This road ride provides good returns in terms of "scenery per unit amount of climbing effort" and is almost evenly split between the relatively busy traffic of Highway 1 and some of the idyllic back roads of the Peninsula coast. The notable points of interest along the ride (not to mention the generally very scenic riding along the entire route) are the tiny town of Pescadero itself, the even tinier San Gregorio, and the Pigeon Point Lighthouse.

This particular version of the loop starts from Pescadero. There could be other meaningful options for a starting point, but my intent for picking Pescadero for this was to ensure that the best options for a post-ride meal or other refreshments would be available right there when the loop is completed back in Pescadero.

Note that there is a parking lot dedicated to the use of those who come from out of town to park there for just such a bike ride (as opposed to be being a customer to one of the businesses, at least not initially). While you wouldn't have known it on the day I did this particular ride because it didn't have any clear signage as to its purpose at the time, this parking lot is the one on the southwest corner of the intersection of Pescadero Creek Road and Stage Road. (The Suggested Parking link on your left marks this parking lot.) The local business owners will be grateful to you if you make sure you park there for your bike ride, instead of occupying one of the street-side parking spots along the business-lined main street that are more convenient for shoppers and restaurant patrons.

The ride starts by continuing north along the "main street" (Stage Road) of Pescadero. This first stretch of the route is part of the idyllic half of the ride. After leaving the few blocks of "downtown" Pescadero behind, this road becomes an almost-deserted and very pretty country road that passes by some farms and homes, not to mention a cute stretch lined on both sides with tall eucalyptus trees. The road lazily climbs and descends a couple of hills before arriving in San Gregorio.

San Gregorio is little more than a single intersection with a "general store and post office" on one side and a defunct (and quite picturesque) old gas/service station on the other. Still, it's a natural rest stop for people on sightseeing drives or bike rides along Route 84 as well as on Highway 1.

From San Gregorio, this ride takes Route 84 to get to Highway 1 and start the southbound half of the loop. Optionally, you can extend the portion of your ride on Stage Road by continuing north on that road from San Gregorio. If you do that, Stage Road still meets Highway 1 after another mile or so. While this will add to the "scenic country road" total of your ride, you will also have increased your total elevation gain by about 400 feet by doing this, because that last segment of Stage Road is essentially a climb all the way through.

The initial portion of the Highway 1 segment of this ride (down to Pescadero Beach) repeats a distinct pattern a few times: You climb a couple of hundred feet to the top of a coastal bluff, perhaps catch some ocean views from a road-side vista point, then descend to a small state beach at the mouth of a creek, and then climb the next bluff and repeat. And there's nothing wrong with that. The climbs are not grueling and each little beach is a little gem that's worth a brief rest stop, if not a mini picnic.

Highway 1 features a wide paved shoulder and is, therefore, pretty safe for cyclists. The only exception to this rule are the narrow bridges that cross the creeks that flow onto some of those little beaches, where the shoulder is typically reduced to a foot in width or less, and you are forced to become more intimate with motor-vehicle traffic. Another note about riding on Highway 1 is that general wisdom states it's better to ride southbound than northbound, due to the prevailing winds. This particular ride does not ignore that advice.

One alternate route option available to you as you arrive at Pescadero Beach is to take a minor inland detour via Pescadero Road and to follow Bean Hollow Road southbound instead. This detour is just under four miles long (adding an extra mile to your total distance) but, compared to Highway 1, it's a nice and much quieter country road that playfully curves along gentle coastal hills and is therefore preferable to the freeway-like wide and flat corresponding segment of the coastal highway.

After Pescadero Beach, Highway 1 starts following the coast more flatly and the amount of climbing diminishes dramatically. This also reduces the amount of ocean scenery somewhat. Thankfully, though, it's not long before you arrive at the Pigeon Point Lighthouse, which should make for a fun and interesting stop on your ride. Some of the buildings here have been converted to use as a hostel. You may want to spend a few minutes taking a close look at the lighthouse and the fog horn as well as visiting the gift shop. However, as of this writing, the website for the lighthouse states that the structure is closed to the public at the moment (while it's ordinarily open for tours). You will also find restroom facilities here.

After the lighthouse, it's not long before you leave Highway 1 and take to the back roads again. You initially turn onto Gazos Creek Road. This is a narrow country road that follows along the bottom of a cute little canyon with virtually no traffic. A wooded road ride probably couldn't be prettier than this stretch of the ride even if it took place in an artificially landscaped setting. This is arguably the sweetest stretch of the ride.

Following an all-too-short two-mile stretch on Gazos Creek Road, you turn left onto Cloverdale Road. Initially this road throws another set of climbs at you—this ride's last. For almost half a mile, this stretch of the ride maintains an average grade of 7 or 8 percent and follows it with one last (but very short) steep burst that seems to reach at least 15% grade. As you approach Butano State Park, though, the road becomes mostly flat and starts following a small, flat-bottomed valley. This segment takes you all the way to Pescadero Road, after which you're back at the beginning of the loop before you know it.

For a post-ride meal in Pescadero, Duarte's Tavern is the first option that naturally pops into my mind. This obvious choice traces its roots back to the Prohibition Era. The food there is good, and the desserts are great. In case you don't already know, their "signature dish" is their cream of artichoke soup. Duarte's isn't the only game in town, though. Pescadero Country Store also serves a wide variety of food from sandwiches to bar food to restaurant entrees, and they happen to be the only source of espresso coffee drinks that I noticed in Pescadero last time I was there.