Launched in early November 2016 (following the 2016 election day), this ride proved to be the perfect activity in the perfect weather and the perfect location.  I flew to LAX, stayed in a hostel in Venice, CA and headed to Santa Monica the next morning, using LA metro bus.  I rented a hybrid bike in Santa Monica (near the pier) and retrofitted it for the ride at the store.  Took the LA Metro light rail, with the bike, to LA Union station for the Amtrak ride up to San Luis Obispo (6 hrs). Amtrak has a certain car for bikes (use your lock).  The next morning I left the hostel in San Luis Obispo and headed back to Los Angeles, riding the California Pacific Coastal Highway in four days.  On day five, I rode from Venice, CA down past Torrence, CA and back to Santa Monica to return the bike.