Hi Ace, it's really nice over there.

Trouble, is, there are going to be hills no matter what, it's a fairly hilly part of the coast.

If you stay on Highway 1, the hills will be long and gradual. Highway 1 in that area is fairly wide & straight, the good news is cars can see you from a good distance, the bad news is you can see the hills coming up from a good distance. IIRC, the shoulders on that part of Highway 1 are OK too. Once you go inland the roads are more rollery and windey. There are also not that many cars.

This could be a fun ride, to downtown Pescadero and back:

Head north from Costanoa, turn right on Gazos Creek Road. I was on Gazos Creek Rd this past April and it was very woodsy and pretty. Then turn left on Cloverdale Road. Cloverdale road parallels Highway 1 but is a ways back so you don't see the highway. It's a bit roller-y with a couple of steep-ish climbs, but they are very short. At the end of Cloverdale Rd. turn left onto Pescadero Road. Very soon you'll be in Beautiful Downtown Pescadero. Total mileage from Costanoa is about 10 miles.

Turn right at Stage Road and you'll be on the main drag of town. Explore the little shops and get some eats.

If you would like some bread or pastries, Arcangeli's Grocery Store a block or so down Stage Road to your left has the most incredible baked goods - amazing artichoke bread and delectable crossaints, and other bits of heaven. They have picnic benches behind the store and there's a porta-potty nearby (since it's such a popular stopping place for cyclists, no doubt).

If you're looking for more of a sit-down meal or snack - maybe lunch -check out Duarte's Tavern which is at the very beginning of Stage Road. They make a wonderful artichoke soup and luscious PIES.

After you've had some food and maybe done a little exploring (Pescadero is pretty nifty, I think), turn right from Stage Rd back onto onto Pescadero Rd. heading towards the ocean.

Turn left onto Highway 1 southbound. With any luck you'll have a nice tailwind to push you home. You'll pass by the Pigeon Point Lighthouse; if you're up for a little more exploring turn right onto Pigeon Point Rd. to check it out. There are beautiful views from there.

Soon you'll be back at Costanoa. Total mileage is about 21 miles, with roughly 1000 ft of climbing total, a bulk of it on Cloverdale Road.

Here's a map I made on Bikely:
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path...a-to-Pescadero

Move your cursor to "Show" on the menu bar above the map, which will drop down the viewing options. Click on Elevation Profile. It looks worse than it is. Click on Cue Sheet for a turn-by-turn cuesheet, not that there are all that many turns.

Have fun ! - Jo.