Distance, elevation: 55 mi, +2388/-2385 ft.
Detailed route.
Before you get too riled, biking from "SF" really means "SF Bay Area". We started from Redwood City. But "Redwood City to LA" doesn't quite have the same ring to it and I'd imagine the number of people looking for how to get to LA from SF is much greater than from RWC. There is ample info on how to move south from SF and since you are here, I believe in you. You may also be pleased to know that departing from SF proper means not needing to cut through the Santa Cruz mountains. So, semantics. Keeping it.
What route is shown in the embedded map above may depend on Google's mood. So here are snapshots of the route we took: Google Maps, PDF
8 am. Large breakfast. Pack remaining items. Gear on.
9:30 am. Go! Mostly down Alameda De Las Pulgas and Foothill Expressway. Pizza song.
11:30 am. Lunch at Big Basin Cafe in Saratoga. Sandwiches.
1 pm. Starting from Los Gatos HS. 22 mi in, 33 to go. Walk ~1 mi dirt path since we are on road wheels. One very steep but short ~200 ft hill. Afterwards, all uphill for 6 miles until Summit Road. Tough. Had to walk for parts of it. And at other parts, we came to a complete stop to catch our breath. J took me by surprise, just at a moment when I began to silently question our ambition. He looked up at the redwoods and marveled at its beauty. Uncertainty and ego melted away and indeed, I saw it too.
4:25 pm. So happy to hear “It’s all downhill from here.” The decline on Summit Road is very nice. 30+ mph easy for ~16 mi. Then 3 miles relatively flat to Santa Cruz.
5:20 pm. Arrive at hotel. National 9 Motel. Very quaint. Wash bibs and socks.
6 pm. Go to dinner.
6:30 pm. Dinner at Special Noodle.
8:15 pm. Ice cream at Marianne’s. Macapuno (young coconut) + cardamom pistachio. Latter is excellent.
9 pm. Shower. Roll out legs on chair. No regrets on bringing a lacrosse ball. Check emails, book tomorrow Salinas hotel Best Western. J call mom.
10:30 pm. Wow, we are actually doing this. Sleep.