Pacific Coast Highway
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 79
Likes: 6
From: Cobleskill,New York
Pacific Coast Highway
My wife surprised me with a road trip for my 60th birthday. Flying myself and a riding buddy (best friend) out that way,and riding the Pacific Coast Highway!! We plan on renting bikes when we get out that way, but not being familiar with the west, I am looking for ideas. I would like to do a loop-1000-1500 mile- that would include that section of road. I was looking at maybe starting in Vegas, going to Morro Bay, up to Monterey Bay, cross to Reno and then back down, but that is just me looking at maps. I would greatly appreciate some roads to look at, best time of year for the area, and anything you care to share. Thanks, Moses2
Last edited by Moses2; Nov 26, 2013 at 10:44 AM. Reason: adding jpeg
Gonzy
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,141
Likes: 7
From: Foggy Coastside California
Congratulations! Here's a possible itinerary
From Vegas head out I-15 to Barstow. then head west on CA 58 towards Tehachapi and Bakersfield. Continue all the way to US 101 head north to CA 41 then west to Morro Bay. Then head north on CA 1 (PCH) to Monterey, continue again northbound to S.F. then catch I-80 east to Reno then you can head south on US 395 and make your way back to Vegas. There's a good amount of riding there but a lot of scenery. Springtime would probably be the best time of year to do it, probably in May or even June.
From Vegas head out I-15 to Barstow. then head west on CA 58 towards Tehachapi and Bakersfield. Continue all the way to US 101 head north to CA 41 then west to Morro Bay. Then head north on CA 1 (PCH) to Monterey, continue again northbound to S.F. then catch I-80 east to Reno then you can head south on US 395 and make your way back to Vegas. There's a good amount of riding there but a lot of scenery. Springtime would probably be the best time of year to do it, probably in May or even June.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,959
Likes: 1,988
From: CA
Congratulations! Here's a possible itinerary
From Vegas head out I-15 to Barstow. then head west on CA 58 towards Tehachapi and Bakersfield. Continue all the way to US 101 head north to CA 41 then west to Morro Bay. Then head north on CA 1 (PCH) to Monterey, continue again northbound to S.F. then catch I-80 east to Reno then you can head south on US 395 and make your way back to Vegas. There's a good amount of riding there but a lot of scenery. Springtime would probably be the best time of year to do it, probably in May or even June.
From Vegas head out I-15 to Barstow. then head west on CA 58 towards Tehachapi and Bakersfield. Continue all the way to US 101 head north to CA 41 then west to Morro Bay. Then head north on CA 1 (PCH) to Monterey, continue again northbound to S.F. then catch I-80 east to Reno then you can head south on US 395 and make your way back to Vegas. There's a good amount of riding there but a lot of scenery. Springtime would probably be the best time of year to do it, probably in May or even June.
Be prepared for big changes in weather, it can be cold and foggy on the coast, hot and dry going thru Sacramento, and cold over the mountain passes all in the same day.
Good luck!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
Unless ya have a thing for the desert I would just fly into LA and head up 1. Ya could go up 160 along the river to Sac or east from Jenner through the wine country (128 is good). Take 50 or 88 up to Tahoe (ride around the lake) for a gambling fix. Come back across on 88/4/108, down 49 back over through Yosemite on 120, down 395, hit Death Valley and back to LA. I would do it in June or Sept. To miss the snow and summer vacation. Enjoy!!!
I would suggest a these last 2 posts as well. Unless you can travel farther north. Fly into Sac then ride to Hwy 1 on the coast.....then north to Leggett (Redwoods) .....awesome then north to Eureka on 101. Then one of 2 ways over to Red Bluff or Redding. Hwy 299 or 36. Then over to 395 and south to Carson City then 50 back over to Sac. Just an option.
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 79
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From: Cobleskill,New York
Thank you all so much. I am going to forward this to my friend Chuck, so we can continue to plan. Right now, 18 degrees in upstate NY, this is just the fire to get us through winter. Again, many thanks for helping us.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 234
Likes: 1
From: southern california
ditto on nixing vegas. i live 300 yards from the pch north of santa monica and mostly ride arizona, new mexico (no traffic). that said you might consider flying into san fran or oakland, rent there and do a loop up thru the redwoods, eureka, humboldt over to tahoe then back down thru yosemite. you can ride the pch north from san fran or dip down to carmel first then back up. i personally avoid los angeles when possible.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 635
Likes: 29
From: Bakersfield, CA
The ride from Vegas to the central coast is fairly blah. But there are some very nice rides close to Vegas (Valley of Fire SP), and I think PCH1 from Morro Bay to Monterey is one of the greatest rides around. So if you don't mind a boring commute between the two, go for it!
A few random thoughts...
1) I 2nd Gonzy's thought on preferred route. From Bakersfield, I much prefer 58 to either 166 or 46. No services between McKittrick and Santa Margarita (~75 miles).
2) There is a great steakhouse just off the 58... The Loading Chute in Creston, CA
3) Stop at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and walk a short paved trail to McWay Falls. I think this is one of the most beautiful coves anywhere
4) If only for a quick stop, or a meal, stop by Napenthe near Big Sur. On the expensive side, but on a clear day the views and setting make it worthwhile.
5) SOme people think Carmel is quaint. If your a golfer, ride the "17 Mile Drive" which takes you through Pebble Beach.
5) Monterey Bay Aquarium is a neat way to spend a few hours.
Have a tremendous ride!
A few random thoughts...
1) I 2nd Gonzy's thought on preferred route. From Bakersfield, I much prefer 58 to either 166 or 46. No services between McKittrick and Santa Margarita (~75 miles).
2) There is a great steakhouse just off the 58... The Loading Chute in Creston, CA
3) Stop at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and walk a short paved trail to McWay Falls. I think this is one of the most beautiful coves anywhere
4) If only for a quick stop, or a meal, stop by Napenthe near Big Sur. On the expensive side, but on a clear day the views and setting make it worthwhile.
5) SOme people think Carmel is quaint. If your a golfer, ride the "17 Mile Drive" which takes you through Pebble Beach.
5) Monterey Bay Aquarium is a neat way to spend a few hours.
Have a tremendous ride!