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 at the lodge in British Columbia. We will eat, and even have the occasional drink, like locals and weave our trip into their routines. As we embark on what truly is an adventure, keep an open mind to the unknown and relish in the experience of learning.

Tourist Visa

If you are traveling across international borders for this Adventure Trek, please ensure you have all necessary visas in place prior to departure.

.

Arrival and Departure

You are responsible for getting to the Trek starting point. Please arrive at the Simpson House Inn by Sunday of your trip start date and meet in the hotel lobby at 5:30 pm for a small meet and greet.

The Inn is a 15-minute drive from Santa Barbara Airport (SBA). Uber or Lyft is the easiest way to get to the city center.

On day 2 we will transfer from Santa Barbara to Santa Ynez and on day 5 we will transfer from Santa Ynez to Big Sur.

Your departing flight should be out of Monterey Airport (MRY) on the following Sunday (or later if you wish to spend time in Monterey). Monterey is a 50-min drive from Glen Oak Big Sur. We will drop you off either in the heart of lovely Monterey or the airport by 9am, whichever you prefer.

How To Prepare Your Body

On this California Central Coast Adventure Trek, we will often be hiking on steep terrain. The best way to prepare is to increase your cardio activity and step count, starting at least one month prior to arrival, and increase leg strength when possible, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Also, begin breaking in your hiking shoes at this time. Head out on long walks or hikes, eventually building up to 12 km / 6.5 mi. To aid in preparing your body, consider following these tips from nutritionist Jenn:

Consume smaller, low-carb dinners; breakfast and lunch should make up 2/3 of your daily calories
Eat at least 2 fruits and 2-3 cups of vegetables per day
Drink less caffeine, and eliminate caffeine after 10 am.
Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily
Consume fewer refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and pasta.
Take one multivitamin daily
Use less salt when cooking and snacking

What to pack

Passport
Prescribed medication
Backpack & Bladder (see below)
Dinner Attire (casual to smart-casual)
Trail runners / hiking boots
4 pairs med-weight wicking hiking socks (wool preferred)
Sandals
Running or tennis shoes
Bathing suit
Loungewear
2 quick-drying hiking pants
1 pair hiking shorts
3 short-sleeve base layers
2 long-sleeve base layer
2 warm fleece or wool mid-layer
Rain jacket
Rain pants
Warm vest (optional)
Warm hat or ear band
Sun hat
Rain hat (if rain jacket doesn’t have a hood)
Medium-weight, water-resistant gloves
Non-cotton underwear
Pajamas
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Camera
Book
Extra pair of prescription eyeglasses

Please note: All guests are to bring their own 26-40 liter backpacks and 3L water bladders for hydration. We will provide hiking poles, foot care & electrolytes for all guests. If you wish to bring your own hiking poles, please email us directly.

How to Layer

Base layer
This is your sweat-wicking first layer that has direct contact with your skin. Good fabrics include polypro, merino wool and silk. Cotton is discouraged—it will keep you damp.

Middle layer
Your insulating layer that traps body heat. Polar Fleece and wool are preferable.

Outer layer
Your shield from wind and rain. Gore-Tex, or something similar, is best—it’s waterproof yet breathable.

Laundry

We will provide one mid-week laundry service. Please expect to put all of your items into a private laundry bag and have all items cleaned, folded, and returned in a similar bag.

Post Hike Spa Services

If you’re interested in spa treatments following your hike, our first two inns offer in-room massage services, and when in Big Sur, you can experience the Alila Spa. We will email the time windows that massages should be booked 14 days prior to your arrival. Please make appointments directly with the hotel at that time at your earliest convenience. Here are links to their spas to learn more:

Simpson House Inn, Santa Barbara

Santa Ynez Inn, Santa Ynez

Alila Spa, Big Sur

Food Preferences and Alcohol

You are personally responsible for dietary restrictions and allergies. Please be vigilant in ensuring your allergies and preferences are respected.

Two glasses of wine/beer with dinner are included with dinner. Scheduled experiences, such as wine tasting, are included. Any alcohol beyond this will need to be purchased individually.

Travel and Medical Insurance

Trip cancellation and medical insurance are highly recommended. Specifically, Recreational Medical Travel insurance, as this would cover any costs associated with a medical evacuation (a worst-case scenario). We recommend “Cancel for any reason” travel insurance. Please obtain both through your local travel agent or online.

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

Sample 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

Afternoon activity (e.g. cooking class)

Dinner (walking distance)

Accommodations: Simpson House Inn

Day 3—Tuesday

Gourmet breakfast at Inn

Beach Walk (2-3 hours)

Sit-down lunch

Tour the 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

Accommodations: Glen Oaks Big Sur

Day 8—Sunday (Departure day)

Early breakfast

Return flights should depart from Monterey (MRY) airport.