I know you stated you want to go to the coast, however, here is an alternative. Go south into Nevada and into Reno. Stay a night at the Peppermill or other casino and do the buffet and take in a show. I believe both Reno and Carson City have Harley Dealers so you can pick up shirts, etc. Then drive south to Carson City and on to HWY 50 and into Lake Tahoe. You can detour to Virginia City on the way down to Carson City as an option. From Lake Tahoe down HWY 50 to HWY 49 and South through the Gold Country. There are several historic towns along the 49 that you can check out. Then drive into Yosemite and if you can get a reservation at the Ahwannee I highly recommend it. Beautiful scenery, good food, etc. There are several tours you can take via tram and bus that are very scenic and picture postcard memorable.

 

Well... another trip in the books.

Thanks for all of the great suggestions. Its kind of funny to read back over them after the trip is over.

So much to see and do, so little time. We had some great food and the views were wonderful.

No rain whatsoever. Like riding in air conditioning at mid 60's. Very dry.

Wildfires changed our plans for Yosemite, so we went on down to Carmel instead.

I'm not much on Vegas, even thought we stayed at the Venetian, which is unbelievably plush. 107 in the shade.

 

Never mind the Deer, watch out for Elk when your heading South and before you get to the Redwoods of Northern Cali.
The State Parks are teaming with them and of course the warning signs are there to alert you.
South bound is the better way to go cause you can see the ocean (iffen it aint foggy).
Gotta watch out for the tin tenters who wanna cross the center line to get to that view point.
As for 'must see' riding the Golden Gate into San Francisco at evening time is effen beautiful, just make sure you have accommodations lined up and directions handy as well if arriving late..
When crossing the bridge watch out for the idiots on 4 wheels they accelerate like made when going through the toll plaza and will run you over if not paying attention.
Cash is to the far right (South bound) for toll payment or it was the last time we went South.
Also the last 100 miles of the 101 (from san Fran) the speeds are nucking futz!!
Doing two up on the Ultra and maintaining road position at 90 miles an hour for periods of time can be a challenge.
Doesnt matter if your in the right lane or the center lane there is/was someone riding yer azz to get around you.
Just my thoughts on the must do ride on the coast.
Dress warm if heading to Fishermans Wharf as the cold air from the Pacific will chill you to the bones after a couple days of riding in the drier heat.
''The Coldest Winter was the summer I spent in San Francisco...'' Jim Morrison.
Rob

 

I just got back from a 7500 mile tour out west. Around Redding, not only was it f&&king hot, but due to wildfires many roads were closed (those fires were on national news tonight). Needless to say, check the CA DOT site to know which/what is closed....else you may end up having to skip this and that....which I had to due to closures.

http://fortune.com/2018/07/30/carr-f...lifornia-2018/

 

unsure whose thread this is....you aren't the OP?

You didn't do Sonora Pass?

 

The good news is it has just cooled off a bit, & is supposed to stay cooler for awhile.
The fires might screw things up...a lot. Last time I couldn't get in to Cali because of fires. Really hope it doesn't screw it up this trip....
Thank you for the site with the fire maps. That should help quite a bit!

 

if you plan on doing Hwy 36 (big bike road out that way south of Redding) note there is a bridge out. The road is essentially closed 100 miles in, except from noon-1 (weekdays). I think (?) its open weekends. Many roads north of that are closed due to the fire.

Was f#cking hot out there. I did a parking lot oil change in Redding at OReilly....definitely was a night for a hotel with AC and no camping.

 

HWY 36 is a roller coaster. 142 miles of twistys. Each way. Just awesome. Be on yer game when you ride this one, folks.