Sep 13: Samuel P. Taylor State Park to Half Moon Bay State Park (60.1 miles)

Last night we all chipped in and bought firewood for a campfire to toast the marshmallows the previous campers left. We used it as a bit of a goodbye celebration as we are going our separate ways, but may catch up again soon.

It was Mary’s last night on her trip – she bikes into SF tomorrow to catch a train then a plane back to Eugene, OR. Talen and Claire are headed into SF for a few days. Talen is not happy with his bike and gear and is thinking of swapping it all out before he continues on to South America. Noor is spending an afternoon and evening in SF. And I am blasting through SF to get to Hall Moon Bay.

Noor and I were up early and on the hunt for a coffee in Lagunitas. We then biked through a series of very nice cities all the way down to Sausalito, where we had second coffee.

We soon got a great view of SF

And then the Golden Gate Bridge

After we crossed we too said our “see you later’s” as we hope to reconnect in Monterey on Sunday night.

I found my way out to the Great Highway along the Pacific that will take me to Daly City. I ate lunch with a view of the famous Cliff House restaurant

The Great Highway was closed to auto traffic due to sand removal activities, but it was open to bikes so I had a great ride south! I caught up with a biker named Dave who was just staring his trip from SF to San Luis Obispo. Past the climb to Daly City was the pretty town and beach of Pacifica.

After another climb I came to the new tunnel that avoids the continual landslides that closed Hwy 1 on the old route through the Devils Slide area. The tunnel has a great shoulder and was a fun downhill ride. On the other side are some beautiful and remote beaches

I then arrived in Half Moon Bay where I found Pelicans feasting

I also found the Half Moon Bay Brewery where I feasted on a pint (or two). A few more miles and I was at the campground. I set up the tent, showered, met the new arrivals and then went out for a burrito dinner.

I returned in time for a beautiful sunset

Tomorrow I’ll head out early to meet my friend Lisa for breakfast, then bike on to Santa Cruz where I’ll load my bike onto a bus to San Jose and spend a few days at home with Liz.