Hailed by locals as one of the most scenic stretches of Highway 1, the 22-mile ride between Pescadero and Davenport can be executed in several ways: as a 22-mile one-way ride (using a shuttle car) or as a 44-46-mile out-and-back (depending on whether you opt for the Swanton Loop—see below).
From Pescadero State Beach, this swath of Highway 1 runs right along the Pacific at points and further inland at others. Wind is a way of life on Highway 1: more often than not, a tailwind escorts riders riding from north to south, but it's not unheard of for it to go the other way. Tailwind or not, this ride is better savored than hammered.
Take advantage of short detours along the way to visit one the U.S.'s tallest lighthouses (at Pigeon Point), the world's largest mainland breeding ground for elephant seals (at Año Nuevo State Natural Reserve), towering redwoods (just up Canyon Road at Waddell Creek), and kite surfers hanging on for dear life (at Scott Creek). Stop in at the Davenport Roadhouse for coffee or lunch, or just grab a quick snack from the Davenport Store. On the return trip north, an optional climbing detour up Swanton Road offers shelter from the wind, dropping you back down to Highway 1 about 16 miles south of Pescadero.
-Mapped by Tim Shisler
TO TRAILHEAD: This track departs from Pescadero State Beach, but can also be started from Davenport and ridden in reverse.
