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.

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, Mountain Trek’s Program Director, Kirk, and Program Manager, Katya, as well as a local guide, will lead you on a new hike through some of the area’s most stunning landscapes. We will operate three hiking groups each day for this Trek and 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.

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.

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.

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.

Furthermore, we will be offsetting the footprint of Kirk and Katya’s air travel to and from this Adventure Trek using the same formula.

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.

Learn more about our 7-4-7 Method

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.