Documentation of The Los Alamos Loop
One of my favorite bike rides starts and ends in the little town of Los Alamos. The route Leaves Los Alamos and follows Alisos Canyon over to Foxen Canyon road, and from there to Los Olivos . Ballard Canyon takes you to Buellton. From there up highway 246 to Drum Canyon and back to Los Alamos. It is a 44 mile loop. After our yearly rain shower the countryside is a bright green. The vineyards are dormant this time of year, but the hills, which are normally brown, are a bright green. The route can be broken up into 5 sections of:
Alisos Canyon – The first 2 miles is down the freeway. After turning on Alisos Canyon road, it is 6 miles to Foxen with a gradual climb that turns steeper at the end. There is only 1 winery on the road.
Foxen Canyon – Foxen is called the Wine Road because there are a dozen Wineries along the road. I took pictures of Zaca Masa, Fess Parker, and Firestone, but there are many more. There are also two steep hills that go on forever and ever.
Ballard Canyon – This road has rolling hills and sharp turns. It is beautiful this time of year. There are several vineyards, but Rusack is the only winery.
Buellton - Ballard Canyon ends in the small city of Buellton. About 7 miles up highway 246 is the Drum Canyon turnoff.
Drum Canyon – There are a few farms/ranches at the start of the canyon, but it soon turns into one long gnarly steep hill, that after 40 miles, seems even steeper.
The pictures that corresponds to each section can be seen by clicking HERE.