April 11-14, 2027
Carmel Ride
Ride Carmel Valley, the Big Sur coast, Pinnacles National Park, and 17-Mile Drive on a 4-day adventure based at a stylish Carmel-by-the-Sea hotel. Three nights at Hotel Carmel, picnic lunches with a view, and a hike to McWay Falls.
April 11-14, 2027
Carmel, CA; Hotel Carmel
Fundraise or Pay $3,400
Event Details
Itinerary Overview
Your Ride Guide will include full details. This is a fully supported tour, so you can shorten or lengthen your activities each day.
Day 1 — Sunday, April 11: Carmel Valley and Cachagua
Distance: 36 miles or 56 miles | Elevation gain: 3,200 ft or 4,002 ft | Accommodation: Hotel Carmel | Route
Meet at Hotel Carmel at 9:30 AM. Suit up, fill water, grab snacks, and get fitted to your rental bike. At 10:00 AM, we’ll begin our ride inland through the beautiful Carmel Valley. Fresh legs should propel you up the gradual climb into Cachagua Valley, the place of grass. We’ll ride lightly traveled roads through the mountains and enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking Carmel Valley. The afternoon features a stop at a local winery, where you can pick up a bottle to enjoy back at our hotel. We’ll check into Hotel Carmel and enjoy the courtyard with new and old friends, then walk to a nearby restaurant for classic California fare.
Day 2 — Monday, April 12: The Big Sur Coast to McWay Falls
Distance: 40 miles | Elevation gain: 3,500 ft | Short hike to McWay Falls and McWay Beach | Accommodation: Hotel Carmel | Route
After a freshly made breakfast at our hotel, we’ll set out along the stunning Big Sur coastline. We’ll pedal above the deep blue waters of the Pacific as we wind, climb, and descend our way down the coast. Our route ends at McWay Beach, where riders will enjoy a packed lunch with views of McWay Falls, a must-see for visitors to Big Sur. We’ll shuttle back to Hotel Carmel, giving riders the afternoon to explore the shops and sights of Carmel. Or reverse your ride for bonus miles. Dinner together tonight is onsite at Brophy’s Tavern.
Day 3 — Tuesday, April 13: Pinnacles National Park
After breakfast, we’ll shuttle about an hour to Soledad, where we begin our ride into Pinnacles National Park. This scenic road takes us into the heart of the park, where riders can hike among the tall rock spires and explore Balconies Cave. After the hike, it’s a quick downhill ride to our picnic lunch, then we’ll shuttle back to Carmel. This afternoon, walk three blocks to the beach to watch the surf and the sunset before we gather for a final dinner together.
Day 4 — Wednesday, April 14: Monterey and 17-Mile Drive
Distance: 22 miles | Elevation gain: 1,540 ft | Route
We’ll sleep in a little before heading out on our last ride of the trip. This route takes us through Monterey, past Lovers Point, and along the rugged coastline on 17-Mile Drive, past the famous Pebble Beach golf course. After a final lunch together, we’ll say our goodbyes. Riders can head home or keep the week of cycling going at the Sea Otter Classic (April 16–18 in Monterey).
FAQs and More Info
What is included? Not included?
Included:
- 3 nights at Hotel Carmel, double occupancy
- 3 breakfasts (Days 2–4), 4 lunches (Days 1–4), 3 dinners (Days 1–3)
- Snacks and water on the road
- Fully supported rides with support vehicles and ride leaders
- Shuttles from McWay Falls (Day 2) and to and from Pinnacles (Day 3)
- Pinnacles National Park entrance
- Amazing camaraderie and life-changing cycling, of course!
- The joy and satisfaction that you’re helping support vital non-profit work
Not Included:
- Travel to and from Carmel
- Hotel nights before Day 1 or after Day 4
- Wine purchases at the winery stop
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Single supplement $550
- Trip medical/travel insurance (recommended). Remember, travel insurance can only cover expenses you have paid for (flights, additional hotels, etc.). It cannot cover fundraising. Be sure to read the fine print on the travel insurance that you buy.
What level is this ride? Can I do it?
We rate this ride as 2/3 out of 5 (Learn more). Days run 22–56 miles with up to 4,000 ft of climbing, and three of the four days have 3,000 ft or more. The Big Sur coast rolls up and down all day, and Day 1 and Day 3 include sustained climbs. This ride suits cyclists who ride regularly and are comfortable on hills and on back-to-back days. Day 1 has a shorter option, and riders on e-bikes will find the climbing much more manageable.
Arriving & Departing (Important Information)
Arriving
We meet at Hotel Carmel at 9:30 AM on Sunday, April 11, and roll out at 10:00 AM. The closest airport is Monterey Regional (MRY), about 15 minutes from Carmel. San Jose (SJC) is about 1.5 hours away and San Francisco (SFO) about 2.5 hours. We recommend arriving Saturday night so you’re rested for Day 1.
Departing
The ride ends after lunch on Wednesday, April 14. Plan flights for late afternoon or evening, or stay on for the Sea Otter Classic, April 16–18 at Laguna Seca.
What kind of bike do I need?
A road or road e-bike is recommended. Rental bikes (including e-bikes) are available.
What’s the weather like in Carmel?
April on the Monterey coast is mild. Highs are usually in the low-to-mid 60s °F, with lows in the mid-40s. Morning fog is common on the coast and usually burns off by midday. Pinnacles, inland, is often 10–15 degrees warmer.
What to pack: Pack for cool mornings and warm afternoons: arm and leg warmers, a wind vest or jacket, and sunscreen. Bring walking shoes for the McWay Falls and Pinnacles hikes, and a headlamp or flashlight for Balconies Cave. A full packing list will be in your Trip Guide.
Accommodations & Single Supplements
We stay all three nights at Hotel Carmel, a small boutique hotel in the center of Carmel-by-the-Sea, a few blocks from the beach. The hotel has a courtyard with a fire pit and is home to Brophy’s Tavern. Rooms are double occupancy; we do our best to room people of the same gender together. The single supplement for the trip is $550.
Where do my proceeds go?
You choose where your fundraising proceeds go. Pick from more than 100 grantee organizations working on conservation, climate, and active transportation.
Climate Ride holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator (its highest) and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid (formerly GuideStar). All donations are tax-deductible.
Fundraising and Transfer Deadlines | Important Dates
Fundraising Deadlines:
| $500 | 01/11/2027 |
| $1,700 | 02/11/2027 |
| $3,400 | 03/11/2027 |
Transfer Deadline: There are no transfers for this event. Donations are non-refundable.
Note: If you’d like to register after or near a fundraising deadline, don’t worry, we’re here to help you get up to speed!
More Questions?
Be sure to review our general FAQ and policies or contact us!
Photo Gallery
Full Event Story
Big Sur, Pinnacles, and the Carmel Coast
Join us for four days of spring riding on California’s Central Coast, based in the seaside village of Carmel-by-the-Sea. We stay at one hotel all week, so you unpack once and ride a different landscape every day.
We start inland, climbing out of Carmel Valley into the quiet back roads of Cachagua, with a picnic lunch above the valley and a winery stop on the way home. Day 2 is the one you’ll remember: the Big Sur coastline, riding high above the Pacific to McWay Beach and a short hike to McWay Falls, one of the few waterfalls in California that drops onto the beach. On Day 3 we shuttle to Soledad and ride into Pinnacles National Park, with an optional hike through the rock spires and into Balconies Cave. We finish with a shorter ride through Monterey, past Lovers Point, and along 17-Mile Drive and Pebble Beach.
Evenings are in Carmel: the hotel courtyard, a walk to the beach for sunset, and dinners together, including a night at Brophy’s Tavern.
Ride Highlights
- The Big Sur coast, riding above the Pacific to McWay Falls.
- Pinnacles National Park, with an optional hike to Balconies Cave.
- Back roads of Carmel Valley and Cachagua, with a winery stop.
- 17-Mile Drive, Lovers Point, and Pebble Beach.
- Three nights at one hotel in walkable Carmel-by-the-Sea, three blocks from the beach.
- Stay on for the Sea Otter Classic, April 16–18.
Is This Ride For You?
We rate this ride a [3] out of 5. Riding days are 22–56 miles with up to 4,000 ft of climbing. Riders should be comfortable on long climbs, rolling coastal roads, and back-to-back days in the saddle. Day 1 has a shorter option, and e-bikes are welcome.
Positive Planet Impact
Testimonials
Inspirational, yes, but Climate Ride is more than that. It challenges you to do – not just to do the ride, but to change your ways, to advocate for sustainability, to connect with others, to let your guard down and learn, experience and internalize.
Our Climate Ride in Bhutan was one of the more memorable experiences that I have had. We were able to experience a wonderful and interesting place with great co-participants and a great guide. Bhutan is an interesting place with an inherent compassion and kindness which was a perfect atmosphere for our group which was also compassionate and kind. Thank you, Climate Ride, for a wonderful experience.
This was my first Climate Ride, and I was really impressed. Climate Ride is a super lean organization, with a spirited, professional team, and the trip to Bhutan introduced me to many wonderful, like-minded new friends.
