Scenic Route from PCH to Vegas
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Republic of Texas
Scenic Route from PCH to Vegas
I've added a few days to my Dallas-to-Washington vacation schedule and now plan to ride down the Pacific Coast Highway from Whidbey Island (Seattle area) and make my way across to Las Vegas, then home to Dallas.
I'm looking for a good left-turn spot to make a scenic route from the west coast to Vegas. I realize the road into Vegas is pretty bland, but maybe someone can recommend a path across the mountains from San Francisco or some point south.
The route I'm looking at now goes south to just above San Louis Obispo, across 5 to Bakersfield, then northeast to 395 past the southern most end of the Sequoia National Forest to 190 across Death Valley into Nevada.
This is a Google Maps route and is by no means firm and I'm open to suggestions from the experts. Any insight appreciated.
I'm looking for a good left-turn spot to make a scenic route from the west coast to Vegas. I realize the road into Vegas is pretty bland, but maybe someone can recommend a path across the mountains from San Francisco or some point south.
The route I'm looking at now goes south to just above San Louis Obispo, across 5 to Bakersfield, then northeast to 395 past the southern most end of the Sequoia National Forest to 190 across Death Valley into Nevada.
This is a Google Maps route and is by no means firm and I'm open to suggestions from the experts. Any insight appreciated.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,597
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From: Inland Empire, So Cal
Looks like a good route. If it were me the only thing I would do different is avoid Bakersfield and cut over further north just south of Sacramento on to Lake Tahoe and take the 395 south from there. Death Valley is gonna be a hot one, so stay near Lone Pine and leave early so that you don't have to ride through DV in the hot afternoon. Have fun.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,144
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From: British Columbia
Last August I went from Seattle down the PCH to San Fran (cutting over to the #1 at Leggett through Fort Bragg) then from San Fran to Modesto then down the 99 to Bakersfield then over through the Mojave to Barstow then on to Vegas. Awesome run
or from seattle east on the 90 to I-84? through Yakima down to Boise and twin falls then south through Wells all the way to vegas....both ways are nice.
or from seattle east on the 90 to I-84? through Yakima down to Boise and twin falls then south through Wells all the way to vegas....both ways are nice.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 127
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From: Las Vegas, NV
If you're going through Death Valley, the route I recommend to Vegas for the Scenic Route would be to take 190 from Death Valley to Pahrump, NV. From Pahrump take the 160 South on into Vegas. Towards the end of the run on 160 there is run down the mountain pass with lots of twistys. Just drove that canyon yesterday and saw about 2 dozen riders doing it. LOTS of fun on a bike. Once you get to the bottom of the pass you can continue to take the 160 into the southern part of Vegas or you can take the 159 to Blue Diamond road which will take you past Bonnie Springs (has an interesting bar) and right in front of Red Rock and into the western part of Vegas. I would recommend taking the 159 route for the view.
Or you can take the 160 North out of Pahrump and skirt the northern part of Mount Charleston and hook into US95 and follow it south into northern Vegas. Either way gives you lots to look at with Mt Charleston. A good ride that I do ends up doing the whole loop (from Vegas North on 95 to the 160 around Mt Charleston to Pahrump, around the southern part of Mt Charleston, and in past Red Rock).
If you take the 95 route, there is also some roads that take you on up to the top of Mt Charleston, depending on how much time you want to spend riding and looking or just passing through.
Also, how are you heading from Vegas? If you are heading down to Phoenix and east on the 10, there is a nice way to get to Phoenix from Kingman
Or you can take the 160 North out of Pahrump and skirt the northern part of Mount Charleston and hook into US95 and follow it south into northern Vegas. Either way gives you lots to look at with Mt Charleston. A good ride that I do ends up doing the whole loop (from Vegas North on 95 to the 160 around Mt Charleston to Pahrump, around the southern part of Mt Charleston, and in past Red Rock).
If you take the 95 route, there is also some roads that take you on up to the top of Mt Charleston, depending on how much time you want to spend riding and looking or just passing through.
Also, how are you heading from Vegas? If you are heading down to Phoenix and east on the 10, there is a nice way to get to Phoenix from Kingman
Last edited by sbaalman; Jun 11, 2010 at 12:33 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: TOAK western branch
+1 for "Other Sheep" route!
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Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 766
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From: SoCal Desert
But if you want a little cooler ride, you could come across 80 to 395 (one of America's must ride roads). At Big Pine (**GET GAS HERE**) you can cut over to Nevada via the 168 through Westgard Pass and the Fishlake Valley. That ties into 266 via Lida Summit to the 95, and then south to Beatty for gas (don't forget to get gas in Big Pine).
The Northerly route would be my recommendation as I've done them both in the last month.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
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From: Broomfield, CO
Definitely, this is the best route! Was in Yosemite last weekend and the weather was great and the water falls were unbelievable. It's a great ride over Tioga Pass to 395.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Tonopah Az
Up into Yosemite then when you get out onto 395 going south take a little side trip around the June lake loop( not very long but beautiful) continue south on 395 another nice short side trip is into Mamoth. When you get to Bishop, (if you aren't totally set on going through Death Valley) take the turn right across from the fairgrounds( I think it's highway 6) this will take you over to highway 95 around Tonopah then south to Parumph like earlier stated from Parumph on into Vegas.
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