Between the scenic Santa Barbara coastline nicknamed “the American Riviera”, the rolling sun-soaked wine country of the Santa Ynez valley, the mesmerizing ruggedness and precipitous sea cliffs of Big Sur, and all the postcard seaside towns along the way, it’s no wonder this region has long intoxicated visitors with its unfathomable beauty.
On this Adventure Trek, we will explore this areas best hiking trails, eat fresh, local food, and seek out the experiences that most uniquely define this region.
You owe it to yourself to trek California’s Central Coast. Join Us. Learn more below.
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Trip Information
- 7-day all-inclusive luxury hiking vacation.
- Maximum of twelve guests per week.
- Hike daily Monday – Saturday (six hikes), breaking into three different guided hiking groups.
- Spend two nights at the boutique luxury Simpson House Inn in Santa Barbara, three nights at the charming Genevieve Inn in the Santa Ynez Valley, and two nights nestled in the redwoods at the historic Glen Oaks Lodge in Big Sur.
- Relax with in-room massages available in Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez (additional cost).
- Enjoy gourmet breakfasts (with coffee) and dine at world-class, local-fare restaurants (with wine).
- Explore the Channel Islands National Park, enjoy world-class wine tasting, tour historic missions, ride the famous Surfliner train along untouched coastlines, go behind the scenes with a tour of a winery’s organic farm, see the majestic sites along Big Sur’s coastline, and more.
- PLEASE NOTE: Due to the elevation gains and losses and mileage of treks, this Adventure Trek is appropriate for a Mountain Trek fitness level 1, 2, and 3 only. Please email Guest Care (info@mountaintrek.com) if you have any questions about your ability to participate.
What to Expect
Adventure Treks are a unique and authentic hiking experience—and afford us the opportunity to explore some of the most amazing landscapes in the world and immerse in their rich local cultures.
While each day has a wonderful plan, we will not be as regimented as we are during our award-winning health reset program run out of our lodge in British Columbia. We will eat, and even drink, like locals and immerse ourselves into the fabric of the locations we are exploring. As we embark on what truly is an adventure, keep an open mind to the unknown and relish in the experience of learning.
Travel
Arrive into Santa Barbara Airport (SBA), a luxury experience of its own, before 5 pm on Sunday (or come earlier to enjoy more of what the “American Riviera” has to offer).
Depart out of Monterey Airport (MRY) the following Sunday after 10 am (or later if you wish to spend time in Monterey).
You are responsible for getting to the Trek starting point, the Simpson House Inn (15-min Uber/Lyft from SBA) by 5:30 pm. We will take care of the rest from there.
DATES
Sunday, February 4 – Sunday, February 11, 2024 |Alumni Only*
Sunday, February 11 – Sunday, February 18, 2024 | Alumni Only*
*non-alum guests may accompany Mountain Trek alum on these weeks.
All-Inclusive Price
$7,400 USD (including tax)
a $2,000 USD non-refundable deposit is due upon booking
Availability & Booking
Join us as we experience California’s exotic Central Coast, known for its dramatic vistas, rugged coastline, stunning hiking, legendary golf courses, fresh local food, rolling wine country, and picturesque hamlets.
Please use the link below to view availability and submit your deposit, or continue reading for more information.
The Hiking
Each day, three guided hiking groups will explore some of the area’s most stunning landscapes. We will supply trekking poles and foot care. Please bring your own backpack and water bladder.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the elevation gains/losses and mileage of treks, this vacation is appropriate for a Mountain Trek fitness level 1, 2 or 3 only. Please review the Trek Itinerary below for more information.
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The Lodging
The first two nights will be spent at the The Simpson House Inn in Santa Barbara. Housed in a Victorian estate built in 1874, Simpson House Inn invites you to relax with a perfect combination of historic charm and modern luxuries. Nestled on an acre of English gardens awarded the prestigious “Santa Barbara Beautiful” Award, and featuring 15 guest rooms that are meticulously maintained, this inn is centrally located allowing us to walk to dinner and other experiences.
The middle three nights of the Trek will be spent at the Genevieve Inn in the Santa Ynez Valley. The Four Diamond rated Genevieve Inn offers an atmosphere of understated, unspoiled luxury coupled with warm hospitality. Designed after a historic turn-of-the-century inn and juxtaposed with all the conveniences of a modern, luxury hotel, the inn is well situated in the heart of the Santa Ynez valley, affording us easy access to hikes and world-class wine tasting.
The final two nights of the Trek will be spent at Glen Oaks Big Sur. First opened in 1957, but recently renovated to have a fresh rustic-modern and Green sensibility. Now focusing on the relationships between luxury, elegance, and nature, Glen Oaks Big Sur has struck a balance that will allow us to be thoroughly unplugged, yet well taken care.
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The Food
Fresh, diverse and delicious, California’s Central Coast cuisine is largely driven by local ingredients and seasonal variations. On this Trek, we will sample the best of what this region has to offer.
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Trek Itinerary
(Each day will start with breakfast at the hotel and have free time to relax and rest before dinner)
Day 1—Sunday
Arrival day
Welcome hors d’oeuvres – 5:30 pm
Dinner (walking distance)
Accommodations: Simpson House Inn
Day 2—Monday
Gourmet breakfast at Inn
Hike (3-4 hours) with lunch at the summit
Dinner (walking distance)
Accommodations: Simpson House Inn
Day 3—Tuesday
Gourmet breakfast at Inn
Beach Walk (2-3 hours)
Sit-down lunch
Tour historic Santa Barbara Mission
Transfer to Santa Ynez (45 min)
Check-in and settle
Dinner (walking distance)
Accommodations: Genevieve Inn
Day 4—Wednesday
Gourmet breakfast at Inn
Hike (3-5 hours)
Lunch at summit
Return to hotel to get cleaned up
Wine Tasting & Organic Farm Tour: Roblar Winery
Dinner & Stroll through Los Olivos
Accommodations: Genevieve Inn
Day 5—Thursday
Gourmet breakfast at Inn
Hike (3-5 hours)
Lunch at summit
Return to hotel to get cleaned up
Olive Oil Tasting or tour of future site of Mountain Trek Santa Ynez
Dinner & Stroll through Santa Ynez
Accommodations: Genevieve Inn
Day 6—Friday
Early Breakfast and then drive up to Big Sur area
Tour Hearst Castle, the famed estate of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst
Hike along coast (moderate)
Check-in
Dinner (short drive)
Accommodations: Glen Oaks Big Sur
Day 7—Saturday
Breakfast
Hike (moderate-challenging)
Lunch on trail
Big Sur sightseeing
Farewell dinner at The Sur House
Accommodations: Glen Oaks Big Sur
Day 8—Sunday (Departure day)
Early breakfast
Return flights should depart from Monterey (MRY) airport.
Mindful Travel
Our intent in offering this trip is to provide you the opportunity to completely immerse in the culture and beauty of the destination you explore and leave better than you arrived—in mind, body, and spirit. We aim to have this experience be satisfying enough that it could be considered “the big carbon adventure of the year”.
On this Trek, we will support you in being present throughout the experience, being mindful of and savoring each moment for its own unique beauty.
Carbon-Neutral Travel
Mountain Trek is proud to announce that from the moment you arrive until the moment you depart, the carbon emitted during your entire week will be offset following our 7-4-7 Formula, which supports a mix of engineered solutions, like Direct Air Capture, natural methods, like Reforestation, and education.
We would be honored if you considered offsetting your flight to and from the Trek as well. To support you in this, we have offered the option when booking to have us calculate and offset the footprint of your flights on your behalf.
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What’s Included:
7 nights accommodation
Breakfast, lunch, and dinners
Transfer from Santa Barbara to Santa Ynez to Big Sur
Drop-off at Monterey Airport (MRY) Saturday morning
One mid-week laundry service
Entry fees and permits
Hiking poles, foot care, electrolytes
What’s Not Included:
Flights to/from Santa Barbara (SBA) & Monterey (MRY)—please see travel section above
Spa services and treatments
Alcohol beyond what’s served at dinner or during wine tasting
Backpack—please bring your own 26-40 liter hiking backpack
Water bladder—please bring a 3L bladder for hydration
Booking
Join us as we experience California’s exotic Central Coast, known for its dramatic vistas, rugged coastline, stunning hiking, legendary golf courses, fresh local food, rolling wine country, and picturesque hamlets.
Please use the link below to view availability and submit your deposit.
Request More Information
For questions about this luxury hiking vacation through California’s Central Coast, please submit the form below, or email us at info@mountaintrek.com or call 1.800.661.5161
An Award-Winning Retreat
