Tour Summary
2022 Dates
TBD
Camp: 15 SpotsWinter/Spring
Cycling Camps:Santa Monica Mtns
Classic Sierras
Trail Run Camps
Trail Run CampsSanta Monica Mtns
Backbone Trail
Duration
5 DaysDistance
315 milesElevation Gain
33,000 feet2021 Price
Climbing Camp Only: $595.00 includes full ride support, guide, route slips, 3-4 SAG stops, GUs, Bars, snacks, etc.Dinner & Breakfast on your own
Book your own Hotel (see lodging below)
Rider Limit
20 Rider LimitHighlights
Santa Monica MtsSan Gabriel Mts
Santa Ynez Mts
San Rafel Mts
Mount Baldy
Santa Barbara
Hotels
Book Your Own(Sun, Mon,Tue)
Westlake Village Inn $178
(Wed, Thr)
Hilton Beachfront
(Alternate Wed, Thr):
Harbor View Inn
Best Western
Check Santa Monica Camp webpage for more hotel choices
Start / Finish
Westlake Village, CA(Map to Start)
Santa Barbara, CA
Airports
LAX -37 milesBurbank -30 miles
Shuttle Services: Supershuttle
Roadrunner
Primetime
Bike Shipping: Serious Cycling
I am already thinking about 2013. I can honestly say that the week I spent riding in Santa Monica was one of the most enjoyable weeks of my life. Next year, although the variety of a different ride is apealing, I am pulled to Santa Monica .
- Don Brazelton
* Santa Monica 2011
Arlene and I had so much fun in March at the Santa Monica Climbing Camp, I am thinking of coming down in November for another go around with you guys.
- Mark P, Canada
* Santa Monica 2012
Amazingly, the roads are very quite with almost no traffic. I spent an hour climbing Latigo Canyon and was passed by not a single car. And the pavement quality is much better than most of our roads. The views rival the Alps, very different but spectacular. Most of the climbs switchback up the sides of mountains so you get a real sense of how high up you have are, looking down at the road and ocean far below.
- Richard F
* Santa Monica 2010
Did the Santa Monica Mountains Climbing Camp - amazing experience! Perfect location for some off-season training, the routes are challenging, but rewarding with fantastic views and the roads are very cyclist friendly.
SAG was filled with great food and drinks all the time and everyone could ride at their own pace. Hotel, recommended restaurants and company were all awesome!
- Amalas W, UK
* Santa Monica 2012
It has been over a week now since our 'camp' but wanted to write you all. We returned to Vermont on Tuesday, to not much better weather than what Kim encountered. However, the glow of sunny CA and the images of all the great rides and vistas remain with us.
- Robert B, VT
* Santa Monica 2011
Thanks again for an outstanding 5 days of riding. To be honest, with my distance and hill training (or should I say lack thereof) I went out there thinking I'd probably do 3 days of riding. Still not sure how I managed to ride every day, but I'm so glad I did. The scenery was outstanding. I'm already checking out some of the other trips you offer......Utah just may be next for me. :)
- Jennifer H, Canada
* Santa Monica 2011
The Sierra Camp sounds amazing. That might have to be my next one. I did my first climbing ride with my group yesterday and believe the Santa Monica camp helped improve my fitness quite a lot.
- Michelle L, Vancouver
* Santa Monica 2013
Just a quick note to thank you for the climbing camp and all of your input. I had a blast and loved the riding. I have already planned for next year and am planting seeds with others to join me.
- Hayden J, NY
* Santa Monica 2013
That was a fun ride. The sites were beyond description, the roads were great, the rides were exceptional and you, Michael and Eric were hard working. I am looking forward to my next ride with you.
- Glen O, CA
Great camp!!! Can't beat the hills and the scenery. Richard and his staff were great, accommodating of any special needs and well organized. Very reasonably priced and great mapping. Highly recommended!!!
- Max L, NY
* Santa Monica 2011
Cycling Climbing Camps
Classic Climbs of Southern California
5 Days • 315 Mi • 33,000' Elevation Gain • $595.00
On this epic southern California Cycling Camp we bike Classic Climbs in 4 different mountain ranges: the Santa Monica Mountains; San Gabriel; Santa Ynez and San Rafael Mountains.
Day |
Weekday |
2021 Route |
A Ride |
Elev Gain |
B Ride |
Elev Gain |
|
Sun |
Arrive Westlake Village, CA |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
||
1 |
Mon |
Glendora Mtn Rd / Mount Baldy |
54 |
7,461' |
44 |
5,000' |
|
2 |
Tue |
Santa Monica Mtns - Deer Creek |
60 |
6,900' |
40 |
4,200' |
|
3 |
Wed |
Ojai - Rose Valley / Pine Mountain |
78 |
7,100' |
64 |
5,000' |
|
4 |
Thr |
Solvang - Figueroa Mountain |
55 |
5,000' |
55 |
5,000' |
|
5 |
Fri |
Santa Barbara - Gibraltar Rd |
63 |
6,500' |
47 |
5,196' |
|
. |
...... |
Depart Fri 2:00 pm or Stay over |
--- |
--- |
--- |
||
... |
. |
Total |
315 |
33,561' |
250 |
25,000' |
Scroll Down For 2021 Itinerary
These are Big Climbs ranging from 10 miles to as long as 30 miles, with grades averaging 6-7% and sections of 8-15%. Most days choose between an A or B Route for difficulty.
Santa Barbara Climbs
Santa Monica Mtn Climbs
Got the legs for back to back Camps? Check out our other Climbing Camps:
Classic Climbs of the Sierras
Classic Climbs of Lake Tahoe & the Sierra Nevada
Santa Monica Mountains
Choose your own basecamp for the week. See the hotel and dining links on the left sidebar to plan your week. You may stay at our suggested Basecamp hotel, or choose from other hotels in the area.
This Camp uses two basecamp hotels for the week. Sunday - Tuesday night is at the Westlake Village Inn. Wednesday and Thursday nights we are in Santa Barbara at the Fes Parker Doubletree Inn (or hotel of your choice). We are done riding by 1:00 pm on Friday.
This California bike Camp includes all our great SAG support during the ride, all the snacks and drinks you want, unlimited energy bars and drinks, GU, route slips, a guide and van support if you need it. But these roads are steep and winding so we will not be towing a trailer as usual, therefore space will be limited in the van.
Riders are responsible for booking their own hotel and meals when not riding.
LAX is the biggest airport in southern California, although Burbank is closer. Drive time from LAX to Agoura Hills is about 45 minutes - 2 hours with traffic. Plan your arrival time accordingly. Riders need to arrange their own shuttle from the airport (see link on the sidebar). We recommend renting a car for the week in order to sightsee, meet the group for dinner and drive to Santa Barbara..
Ship your bike to our local bike shop in Agoura Hills - "Serious Cycling". They will unpack it and assemble it for you. At the end of the camp, they will pack it and ship it back for you. Or Rent one of our carbon fiber bikes with plenty of gears to get you up the hills.
California Cycling Camp ScheduleMonday - Meet in Westlake Village, California
Fly in to LA by Sunday and make your way to Westlake Village, California. We'll meet at the Westlake Village Inn Monday morning at 7:30am. First we have a brief orientation where we'll provide an overview for the week, hand out route slips, make introductions, and answer any questions you have. We then shuttle to the start of our first Ride - Mount Baldy.
Day 1 - Glendora Mountain Rd / Mount Baldy
Our training camp starts off with one of the famous bike climbs in the area - Glendora Mountain Road to Mount Baldy ski area. The road snakes along a ridgeline with incredible views of the San Gabriel mountain range. The climb to the ski resort includes a 3 mile section with grades from 10-16%. Did we mention you might want to have a compact with at least a 28 cassette? If you are planning on the B Ride you can relax at the Mt Baldy Lodge and grab some lunch in their cafe while riders tackle the summit.
54 miles / 7,461 ft. elevation gain
Day 2 - Santa Monica Mountains - Deer Creek
Today we ride from the Hotel in Westlake Village as we bike some of the classic climbs of the Santa Monica Mountains. We'll ride one of the climbs we don't usually ride on our Santa Monica Mountains Climbing Camp - Deer Creek, the steepest 2 mile climb around with an average grade of 12-16%..
60 miles / 6,000 ft. elevation gain
Day 3 - Ojai: Route 33 / Rose Valley / Pine Mountain
Today we ride out of the town of Ojai into the Santa Ynez Mountains on Route 33. This is the longest single climb of the week at 36 miles to the summit if you ride all the way to the top of Pine Mountain. After the ride we shuttle to Santa Barbara, our basecamp for the next two nights.
78 miles / 7,100 ft. elevation gain
Day 4 - Solvang: Figueroa Mountain Loop
Today we head over to the Solvang Wine Country to ride Figueroa Mountain, a hard 10 mile climb with grades ranging from 8-12%. After summiting from the east side, we descend to the town of Los Olivos where you can wine taste or relax in one of the cafes. Today's ride requires a shuttle from Santa Barbara at the start and end of the ride.
55 miles / 5,000 ft. elevation gain
Day 5 - Santa Barbara / Gibraltar Rd / Camino Cielo Traverse
Our final Climb starts out along the coast before turning inland and climbing high above Santa Barbara on Gibraltar Road. The views are amazing as we climb, with an entire coast vista opening up before us. Be prepared for 8 miles of 6-12%. At the top we can see in all directions as we traverse the backbone of the mountains on Camino Cielo road. After the ride cyclists return to Santa Barbara and say their goodbyes - unless you are biking back to back camps, in which case you can relax for the weekend before starting your next cycling camp..
63 miles / 6,500 ft. elevation gain
