When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I just found out my annual October business trip will be in Long Beach Ca, this trip will run from Tuesday evening to Thursday morning. With me already going to Sturgis this year for two weeks my wife's vacation is getting used up fast. I always wanted to ride PC1 and visit some of the parks inland like many of you have here and reported, looking like I will only have about 3 days at most to play with. I would like some opinions on even trying to do a small stretch of PC1?
Checking Eagle Rider rentals, the best pricing is returning the bike to the location you rented. Leaving Los Angeles I will head north and probably would make it somewhere south of San Fran and then head back. Should I even consider this quick trip on a bike? I am in Pennsylvania if this matters.
It took us 2 days to ride from LA to SF, stopping over night in San Simeon. To then turn around and head all the way back to LA on day 3 seems like a lot of hours in the saddle. Not the fastest road at all. You also need to investigate road closings. I think after you review PC1 road closings, maybe you tackle half that distance, give yourself more time to stop and look around. It is a great road and worth doing, you just don't want to spend the whole day jamming on the bike and not having time to stop and check things out.
The southern part of the PCH from Long Beach to Ventura is mostly a surface street through populated areas, lots of traffic and not all that scenic or fun to ride, at least for me. The good parts of the PCH for a bike ride don't start until you get past San Luis Obispo, and the best parts are north of Cambria. That's about 200 miles from Long Beach to San Luis Obispo before you get to the "good" parts. The PCH from Cambria to Carmel is about 100 miles, it's one of the best rides anywhere. (IMHO) With only three days, if it was me, I'd go up 101 (which is actually combined with 1 a lot of the way) to San Luis Obispo then take the PCH to Carmel and return the same way. Check road conditions before you go, the PCH is currently closed in Big Sur due to a landslide/flooding.
It took us 2 days to ride from LA to SF, stopping over night in San Simeon. To then turn around and head all the way back to LA on day 3 seems like a lot of hours in the saddle. Not the fastest road at all. You also need to investigate road closings. I think after you review PC1 road closings, maybe you tackle half that distance, give yourself more time to stop and look around. It is a great road and worth doing, you just don't want to spend the whole day jamming on the bike and not having time to stop and check things out.
I am kind of stuck in La and trying to figure out if this would be worth doing, head as far as I can north and then turn around to ride back down. I realize roads could be closed and would want to stop and take in the view. I figured with only 3 days I couldn't go any further than San Fran so that's why I mentioned this and people who have done it could say if this portion is worth doing for all what I have to go thru.
Originally Posted by deadhawg
The southern part of the PCH from Long Beach to Ventura is mostly a surface street through populated areas, lots of traffic and not all that scenic or fun to ride, at least for me. The good parts of the PCH for a bike ride don't start until you get past San Luis Obispo, and the best parts are north of Cambria. That's about 200 miles from Long Beach to San Luis Obispo before you get to the "good" parts. The PCH from Cambria to Carmel is about 100 miles, it's one of the best rides anywhere. (IMHO) With only three days, if it was me, I'd go up 101 (which is actually combined with 1 a lot of the way) to San Luis Obispo then take the PCH to Carmel and return the same way. Check road conditions before you go, the PCH is currently closed in Big Sur due to a landslide/flooding.
I am all for taking the quickest route to get to the best riding, hence why I am asking.
I guess my trip may look something like this.
Thursday afternoon take off from Eagle rider in La to a small coastal city using 101 to San Luis and find a small town on the coast to spend the night. Friday get up and ride up the coast and then sometime during that day around and head south and spend the night somewhere. Saturday get up and end at Eagle rider and the catch flight home either late Saturday or Sunday. Looks like I would have one great day of riding and two days of riding.
I am kind of stuck in La and trying to figure out if this would be worth doing, head as far as I can north and then turn around to ride back down. I realize roads could be closed and would want to stop and take in the view. I figured with only 3 days I couldn't go any further than San Fran so that's why I mentioned this and people who have done it could say if this portion is worth doing for all what I have to go thru.
I am all for taking the quickest route to get to the best riding, hence why I am asking.
I guess my trip may look something like this.
Thursday afternoon take off from Eagle rider in La to a small coastal city using 101 to San Luis and find a small town on the coast to spend the night. Friday get up and ride up the coast and then sometime during that day around and head south and spend the night somewhere. Saturday get up and end at Eagle rider and the catch flight home either late Saturday or Sunday. Looks like I would have one great day of riding and two days of riding.
Morro Bay has lots of motels in various price ranges and views, great seafood restaurants too. Cambria has a whole strip of ocean view motels that will average a little more expensive but worth it.
Day 1. Rent Eagle Ride LA.101 to Santa Barbara. Then Solvang Scandinavian Village
Continue 101 Santa Maria, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo.
Hwy 1 Morro Bay, Cambria. Cambria Pines Lodge (make reservation)
Day 2. PCH Cambria, San Simeon Hearst Castle, Big Sur. Nepenthe for lunch.
Carmel, Monterey (Fishermans Wharf, Cannery Row, Aquarium).
Overnight Monterey. Several motels where you can safely park
Going further north Hwy 1 to Santa Cruz is severely damaged by floods. Do not advise.
Day 3. Monterey Hwy 68 to Salinas. Hwy 101 south Paso Robles. Santa Barbara, Ventura, Thousand Oaks, LA.
Last edited by user 7172984932; Mar 11, 2023 at 04:00 PM.
Day 1. Rent Eagle Ride LA.101 to Santa Barbara. Then Solvang Scandinavian Village
Continue 101 Santa Maria, Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo.
Hwy 1 Morro Bay, Cambria. Cambria Pines Lodge (make reservation)
Day 2. PCH Cambria, San Simeon Hearst Castle, Big Sur. Nepenthe for lunch.
Carmel, Monterey (Fishermans Wharf, Cannery Row, Aquarium).
Overnight Monterey. Several motels where you can safely park
Going further north Hwy 1 to Santa Cruz is severely damaged by floods. Do not advise.
Day 3. Monterey Hwy 68 to Salinas. Hwy 101 south Paso Robles. Santa Barbara, Ventura, Thousand Oaks, LA.
Now this is a post I can hardly say no. Much appreciated 71on72, we didn't realize October 9th is Columbus Day and with her working for a bank just gave us an extra day off. Looking like I am gonna try my best to make this happen.
October is the best month. Great weather. No fog along coast.
I lived in Monterey when Ft Ord was active. We make it an annual trip.
Favorite area ia Santa Barbara & Santa Znez wine country. Take Hwy 152 from Santa Barbara to Santa Ynez, Solvang, Buellton, Santa Maria.
Returning 101 all the way. Santa Maria, Buellton, Santa Barbara.
There is a great road through wineries. If you have an extra day stay overnight and hit the wineries.
Movie Sideways was filmed there. Watch it. It will make you want to stop.
October is the best month. Great weather. No fog along coast.
I lived in Monterey when Ft Ord was active. We make it an annual trip.
Favorite area ia Santa Barbara & Santa Znez wine country. Take Hwy 152 from Santa Barbara to Santa Ynez, Solvang, Buellton, Santa Maria.
Returning 101 all the way. Santa Maria, Buellton, Santa Barbara.
There is a great road through wineries. If you have an extra day stay overnight and hit the wineries.
Movie Sideways was filmed there. Watch it. It will make you want to stop.
again...much appreciated and the wife and I both like hitting wineries.
Fishermans Wharf. https://www.montereywharf.com
Del Monte Ave. New Fishermans Wharf parking lot.
Walk to Old Fishermans Wharf.
Favorite restaurant at end of wharf. Good food. Great view.
Aquarium & Cannery Row https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/visit
Lighthouse Ave to David Ave turn left.
Aquarium at David Ave & Cannery Row.
Park at Cannery Row Parking Lot #7 David Ave & Wave St.
Pacific Grove
Lovers Point.
Ocean View Blvd along bay.
Pt Pinos Lighthouse.
El Carmelo Cemetery
Pacific Grove Rocky Point
Asilomar Beach
Sunset Ave
Hwy 68 to Hwy 1
Hwy 1 to Monterey
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
abbreviated PC 1 trip?
