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Going to empty the "bucket list" bucket a bit in September. We are going to ride the PCH from Long Beach, Washington to San Diego starting September 1st. Any info will be greatly appreciated.
We are not going to have a real plan as far as how many miles a day or where we will stay each day. Going to try to stay in as many "mom and pop" motels as possible and see as much as possible each day.
Did it last summer, highlights are...Oregon coastline, Ave of the Giants, Monterey, Morro Bay, and Santa Barbara to name a few. We stayed in Cambria at the San Simeon Pines Resort, very reasonable with beautiful sun set views.
If you find yourself spending the night in Crescent City, CA - I recommend the Curly Redwood Lodge. The people that run it are really nice folks and the place was built using the lumber from a single redwood tree. It's got a real "retro" look, but the rooms are very nice. It's right on the PCH just south of the boat harbor.
I think the best part of that ride is the magnificent Big Sur coast... Monterey to Cambria. Allow yourself a little extra time to enjoy that stretch. Suggestions... stop for a meal and a fabulous view at Nepenthe. Pfieffer Beach is beautiful, especially around sunset. And stop at McWay Cove / Falls. It's just a short walk to the most beautiful cove on the California coast IMHO. Hearst Castle is a sight to see as well. Enjoy!
I stayed at Stonegate Villas in Legget, nice place. Try the barbecued Humboldt Bay oysters at motorcycle friendly Peg House in Leggett, "Never Don't Stop at The Peg House", and don't miss the Chandelier Tree in Drive-Thru Tree Park, classic 1930s roadside attraction.
Headlands Coffeehouse in Fort Bragg is a nice place for a hot drink and sandwich. In Bodega Bay check out the "Potter Schoolhouse" used as a setting in Alfred Hitchcock's movie "The Birds", and grab a crab sandwich at Spud Point Crab Company.
In Santa Cruz, as soon as you get into town hang a right and follow Natural Bridges Drive and West Cliff Drive along the ocean down to the Santa Cruz Wharf. Spectacular. You can pretty much follow the coast down to Capitola to catch Route 1 again (that section of 1 is missable). Try to avoid going through on a weekend though.
Phil’s Fish Market in Moss Landing has the best cioppino (see the Throwdown with Bobby Flay)!
Lots more to see! San Francisco Presido, Monterey, ... I agree that Big Sur is the most scenic section though, try an Ambrosia Burger at Nepenthe.
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