Starting from Saratoga (just outside San Jose), this ride kicks off with a stiff 2,600-foot climb on CA 9. From the first summit, continue riding through the Santa Cruz Mountains for 13 miles en route to Big Basin State Park , the oldest state park in California. Check out the mammoth redwoods before weaving together 22.3-miles of mountain roads up and over the San Lorenzo Mountains, where this route meets the Pacific. Turning right on CA 1, the ride spins to Davenport, a quaint coastal town that’s perfect of a mid-ride break. After fueling up, continue north along the coast, before picking up a 7-mile loop that returns south (in the right lane) along the coast. Returning from the coastal stretch, the ride climbs 1,700 feet back up to the redwoods before a short technical descent down Empire Grade. From here, Set your resolve for the final 28.3 miles which gain 2,700 feet before diving back down to Saratoga.
70-Mile Option: Skip the coastline extension through Davenpot by turning left on Empire Grade.
-Mapped by Russ Stevens
| Position Format: |
Datum: |
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San Jose, CA: Big Basin-Davenport Century
| Dist: 101.36 mi |
Points: 1787 |
Calories: none |
| Time: none |
Speed: 0.0 mph |
Pace: 0:00 / mi |
| 0.00 mi |
Turn Right |
CA 9/Big Basin Way |
Then go 7.27 mi |
| 7.28 mi |
Straight |
CA 9 |
Then go 6.13 mi |
| 13.41 mi |
Bear Right |
CA 236 |
Then go 13.85 mi |
| 27.26 mi |
Turn Right |
Jameson Creek Rd. |
Then go 2.98 mi |
| 30.24 mi |
Turn Left |
Empire Grade |
Then go 6.04 mi |
| 36.28 mi |
Sharp Right |
Pine Flat |
Then go 3.63 mi |
| 39.91 mi |
Turn Right |
Bonny Doon |
Then go 3.77 mi |
| 43.68 mi |
Turn Right |
CA 1 |
Then go 1.09 mi |
| 44.77 mi |
Point Of Interest |
Davenport (optional U-turn here to skip Swanton and save ~15 miles; otherwise continue straight) |
Then go 1.73 mi |
| 46.50 mi |
Bear Right |
Swanton Rd. |
Then go 6.78 mi |
| 53.28 mi |
Turn Left |
CA 1 |
Then go 7.64 mi |
| 60.92 mi |
Turn Left |
Bonny Doon Rd. |
Then go 3.89 mi |
| 64.81 mi |
Turn Left |
Pine Flat Rd. |
Then go 1.48 mi |
| 66.29 mi |
Sharp Right |
Ice Cream Grade |
Then go 2.42 mi |
| 68.71 mi |
Straight |
Felton Empire Rd. |
Then go 3.46 mi |
| 72.17 mi |
Straight |
Graham Hill |
Then go 0.42 mi |
| 72.59 mi |
Turn Left |
E Zayante Rd. |
Then go 2.60 mi |
| 75.20 mi |
Bear Right |
Continue on E Zayante Rd. |
Then go 8.02 mi |
| 83.22 mi |
Turn Right |
CA 35/Summit Rd. |
Then go 0.00 mi |
| 83.22 mi |
Turn Left |
CA 35/Summit Rd. |
Then go 0.21 mi |
| 83.43 mi |
Turn Left |
CA 356/Bear Creek Rd. |
Then go 0.68 mi |
| 84.11 mi |
Turn Right |
Skyline Blvd. |
Then go 10.09 mi |
| 94.20 mi |
Turn Right |
CA 9 |
Then go 7.14 mi |
| 101.34 mi |
Stop |
Downtown Saratoga |
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The tough climb back up Bonny Doon
Location: 37.017494°, -122.167111°
Start/Finish
Location: 37.258616°, -122.032356°
There is a parking lot at the corner of Saratoga Avenue and Saratoga Los Gatos Road from which you can launch the ride. Bring supplies or stock up locally before you roll out.
Climbing Highway 9
Location: 37.248197°, -122.072654°
This ride begins climbing CA 9 almost right away. This climb up and over the Santa Cruz mountains gains 2,619 feet in just under seven miles (an approximate 7-percent grade). The light traffic and good shoulders make for a relatively stress-free riding environment.
Still climbing CA 9
Location: 37.255883°, -122.089348°
Top of Highway 9
Location: 37.258581°, -122.122135°
The reward at the top of Highway 9 isn't so much the view but the knowledge that the next six miles are all downhill.
CA 236
Location: 37.212046°, -122.156897°
One of the more scenic roads on this the route, CA 236 is tight, hilly, and flanked on both sides by 200-foot tall redwood trees. Early morning mist is often trapped by the thick redwood canopy, so a jacket, vest, or arm warmers may come in handy.
Note: This section of road is commonly used by tourists visiting Big Basin State Park. Campers, minivans, and SUV's are common along this stretch.
Fog on CA 236 into Big Basin
Location: 37.200561°, -122.163506°
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Location: 37.173175°, -122.222214°
Putting things into perspective: a giant redwood in Big Basin. Originally founded in 1902, Big Basin State Park has over 18,000 acres of redwood forest, and 80 miles of trail snaking through lush coastal vegetation. Water and facilities are available at the main parking lot, on the right side of CA 236.
Downhill
Location: 37.166464°, -122.187710°
From here the next four miles are all downhill, with two tight horseshoe turns clearly marked with 20-m.p.h. speed limit signs.
Snack Shack
Location: 37.153887°, -122.161832°
Ideal place to grab some salty snacks, or a mid-ride Snickers, stop by the snack shack at Boulder Creek Country Club on your right. Bonus: cool off on hot days at the shack's air conditioning.
Jameson Creek Road
Location: 37.146703°, -122.158527°
The next three miles rise nearly 1,300 feet, on a steep, narrow connector road used mostly by locals and only lightly traveled by cars.
The steep and lonely Jameson Creek Road
Location: 37.143488°, -122.181358°
Pine Flat Road
Location: 37.078805°, -122.133465°
Keep your eyes peeled, Pine Flat Road comes at the bottom of a steep downhill and is easy to miss.
Bonny Doon Road descent
Location: 37.063054°, -122.148314°
Prepare for a screamer downhill with wide shoulders and good pavement.
CA 1
Location: 37.003101°, -122.182989°
CA 1 rolls along some of the most stunning, pristine coastline in Northern California. Rolling hills, vast coastal vistas, and super-wide bike-friendly road shoulders: this road is so beautiful it's hard to ride straight.
El Jarro
Location: 37.012286°, -122.195606°
Enjoying some good Mexican food at El Jarro in Davenport. Just 200 people live in this charming coastal town which features a plethora of eateries perfect of for a mid-ride snack.
Swanton Road
Location: 37.085310°, -122.249851°
Highway 1 back to Davenport
Location: 37.070108°, -122.258778°
Bonny Doon Road ascent
Location: 37.001045°, -122.179556°
You flew down it, and now it's time to ride back up. Settle in for a 6-mile climb that gains 1,748 feet of elevation.
Downhill
Location: 37.058328°, -122.122736°
Wickedly fast, this screaming downhill twists around 15-m.p.h. horseshoes with no guardrails and inversely banked grades. The descent is a bike-handling challenge to be sure, but certainly doable (especially if you ride cautiously).
Felton Community Park
Location: 37.051341°, -122.070637°
Take a moment and check out Felton's historic Covered Bridge spanning over the San Lorenzo River (in the back right corner of the park). Water and restrooms are also available.
Note: This is the last place to grab water, short of using a homeowner's hose, so remember to fill up.
Zayante Road
Location: 37.056342°, -122.060080°
The speed limit is 35, but cars constantly drive 50. There is a shoulder, but it's small, and multiple hidden driveways complicate matters, so ride cautiously along this stretch.
This is also the beginning of the last major climb of the day. The next 10.5 miles gain 1,750 feet of elevation running at a constant six to seven percent grade.
Climbing
Location: 37.105985°, -122.021198°
Yet another tough climb up Zayante road.
Beer Creek Junction
Location: 37.165925°, -122.015963°
Be extremely careful turning left here: the turn is blind on both sides, and cars tend drive way over the speed limit.
Skyline Boulevard
Location: 37.167430°, -122.025576°
Turn right onto Skyline Boulevard, a narrow one-lane mountain road with two-way traffic. Note: The road is seldom used, but always be cautious of the cars that may be approaching from ahead or behind.
Skyline opens up into two-lanes at Black Road.
Location: 37.205722°, -122.047978°
CA 9 Downhill
Location: 37.257932°, -122.119389°
The return trip on Highway 9 can be a blast, but don't get too complacent while navigating the roads. Some of the tight turns can be hard to judge at speed.
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