| Author | Message | ||
     Xl1200r |
What's the most scenic section of the Pacific Coast Highway? Seems like I always see car commercials going through s-turns through some impressive rock formations. I'm assuming this further north, maybe around San Francisco, but I'm not certain. Looking to do a road trip, and maybe ride 50-100 miles of the PCH and want to get the best bang for my buck. | ||
| Court |
>>> I always see car commercials going through s-turns Much of that . . . for instance the BMW commercial where the car appears and dissapears as it weaves "in and out" of the "S's" is filmed in New York. | ||
| X1glider |
Can't go wrong in most any section of PCH. I'd say the best parts are the northern part of CA (above San Fransisco) and through Oregon going into Washington, especially if you're into bridge architecture. Below San Fran is mostly all the rich areas like you see on TV and not as exciting IMO due to traffic and being littered by towns. I'd add a visit to the Russian River Valley as well. | ||
| Jayvee |
Well, a whole lot of it is pretty nice, but those big rocks are nowhere near San Francisco, it's way farther north. What you're thinking about is likely even southern Oregon. You could try Google Earth satellite view and take a look in pretty good detail. It would be hard to pick out the 'best' 50 miles. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
the 4 months i spent out in ukiah were some of the best riding i ever had on the cyclone going up to fort bragg and also right before you get into oregon. beautiful country you have out there. but i am just as happy with the carolinas,north georgia and tennessee. | ||
| Pwnzor |
PCH is the place to be. From San Luis Obispo, at Highway 101, take the 41 out to the coast, where the 1 will take you north all the way through Big Sur. Continue North, and catch the 17 back over to 101, proceed through downtown San Francisco, cross the Golden Gate and catch the 1 again through Point Reyes and just keep going. I recommend stopping in Gualala, it's a beautiful seaside town with excellent gourmet food and accommodations. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Much of that . . . for instance the BMW commercial where the car appears and dissapears as it weaves "in and out" of the "S's" is filmed in New York. Court - I believe many commercials are filmed along Rt 30 next to the Catskill Park if I'm not mistaken - I live in Albany, so I do a couple rides downstate every year. Just did a look on Google Maps and did the satellite view. It looks like things are nice north of San Fran, up to about Fort Bragg. Should be a good couple hour ride. Also, taking Route 299 in looks amazing, and there was a good looking road heading out a little north of the San Fran - TONS of twisties - might have to check those out too. Thanks for the help, guys. | ||
| Ezblast |
AHHHHH - the Panoramic Highway - a sweet piece that goes off hwy 1 and drops you back on it just before Stinson Beach, then you enjoy the ride to Point Reyas and beyond. GT - JBOTDS! EZ  | ||
| Xl1200r |
AHHHHH - the Panoramic Highway Is that 299? I'm going to be coming from Rocky Mountain national Park and heading to Las Vegas, so if that helps any of you locals for route planning...  | ||
| Ezblast |
Nope - but I'll check my maps and post something tonight. GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
What's the most scenic section of the Pacific Coast Highway? Mark, there are many "correct" choices depending on how much time you have to spend in Cali, but considering you're coming into the state via Las Vegas, my vote would be for the section of Highway 1 from Cambria north to Monterey. this is 98 miles of some of the best riding i've ever done. if i were still in Cali i'd offer to be your guide. there is some quality riding in that state, from ocean to mountains to desert. my suggestion would be to do Mouse's Tank on your approach to Vegas (Google "Valley of Fire State Park"), and do Death Valley on your way west from Vegas. from DV i'd take CA 178 all the way to Bakersfield (the Lake Isabella area is still affectionately known as "Ferrisville"), and 58 from Bakersfield out to the coast is a very nice ride. the ride north on Highway 1 from Cambria to Monterey is stunning, really, really spectacular stuff. Rider magazine, in it's inaugural issue many moons ago, called Highway 1 "The Ultimate One." don't know what your exit strategy is re: Cali, but it'd be easy to hang a right at Monterey and aim for Yosemite Nat'l Park and beyond. the Bay Area is a little thick with humanity, but if at this point you haven't had enough Cali coast, Highway 1 from SF to Leggett is also spectacular, with the section from Fort Bragg to Leggett truly the stuff of legend. if you make it this far north, ya might as well get some Redwoods on you while you're there. 299 to Redding is indeed sweet, as is 36 and 3 just to the south. www.Pashnit.com is a good resource for Cali riding. have fun, be safe, and i hope you'll post pix and narrative when you return. FB | ||
| Xl1200r |
Ferris - I'll actually be entering the state from Colorado, and exiting to Las vegas, so I don't think it makes much difference north/south where I ride it. I know I want to stay away from the bay area - traffic tends to get me all bent out of shape, so I'd like to avoid other people. I won't be spending much time in the state - I'll be on a road trip that starts where I live in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. I don't think I'll be in Cali for more than a day total. Maybe you can be my guide on my way back home - I plan on riding Deal's Gap, then heading to the Blue Ridge Parkway and making a day out of riding the entire length of it. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
I'll actually be entering the state from Colorado, and exiting to Las vegas... my bad, Mark, i got lysdexic on your earlier post... will you be taking 50/I-70/50 west from Colorado? one day to do Cali, including a little bit of the coast? wow, that's aggressive. assuming you're coming in via 50, in round numbers you've got 300 miles from Carson City, Nevada southwest to Monterey, another 135 miles from Monterey south to San Luis Obispo, and another 400 miles from SLO southeast to Las Vegas. that's 835 miles, give or take a few. ping me offline if you'd like as your plans come together and i'll help with routing suggestions any way i can. hooking up as you go by on the Parkway would be very cool - please keep me posted as to when you'll be in the neighborhood. at 469 miles total length, a 45-mph speed limit, and plenty of places to stop and gawk, the BRP is a tough pull to do in one day... FB | ||
| Buellgirlie |
woohoo! this thread makes me super happy about the idea of moving to northern california D | ||
| Ezblast |
Pashnit.comhttp://www.pashnit.com/ They have a great board and can help you with an up to date route with good alternatives due to weather - the site owner makes a living giving MC tours here - and they have helped me plan several great rides on forum - their love for the undiscovered route very keen indeed - lol  GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Xl1200r |
one day to do Cali, including a little bit of the coast? wow, that's aggressive. I don't think it will be one day to do cali, but more 3 half days. I played with the trip in my GPS software last night, and I'm planning on a 3-day ride from the Rocky Mountain National Park to Fort Bragg, CA. Then take an easy day down Rt 1 to San Francisco, spend the night, and then get to Las Vegas in a day. I don't remember the roads for certain, but I think it was I-80 to Rt. 44 to Rt. 299 to 101 into Fort Bragg. I feel like I REALLY want to ride 299. at 469 miles total length, a 45-mph speed limit, and plenty of places to stop and gawk, the BRP is a tough pull to do in one day... Bummer - and I'm sure the LEO are out in force on that road. I still think it's doable, though it will be a loooooong day. If it takes more than one, no skin off may back. I plan on getting a post up to let everyone know what my route is once things get finalized more - it's going to be a long time on the road without knowing a soul, so meeting new people is on my to-do list (and hell, if I can get a couch or a floor to sleep on for a 6-pack it can't hurt)- I'll be corssing everything from the Northeast, Midwest, Left Coast, south west, southeast, and back up the Atlantic cost, so there should be plenty of folks along the way. EZ - that site looks really cool - TONS of pictures! I'll have to pour through that and sign up, and get a thread about what I want to do and just see what ideas I get. | ||
| Firemanjim |
You have to run Stewarts Point Rd from Hiway 1 east then. Unbelievable road custom made for a Buell.It takes you to out to 101. I know the area very well as that is where we do our yearly ride before the Superbike races at Infineon. |
