Biking Vacations, The Best of the West

Visiting a new city or destination can be soothing for the soul. A great way to take in the local atmosphere is by biking. For this reason, biking vacations have become increasingly popular. The United States offers so many beautiful places to ride; it can be hard to choose where to start. Here is a list of some places on the west coast to bring your bike and get the most of your vacation.

Black Diamond Coal Mines, WA. Located on the edge of the historical town of Black Diamond, the trails here are an adventure as well. There is no shortage of trees to count and marvel, but the trails also wind through Lake Sawyer, Frog Lake and Ravensdale Creek. Few areas can rival the Pacific Northwest for natural beauty.

Hagg Lake, OR. This particular 15 mile trek consists of all the components of a Hollywood setting; a variety of twists and turns, smooth trails and creek crossing, blackberry picking and swimming holes. The ride is not so tough that you won't be able to take in the local sites afterwards, but I think twice about bringing young children.

Napa Valley, California. Known for its ability to produce some of the worlds greatest wines, Napa Valley California is also a phenomenal place to ride your bike. The rolling hills of some of the worlds best vineyards provide a relaxing backdrop for easy rides. The Mt St Helena North Peak is one of my favorite easy rides in the world, providing me with the zen feeling that comes with getting lost in some foothills. If you enjoy wine, this place is not to be missed, just make sure you bring your bike and do your drinking after your ride.

Monterey, CA. Ranging from zero to 150 feet above sea level, 17-mile-drive is one of the beautiful rides in the entire country. Starting from Lovers Point in Pacific Grove (be sure to visit the monarch butterflies), the route follows the rugged shoreline on Oceanview Boulevard and Sunset Drive before turning into the gated community of 5,300-acre Pebble Beach.

Kona, Hawaii. It may be cheating to consider Kona part of the Western US, but I refuse to leave it off this list. Hawaii, any island, is my absolute favorite place on earth. Kona, with its lush greenery and jagged lava rock, is a place that has to be seen to be believed. The bike trails here will get you up close and personal to this amazing landscape. If you just enjoy the relaxation that a good vacation can bring and can only do one trip on this list, then Kona is the place for you.

I am sure you can tell by now that I love the Western US. There are so many incredible places to visit and to ride your bike. It was hard to narrow it down to just five places to visit. While there are many other places I could recommend, these five are an incredible way to start your discovery of the west. Pack your bag, bring your bike and have an awesome adventure.