We are planning a trip to Vegas in February. Need some advice. We would like to leave Vegas and ride somewhere. What will the temps be and where to go. I assume Utah is out of the questions, Zion, etc.. But what about into Arizona, over to southern California.

Thanks

 

Odds are good but not great for California coast (Big Sur coastline).

No experience on bikes but you may also consider something exotic like a trip down to Mexico if super adventurous.

 

Out of Vegas ride down towards Laughlin-Bullhead City area,towards Oatman ,into Kingman then ride south to Lake Havasu back into California and back to Vegas

 

February is a great time to visit Death Valley.

 

That's a winner. With OP coming from NY, that is one ride that won't have any east coast equivalent.

 

We did that ride last time. It was a nice trip.

 

Would it be goo to continue west and end up on the coast. Would like to get to the coast and do a section of PCH.

 

https://*******/maps/P7GTB8KL72o



It's a bit of serendipity that the route could take you straight through to Big Sur via San Luis Obispo. See map above.

Do you have any interest in any part of California? You have a couple options

1) Big Sur area - really should be a national park - spectacular and uncompromising

2) If you would prefer a Southern California romp, there are plenty of good rides there, with the coastal Santa Monica mountains being full of good rids and adjacent to the beach. You can cruise along the coast virtually from Ventura to Santa Barbara, as well as from Ventura down to Santa Monica. Then you have the LA urban sprawl area - not very interesting riding but plenty to visit.

So it really depends on if you want a world class ride or want to mix it up with some tourist activities.

I always say too - do what you want to do on the trip FIRST rather than making a secondary part the first thing.

Edit - apparently short Google URLs are not allowed - try this: Google maps - Las Vegas to Furnace Creek to San Luis Obispo to Big Sur to Monterey :-)

 

The above link did not work for me. If you want to do Death Valley and then over to the California Coast, one way to do it is via 190 west to 395 south to 14 south to 178 west to Bakersfield and then over to the coast. There is one high pass on that section of 178 so you'll have to check to see if it is open. Otherwise you'll have to do south through the Mohave and then over to the coast, which is a longer but also a nice route. I would recommend that. I was in Death Valley two weeks ago and it is always a pleasure. Check out Zabriskie Point. Just beautiful.

 

+1

Death Valley is something special. If you can spend a little time there, rent a Jeep and get off the pavement.