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PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY ADVENTURE NORTHBOUND

This 1,700 mile all-paved Pacific Coast Highway motorcycle tour is a dream motorcycle trip along the West Coast of the United States. Start in Long Beach, California and ride north, hugging the Pacific Coast all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Enjoy a free day near San Francisco, in Tiburon, where you can explore the city on your own or explore the area on two wheels. Continue on Highway 1 all the way to Portland Oregon. This ride features the epic coastal scenery of California and Oregon: curves, Redwood forests and great scenery are the order of the day.

Road Conditions: This is a paved itinerary and features spectacular coastline riding mixed with delightful (and world-class) curves through old growth Redwoods.

TOUR PRICING

*Double Occupancy - Base Bike with a Shared Room *Single Occupancy - Base Bike with Your Own Room *Couples Package - Two Participants on One Base Bike in One Private Room

UPGRADE PRICING

The itinerary, arrival day.

DAY 1 - Arrival in Long Beach, CA Your motorcycle adventure starts by arriving in Long Beach, California today. Hotel check in and Welcome Dinner this evening, where you can meet the members of the group. Stay in Long Beach, California.

DAY 2 - Long Beach, CA to Ojai, CA (115 miles) We head north out of Long Beach through Los Angeles to the Malibu coast. It is a relatively short day, so depending on timing, we will pick out some choice canyon roads on our way to Ojai. Stay in Ojai, California.

DAY 3 - Ojai, CA to Morro Bay, CA (140 miles) There are a few choices for awesome roads on this day, and we will be taking you where the locals ride on our way to Morro Bay. Stay in Morro Bay, California.

DAY 4 - Morro Bay, CA to Tiburon, CA (270 miles) We continue up the scenic Pacific Coast Highway 1, all the way to San Francisco. On the way, enjoy the splendor of the scenery and quaint coastal towns like Big Sur. We will cross the famed Golden Gate Bridge at the end of the day before arriving in Tiburon. Stay in Tiburon, CA.

DAY 5 - Free Day, Tiburon, CA (up to 200 miles) Today is your choice: relax, explore San Francisco on your own, or....go riding the back roads of the north Bay Area. Regardless of what you choose, we want you to experience the San Francisco Bay area before we collect ourselves and head further north. Stay in Tiburon, CA.

DAY 6 - Tiburon, CA to Mendocino, CA (150miles) Enjoy the iconic Pacific Coast Highway 1. Great views await as you travel along the Pacific Coast. Stay in Mendocino, California.

DAY 7 - Mendocino, CA to Eureka, CA (150 miles) Today is a day for the Redwoods! Ride through the Avenue of the Giants full of old growth Redwood Trees. Get ready for natural splendor. Stay in Eureka, California.

DAY 8 - Eureka, CA to Florence, OR (265 miles) View the historic Umpqua Lighthouse and ride through Redwood National Park on your way north. Moto-travel through the old growth forests of Oregon and the Oregon Sand Dunes. Stay in Florence, Oregon.

DAY 9 - Florence, OR to Astoria, OR (185 miles) Start your ride today on Pacific Coast on Highway 1, passing through Newport, Cannon Beach, and Seaside, Oregon. Arrive at the mouth of the mighty Columbia River at Astoria. Stay in Astoria, OR.

DAY 10 - Astoria, OR to Portland, OR (100 miles) Ride from the mouth of the Columbia River by back roads to Portland, Oregon. Farewell Dinner this evening. Stay in Portland, Oregon.

DAY 11 - Fly Home or keep the dream alive. The next motorcycle adventure vacation awaits!

DEPARTURE DAY

The gear to bring.

MotoQuest guides wear KLIM helmets, jackets, pants and gloves, and we outfit our motorcycles with luggage and accessories from Twisted Throttle. You can view and download our complete MotoQuest packing list here .

Starting Price for This Tour: $5,850 See Full Tour Pricing

Total Miles for this Adventure: 1,682

Difficulty: Is this tour right for me? Contact us with any questions

MotoQuest Staff on Tour

Motorcycles included.

Motorcycles Available

Included With the Tour

• Hotel Accommodations
• Premiere Welcome and Farewell Dinners
• Professional MotoQuest Guide(s)
• Support Vehicle
• Support Vehicle Driver
• Staff Trained in First Aid with Satellite Phone
• MotoQuest Swag Bag
• Photos Taken on the Trip
• Automatic Enrollment in Global Rescue

Not Included

• Meals on the Road
• Alternative Tours
• Travel Insurance
• National Park Entrance Fees

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May 03, 2024 - May 13, 2024 May 02, 2025 - May 12, 2025

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For a motorcyclist, this is the perfect Pacific Northwest road trip

Full-time adventurer Tim Burke explores the upper-left corner of the U.S. on two wheels

By Tim Burke

Start: Seattle, WA

End: Mount Rainier, WA

Total distance: 1,100 miles

If you only had seven days to cram in as much epic motorcycle traveling as possible, where would you start? I did what any reasonable person would do; I didn’t settle for just seven days. I quit my job, sold my things, and left Seattle to travel the entire world by motorcycle.

Eighteen months later, I’ve covered almost 75,000 miles across four continents and 53 countries. I almost hit a camel in Morocco, and gang members shoved guns in my face in Brazil. What a long, strange trip it’s been.

Even with all I’ve been privileged to see in the past year and a half, I still look back on my old stomping grounds with fond memories. The Pacific Northwest (PNW) is a motorcyclist’s playground.

So here it is: The ultimate seven-day journey through the upper-left corner of the United States.

Stop 1: Seattle, Washington

Seattle is a great starting (or stopover) point for any motorcycle journey in the PNW. While we often ride to get away from, or avoid, the hustle and bustle of city life, this city is worth making an exception for. As with most big cities, traffic is a problem here. While Seattle undergoes one of the biggest construction projects in the nation—burying one of its main arteries 200 feet below ground—and Interstate 5 being a rush-hour parking lot, it’s still well worth the visit.

Seattle is home to one of the best craft-beer scenes in the entire country. There are more than 150 microbreweries scattered across the city, which makes it a beer connoisseur’s dream.

Seattle’s vibrant music and entertainment scene made a name for itself in the 1990s, giving rise to bands like Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Nirvana. While its heyday may have been more than 20 years ago, it’s still alive and kicking today.

In addition to the Space Needle and Pike Place, its lively farmers’ markets and hundreds of parks will keep you busy while your bike is on its kickstand. For a big city, it’s got personality.

Stop 2: The Cascades

With warm summers and daylight that stretches well past 10 p.m. during the height of summer, outdoor-life is unbeatable here in the PNW. Once you get your fill of seafood, beer, and city life, the motorcycling and scenery of the Cascades that lie beyond is incredible.

Just 30 minutes outside of the city, yet far enough away to make you feel that you’ve escaped urbanism, is Snoqualmie Falls. The river plummets 261 feet down a rock face and into an explosion of mist below.

The mist rises hundreds of feet into the air and offers natural air-conditioning on hot days. Just 20 minutes further up Interstate 90, toward Snoqualmie Pass, is Franklin Falls.

The Cascade Mountains, from Oregon to the Canadian border, are jam-packed with these waterfalls, gravel roads, and stunning mountain passes. With limited time though, the Olympic Peninsula is next on the list.

Stop 3: The Olympics

The Olympics are impressive from 30 miles away. But up close and personal, they’re even better.

From mainland Washington, you’ll board one of Washington’s 23 ferries and sail across Puget Sound. The Washington state ferry system is one of my favorite aspects of this area.The drive-on/drive-off ships are affordable and link sections of land that are otherwise hours apart.

If the weather is decent, do not sit inside: Stand outside and keep your eyes open for orca, humpback, and gray whales in the water. Life slows down once on the Olympic Peninsula. You’ll know what I mean once you’re there.

One of my favorite roads wraps along the edges of  Lake Crescent  on the northern end of the Peninsula. Take in the sights of alpine mountains dipping their toes into the icy waters of the lakes and the sea.

As you push further west toward the Pacific Ocean, you’ll pass through small villages, seemingly sustained only by the logging and forestry industries. The Pacific side of the Olympics is one of the most desolate stretches of coastline available in the United States.

Far separated from any big city, it’s easy to disconnect from stress. And better still, there is no shortage of camping opportunities along the coast.

Stop 4: Astoria, Oregon

Each mile of southbound progress brings you closer to the Oregon border.

The massive and looming Astoria-Megler Bridge is 4.1 miles long and carries you across the width of the Columbia River and into Oregon.

Astoria, Oregon—you may recognize it from the movie “The Goonies”—is one of my favorite cities on the west coast. Once you arrive in this picturesque town, with its collection of craft breweries and restaurants, you’ll realize why.

This area’s hidden gem—an absolute must-see—is outside the city limits. Just south of the mouth of the mighty Columbia River lies Clatsop Split. The most epic part isn’t riding the shoreline at sunset, however.

It’s the wreck of the  Peter Iredale , a ship that was run ashore during a massive storm in the 1900s. More than 100 years later, its remains are still part of this Pacific landscape. There’s just something special about this one. Trust me, don’t miss it.

Stop 5: Oregon Coast

Officially on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), consider yourself on one of the most iconic coastal routes on the continent. If you’re willing, you can follow the PCH all the way to the Mexican border. The Oregon Coast is simply magical. In my opinion, its lower traffic levels and quieter feel make it the best part of the the entire PCH.

As you weave your way past rocky coves and small fishing villages, on roads that seem to barely cling onto cliff sides, it will be hard to not pull over and take pictures every five minutes. Be sure to stop at the famous  Tillamook Cheese Factory  on your way past for a few free samples.

Continue down the highway to  Newport, Oregon , which lies at the mouth of the Rogue River, and is the perfect spot for lunch.

One of my favorite off-the-track spots along the Oregon coast is called  Thor’s Well . It’s a natural rock formation that sits just slightly higher than sea level. When the water level is just right, water washes over the rocks, drains into the “well,” and provides the effect of a bottomless hole.

Stop 6: Columbia River Gorge

With that daunting work week looming ahead and only a few days left to close the road trip loop, make your way across Oregon’s coastal mountain range on any number of twisty two-lane roads. Head toward Oregon’s largest recreational playground, the Columbia River Gorge.

The Gorge stretches over 80 miles through valleys of canyons filled with wildflowers. With Mount Hood’s year-round skiing, the river’s consistent winds for kitesurfing, endless hiking, and a maze of dirt roads through National Forests on both sides of the Gorge, you can spend a lifetime exploring here.

Since that time requirement isn’t realistic for most of us, I will suggest the Rowena Plateau as a “must-see” for any motorcyclist. The curvy road climbs up the steep cliffs of the valley, offering an incredible view of the entire Gorge from the top.

Stop 7: Mount Rainier

Mount Rainier is as iconic to the Pacific Northwest as the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. The glaciated summit climbs 14,410 feet (4392 m) out of the earth’s crust and looms high above the surrounding lands.

Surrounded by gravel forest service roads, single track trails, a number of paved mountain passes, and a few lookout points within the National Park, there is something for every kind of motorcyclist here. Day or night, Mount Rainier does not disappoint.

A few worthwhile “pins” to add to your maps for exploring the Mt. Rainier area include Chinook Pass on Washington State Route 410 (5,430 ft / 1,655 m); Tipsoo Lake; Paradise and Stevens Canyon Road; and the  Sunrise Visitor Center  (6400 ft / 1950 m).

In addition to these attractions, almost limitless camping options exist in the lush forests surrounding the volcano.

Meet the Author

Almost two years ago, Tim quit his job in the aviation industry. He sold most of his belongings and hit the road in a mission to see the world via motorcycle. Since then, he’s traveled through 53 countries and covered over 75,000 miles. To track his travels in real-time, follow along on his social media channels below.

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TOP 10 Reasons

THE PAcific RIDE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS and the BIG Sur coast

Highlights:  Kings Mountain • Skyline • Lobitos Creek • Tunitas Creek • Stage • Bean Hollow • La Honda • Bean Hollow, Gazo Creek • Cloverdale • Pescadero • Alpine • Bear Creek • Highway 9 • Big Basin Way • China Grade • Jamison Creek • Empire Grade • Smith Grade • Pine Flat • Smith Grade • Granite Creek • Laurel Glen • Browns Valley •Hazel Dell • Green Valley • Cienega • Highway 25 • Lonoak • Nacimiento • Highway 1 Big Sur    • Santa Rosa Creek • Old Creek Rd

Designing a multi-day motorcycle tour often starts with merely an idea. I want to ride here. I want to ride there. How can I create a cohesive route, gluing together a series of roads that'll last the day full of twisty goodness, while allowing the right timing and pacing for a memorable day on the motorcycle? After many hours playing with mapping programs on several platforms, the final result produces a satisfying ‘Aha Moment’ of yeah, that’ll work. Mileage that works, good company, good eats, and lodging that overlooks the ocean all bound together with nonstop deserted twisty roads all day long.

Santa Cruz Mountain Playground...

One of those places on our to-do list is the Santa Cruz Mountain playground. This low range runs up & down the spine of the San Francisco Peninsula, the ocean on one side, Silicon Valley and San Francisco Bay on the other.  

While these mountains are not high in elevation, the very fact that this range is a part of the Coastal Range that runs along 400 Miles of California coastline provides a delicious cadre of roads to explore in this portion of the range. None of these roads are very long in length, run down the hill, run back up the hill.

In addition, many of these roads are backroads, narrowing at times to single lane paved mountain roads. No highways, no double yellows, rather fun backroads that were carved decades ago up mountain ravines along streams and creeks are the order of the day. Oh, and did we mention the redwood forest, yes, we've got that too. The western side of this range can get 50 inches of rain per year, in addition to providing a steady rhythm of fog to nourish and sustain numerous redwood groves that line many places on the western side of the range.

Running north-south on the spine of this range is Highway 35, better known as Skyline Drive, a self-explanatory title. The elevation along Highway 35 barely graces over 3000 feet, but this road is revered by local riders who often boast they know every corner and bump while claiming the fastest rider on the mountain is actually aboard a Kawasaki Ninja 250.

And they’re all hanging out at a biker joint known as Alice’s. Dating to the early 1900s as a general store supporting the local logging industry, this place has been a hub of local activity for over a century. Sometime in the 1950s, a restaurant was established and renamed in the 1960s for the proprietor, Alice Taylor. The same family has owned and operated the restaurant since the 1970s.  

Pigeon Point Lighthouse...

Below this biker hangout is the Pigeon Point Lighthouse, built in 1871, this lighthouse is straight out of a New England post card. The original lens comprised of 1008 hand-polished lenses and prisms weighs 2000 lbs. and was originally powered with refined lard oil, better known as pig fat. The pig fat was replaced in 1888 by a kerosene wick. Further innovation came in 1926 with the advent of electricity and a 1000-watt bulb. The lighthouse has been in need of repairs for many years and hopefully one day, the lighthouse tower will be restored much like the Point Arena Lighthouse was a few years back.  Pigeon Point is still one of the most picturesque lighthouses on the California Coastline, and you’ll be able to walk right up to the water’s edge. Our day together focuses on riding as many of these mountain roads as we can fit into the day, Kings Mountain, Tunitas Creek, Pescadero, Alpine, Stage, La Honda, Bean Hollow, Bear Creek, Jamison Creek, Empire Grade, Smith Grade are all local favorites. The roads that are the backyard to many Bay Area riders. With a stopover in Felton, we even get to explore a covered bridge known as the tallest covered bridge in the United States, this bridge was the only entry point into Felton from 1892 until 1937. Felton is on the southern tip of the Santa Cruz Mountain Range, but the day isn’t quite over yet as we make our way onto backroads into Watsonville along the Pacific Coast.  

Atmospheric Rivers...

In January 2021, a large chunk of Highway 1 Big Sur fell off into the ocean at Rat Creek, 30 miles south of Monterey and 8 miles north of Lucia, during a massive rainstorm known as an atmospheric river. This common phenomenon can drop massive amounts of rainfall in a short amount of time on the California Coast.

Storms along the Pacific Coast in previous years have dropped as much as 14 inches of rain in 36 hours. These narrow bands of moisture in the sky above are more commonly known as the Pineapple Express, as these bands of moisture typically originate in tropical areas. A single atmospheric river coming into the West Coast can carry a greater quantity of water than the Earth’s largest river. The largest river is the Amazon and outflows 20 swimming pools per second at its mouth.

Now picture that water falling on your head, or our beloved Highway 1 Big Sur coastline. Every couple years, that’s exactly what happens, and this time it was all focused on a little ravine known as Rat Creek. Rat Creek is so inconsequential, there wasn’t even a bridge here. So much water came rushing down this ravine, it pushed a substantial chunk of Highway 1 off into the ocean. But don’t worry dear rider, the trusty folks at CalTrans will put Humpty Dumpty back together, although it may take a year or two.

Nacimiento Rd... The silver lining though in this story is the location of Rat Creek. North of Lucia. And what do we find at Lucia, class? Yes, you there in the back. Nacimiento Rd is the magic answer, it pushes our ride onto Nacimiento Rd. Now class, California backroads aren’t for everybody. Single lane hairpins with no guardrails and huge drop-offs are alluring to some and white-knuckle experiences to others.

Nacimiento Rd is unlike any other road in California and great fun. Some have gone as far as to call it the best motorcycle road in the state, although that statement creates endless debate. Motorcyclist Magazine (Oct '05) once named Nacimiento Road as one of the Top 10 Motorcycle Roads in the World. The article was written by Werner Watcher, the owner of Edelweiss Bike Tours.   William Randolph Hearst, as in Hearst Castle, built a lodge, the Milpitas Ranch House, on the east side of the range. Said to be a hunting lodge, others say he built it for his mistress.  William Randolph Hearst owned a vast majority of the surrounding land along the Coast Range all the way into the 1940s when the Army snatched it up for a tank proving grounds.

The tank base has been deactivated, and the base opened up to the public, but really what they did is simply built a fence around the base buildings and vehicles. However, that provides easy access to Mission San Antonio de Padua, established in 1771. One of numerous California missions established in the late 1700s as monks made their way up the California coastline starting in San Diego and extending north all the way to Sonoma, this mission fell into disrepair for many years and was falling apart when the 1906 earthquake hit, further damaging the building. Restoration efforts have spanned over 50 plus years, and beginning in 2005, a team of volunteers began restoring the gardens in the interior courtyard of the Mission. Over 8 million dollars has been spent on a state-mandated seismic retro-fit and the mission states 75% of the work has been completed, although they expect to spend another $35 million to restore this historic site.

The mission is made out of adobe, which is mud mixed with straw as a binder. Restoration efforts added steel rebar to the adobe walls to give the structure strength, as this site is over an active earthquake zone. The mission was placed in the National Register of Historic Places on December 2, 1977. Similar restoration efforts took place in nearby San Miguel where an earthquake split the building in half and much has been invested there also to restore the mission to daily use and preserve the history.

All by myself... Popping out to the ocean south of Lucia allows us to bypass the washout and still ride Highway 1 Big Sur with zero traffic. Rough estimates put numbers at 5 million tourists per year pass through Big Sur. Now imagine if that number dropped to almost no one. Yes, you will get the road all to yourself.

And incidentally, we’ve done this before in 2011 with a slide at Lucia, closing Highway 1 at Lime Kiln State Park near Lucia. We rode Highway 1 and had the entire West Coast to ourselves. It was heavenly and this ride will be too.  

Where do I sign up?

Tour: August 4, 202 Meet: 3052 Woodside Rd, Woodside, CA Arrive: 7:00 AM, Safety Brief 7:30, Depart 8:00 AM

Cost: $460 per rider, $119 passenger.

ROADS: This tour includes numerous narrow single lane paved mountain roads. The ride includes steep grades to 20% and negotiating tight hair-pin corners. All roads on this tour are paved.  

EXPERIENCED RIDERS ONLY: This tour is not recommended for beginner riders or Very Large Motorcycles. Riders are expected to have at least several years of enthusiastic experience on their motorcycle riding remote challenging paved mountain backroads along with at least 5000+ miles of concurrent recent experience.

HIGH DEMAND: This tour is limited by the amount of rooms at our host lodging. We have booked rooms months in advance and our tours sell out by the end of January. Get on our mailing list to be the first to know about new rides. Tours are planned & announced in the late fall of each year.

Book early to ensure a spot on this new ride. Check with us to see if any available spots are open. Some of our rides may have waiting lists to be able to join the group.

MORE DETAILS:

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22 Pacific Coast Highway Stops To See On Your Motorcycle

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Want to take go on one of the most amazing motorcycle rides ever? Today I’m going to show you (more than) 22 Pacific Coast Highway stops that you can check out along one of America’s most scenic highways and give you some tips to prepare for the ride.

Our Pacific Coast Motorcycle Trip

Among the many things that we planned for this motorcycle trip was to ride as much of Pacific Coast Highway as possible and check out as many sites along the way.

As much fun as the ride was, I had no idea for what was in store!

The ride was a lot of fun but it was also work as well and there were a few things I wish I’d known before going.

Where does Pacific Coast Highway Start?

Pacific Coast Highway 1 or PCH starts officially in northern California at the junction of U.S. route 101 at the town of Leggett, CA .

The town is located close to the Redwoods National Forrest towards the end of the avenue of the giants.

If you’re making this trip and coming down from the north on highway 101 and you’ve been on the road for a while, my suggestion is to take a break before you get started heading into the mountains.

As your coming down 101 and make the right to get on to pacific coast highway 1, you should see a nice dirt area off to the right side of the road. This is a good area to take your break, maybe have some water or a sandwich before starting. This is a good place to stop for a break if you don’t need fuel.

You should consider going into Leggett and topping off your tank and taking your break there. You’re not going to be able to get fuel until you reach the coastal town of Westport, CA which about an hour away.

A fellow motorcycle rider buddy once told me “Remember, you not in a car… Never miss a chance to get gas if you think you might need it”.

Pacific Coast Highway Stops

If you have the time to ride Pacific Coast Highway or Highway 1 and you have some time, there’s almost no limit to amount of sweeping views, food, breweries and other activities you can check out on your trip.

Here’s a list of great places you can stop at on your PCH ride to get you started with some ideas for places to check out. This is meant to be more of a guide for you, because you’ll discover that as you ride, there are just tons of side trips and things to see that aren’t even mentioned here.

From simple flower sniffin’ along the coast to planning wine and brewery tours, there are plenty of great places to get off your motorcycle for a bit and enjoy.

Getting Started on Pacific Coast Highway

Your PCH journey is about to start with winding roads and steep travel through mountains and forest. Before you actually get to the coastline, you’ll be going up and down a series of mountains and hills, winding your way though them in hairpin turns.

Most of these turns will be blind, meaning you can’t see traffic that’s coming towards you. During our trip there seemed to always be traffic on the road with vehicles appearing anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes apart.

The mountains through here overall are steep, and you’ll also want to keep your eyes peeled for loose rocks and dirt in the middle of turns.

As any experienced motorcyclist knows, loose dirt and gravel – not your friends.

It’s a beautiful mountain ride but remember to use caution.

Let the ride begin and check out as many of these cool stops as you can.

I’ve listed these stops along Pacific Coast Highway in descending. order from northern California to Southern Cali.

Glass Beach, Fort Bragg

The area now known as Glass Beach began as a third dumping area from other two other local area dump sites where trash had been relocated from.

All of these dump sites were closed by 1967 to any further dumping and the state of California sought to clean the area and reverse the damage through a variety of cleanup programs.

To get down to Glass Beach, stay on PCH (also known as shoreline highway) to Elm Street. Follow Elm street down to where it turns into Glass Beach Drive.

There is a nice parking area on Glass Beach drive to park your motorcycle, then you’ll just have a bit of a walk down the trail (Glass Beach trail) to the water’s edge. It’s a nice path that leads to several areas you can check out.

Most of the actual Glass beach site is located close to MacKerricher State Park which does offer camping amenities if your so inclined to camp.

Not that adventurous and didn’t bring camping gear on your motorcycle? No worries there are a couple of hotels located nearby if you need to stop for the night.

So what’s the attraction here?

Tons of people every year visit Glass Beach to check out what the years of pounding seas have done to the remains of glass that had been dumped there years ago.

There also a number of trails in the area to explore and tidepools to check out as well as the sweeping ocean vistas. Once you get close to the beach area, there are a number of trails that you can check out, one of which is a paved trail that leads to Pudding Creek Beach to the north.

The sea glass is cool to look at which causes a lot of people to try to take some with them. Keep in mind that this is all a protected area and removing any of the glass is illegal.

Other Cool places near Glass Beach

While you’re in the area you check places that are just off of shoreline highway or highway 1 PCH located a few miles south:

• Soldier Point
• Noyo Headlands Park, Noyo Bay
• Pomo Bluffs Park and Todd’s Point (parking available)

These locations are great scenic overlooks to the Pacific Ocean just off PCH that won’t take you too far off of the beaten path.

Point Arena Lighthouse And Museum

Constructed in 1870 and perched on top of the bluffs overlooking the rocky coastline is Point Arena Lighthouse.

Not just another lighthouse, Point Arena is one of the tallest lighthouses on California’s coastline at 115’ tall. If your willing to put in the sweat equity, you can hike to the top of the tower and walk on the balcony there for a 360 degree awesome views.

The property not only has the lighthouse tower, but there is a nice little maritime museum on site to take a look at if you have the time.

On a clear day at Point Arena Lighthouse, not only can you get a great view of the Pacific Ocean, but when the season is right you can spot whales going up the coast.

Need a place to stay?

If you’re interested in staying the night, they offer luxury lodging on site in a variety of keeper’s quarters.

Getting there from Pacific Coast Highway

As you’re traveling, follow PCH and turn west on to Lighthouse road. Doesn’t matter if your going north or south.

Once you are on lighthouse road follow keep your eyes open for signs. Lighthouse road ends at the lighthouse itself.

A quick word of caution for motorcyclists –

The road is paved all the way to the lighthouse, but the parking lot is dirt. Plenty of opportunity for you to slip and drop your motorcycle. You don’t want this to turn into an impromptu lesson on how to lift a motorcycle off the ground .

Once you arrive on site you’ll need to head to the ticket booth to purchase tickets for the museum and access to the lighthouse tower itself. Money well spent, as it support the organization that maintains the lighthouse and you get to see the sites and take in some history. Everybody wins!

Fort Ross Historic Russian compound and museum

Fort Ross was established by a Russian-American company in the 1800’s as settlement for the Russians produce need agriculture and livestock for their Alaskan settlements.

Russian colonists in Alaska were having a difficult time producing their own food due to the short growing season, which prompted Russia to seek out alternatives to feed its colonies.

What remains is the old historic compound, cemetery, orchard and general recreation area.

There are several historic buildings, armory, barracks and an old windmill that also available to look at.

In addition, If you have the time to spend you can walk the surrounding bluffs and look for whales, sea lions and other marine mammals.

A quick walk north of the parking lot and you can check out sea lion rocks. Aside from that, you’ve got access to some areas where you can get right down to the water.

There is a fee to access the park ($8.00/car at the time of this writing) but it’s a great place to see some history and take a nice relaxing break from riding.

Morning and afternoon are the best times to visit.

How to get to Fort Ross Historic Park

As riding down U.S. 1 (either north or south) you’ll want to turn west on to Fort Ross Road. Follow the road as is winds and you find the Fort Ross visitors center on the right side.

Point Bonita Lighthouse

Before you cross Golden Gate Bridge, take a quick side trip to check out Point Bonita Lighthouse.

The lighthouse is located at the end of a rocky point on the north side entrance of San Francisco bay.

The lighthouse is one of the few still actively used navigational aids used to warn approaching ships, but during daylight hours people go right up to the building itself and walk around the outside area.

Although you can go right up to the buildings, no entry is permitted.

Getting to the lighthouse itself is most of the fun and worth the walk;

Hiking out to the lighthouse requires about a half-mile hike on both paved and dirt path that’s has a steep grade in certain areas. The hiking path also follows the edge in places where there are steep cliffs – If your prone to vertigo, be careful!

The path passes through a tunnel that’s been cut into the rock that connects to a metal bridge that spans across the final gap to the lighthouse.

Finding Point Bonita

Stay on PCH until it reconnects to highway 101, and get on highway 101. You’ll stay on highway 101 for a few miles, then exit on to Alexander ave (you’ll be getting close to the Golden gate Bridge).

After a short distance on Alexander ave, you’ll make a right on to Conzelman road and follow it south and west for a few miles as it winds through the countryside.

Conzelman road will eventually intersect with field road, take a right and head south for a bit and you’ll see signs for parking for the Point Bonita Lighthouse.

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

It was a bridge that many though would never be built, but the Golden Gate Bridge is considered on of the ‘seven wonders of the world’.

The bridge utilizes two towers that are 746 feet tall that hold two cables that are over 7,000 feet in length. These cables are then anchored in concrete on shore.

This well-known bridge spans the straight of the Golden Gate from San Francisco to Marin County and is about 1.7 miles in length and was originally opened in 1937.

Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge

As your coming from northern California, Pacific Coast highway you’ll need to pay attention to signs for highway 101 south. You’ll be taking the 101 freeway south to cross the bridge.

After crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, you’ll need to exit on to Veterans boulevard which will turn into Park Presidio boulevard. You’ll be passing through the Presidio area.

Just stay on Park Presidio which to 19 th ave (for a short distance) which will turn back into PCH.

A quick safety note:

Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge is a fun experience, but beware high winds coming in off of the ocean side that can push you around.

Golden Gate Bridge Toll

There is a toll plaza located on the south end of the bridge as you enter the San Francisco side (going from north to south).

Back in the day this was a manned plaza where you would stop just like any other toll road. In fact, I remember as a kid taking a family trip across the bridge when you had to stop and pay.

You pay your toll and then head out.

In this day of modern technology, (not to mention limited manpower) the toll booths are no longer used, and you won’t be stopped to pay a toll.

What will happen as you cross the toll area (either going north or south) is that a lovely picture of you and your motorcycle license plate will be taken. You will receive a toll bill in the mail about 2 weeks later. At least that’s about how long it took to get mine.

Half moon Bay

Once you you’ve navigated through San Francisco and you’re back on the road another great stop with great views, food and drinks is Half Moon Bay.

Once you cross the Golden Gate Bridge, Half Moon Bay is about 30 miles south of San Francisco.

There are a ton of eateries and distilleries and other trendy places that you can check out if you choose to stop here for the night.

Everything’s a bit trendy and spendy (as we like to say). If you hangout in the area, be prepared to pay more for hotels and food.

Quick list of things to check out in Half Moon Bay:

• Half Moon Bay Distillery
• Ghost Town of Purissima
• Pillar Point Harbor
• Dinosaurs of Spanish Town
• Beaches, Tidepools and surf!

Greyhound rock beach

If your legs will allow, this is good place to trek down to the beach area, but keep in mind it is steep and wet.

Greyhound rock is a huge rock that’s just offshore that’s part of the Santa Cruz managed beach facility. When the tide is right you can walk out to rock and climb it.

Surfers and coastal fisherman alike frequent this area because once they arrive, the wave are good and they can spread out north and south as far they want.

Getting to Greyhound Rock

Getting to Greyhound Rock is easy, it just right off of the road on the west side of Pacific Coast Highway. There’s a good parking area and trails to walk to the beach.

Santa Cruz is coastal city that sits on the north side of Monterey bay and got its start as a Spanish settlement around 1791.

There are other sites that you can check out in the area (we’ll list some below), but Santa Cruz is probably best know for its beach boardwalk. If you’ve ever seen the movie ‘The Lost Boys’, The Santa Cruz boardwalk is the amusement park that appears in the film.

Other things to check out in Santa Cruz:

• Natural Bridges State Park – Great scenic overlooks. There is rock with a natural hole carved in the center that you can walk to if the tide is low.
• Santa Cruz Wharf – Little bit of everything here… Food, drinks, street musicians and of course watching the sunset.
• Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
• Santa Cruz Breakwater Light – If you still want to continue to check out yet another lighthouse. Always a nice walk.

Santa Cruz was an overnight stay on our trip. We arrived late in the day having ridden through San Francisco found it difficult to find a decent hotel due to the amount people arriving to go to the boardwalk.

Just down the road (or shall we say around the bay?) south of Santa Cruz is Monterey.

Monterey has a colorful history; It was founded originally by native Americans, then later discovered by the Spanish.

After Mexico proclaimed its independence from Spain, Monterey belonged to Mexico until the Mexican – American war.

Cannery Row

If you have the opportunity during your ride, it’s worth taking a bit of time and riding down to Cannery Row, the downtown area of Monterey.

There are a lot of shops that you can wander in and out of to grab a souvenir (if you have space on your bike!) and of course plenty of places to eat and of course local breweries!

Also, in the Cannery Row area you’ll find the Monterey Bay Aquarium, that I would recommend checking out.

Parking in the Cannery Row area is going to be limited and tight. As word of caution, the downtown area is narrow and tends to be very congested with vehicles. This means an abundance of drivers so busy worrying about themselves, they’re not watching for motorcycles!

Chances are, you’ll have to ride through the area a time or two, do some scouting and park a block or two away and then walk.

Getting to the Cannery Row Area from PCH

From Pacific Coast Highway, exit the Del Monte interchange and follow it west. It will eventually become Lighthouse Avenue and you can follow it all the way down to the Cannery area.

Monterey Wharf

Along the way to Cannery Row Shortly after Del Monte connects with Lighthouse Avenue, you’ll pass by the Monterey wharf area which some great sea places and pubs.

There are two pier areas you can check out and other local sites to see that are within a reasonable walking distance.

Parking is close and plentiful depending whether it’s a weekend or week day and more motorcycle friendly than the downtown Cannery area. You can park you bike then walk around up and down the wharf area as much as you want.

Bixby Creek Bridge

Bixby Creek Bridge is a concrete span bridge built in 1932 that it 260 feet high above the water carved canyons of Bixby Creek.

A lot of people (us included) usually pull off of the west side of the roadway on the north side of the bridge to take their vacation pics.

If you missed that spot, no worries.

Once you get south of the bridge there are numerous places where you can pull off and check out cliff side coastal views. A lot of great places in the area for photo ops for your motorcycle travel albums!

Big Sur isn’t so much as specific town, but an area that has hotels and restaurants and other attractions.

It’s best known for having some of the best camping around. Taking the opportunity to actually take the twisty mountain trek all the way to the mountain can yield some absolutely stunning views. Specially in the morning, when the fog has rolled into the coast line.

That being said, you can enjoy Big Sur in a day without spending top dollar for the boutique hotels in the area. Although the area is beautiful it’s a bit of a tourist trap, watch your wallet so you don’t spend too much!

The best time to check out the Big Sur area is the prime motorcycle riding season from spring to fall, but keep in mind you may be dealing with fog issues in the morning hours up until early afternoon.

If you just want to pass through and check out some day activities, here are some that are worthwhile:

• Big Sur Lighthouse – Let’s face it; Lighthouses are cool!
• Pfeiffer Beach – This beach can be easy to miss and is known for its purple sand.
• Nepenthe Restaurant (Big Sur) – Good food, and stunning coastal views. You’ll want to sit on the patio near the rail if you can.
• Henry Miller Memorial Library

There’s plenty to check out an explore off of the beaten path. Be careful of the awful tourist driving as you wind your way through mountains. I would suggest not making the trip back down to Pacific Coast Highway once it’s dark.

Hearst Castle

Hearst Castle is located near San Simeon (just about halfway between LA and San Francisco) and was built 1947 by William Randolph Hearst that covers about 8 acres estate and grounds.

There is enough to keep you busy for an entire day touring the castle and grounds seeing how the half lived back in the day.

The first place you’ll want to stop is the visitor center that’s located just off of the highway at the bottom of what’s referred to as “The Enchanted Hill”.

The visitor center has several things you can check and has plenty of parking for your bike as well as a picnic area if you’d like to do your own roadside lunch there.

At the visitor center you can check out:

• Food Services (incase you don’t have lunch with you)
• Gift shop (watch your wallet!)
• R. Hearst exhibit
• Hearst Castle Theatre
• Tour Check in/tickets

Hearst Castle Tours

There are 3 different tours of places on the property you can take that last about an hour. You’ll have to catch a bus at the visitor’s center for a 15 minute ride up the hilltop to the castle.

The castle really is an amazing feat of architecture to see and well worth the side trip off of highway 1 to check out.

Monarch Butterfly Grove, Pismo Beach CA

This grove is a seasonal habitat and breeding ground for Monarch butterflies that seek shelter from wintertime in the northern areas.

The prime season for checking out the butterflies is from October through February. During the season you’ll see a massive number of Monarchs that live in colonies in the trees.

Have a question? There are usually volunteers in the area that can answer questions for that are quite knowledgeable about the Monarchs and the area.

There are a lot of great walking paths through the grove, plus access down to the shoreline for another jaunt down to beach.

Finding the Monarch Grove

No need to go off of the beaten path for this one.

The Monarch Butterfly Grove is located in Pismo Beach on the west side of PCH. There’s a dirt parking lot for vehicles right next to the roadway. Be careful with your motorcycle when parking.

Carpinteria Harbor Seal Preserve

The Carpinteria CA shoreline is home to more than 100 adult seals that give birth and raise their cubs.

You can see the rookery right from highway 1, but there are plenty places to park and walk down to the coastline area to check out the nature preserve.

If you want to find a quick parking spot and don’t mind the walk, you’ll need to exit PCH at the Bailard Avenue interchange and go south on Bailard Avenue. Keep going straight and follow the signs for the Carpinteria Bluff Trail head.

Walking is not your thing?

Follow all the instructions mentioned above, but when you get to Carpenteria Avenue take a right (or north) to Dump Road. Follow Dump Road cross the railroad tracks and you should see a parking area almost right on the coastline.

From there you can check out the cliffs and coast and walk out onto Pier

A couple things to keep in mind at the seal watching area:

• From December to May the beach is close 750 on either side of the seal rookery for their birthing season.
• You can see seals all year long, but getting to see the seal pups in the spring will be hit and miss
• Remember this is a protected area, don’t mess with the wildlife!

Other Things you can see in Carpinteria CA:

• California State Beach
• Tar Pit Park
• Island Brewery
• Seaside Gardens

Checking out the seal rookery is a fun quick stop to take a break and get a photo op.

Seal selfie!

Santa Monica Pier

The Santa Monica Pier is a historic amusement park location just off of highway 1 (PCH) when you get into the Los Angeles area. Tons of tv shows and films have been filmed at this pier.

If you’re planning a route 66 trip, Santa Monica pier will be you’re starting or ending location, depending on where you start. You can get yourself a route 66 completion certificate here if you’ve made that trip!

Santa Monica Pier is great place to stop along the way to get off of the motorcycle, walk around a bit. You can hit the amusement park, grab some food or people watch.

Here’s the short list of things you can check out:

• Go to the Playland Arcade
• Pacific Park Amusement Park
• Get your route 66 completion certificate
• Wooden Horse Carosel
• Eat at the restaurants
• Walk out to the end of the pier – Great place to check out the city views and shoreline

Getting to Santa Monica Pier

The pier is just off of Pacific Coast highway and pretty easy to find. As you’re riding keep your eyes peeled for the signs, and also Colorado ave/Santa Monica Pier.

Colorado ave goes right to the pier. There’s plenty of parking just north of Colorado avenue but keep in mind the weekends get very busy.

Long Beach CA

It’ll take some navigation through LA and you’ll have to Leave Highway 1 for a bit, but it’s worth the ride to head down to the Long Beach area where you’ll of interesting attractions and things to do, most of which you can walk to once you find a parking spot.

If you plan on spending some time (a day or so) I would recommend getting your hotel somewhere on Pacific Coast Highway itself, and then riding to the Long Beach waterfront area.

It’s congested, but there are plenty of parking places depending on the attractions you decide check.

The Queen Mary

The Queen Mary is a British passenger ship that was retired and purchased by the City of Long Beach where has been since 1967. The ship has a very storied history of service both before and after the second world war.

If you have the time, you can do tours and of course eat lunch on board (which isn’t too bad). They offer paid tours as well as a pretty extensive self-guided tour.

It’s rumored that the ships haunted, so of course they do offer a haunted tour in the evening. The haunted tour is only interesting to check out parts of the ship that aren’t included on the other tours. Of course, along the way you get the history of why the ship is supposed to haunted.

An example would be ships below decks first class swimming pool. Creepy area, but I didn’t see any ghosts.

What’s onboard

Hotel – Feel free to stay over. A bit creepy for my taste.

Dining and Bars

Plenty of parking in the area. I recommend just going on board, having lunch and doing the self-guided tour, you can spend a large portion of your day just doing that.

Fun Fact: The Queen Mary is longer than the Titanic.

Queen Mary: 1,019.8 feet

Titanic: 882.9 feet

Your heart will go on.

Long Beach Aquarium Of The Pacific

If your checking out the Queen Mary, take the time and go to the Long Island Aquarium of the Pacific that’s back across the LA river.

When you and visit one attraction or the other, you may be able to purchase tickets for both attractions at the same time and save a bit of cash.

Here is a quick list of Galleries that you can check out:

North Pacific Gallery – Focuses on animals from the Bearing Sea, plus other habitats

Southern California Gallery – Includes the Baja and display of the regional wildlife.

Tropical Pacific – Exabits for animals from pacific island areas like sea turtles and reefs habitats.

Outdoor Area – There’s a nice outdoor area where you can look rainforest birds and the shark lagoon.

For parking there’s a multi-tiered parking garage nearby that I would suggest parking your bike in to keep it out of the sun. Don’t want to burn your buns!

Shoreline Village In Long Beach

While you’re in the area of the aquarium, it’s a short walk around the harbor area where find the big-name chain restaurants and other shopping places.

Pirate Tower, Laguna Beach

The Pirate Tower is one of those hidden gem places that’s just fun to try and find, and of course more photo ops and the potential to see marine mammals.

Plus, it’s another cool thing your can see for free!

The Pirate Tower itself was not actually built by Pirates or even to look for pirates. It’s a 60 foot castle inspired tower built in 1926 that encloses a spiral staircase so that the property owner would be able to get to the beach from the top of the cliffs.

Just like everything else in Hollywood it’s fake! But the tower is cool to check out and half the fun is the adventure trying to find it.

Just to the south of the tower (in fact, you’ll come across this structure first) is what looks to be an old seawall, but is the left overs of an old poor.

Finding the Pirate Tower

To find the tower will be quite a bit of a walk and will take some persistence to get to the location.

Take Pacific Coast Highway (north or south) until you reach Nyes Place, that forks off of PCH to the east (northeast technically).

This whole area is a screwy interchange where you’ll have to take Nyes Place and make an immediate left on to Victoria Drive. Victoria drive then crosses under PCH and goes into a private neighborhood.

Remember that you’ll still have to do all of that even on foot. There is a nice pedestrian walkway along Victoria to keep you out of traffic.

Be prepared to walk

Your going to be going through a neighborhood so keep that in mind. As you progress on Victoria drive, it’s going to start get steep.

As you’re walking down Victoria drive you should see a public access staircase that will take you down to the beach. Be careful it’s steep!

When you get to the bottom of the staircase turn to the right (north) and start working your way over the rocky shoreline.

Your going to have to watch your step and pick your way across quite a bit of the rocky coastline, with a lot of the rocks your walking being wet or have moss on them. This makes for slick conditions and if you’re not watching what your doing you can fall hurt yourself.

If your motorcycle boots have a smooth bottom with no real traction be careful.

It’s going to take a bit of a hike to get to it. Just keep going, you’ll know it when you see it!

Dana Point, Ca

The Dana Point Harbor Area is a nice place to stop and take break and grab a bite to eat and check out the local sites.

From Highway 1 (PCH) turn down Golden Lantern street and head to Dana Point Harbor drive.

This takes you down into the harbor area where there are a couple of good restaurants that you can stop and check out.

We stopped and ate at Waterman’s Harbor Seafood Restaurant, which has a nice patio area to sit and watch the world go by.

Other things to check out in Dana Point:

• Doheny State Beach – there’s a Blue Festival there every year. Ridiculous traffic if that event is happening, mind your riding! If your into the blues however, it’s a great festival to check out.
• Bone yard Beach Café
• Ocean institute – There are a couple of tall ships moored here you can check out. The Pilgrim which was used in the movie “Two Years Before The Mast” and The Spirit of Dana Point.
• Dana Point Headlands Conservation Area – Good place to watch the sunset, whale watch or check out sea caves.
• Whale watching charter boats. If you want to whale watch, and get on the water there’s plenty of opportunity here!

San Diego, CA

The San Diego area has so much to offer to keep you busy, it’s really just going to boil down to how much time you’re going to spend in the area.

Are you just passing through to the next stop on your ride or are you going to spend a day or two? You can spend a weekend in San Diego and not see everything.

San Diego is of course a military city and if you like military history and ships it’s a great place to check out both in addition to the other great things you can see in the area.

Because there’s so much, I’m just going to give you a list. I’m going to start with the free stuff that you can see pretty quick, and then work my way down to things like amusement parks.

I’m including amusement parks, because even as an adult, I still love’em!

Free Things to do:

• Check out La Jolla – It’s just north of San Diego but a lot of great beaches and sea caves to check out.
• Sea Port Village – It’s down in the bay/waterfront area. Free to go to (except parking of course) and consists of shopping and restaurants. Great place for souvenirs if you have room.
• Waterfront Area – Getting to the waterfront area is free, but if you decide to check out attractions in the area (like the U.S.S. Midway) that will cost a few bucks. There’s a lot to see in the waterfront area and you can walk to the Sea Port Village.
• Gas Lamp Quarter, downtown – Fun area to check, lot’s of food and breweries. It’s very congested in the downtown area and parking is at a premium, even for motorcycles. The Gas Lamp Quarter is the place to go for the nightlife and hipster lifestyle.
• Coronado Beach – Take the bridge over the beach and head to Coronado island. The downtown area is nice if you want to walk around a bit and not as many people. Overall, the beach and downtown area not as crowded as other places around. Excellent beach area to relax.
• Mission Beach/Pacific Beach – It can be busy in this area, but it’s free to check out. There’s a boardwalk to check out if you have time.

Paid things to do

• Cabrillo National Monument – Located in Point Loma, This monument area is considered to be the best coastal view in the San Diego Area.
• San Diego Zoo – If you have the day to spend and enjoy zoo’s this is the one. Although the zoo has a lot of great exhibits, be prepared to walk A LOT. The zoon sits on a hillside, so you’ll be walking up and down hills pretty much all day.
• Sea World – Yep, it’s gotten a back wrap. But there are noticeable changes to their shows, and the park generally is enjoyable. Be sure to check out the tower, you’ll get great views of the whole area.

If your limited on time in the area and just want to get a quick flavor for the area, I would recommend the Sea Port Village Waterfront area. Plenty of food and drink in walking distance, cool things to see.

If you still have time, take the ride across Coronado bridge to the island. A fun little ride across the bay with great views.

Pacific Coast Highway Motorcycle Travel Tips

Highway 1 or Pacific Coast Highway really is one of the most scenic motorcycle rides you can take on the west coast of the U.S.

But there are a few things I wish I knew before I left on the trip that could’ve helped me prepare for the kind of riding I was going to do.

Bring your motorcycle riding ‘A’ Game

As scenic and awesome as riding pacific coast highway is, it’s also very tiring and a bit stressful.

Here’s something that’s going to sound silly;

You’re going to have to ride your motorcycle . I don’t mean the casual riding you do on weekends where you get on it and let it carry you from point A to point B.

I mean the physical kind of riding where you will constantly be maneuvering the motorcycle from one side to the other, leaning, counter balancing and paying close attention to your speed the whole nine yards.

Lots of twists and turns that generally, motorcyclists love to do.

Sounds fun right? It is, but remember, you’ll be doing it for nearly the entire trip along the coast through California!

Pacific Coast Highway is a nearly constant barrage of twists and turns most of which will be at low speed due to the tightness of turns, blind spots and traffic.

In addition to all the twists and turns, keep this in mind;

The shoulder areas along much of pacific coast highway (in northern California) are mere inches wide with 800 to 1000 foot drops off of the roadway with no guardrails.

This means there’s no room for error taking a turn too fast and going wide while you’re in the turn.

Tiring but rewarding!

At the end of the days ride, you may be a little more tired than usual, especially if you have a passenger with you because of their weight (and safety) that you have to deal with. The ride is work, but you’ll be rewarded with some of the most scenic vistas and cool places to visit all along the California coast.

There were several places along the way where we stopped for a burger, say outside and watched whales heading north up the coast – fantastic!

Like I said before – You have RIDE your motorcycle.

A Few Things To Know Before You Go:

Brush up on low speed turn skills – During the trip you’re going to be doing A LOT of low speed cornering on hairpin turns. By low speed, I mean 15mph (24kph) or lower, in very tight turns with oncoming traffic on a grade (uphill and downhill).

Don’t forget all the gear you’re likely to have plus (more than likely) having a passenger.

If you haven’t done much of this type of riding or haven’t done it awhile, I would suggest practicing by loading your motorcycle with some weight and practicing in an empty parking lot.

Don’t be in a hurry – Thankfully, we had plenty of time on our trip to really enjoy it and not have a care in the world.

But, if your going to ride the entire length of Pacific Coast Highway, plan on it taking about a week. Not only do you want to enjoy the ride, but if your pressed by time and other concerns you might make riding errors because you’re feeling pressured and worried.

Talk with your passenger – Communicate with your passenger and remind them to be a good passenger and give them the ‘lean with me’ talk again (even if they know it already). Lots of twists and turn on this trip, you can’t have your passenger working against you.

Your passenger is going to have the vantage point to see down 1,000 foot cliff side drops on hairpin turns that could freak them out.

If your passenger is brand new to riding, I would suggest more experience for them before they go on this trip with you.

Pack Your Motorcycle as Lite As You Can – You probably do it anyway, but as a reminder I thought I would throw this in. You’re on a motorcycle, pack lite.

Aside from the obvious, watching how much gear and clothing you take helps to keep the weight down and keep the motorcycle balanced.

Keep food and drinks on your motorcycle – Make sure to have snacks and drinks with you. There will be a lot of times where you may just want stop in the middle of nowhere and take a break. In addition, a lot of places along the coast are what I call ‘trendy and spendy’. Meaning, it’s a trendy area so they up their prices.

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California Coast PCH+ ADV Tour

Self-Guided Group + Truck Support Package:

• May 20 to 30, 2023 - Northbound from San Diego to Bend *Inquire for Availability*
• September 23 to Oct 1, 2023 - Southbound from Bend to San Diego *Inquire for Availability*

Self-Guided, Self-Supported & Private Guided Group Packages:

• Choose your own dates, and ask if we have bikes available!
• Tour Start & Finish:  Bend, Oregon (RDM Airport) or San Diego, California (SAN Airport)
• Type/Format of Tour: Available either as a Self-Guided Fly & RIDE package, or a Group trip format with our staff. Click Inclusions and Pricing tabs on this page for more info.
• Riding Skills: Only for riders with prior off-pavement riding experience on the size/types of motorcycles being offered. Riders do not need to be experts, as we have listed this as Level 3 per our Tour Route Difficulty Grading . This is the perfect adventure ride for folks looking for fun, exhilarating, variety-packed riding, and the chance to soak in the diverse vistas found in Oregon and California.
• Duration: 9 Days (7 Riding Days, 0 Rest Day, 1 Arrival Day, 1 Departure Day)
• Tour Distance & Terrain: Approximately 1,600 miles (2,576km) of mixed terrain, approximately 70/30 paved/non-paved (about 60/40 in terms of "time spent riding.") Most of the non-paved riding is simple, smooth, hard-packed gravel and dirt, quite rideable by those with such experience. The paved sections along this route are world famous for the endless twisties and sweepers surrounded by spectacular and diverse scenery. 
• Weather Statistics:   Click here for Bend, Oregon , here for San Francisco, California and here for San Diego, California
• Group size: Typically 6-10 bikes
• Motorcycles available for rent on this trip: Honda CB500X, Yamaha Tenere 700, KTM 890 Adventure/R, Honda Africa Twin/Adventure Sports

Inclusions in Group Supported Package 

• Motorcycle Rental of your choice (click "Bikes" or "Pricing" on this page to see options)
• 8 Nights Accommodations, ranging from 3 star "simple" to occasionally more upscale resort experiences. 
• Support Vehicle with Driver/Mechanic for luggage transport, tools, safety and satellite phone backup, general assistance
• GPS files for turn-by-turn instructions on the best routes, fueling points, meal options, etc. 
• 2 Dinners (Arrival and Departure)
• Required 3rd Party Liability Insurance
• Basic crash protection parts
• RIDE Adventures swag

Not Included:

• Visas if necessary per your passport
• Personal Items, gifts, snacks, etc.
• Special activities (rafting, fishing, etc.)
• Airport/Hotel transfers
• Meals not mentioned as Included
• Personal, Medical or Travel Insurance
• Fully Refundable Motorcycle Security Deposit ( * Please inquire on specific costs associated with your requested rental or tour package)
• *Pricing and Inclusions for Group Supported trips are based on a 6-Bike minimum for tour. Trips may run with fewer participants, but alterations in pricing/inclusions may be necessary.
• *Please keep in mind that bikes can be sold out 6-8 months in advance! Reservations are only confirmed after receipt of the non-refundable deposit as indicated in  our Terms & Conditions .

>>> Reserve your trip with only a $500 deposit if booked more than 90 days in advance. Please read our Terms & Conditions.

*All base prices include double-occupancy/shared hotel accommodations. Single/private upgrade available.  

Self-Guided & Self-Supported Package:

• with base rental motorcycle  $3,100
• BYOB (bring your own bike) $1,700
• motorcycle upgrade + $100-500
• private room upgrade + $1,350
• with base rental motorcycle  $4,500
• BYOB (bring your own bike) $3,200

Prefer a PRIVATE TOUR? Contact us to discuss details. 

*Please keep in mind, spots on these tours can be sold out 6-8 months in advance! Reservations are only confirmed after receipt of the deposit as indicated in  our Terms & Conditions .

Interested in This Tour?

• Dual-sport adventure riding through the most scenic and fun adventure bike routes we can fit into 9 days of riding
• Wildlife sightings including Bald Eagles and Cranes, Black and Brown Bears, Elk, Bobcats, Antelope, Pronghorn, Mule and White-Tailed Deer, California Bighorn Sheep, Cougars, Wolf, Coyotes, Fox, Sea Lions, Humpback, Blue, and Grey Whales, and others are possible
• Crater Lake National Park, Cascade Lakes Highway, several giant redwood forests (including a drive-thru tree), picturesque bridges, endless breathtaking coastal vistas, and desert landscapes. 
• National & State Parks/Forests: Deschutes, Willamette, Umpqua, Rogue River-Siskiyou, Prairie Creek, Jedediah-Smith, Redwood, Humboldt, King Range, Jackson State, Mendocino Headlands, Muir Woods, and Big Basin Redwoods
• A chance to visit Bend, considered an outdoorsy paradise for those who enjoy biking, hiking, skiing, climbing, rafting, kayaking, fishing, golf, and much more. So proud of our hometown!

Testimonials

"Eric, I wanted to write a sincere thank you for our amazing experience with your two day training option right there in Bend Oregon on September 3rd and 4th. My brother Nick organized this trip. He owns his own KTM and rides often here in Western Colorado. His goal was to ride with us, his two brothers.

- Our thanks to Adam for the kind words and satisfaction in knowing that our ADV Training Expeditions have helped the Wasser Brothers build a foundation for their future riding plans. See you guys in Baja : )

-Despite the tragic amount of wild fire activity we had around the Pacific Northwest in late 2020, Brant Hill from Alabama was still able to make use of our Oregon U.S. motorcycle rental fleet on an Africa Twin Adventure Sports for a couple of weeks. Thanks for sharing Brant, and come back anytime!

-Our sincere thanks to Dan Wellisch from right here in beautiful Bend, Oregon where our Oregon U.S. motorcycle rental fleet is based. Glad if you enjoyed, Dan, and RIDE on!

-Oleg on our Self-Guided Fly & Ride the 3 Corners: Argentina, Bolivia & Chile tour package. 

- Steve Fox and some buddies from southeastern U.S. all came out for our Best of Southwest Oregon ADV Riding trip in August 2022. Thanks for the kind words, Steve, and we look forward to seeing you in Baja for another trip soon.

-Mark Stewart from Australia on the heels of a successful ride to Alaska with his friend Phil, and our Oregon-based motorcycle rentals . A pair of Africa Twin's, 2 experienced riders, the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, Alberta, the Yukon, and all the moose, elk, bears, and other wildlife along the way, quite a journey a long time in the making. Just loved this picture as two voyagers were headed out of the shop that day. Come again, guys!

"Hi RIDE Adventures, I had great trip and great start in California with GS Motorcycle. Next time I will get plan for ride with your team travel some where else interesting. I passed my fear about traffic and now I can enjoy like American people! So many video was took I will update you soon."

-Minh Tran from Vietnam after 15 days of  riding across the U.S. on an BMW R1200GS .  His first time riding in the U.S., all part of an architectural research project, and meeting friendly Americans along the way!

"Well, the trip came to an end today. Pulled in at 3:00 showing 1475 miles.  I can't wait to start looking through all the pictures and videos.  Really want to thank you guys for an incredible time! I could not have asked for a better time. Chad...you and Ernie are top notch tour guides and photographers...thank you!"

-Jeff Baenen from Illinois after his September 2013  Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail guided motorcycle tour  and ride back home on his Triumph 1200 Explorer

See all testimonials.

Ride the California Coast PCH+ ADV (Pacific Coast Highway Plus Dual Sport Adventure Tour)

If you are confused by the name, allow me to spell it out for you. California Coast PCH + ADV = One hell of an exciting RIDE!!! Few people have experienced the West Coast the way we do it.  

The PCH (Pacific Coast Highway, aka Highway 1) needs no introduction as it's without a doubt one of the most stunning and famous coastline routes in the world, packed full of incredible pavement twisties, sweepers and vistas. Add in epic off-road sections each day along the ocean, through deep forests, atop high mountain ridges, across massive bridges, even a few densely populated cities, and now you have a unique RIDE ADV tour that is truly extraordinary. We'll spend up to half of each day exploring off-pavement routes as we navigate along our journey, alternatively you may comfortably stick to the smooth pavement if you prefer. You won't find a California coast tour route like this anywhere else. 

Riders will need to be prepared for all types of terrain and conditions as we could encounter conditions ranging from cold, balmy and wet on the northern coast to hot, sunny and dry further south. 

Day 1 - Arrival in Bend, OR or San Diego, CA 

***can be ridden north to south or in reverse, south to north..

Welcome to Bend , and we hope you can arrive a little earlier and enjoy this outstanding town for outdoors lovers. We are nestled along the Deschutes River which writhes up from the Cascade Mountains, and serves as the backbone for our small town.

From the river rafting and fly fishing opportunities to the vast array of mountain biking, dirt biking, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, golf, and other options we have in the area, we are incredibly proud to call Bend "home." -

Day 2 - Bend to Grants Pass  (249 miles)

On our journey to the Pacific Coast Highway, we’ll weave through endless high speed twisties and scenic dirt roads passing some of the most incredible scenery central and southern Oregon have to offer. Heading west on Cascade Lakes Highway past Mount Bachelor and along the shores of Devil's, Sparks, Elk, and Hosmer Lakes, leave the pavement behind and settle into some simple gravel riding over Windigo Pass on the way to Crater Lake National Park.

Left behind by the collapse of Mount Mazama about 7,000 years ago, Crater Lake is the deepest in the U.S. at 1,949 feet (10th deepest in the world) and quite a site from the hiking trail around its upper rim. Kickstands down in Grants Pass along the legendary ‘wild and scenic’ Rogue River. After this great first day of dual sport riding beneath the canopy of huge Ponderosa pine trees, settle in for a night on the town and prep for more great riding ahead.

Day 3 - Grants Pass to Eureka (227 miles)

Heading southwest towards the coast we’ll encounter the first of many scenic rides through massive ancient Redwood State and National Forests, such as Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast, and Prairie Creek. In Crescent City, California we begin our journey down the famed Pacific Coast Highway enjoying endless breathtaking coastline vistas.

Before you have time to soak it all in we dart off-pavement to scratch that dirt itch before we enjoy our first night on the coast in Eureka, California. 

Day 4 - Eureka to Fort Bragg (209 miles)

Get ready for an incredible day of mind blowing tree canopy twisties through the “Avenue of the Giants”, Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree, lots of off-pavement excitement along King Peak Road, Usal Road and more (including possible water crossings).

Fort Bragg will be our final destination today featuring spectacular beaches, inspiring coastal vistas and several fantastic local dining options. 

Day 5 - Fort Bragg to San Francisco (255 miles)

You might want to drink your coffee black this morning as we jump into the dirt right out of the gate today as we work our way inland over to highway 101 and highway 253 for some high speed sweepers.

Don’t get too settled in 5th gear, we’ll be dropping into the dirt again on our way back to the coast near Bodega Bay before we head south towards San Francisco.

Day 6 - San Francisco to Morro Bay (275 miles)

Make sure your camera batteries are charged before we saddle up this morning. Just ahead of us lay the most photographed 100 mile section of the Pacific Coast Highway with its jagged coastline, white beaches, endless sunshine (or foggy mist) and lush palm trees. Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Big Sur, Brixby Canyon Bridge, Rocky Point, Elephant Seal Vista Point and Hearst Castle are a few highlights, this section is renowned as the apex of California riding. We might find a few opportunities to get our tires dirty before we roll into the “Gibraltar of the Pacific”, Morro Bay. 

Day 7 - Morro Bay to Ojai (195 miles)

We take a break from the Coast for a day as we pass by Pismo Beach to explore alternative routes inland through the San Rafael Wilderness. Another iconic California ride is awaiting us as we weave our way through the Maricopa Highway and drop into a picturesque valley to relax in Ojai. 

Day 8 - Ojai to San Diego (250 miles)

A little different type of adventue today as we make our way through the very population dense metropolis that is Los Angeles. Don't worry though, still plenty of fun riding and scenery ahead on our final day. 

Day 9 - Departure from San Diego  

The riding may be over, but your adventure doesn't have to be. Either arrange in advance to be one of our adventure rides down into the Baja Peninsula of Mexico or just hang around the beautiful San Diego area. Start organizing all those photos, and get ready to share with your friends about the amazing adventure ride now complete!

Minimum Essential Gear for RIDE Training

If you're planning to jump on a guided tour or training with RIDE Adventures, it's essential that you have the right gear. This helps to ensure your safety and the safety of others while on the road.

Not being properly prepared can lead to injuires that could have been avoided. Our guides have created a Minimum Essential Gear Guide if you plan to book a RIDE Adventures. If you don't come minimally prepared there is a chance our guides will prevent you from hopping on a bike. Make sure you're prepared for the adventure. 

Bikes Available

2019+ Honda CB500x

Another recent assertion by Honda Motorcycles into the Adventure Riding world, riders seeking a compact-sized adventure bike have been raving about the CB500X. With plenty of power emanating from the parallel-twin engine, and an agile disposition, everything from paved twisties to gravel, dirt, and sand can be conquered with this fun adventuring option. Starting in 2019 with the 19" front wheel, this bike has proven itself for us in places like Patagonia, and will be a great option for riders exploring beyond.

• Wet Weight - 430lbs
• Seat Height - 32.7 inches
• Fuel Capacity - 4.6 gal

2024 Yamaha XT250

The Yamaha XT250 is a reliable and versatile dual-sport bike, perfect for both on- and off-road adventures.

Its air-cooled 249cc single-cylinder engine provides a broad powerband and excellent fuel efficiency, while the compact chassis and long-travel suspension ensure agile handling and comfort on various terrain.

With features like a 21-inch front wheel, wide-ratio five-speed transmission, and electric start, the XT250 is ideal for exploring dirt trails, commuting, or simply enjoying the thrill of the ride.

• Wet Weight - 509 lbs
• Seat Height - 32.5 inches
• Fuel Capacity - 5 gal

Honda Africa Twin

Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports

Honda Africa Twin CRF1100 (2020+)

Yamaha Ténéré 700

This highly-anticipated "masterpiece of value" has finally been released, giving dual sport adventure riders around the world one more incredible middle-weight adventure bike to choose from. With 73+ smooth, linear horsepower pouring through one of most beautiful exhaust notes out there, the Ténéré 700's unique anti-squat design puts that power into the ground, instead of into the rear shock. The result is one of the best handling, adventure bikes on the market, all backed by typical Yamaha-reliability. Take this agile machine on short trips or long, paved twisties or dirt roads, and know that this may be as close to the "perfect" adventure bike as we have seen in a while. With an attractive entry price, and corresponding rental rate, we expect the number of Ténéré 700's in our fleet operations to grow steadily and remain a factor for a long time. 

Start Your Reservation Process Now. Contact Us!

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Pacific Coast Highway Motorcycle Tour

Tour Overview

Ride the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH)

From the Mists of the Hoh Rainforest to Malibu Pier the PCH is everything you you expect it to be and more.  Small harbour towns with amazing places to eat dot the route as we pass mile upon mile of pristine untouched beaches.  Mists can roll in and shroud you and then as quickly disappear leaving you with breathtaking ocean views.  Humpback whales, Sea Lions and Pelicans will be common sights as you make your way south along this largely untouched coast.  Not until you hit southern California will you meet much traffic and then only in the towns.  If you want the full West coast vibe from your ride this is the tour for you.

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Sea food, Wild life, Three great city stops, Endless beaches and the ever present Pacific Ocean make this tour unique and one of our top three rides in America.

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Road stories....

Get your eats on Route 66!

50 Tips For Riding A Motorcycle Across America

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USA Motorcycling

Exploring the scenic pacific coast highway on a motorcycle.

Hey y’all, thanks for visiting USA Motorcycling! You can read more about us , contact us if you have questions, learn about our partnerships , or get some insight into our editorial standards . Otherwise, I hope you enjoy the read. Let me know what you think in the comment section down below! NEW: Get help from our highly trained AI chatbot , filled with troubleshooting techniques and more! Mr. Chase Manhattan

Are you ready for an exhilarating adventure along the stunning Pacific Coast Highway on a motorcycle? Get ready to experience the awe-inspiring beauty of California’s coastline as you embark on a thrilling journey like no other. From the sweeping ocean views to the winding roads that hug the cliffs, every twist and turn will leave you breathless. So hop on your motorcycle and get ready to explore this picturesque route that is sure to be a ride to remember.

Table of Contents

Have you ever dreamed of embarking on an epic road trip along the stunning Pacific Coast Highway? Imagine the wind in your hair, the sun on your face, and the exhilarating feeling of freedom as you cruise along this iconic coastal road. Exploring the Pacific Coast Highway on a motorcycle is a thrilling adventure that allows you to fully immerse yourself in nature’s beauty, discover hidden gems, and create memories that will last a lifetime. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know to plan and enjoy the ultimate motorcycle journey along the Pacific Coast Highway.

Choosing the Right Motorcycle

Before you hit the open road, it’s essential to choose the right motorcycle for your Pacific Coast Highway adventure. Consider factors such as comfort, handling, and storage capacity. While sport bikes offer speed and agility, cruisers are often the preferred choice for long-distance traveling due to their comfortable riding positions and ample storage options. Regardless of which type of motorcycle you choose, ensure it is well-maintained and has a reliable engine for the journey ahead.

Planning the Route

When it comes to planning your Pacific Coast Highway motorcycle trip, the possibilities are endless. The route stretches for approximately 656 miles (1,056 kilometers), from San Francisco in the north to Los Angeles in the south. Take the time to research and map out your desired stops along the way, accounting for the duration of your trip and the attractions you wish to visit. Consider including scenic highlights like Big Sur, Half Moon Bay, and the iconic 17-Mile Drive. Don’t forget to allow for flexibility in your itinerary as you may stumble upon hidden gems that you’ll want to explore further.

Essential Gear for the Trip

As with any motorcycle journey, it’s crucial to pack the necessary gear to ensure your safety and comfort. Start with a high-quality, properly fitting helmet to protect your head in case of any incidents. Additionally, invest in a riding jacket, pants, and sturdy boots to shield yourself from the elements. Don’t forget to bring along gloves to enhance your grip and protect your hands. Packing lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing will help you stay comfortable during long rides. Lastly, remember to bring a reliable GPS system, a tire repair kit, and a first aid kit for any unforeseen situations.

Safety Considerations

While exploring the Pacific Coast Highway is undoubtedly an adventure of a lifetime, it’s crucial to prioritize your safety at all times. Familiarize yourself with the local traffic laws, always obey speed limits, and ride defensively. Be aware of potential hazards such as sharp curves, wildlife crossings, and adverse weather conditions. Stay focused and alert throughout your journey, taking regular breaks to rest and hydrate. Lastly, ensure you have adequate motorcycle insurance coverage to protect yourself financially in case of an accident or theft.

Best Time to Ride

Determining the best time to ride the Pacific Coast Highway largely depends on your personal preferences. The region enjoys a mild climate year-round, but it’s worth considering factors such as weather, traffic, and tourist crowds. Spring and fall are often regarded as the optimal seasons to embark on this journey. During these periods, you can expect pleasant temperatures, fewer tourists, and vibrant landscapes. Summer offers warm weather and longer daylight hours but tends to be busier on the road. Winter can bring rain and cooler temperatures, making riding conditions less favorable.

Starting Point: San Francisco

The iconic city of San Francisco serves as an ideal starting point for your Pacific Coast Highway motorcycle adventure. Begin by exploring the city’s famous landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Once you’re ready to hit the road, head south from San Francisco, and be prepared to be captivated by breathtaking coastal views right from the start.

Riding through Half Moon Bay

As you journey southward from San Francisco, your first stop along the Pacific Coast Highway should be the charming coastal town of Half Moon Bay. This picturesque destination offers scenic beaches, fantastic surfing spots, and delicious seafood. Take a break, soak in the stunning views, and indulge in a fresh crab sandwich at one of the local eateries.

Pacific Grove and the Iconic 17-Mile Drive

Continuing your motorcycle expedition, make sure to visit Pacific Grove, a hidden gem nestled on the Monterey Peninsula. Known for its enchanting coastline and Victorian architecture, this quaint town is a perfect place to relax and explore. While in the area, carve out time to experience the world-famous 17-Mile Drive. This breathtaking scenic route showcases iconic landmarks such as the Lone Cypress, Pebble Beach Golf Links, and Bird Rock.

Exploring Big Sur

No Pacific Coast Highway motorcycle journey would be complete without a visit to Big Sur. This rugged and awe-inspiring stretch of coastline is a haven for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. As you ride through this majestic region, be prepared to witness towering cliffs, pristine beaches, and enchanting redwood forests. Don’t miss the chance to snap jaw-dropping photos at Bixby Creek Bridge and McWay Falls.

Enjoying the Beaches of Pismo Beach

As you venture further south, the coastal town of Pismo Beach beckons with its beautiful beaches and laid-back charm. Take a leisurely stroll along the golden sands, try your hand at surfing, or simply relax and soak up the California sunshine. Indulge in local seafood delicacies at one of the waterfront restaurants and marvel at the stunning sunset views over the Pacific Ocean.

Experiencing Santa Barbara

Continuing your journey southward, make Santa Barbara your next stop. With its Mediterranean-style architecture, palm-lined streets, and vibrant cultural scene, this coastal city offers an ideal mix of relaxation and exploration. Explore the historic Santa Barbara Mission, take a walk along the picturesque Stearns Wharf, and visit the fascinating Santa Barbara Maritime Museum to learn about the region’s rich maritime heritage.

Ventura and Oxnard: Hidden Gems

As you approach the end of your Pacific Coast Highway adventure, be sure to make time for the hidden gems of Ventura and Oxnard. These neighboring coastal towns offer a laid-back atmosphere, stunning beaches, and a wealth of outdoor activities. Take a break from the road and enjoy a leisurely bike ride along the Ventura Promenade or indulge in some fresh seafood at one of the waterfront restaurants in Oxnard’s Channel Islands Harbor.

Reaching the End: Los Angeles

Your unforgettable motorcycle journey along the Pacific Coast Highway concludes in the bustling city of Los Angeles. As you approach the urban sprawl, soak in the iconic sights such as the Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Take time to explore the city’s diverse neighborhoods, cultural landmarks, and world-renowned culinary scene. Reflect on the incredible adventure you’ve just completed and cherish the memories of your epic Pacific Coast Highway motorcycle trip.

Embarking on a motorcycle adventure along the scenic Pacific Coast Highway is an experience like no other. From the breathtaking coastal views to the charming towns and hidden gems along the way, this iconic road trip offers endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. By choosing the right motorcycle, planning your route, packing essential gear, prioritizing safety, and selecting the best time to ride, you’ll be well-prepared to embark on a journey that will create memories to last a lifetime. So hop on your motorcycle, feel the wind on your face, and get ready to make unforgettable memories as you explore the stunning Pacific Coast Highway.

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Chase Manhattan

Hey y’all! It’s Chase Manhattan, a life-long gearhead, tinkerer, and adrenaline junky. I like to write about all things technical in the Harley Davidson and motorcycling space.

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Top-10 Motorcycle Rides In The Pacific Northwest

Where can you find some of the most fun and challenging motorcycling roads, along with uniquely breathtaking views, including a volcano, beaches, and mountain passes? The Pacific Northwest has all of this and more. Spanning western Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Northern California, the Pacific Northwest is home to bucket list-level motorcycle riding that begs to be explored. We’ve put together a list of the Top-10 motorcycle rides in the Pacific Northwest, so you have some good starting points for the motorcycling road trip of your life. Start your engines!

Top Motorcycle Rides In Washington State

Ride #1 - Spirit Lake Highway

Have you ever ridden your motorcycle with views of a white-capped volcano as a backdrop? In Washington State, you can. Winding up the western side of Mount Saint Helens, 50 miles northeast of Portland, Oregon, the Spirit Lake Highway leads you past fields of debris caused by the volcano explosion. On a clear day, you’ll experience views for miles despite the sometimes barren landscape.

Ride #2 - The Klickitat Loop

One of the best rides in the entire Pacific Northwest for those who love more spirited riding is the Klickitat Loop. While there are other rides in the area with more corners per mile, they often have more tourist traffic and law enforcement, making Klickitat the better option for those seeking more thrills than sightseeing.

Switchbacks are mixed in with fast sweepers, along with a few long straights, and the pavement surface is mostly good. Beware, there are open-range animal pastures along the route, so keep those eyes up and focused on the road ahead.

Top Motorcycle Rides In Oregon

Ride #3 - Highway 101

Love ocean view motorcycle riding? Oregon offers up endless ocean vistas along the 363-miles of Highway 101, stretching down the state’s entire Pacific coastline. The highway is located about an hour and a half outside of Portland, Oregon, and amenities are plentiful, making it an excellent choice for an overnight getaway ride.

Restaurants, breweries, and Airbnb’s provide ample places to stop, stretch, and rest before continuing on your motorcycle journey. There’s also a multitude of picturesque landmarks, such as Thor’s Well.

Thor’s Well – Photo Credit: Google Maps

Ride #4 - The Estacada to Detroit Lake highway

Mt. Hood National Forest serves up rushing rivers, beautifully-constructed bridges, and tree-lined landscapes. The Estacada to Detroit Lake Highway meaders through the mountains of Oregon and over a high pass that may be snow-covered in the winter and sometimes early spring. In the fall, foliage is captivatingly vibrant, and summers are simply idyllic. Turn-offs are plentiful for riders wanting a more relaxed pace (or for those wanting past slow cars).

Side Trip: Oregon’s Covered Bridges

Oregon offers up ample day-trip rides to covered bridges across the state for those who can’t get enough of covered bridge touring on their motorcycle. You can find a complete list of Oregon-covered bridges HERE . 

Top Motorcycle Rides In Idaho

Ride #5 - Rolling Valleys And Mountains On HWY 55 

Highway 55 in Idaho traverses a wide variety of landscapes, from sandy deserts to alpine meadows and over majestic mountains. If you love off-the-bike excursions while motorcycle touring, you’ll find ample opportunities for hiking along the way and even river rafting.

Ride #6 - I-84 To Three Island Crossing

One of the most dangerous sections along the Oregon Trail is known as Three Island Crossing. About 30 minutes east of the Bruneau Sand Dunes, this historic location is where many early pioneers made the harrowing crossing of the mighty Snake River. You can still see the wagon-wheel ruts that over 100 years ago passed over what’s now a park. There’s also a rustic cabin you can book a night in for an overnight motorcycle road trip.

Top Motorcycle Rides In Western Montana

Ride #7 - Rattlesnake Pass to Wallowa Lake

Tracing the Snake River all the way to Asotin, where you begin a climb to the top of the butte, you’ll encounter some of the Pacific Northwest’s finest views. Looking southeast offers vistas of Hells Canyon cliffs, and the route gives you glimpses of Eagles Cap peak and the Wallowa mountain range.

You’ll carve down to the Grande Ronde River and Gorgan’s Oasis for a food and beverage break. Eventually, you’ll cross into Oregon, where the road becomes Highway 3, with a noticeable upgrade in pavement quality and gentler curves.

Ride #8 - The Yaak & Lake Koocanusa

If scenic routes are your thing, Yaak River Road leads you through dense forests and past Yaak Falls, eventually passing meadows full of large wildlife such as elk and bear. Climbing up through the pass on FS Rd 92 provides scenes of British Columbia to the north and Montana and Northern Idaho to the east. Next, you’re given vistas of Lake Koocanusa and Libby Dam, rounding out this ride as one of the most picture-perfect in the country.

Top Motorcycle Rides In Northern California

Ride #9 - California Route 36

How do 140 miles of twists and turns sound? A love for corners is required and handily rewarded along Northern California’s Route 36. This ride takes you through redwood forests and some quality views at the higher points of the ride, but you’ll probably be mostly focused on positioning yourself in the lane for the next turn. There are significant elevation changes on the eastern portion of the route, making this one of the wildest rides in the Pacific Northwest.

Ride #10 - Route 96, A Northern California Gem

A true rider’s road, Route 96 in Northern California delivers mountain ridge riding sans touristy crowds. You can see conifer forests, numerous rivers, and there’s a multitude of activities for getting off the bike for a break. Take a romp in the Klamath river for some of the best swimming, rafting, kayaking, and fishing in the state. The vast majority of the road surface is smooth and clean, lending plenty of traction for hard cornering if swift riding is what you’re after.

Whether you live in the area already or are only visiting temporarily, the Pacific Northwest has more world-class riding than you can imagine. Keep on top of that next turn approaching using your phone’s GPS in one of Rokform’s Motorcycle Mounts . With options for 1” RAM® Mount and direct handlebar placements, you’ll be able to keep your phone in the perfect viewing area so you can focus where it matters most––on the road ahead. Be sure to tag us on your Pacific Northwest motorcycle road trip on our Instagram !

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Spidi Tour Evo 2 Motorcycle Suit Review | Gear

The Spidi Tour Evo 2 Motorcycle Suit promises three-season, foul-weather functionality for the discerning on-road tourer or commuter. After riding in it for a few months, including a 3,000-plus mile winter tour of the Southwest U.S., I can report that it delivers!

The jacket’s waterproof/windproof/breathable exterior shell is comprised of rugged Cordura fabric interspersed with 3D and Tactel fabrics. For storage, there are two waterproof chest pockets, two waterproof hand pockets, and two additional front pouches, as well as one enormous pouch on the lower back. The collar is soft neoprene and hosts a snap button whose position can be adjusted via hook-and-loop. All zippers are rubberized for weather protection, and fabric lanyards are included on exterior zippers for easier gloved operation. The matching pants feature the same materials and construction, include two pockets on the thighs, and zip to the jacket.

The suit’s interior consists of a fixed polyester mesh lining and hook points for armor or Spidi’s optional “Step-In Wear” line of base and mid layers. Both jacket and pants include removable insulated liners, and the jacket liner can be worn by itself.

On the jacket, Spidi’s CE Level 2 “Warrior Lite” armor is standard at the shoulders and elbows, while back and chest armor is optional. I outfitted the basic package with the optional Warrior CE Level 2 back protector and the optional “Thorax Warrior” thoracic protector. The pants are equipped with EN1621-1 Level 2 armor at the hips and knees.

The cut and styling of the suit lives up to its European pedigree, namely understated yet sophisticated, with subdued branding throughout. Reflective material is present on the front, sleeves, and rear of the jacket, as well as the side of the pant legs.

Venting, too, is plentiful. The jacket features large vents along the front and rear biceps and laterally around the torso, and when open, a bright green fabric emerges as a visual cue to zip up if storm clouds are ahead. The pants have vents running about 10.5 inches down each thigh. Adjustment points are numerous. The pants even include a set of removable suspenders.

I’ve used this suit during commuting, pleasure riding, and a 3,000-plus mile tour of the American Southwest, where we encountered temps ranging from 28 to 84 degrees. With its insulating layers and a plethora of Spidi’s optional base layers to choose from, the Tour Evo 2 is the perfect suit for winter applications. However, above 82 degrees, even with the vents wide open and the insulation liners removed, most riders will be reaching for dedicated summer mesh gear.

With this hot-weather limitation in mind, the Tour Evo 2 is one of the most versatile motorcycling suits on the market today. It survived many a full day’s riding in torrential winter downpours without letting in a drop of water or the slightest draft of wind. The Cordura material and all snaps, adjustment straps, and zippers are wearing like iron, and I have no doubt that at least 5-10 years of hard use can be expected in daily commuting duty.

Cons are few: The jacket’s main zipper terminates a full 2.5 inches above the bottom of the jacket, and while some distance is warranted (so the jacket can “split” as the rider sits), this seemed excessive and made zipping up difficult. The pants feature a right-thigh storage pouch that’s sealed with hook-and-loop, but the abrasive hook half faces the rider’s thigh so that the back side of the rider’s hand gets scraped when reaching into the pouch.

Overall, the Spidi Tour Evo 2 Motorcycle Suit is one of the finer European-style riding suits available today, and it should definitely be on the serious foul-weather rider’s short list. Available in sizes M-4XL, the jacket is priced at $749.90, and the pants are priced at $599.90.

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Pacific Coast Highway Motorcycle Tour - Seattle to Los Angeles

Self-guided tour - 15 days/ 14 nights, 1655 mi 2648 km, summer, fall, 50 - 90 °f 10 - 32.2 °c.

Interested in cruising the West Coast? Do you want to experience the trip of the lifetime with the Pacific breeze in your hair and the sun on your face? If this sounds like a dream, then our Pacific Coast Motorcycle Tour is the ride for you! This 15 day adventure tour kicks off in the beautiful city of Seattle, winding its way down the Pacific Coast stopping in some of the most beautiful sites in the world and finishing the tour in the beautiful seaside town of Los Angeles. Don't miss out on this opportunity to see everything from the Humpback whales of the Pacific Northwest to the celebrity studded hills of Hollywood.

Show me how to save up to $3,252 per person today!

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Starting at $2,793, bike selection, include bike, select tour package.

$2,793/ person

$4,360/ person

$5,425/ person

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Tour itinerary, 0 mi / 0 km, seattle - arrival.

Your tour begins with your arrival in Seattle, Washington, the emerald of the Pacific Northwest. With its distinct city skyline featuring the world renowned Space Needle, its vibrant downtown district, and regal Mount Rainier looming in the distance, this is the perfect place to begin a monumental motorcycle trip! The ride of a lifetime is about to start tomorrow!

135 mi / 216 km

Pickup bike seattle - port angeles, wa.

After picking up your bike at the EagleRider office in Seattle, you have several options to get yourself to your destination of Port Angeles. You can schedule yourself a ferry ride, where locals and tourists alike pile onto the Edmond's Ferry to take them across Puget Sound an into the Olympic Peninsula. You could also keep to the mainland and ride through Tacoma along the eastern side of Olympic National Park. With green forests around every turn and the cool smell of the coast in the air, you'll get your first taste of the lush Pacific coast.

160 mi / 256 km

Port angeles- ocean shores, wa.

Leave Port Angeles and ride past Lake Quinault as you travel south along the crashing waves of the Pacific toward the seaside city of Ocean Shores, Washington. The warm breeze calls out our name like the sirens of history as we head inland passing by Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest before surrendering to the shore once again at today's stop in Ocean Shores.

15 Days Self-Guided Pacific Coast Highway Motorcycle Tour - Seattle to Los Angeles Inclusions

Save $3,252 /person, eaglerider tour price $2,793, individual price $6,045, late model motorcycle rental, $2,235 /person, motorcycle friendly hotels, $3,435 /person, unlimited mileage, $150 /person, mobile tour guide app, half-shell helmet for rider and pillion, total tour value, $6,045 per person, total tour price, $2,793 per person, total savings, $3,252 per person, not included.

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