south end of the ride. Winds from the north tend to pick up in the afternoon. Longer rides can be made by adding out and back options to Lopez Lake or Huasna townsite. One major climb/descent on the road to Huasna townsite.
Tour du Avila – 22.8 miles – Moderately Easy*
Ride Summary: A diverse, mostly out and back tour taking in the Bob Jones Bike trail, Avila Beach and the historic Harford Pier. No major climbs, unless you want to explore up See Canyon.
Self-guided Bike Tours
Historic San Luis Obispo by Bike
Pedal your way on a self-guided tour through Chinatown and past the Mission in the historic downtown core. Pick up a bite to eat at the Creamery where millions of gallons of milk were processed each year in the 1900s. Bike through Japan Town and take a rest at Meadow Park, before reaching Railroad Square. Continue through SLO’s historic neighborhoods and admire the Victorian homes on your way to the Dallidet Adobe and Gardens, which also houses one of the original street cars in SLO. (see ride map)
Edna Valley Wineries by Bike
Tour the beautiful Edna Valley by bike – stopping at the local wineries along the way! For detailed directions on a ride starting in San Luis Obispo, see the Tiffany Ranch Road Loop ride above. (see ride map)
Guided Bike Tours
Central Coast Outdoors
Central Coast Outdoors enthusiastically supports SLO Car Free. They offer guided bike, hike and kayak tours of the SLO area. Kayak tours are on Morro Bay, bike tours go along the coast and/or through local wine country areas and hiking tours feature Big Sur and other local areas. Explore the SLO area with the local experts! All biking tours offer hotel pick-up (often complimentary) and bikes are included in tour price. Click here for SLO Car Free Discount details.
Bike Rentals
Check out the multiple bike shops located throughout San Luis Obispo County that offer bike rentals to help you get around Car Free!
Bike Events
Bike Happening
Join the locals for a fun, monthly “happening.” Every first Thursday of the month at 9:30pm after the Farmers’ Market, people dust off their old cruisers or bring out their pricey pride and joy to loop around the downtown, starting at the Mission. They ride “because we like to get people on their bikes and to have fun.” Sometimes hundreds of people come out for this fun ride. Every month has a different theme, but the rules are always the same: Have fun, respect our community, and obey all traffic laws. Come dressed to impress for the month’s theme and remember to wear a helmet and bike lights!
Valet Bike Parking
Bike Valet at the Farmers’ Market
The SLO County Bicycle Coalition provides free bike valet parking for bike riders at the Farmer’s Market every Thursday from 5:30pm -9:30pm. For more details on the Farmers’ Market see “Attractions and Itineraries.”
Bike Valet at Concerts in the Plaza
Ride your bike and enjoy free secure parking on site at Concerts in the Plaza. Every Friday from 5-8 all summer long. Find the Band Line-up here.
Bike Valet Calendar
See the bike valet calendar for full list of events that provide free bike valet parking.
San Luis Obispo Bicycle Club