I rode the PCH to LA in 2014, and just rode 101 from Washington to California, and the PCH again from Leggitt to Santa Cruz (and then Big Sur). There are a few pictures here that might give you some ideas:

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/road-...will-lead.html

Have fun!

Cheers,
Doc

 

thank you for pointing me there...
Thats the exact route I plan on doing except from South to North.
Amazing pics and ride, Doc.

 

Just got in from the trip. Pic heavy and hopefully commentary coming. it was a blast
Thanks everyone!

 

IF any of you are planning a ride along the Pacific Coast Highway, try if you can to lay out a route that takes you from north to south. This puts you next to the Pacific Ocean on your right and the view is different from the south to north lane. Going south, you get to see just how much of a drop off it is to the water, and sometimes can see the whole thing. You don't get as good a view on the inside. Do it south to north if you must, it's that good. But if you can ride it north to south, that's the way i would recommend.

 

Due to the Soberanes wildfire, anyone travelling on the PCH between Big Sur and Cambria might want to make sure the road is open. For instance, it's been closed all day to all non emergency vehicles.

 

We are having a number of wild fires all over California right now. If you are planning a California ride, check out what's happening in the areas you are going. At this moment there is a very bad fire raging out of control in Lake County, about 80 miles north north east of San Francisco.

 

All of the ideas and planning you guys gave was a ton of help. we took 5 days to go from Portland down to SF. Plenty of time, light ride days with lots of stops. No pre planned hotels once we were rolling. Driving south is recommended from us as well due to being able to hit the turn ins and see the ocean views without crossing traffic.