need some help from california
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,106
Likes: 12
From: SoCal
LA and SF are both big cities. SF has more "charm". Parts of SF can get real congested (think Storrow Drive going into the tunnel). SF has better Chinese food, LA has better Mexican food. But both are in the end big cities.
Don't let LA scare you, you will be out of it in an hour if you plan well. The Rock Store and Neptunes are in Ventura Cty, not LA. Once you clear Malibu the coast is pretty open heading north. It may slow down a bit in Santa Barbara, but not much.
I've ridden to and from the Bay area many times and speaking for myself I enjoy riding the area from LA north.
As for rentals, there is an Eagle Rider not too far from LAX. They will come pick you up when you arrive. Bartels HD has a Rt 66 Riders next door. I'm not sure if they come to pick up from LAX.
Which ever way you go, you will have fun.
Don't let LA scare you, you will be out of it in an hour if you plan well. The Rock Store and Neptunes are in Ventura Cty, not LA. Once you clear Malibu the coast is pretty open heading north. It may slow down a bit in Santa Barbara, but not much.
I've ridden to and from the Bay area many times and speaking for myself I enjoy riding the area from LA north.
As for rentals, there is an Eagle Rider not too far from LAX. They will come pick you up when you arrive. Bartels HD has a Rt 66 Riders next door. I'm not sure if they come to pick up from LAX.
Which ever way you go, you will have fun.
Novice
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Redding, Ca.
Now here's the thing. Hwy 1 north from San Francsico is awesome. Beautiful roads, scenery and people. Go throu Ft. Bragg and Bodega Bay for a nice day ride up to Eureka and if it's nice, it is a GREAT ride. Now turn east and take hwy 36. It's was rated as one of the 10 best roads in America, and as I live in Redding, Ca. and take the road all the time, I will attest to that fact! The weather on the coast is really finicky, but if you take 36 east, it's gonna change to 90's and low 100's. Unfortunately from there you either take I-5 straight line back or retrace your steps. Yes, you are going to love Nor-Cal. Even "The City" is nice in places. Good luck.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
You know me, if I am not working, I'm riding. Had a couple of longer (two week) rides just last year. Another one coming up in May and probably another couple in August/September and October. Lots of 300 milers in-between.
Coming out to the antique bike show again this year? In the next few weeks I will be doing a day-long coast ride. I'll touch bases with you to see if you are available to join up.
Ride safe!!
Coming out to the antique bike show again this year? In the next few weeks I will be doing a day-long coast ride. I'll touch bases with you to see if you are available to join up.
Ride safe!!
Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: boston
I live in San Diego and love it.... but..... if I were coming to CA to ride in August, I'd fly into San Francisco.
I lived in the LA area for two years, didn't like it. Other than riding through it to get somewhere else, I haven't been there since I moved 33 years ago...
San Francisco has it's own charm and would be a great place to start and finish.
From SF, you can do the Highway 1 ride, south from the bay area for a day, spend the night, and come back North (I think the Big Sur portion of Hwy 1 is the best).
Then I would do an Eastern ride either to Yosemite or Tahoe... both have some gorgeous scenery. I've done the Hwy 1 from LA to SF- 3x, SF to Yosemite - 2x, and SF to Tahoe once. The freeway portions of any of these rides will be a bore, but once outside the populated areas, they can be spectacular....!!!
Whatever you choose, good luck and enjoy...!
I lived in the LA area for two years, didn't like it. Other than riding through it to get somewhere else, I haven't been there since I moved 33 years ago...
San Francisco has it's own charm and would be a great place to start and finish.
From SF, you can do the Highway 1 ride, south from the bay area for a day, spend the night, and come back North (I think the Big Sur portion of Hwy 1 is the best).
Then I would do an Eastern ride either to Yosemite or Tahoe... both have some gorgeous scenery. I've done the Hwy 1 from LA to SF- 3x, SF to Yosemite - 2x, and SF to Tahoe once. The freeway portions of any of these rides will be a bore, but once outside the populated areas, they can be spectacular....!!!
Whatever you choose, good luck and enjoy...!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 15,793
Likes: 1,133
From: NorCal916
hey guys, everybodys insight is very helpful. it seems consensus is that LA is not worth all that much. Kind of leads me to wonder if flying into LA is worth it? Is San Fran a better choice? I honestly dont know much about Cali (sorry for my ignorance), where would be a good relaxing place to kind of begin, and probably wrap up the trip. Where is best scenic ride along Highway 1?
Now this place is relaxing (from experience)
http://www.sycamoresprings.com/
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,106
Likes: 12
From: SoCal
I must say that I really like your ideas here. One of the issues I am having in visiting LA and San Fran is that theyre far away. I can do a nice two day ride up to san fran, but if im flying out of LA I have to jump on the highway for 6hrs to get back to LA. The rental company charges $275 to drop off at different location. Im liking flying into San Fran, and doing more trips out of the city but still keeping it as kind of home base. thoughts on this guys? will San Fran get old fast?
Yosemite is nice, but August is the height of summer. It will be crowded with bus loads of German tourists, families in RVs and traffic will be very heavy. Not worth it for this trip in my opinion. And the valley floor will be hot.
California is a big state. Don't try and see it all in a week, especially on a honeymoon. You will feel rushed and short changed. This way you can sleep in, relax and enjoy. The only hard riding will be the first day getting from LA to SF.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,582
From: Wisconsin, USA
Tons of things to do in San Francisco, very romantic, and a great city for walking. Some of my favorite places:
Great Italian Subs at Molinari's deli. http://www.yelp.com/biz/molinari-del...-san-francisco .
That whole neighborhood, North Beach has great Italian food. http://www.yelp.com/biz/north-beach-san-francisco
Fisherman's Wharf is OK, but kinda touristy. I enjoy the Seafood/Italian restaurant Scoma's. http://www.yelp.com/biz/scomas-restaurant-san-francisco
If you like chocolate tour the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. Ghirardelli Square, has lots going on, street performers and nice shops and art galleries.
I always miss the boat to Alcatraz, because it is always sold out. I guess you can buy tickets in advance here, but I never used it:
http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/website/buy-tickets.aspx
Have a great honeymoon.
Great Italian Subs at Molinari's deli. http://www.yelp.com/biz/molinari-del...-san-francisco .
That whole neighborhood, North Beach has great Italian food. http://www.yelp.com/biz/north-beach-san-francisco
Fisherman's Wharf is OK, but kinda touristy. I enjoy the Seafood/Italian restaurant Scoma's. http://www.yelp.com/biz/scomas-restaurant-san-francisco
If you like chocolate tour the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. Ghirardelli Square, has lots going on, street performers and nice shops and art galleries.
I always miss the boat to Alcatraz, because it is always sold out. I guess you can buy tickets in advance here, but I never used it:
http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/website/buy-tickets.aspx
Have a great honeymoon.