Pacific Coastal Highway advice

[Al in Arkansas]

We are planning a long trip next year.  Looking at riding out west to about San Francisco and then north up the Coastal Highway, probably all the way to Seattle.  We would like to make the trip early enough to beat summer travelers.  Can any of you advise on the weather we could expect in early May?  What little research I've done says September and October are good, but our calendar will probably dictate that we go earlier in the year. 

Any suggestions welcome!

Al

[Wizzard]

no matter when you go you may get chilly fog in Oregon. Great trip but that has been my exp.

[Westernbiker]

I went in June one year and it was beautiful!!!! Best part of coast highway to me is north of San Fran. You get on it around Bodega Bay it is a great little town. Bar-B-Q Oysters at a little place on the left right beside a kite and wind shop. Great oysters in Marshall too. Take your time there is WAAAAAAAY too much to take in. Cannot stress enough about a beautiful ride. Along the coast for a while then off into country side then back to the coast. Bunch of great little towns along the way stop and enjoy. Be sure to stop at the Timbers Lodge take a rest have a drink and go out in the back of the resort to see the coast. Up high on a cliff with sidewalks leading off for nice walks go enjoy the view. You could have rain and or fog some days but ya never know. Watch for deer early in mornings and evening. Turkeys too! Timbers is a bit pricey to stay but worth it to me.  
I'm jealous! I wanna go! Have fun and enjoy!

[henry 008]

I will follow this thread closely, for the wife and I plan on doing the same thing fall of 2016 or 17.      I was told not to go in November because its rather dangerous   ???  on the north end that time of yr...

[The emperor has no clothes]

Samoa Cookhouse in eureka is a good place to eat. Electric vests if you have them. Rain gear for sure. You are going to LOVE it 

[nogrey]

I went down with my brother Feb '14. Of course, we trailered our bikes to Sacramento due to the sub-zero temps. It was beautiful all the way down the coast to our destination in Santa Barbara. I used to live there. May is a great month to travel the coast highway. Some of the northern areas, like Eureka and bodega bay stay cool and wet most of the year, but that won't hamper your trip I wouldn't imagine. You can expect rain or fog anytime of the year on the coast.
Of course, I made a video...
http://youtu.be/8jwLHUhQiTI

[Oss]

Google  MUIR WOODS

The access and egress roads are twisty and scenic and the TREES themselves are awesome

Its just north of Sausalito  (west of San Fran)

We stayed at a place a few hours north of SF  just south of Gualata (maybe Sea Colony?)
 I will ask my wife the name tonite
I cant overstate the danger of fog  You may think the road goes straight because you can see it
but there may be a 90 degree (not a switchback) or 3 of them before you get to what you thought you saw.  Dont worry though just dont ride faster than you can react to the road or a critter

There is an awesome Dunes park in Oregon   Its all nice but watch for rogue waves if you go into the beaches and wade in the cold water

I went east north of Astoria  (Cannon Beach is another great place to stay terrific halibut fish and chips and fat tire beer on tap) on the Oregon side of the big river and took the ferry an hour east then drove the scenic 2 lane to I5 as I was running behind schedule and needed to be in Bellevue by 4pm

Seattle is NOT on the coast, not even close

[Wizzard]

Google  MUIR WOODS

The access and egress roads are twisty and scenic and the TREES themselves are awesome

Its just north of Sausalito  (west of San Fran)

We stayed at a place a few hours north of SF   I will ask my wife the name tonite

There is an awesome Dunes park in Oregon   Its all nice but watch for rogue waves if you go into the beaches and wade in the cold water

I went east north of Astoria  (Cannon Beach is another great place to stay terrific halibut fish and chips and fat tire beer on tap) on the Oregon side of the big river and took the ferry an hour east then drove the scenic 2 lane to I5 as I was running behind schedule and needed to be in Bellevue by 4pm

Seattle is NOT on the coast, not even close

I rode Rt66 to CA then up the coast. Yep, Muir woods is cool. Stop by the Hurst Castle, its worth it. Timbers is worth the money for a stay. Take your time and stop often. And what Oss said,, Seattle is nowhere near the coast. I ended up riding around Mt Ranier, and Mt Hood then headed on over through coeur d'alene idaho and Spokane, down through Montana and into Yellowstone, over to Cody, then to Sturgis and back home.
All of it was great. I took over 700 pics,, here are just a few.

[Bighead]

I have ridden PC hwy starting in Jenner that is west of Santa Rosa. (I have been on it from San Fran North too but way better past Jenner) as was stated it can be cool temp wise any time of the year. Gotta be safe and have fun don't get in a hurry. You will pay a Premium for fuel on the PC Hwy though

[czuch]

Solvang has a little bakery that makes frosted cinnamon bread. I'd advise travelling with a toaster and a bunch of butter in a cooler. Dont worry, you'll wear out the toaster and use the butter.

[Savago]

Dear friend

This year I did a 2 weeks trip (starting at the SF Bay Area), logging over 3300 miles and 7 states. The highlights included the Going to the Sun road (National Glacier Park) and Bear tooth pass (Yellowstone).

As you will be heading North in California, for sure I recommend the Redwoods (specially the Avenue of Giants).

If you start a bit south of San Francisco, I would try to do the Big Sur and as already suggested, visit the Hearst Castle. Just a bit past Santa Cruz, you can take the exit to La Honda and visit the Alice's restaurant in the Skyline Boulevard. That is a must stop place for riders in the Bay Area.

If you allow me to suggest, I wouldn't proceed through the Pacific route in Oregon, as the route in my personal view is not as beautiful as in the Californian side.

I would instead head east and try to visit the Crater Lake National Park (one nice city to rest going North is Bend - OR). And from there, head north through some of the national forests (not to mention some empty fields and beautiful landscapes). Just be careful that Oregon eastern is quite empty, so it is nice to carry water and plan the next refuel (after riding 110 miles, there was one case where the next gas station was 50 miles away, around Spray - OR).


Regards


Savago

[sheets]

I would not hesitate to transit via Calif. Rte 01 in May. Could be beautiful, could be foggy, could be drizzly, could be breezy, could be windy . . . just the luck of the draw on the days you happen to pass through. The prevailing winds are typically out of the north, so heading north you could be dealing with a headwind. You cannot get in a hurry on this route. It is very twisty and very steep in places. Nothing the Valk can't handle, but it is very time consuming and can wear ya down after a few hours. There is no margin for error on this road. It is a good well traveled road, but very unforgiving if you make a unplanned departure from the pavement. From San Francisco to Leggett your speed will range between 20 & 40 mph. Don't set unrealistic goals for yourself to end the day. Fort Bragg is a good size town with plenty of lodging. Some serious twistys for 30 miles til you reach Leggett. Nothing in Leggett, aside from the Chandelier Tree tourist stop. Is worth the $3 for admission. Nice gift shop in there to take a break.  North from there, Garberville would be an option to end a day. From there... the Avenue of the Giants parallels the freeway. It's the old hiway before the '64 flood washed out the road for many miles. Once on 101 you don't really see much of the ocean. On the north side of the hamlet of Orick, take the old hiway through the park for eight more miles of redwoods up close and personal. Southern Oregon has a number of miles of highway right along the ocean. North of Bandon you don't see much of the coastline. Bandon is great place to end the day. Motel over looking the harbor, walking distance to old downtown with an assortment of restaurants and shops. Have been going there every year for 15 or more years just to get a cinnamon roll from the bakery. From there you might consider cutting east through the interior for points beyond. Or, stay on the coast road if that is your primary plan. Tillamook cheese factory is cool place to take break.

Notice the Motel above the Bakery in the attached photo.

       

[The emperor has no clothes]

I would not hesitate to transit via Calif. Rte 01 in May. Could be beautiful, could be foggy, could be drizzly, could be breezy, could be windy . . . just the luck of the draw on the days you happen to pass through. The prevailing winds are typically out of the north, so heading north you could be dealing with a headwind. You cannot get in a hurry on this route. It is very twisty and very steep in places. Nothing the Valk can't handle, but it is very time consuming and can wear ya down after a few hours. There is no margin for error on this road. It is a good well traveled road, but very unforgiving if you make a unplanned departure from the pavement. From San Francisco to Leggett your speed will range between 20 & 40 mph. Don't set unrealistic goals for yourself to end the day. Fort Bragg is a good size town with plenty of lodging. Some serious twistys for 30 miles til you reach Leggett. Nothing in Leggett, aside from the Chandelier Tree tourist stop. Is worth the $3 for admission. Nice gift shop in there to take a break.  North from there, Garberville would be an option to end a day. From there... the Avenue of the Giants parallels the freeway. It's the old hiway before the '64 flood washed out the road for many miles. Once on 101 you don't really see much of the ocean. On the north side of the hamlet of Orick, take the old hiway through the park for eight more miles of redwoods up close and personal. Southern Oregon has a number of miles of highway right along the ocean. North of Bandon you don't see much of the coastline. Bandon is great place to end the day. Motel over looking the harbor, walking distance to old downtown with an assortment of restaurants and shops. Have been going there every year for 15 or more years just to get a cinnamon roll from the bakery. From there you might consider cutting east through the interior for points beyond. Or, stay on the coast road if that is your primary plan. Tillamook cheese factory is cool place to take break.

Notice the Motel above the Bakery in the attached photo.

       

Perfect review ! Nice looking bike 

[Slvrvalk1]

As a resident of California who lives very close to the PCH, I want to put some geography into perspective.  Hearst Castle and Big Sur are both South of San Francisco.  One of the nicest stretches of the PCH runs from Morro Bay to Monterey.  It is approximately 120 miles between the two towns. 

Hearst Castle is about 40 minutes North of Morro Bay.  Just a few more miles North is a viewing area for elephant seals.  There are always some on the beach, but if you go in January or February, you will see thousands on that beach.

There is almost always slow moving site seers on the PCH, so you cannot average very fast once it gets hilly.  As has been mentioned, there can be fog almost anytime of the year because you are on the coast.

I hope you have a great trip!

Dave

[Moonshot_1]

As a resident of California who lives very close to the PCH, I want to put some geography into perspective.  Hearst Castle and Big Sur are both South of San Francisco.  One of the nicest stretches of the PCH runs from Morro Bay to Monterey.  It is approximately 120 miles between the two towns. 

Hearst Castle is about 40 minutes North of Morro Bay.  Just a few more miles North is a viewing area for elephant seals.  There are always some on the beach, but if you go in January or February, you will see thousands on that beach.

There is almost always slow moving site seers on the PCH, so you cannot average very fast once it gets hilly.  As has been mentioned, there can be fog almost anytime of the year because you are on the coast.

I hope you have a great trip!

Dave

Out there few years ago in Feb. (2014?) Anyway, drove out from Iowa and rented a Harley Ultra-Glide from the Harley/Honda dealer in Santa Maria. Stayed at motel in San Simeon area. Drove up to Monterey and back. Rented bike for couple of days, returned it and continued our visit down in the LA area.
(visiting nephew on wife's side)

Very pleased with renting from the Santa Maria location as it puts you on the scenic parts of the PCH and out of major traffic rather quickly (less than hour) as opposed to renting from somewhere in the LA metro area and spending hours fighting traffic.

The elephant seals were out in force and the ride up and back simply breathtaking for most of the ride.

Hope for a future ride on the north run of the PCH.

[icandoitfaster]

Just returned last week from a trip down the PCH from Vancouver, BC to LA. What an amazing riide. It took us 12 days (very short days on the bike and long on sightseeing) and we never had to put the rain gear on (we lucked out)!!  My wife found the coastal morning fog a little cool for her liking so she plugged in every morning and the afternoons were clear skies with mild temps. The twisties are great but could get you in trouble quickly if you don't pay attention. DO IT!!  You won't regret the time spent....an amazing road!
We returned via hwy 395 and hwy 97......19 days without rain.
paul

[The emperor has no clothes]

Just returned last week from a trip down the PCH from Vancouver, BC to LA. What an amazing riide. It took us 12 days (very short days on the bike and long on sightseeing) and we never had to put the rain gear on (we lucked out)!!  My wife found the coastal morning fog a little cool for her liking so she plugged in every morning and the afternoons were clear skies with mild temps. The twisties are great but could get you in trouble quickly if you don't pay attention. DO IT!!  You won't regret the time spent....an amazing road!
We returned via hwy 395 and hwy 97......19 days without rain.
paul

Sounds like a great ride 

[Alien]

Samoa Cookhouse in eureka is a good place to eat. Electric vests if you have them. Rain gear for sure. You are going to LOVE it 

Eureka is my wife's hometown and I ride up there several times a year from L.A.  +1 on Samoa cookhouse, great family style food right on the bay.  It's always cold in Eureka but the redwoods are beautiful.  Be sure to take the detour through the "Avenue of the Giants" on US101 just south of Fortuna.  This will be a great ride that you will not soon forget.  Also, watch your speed on 101, they'll ticket you at 10 over the limit.  Ask me how I know.

Ride Safe,

Alien

[0leman]

Last week we did the "lets look at all the lighthouses on the Oregon coast" trip, all 9 of them.  WE were in a Dodge pickup hauling our home on its back.   Started at Crescent City, CA and went up nearly to Astoria on Hwy 101.  Took 4 days to do it.  Lots of places to pull off and enjoy the coast, lots of sandy beaches.  And yes, the water is cold.   We didn't see any whales at the places we stopped.  We plan on going back in September to visit some of the places where there we too many folks.

I highly recommend it.  Also make sure you stop and enjoy the Red Woods, there are several places to stop and just walk thru them. 

There was a lot of traffic around the Newport (OR) area and right now lots of folks camping out.   Next month there might not be as many folks.  If you can, plan on doing this section during the week as lots of folks come on the weekends. 

If you can work it into your schedule, Cater Lake is a place to visit.  Since I live only an hour away, I ride up there often.  Really enjoy it.   And yes, some places in eastern Oregon you need to check you map for places that have gas.   Other than Hwy 97, there are some lonely stretches of roads.

[Al in Arkansas]

Wow!  Thanks for all the input guys!  We've got 9 months to work on factoring in your advice and planning the stops and must see parts of this trip!   Definitely a bucket list sort of motorcycle trip.  We did this basic route with our kids in a station wagon about 20 years ago.  Doing it on bikes will be a whole different level of fun!

[sheets]

If you have further questions about distances or elements of time between San Francisco and the Calif./Oregon state line, feel free to drop me an email. I can detail some options for daily destinations / sight-seeing / gas / food / lodging . . . depending on how you break down your days passing through northern Cali and part way up the Oregon coast - or points inland. Depending on when you actually cross the Golden Gate bridge and make your exit to Hwy 1, . . . at a reasonable pace to take in the sights and smells and occasional butt breaks & gas, I'm confident you will feel like your a$$ will have been handed to you by the time you reach Fort Bragg. North of town, once you leave the ocean bluffs and head into the hills, the last 25 miles of steep twisty hair-pin turns in the woods to reach the burg of Leggett are best tackled when fresh rather than the end of the day when you are feeling completely used up. Food for thought.  sheets   

[fordmano]

A bunch shorty of a ride than what you are planning but we are headed to Manchester from San Jose, 28-29 Aug. A local group varied rides, about 20+ bikes and a total of around 30+ people staying at the KOA in Manchester. MY wife and i have never been there so we are looking forward to that weekend immensely.

I haven't been given the route as of yet. But I will likely post pictures of our route for this section if your interested check back shortly after that weekend.

[icandoitfaster]

We stayed a night at the Manchester KOA a few weeks ago on our trip. Great campground!!  Nice big sites, clean swimming pool and loads of big trees for shade. The staff were great; brought our purchased firewood and ice to our campsite. Brother-in-law didn't have enough gas to get him to the next station so one of the staff gave him two gallons....free (refused our offer to pay)! You're going to enjoy your stay!
paul