Arroyo del Mar Climb

We don't rate roads as safe or unsafe: crash counts can't say how risky a ride is, and roads people like to ride draw more riders, so they see more crashes. What the records show: no bike crashes were reported along the climb from 2021–2025.

How long and steep is the Arroyo del Mar climb?

1.2 miles (1.9 km) at 10.4% on average, climbing 656 ft (200 m) from 856 ft to 1,512 ft. The steepest half kilometre averages 18.9%. That makes it a Category 3 climb.

Where does the climb start and finish?

It starts at 35.55338, -120.92843, where Arroyo del Mar leaves Via La Montanita, and tops out at Camino del Capitan at 35.54687, -120.91166.

Is Arroyo del Mar paved?

Yes, by its OpenStreetMap tags.

How is the category worked out?

From the climb's shape only: length in metres × average grade (%) of 16,000 or more for Cat 3, 32,000 for Cat 2, 64,000 for Cat 1 and 80,000 for HC. It describes how hard the climb is, not traffic or crashes.

Where does this data come from?

The climb is found from OpenStreetMap roads and USGS 3DEP elevation (every climb, not a list of famous ones). Access is from OpenStreetMap tags; gates and closures change, so obey posted signs. Crash counts are police reports in the California Crash Reporting System (CCRS) on data.ca.gov, counted where their map location is within 100 ft of the climb. The forecast is from the National Weather Service.

• Green Valley Road near Morro BayCat 2 · 4.3 mi at 6% · 1,378 ft · starts 2.1 mi away
• Santa Rosa Creek RoadCat 3 · 2.9 mi at 3.5% · 535 ft · starts 3.5 mi away
• Green Valley Road near AtascaderoCat 3 · 1.9 mi at 6.5% · 666 ft · starts 4.0 mi away
• Sibley LaneCat 3 · 1.3 mi at 9.6% · 636 ft · starts 5.9 mi away
• Shadow Canyon RoadCat 3 · 2.5 mi at 4.7% · 604 ft · starts 6.2 mi away
• Peachy Canyon Road near AtascaderoCat 3 · 3.2 mi at 3.1% · 535 ft · starts 6.7 mi away
• Old Creek RoadCat 2 · 3.4 mi at 6.4% · 1,148 ft · starts 6.9 mi away
• Monte Cristo PlaceCat 3 · 2.3 mi at 4.4% · 525 ft · starts 7.1 mi away