California Coastal DHs

Hi Folks!

I need to be in San Jose on the 6th for a job interview, so I thought I would take the FJR down the coast leaving tomorrow morning. Obviously I waited way too long to get your feedback, but there is still a little time. I will have five days. I decided to get there in four days to give me a spare day if something goes wrong. If all goes well I can spend Monday exploring the Napa valley.

So I put my newly acquired DH Nor Cal book to use and came up with the following routes (see maps below please). About 300 miles per day to allow some sightseeing breaks.

The first day will just be going west from Olympia to hwy 101 and then heading south on it to Newport OR.

Please let me know if you see any issues with my selected route. Any input much appreciated!

I don't know if it is too early in the season for any of these roads. Next thing I am going to do is check the elevation on them.

I also still need to look at the accommodation options. According to the book at least there are options.

Thanks!

Day 2: Fri, May 2nd



Day 3: Sat, May 3rd.



Day 4: Sun, May 4th.

Sure looks like some curvy roads. Would'nt you be happier on I5.

You have a perfect "bucket list" ride as drawn. I've done it a few times and once in a while the road from O'Brian to Happy Camp is snow covered into June. With the limited snow this year I'll bet it's open.

There are lot's of interesting things to do along your route, Jerry's Rogue River Jet boat ride in Gold Beach Oregon is fun, Florence Oregon, Weaverville, Mendocino are good food stops.

I'm in Sebastopol, between Petaluma and Bodega Bay if you want direction to local roads, food, etc.

Have a great ride.

Great looking routing henwil, that'll be a blast!

Good luck with the interview, hope it works out.

--G

You have a good route. Assuming you have time, be sure to stop at the Gualala hotel...

Perhaps the best beds in the state of CA...

..and good luck with the i-view!

Thanks everyone!

I am glad you approve. The DH book does make it easier to plan a trip. Got all the motels booked as well.

I did notice the road from O'Brien to Happy Camp goes up to almost 4800'. So I called the CC in Happy Camp and they say this year the road did not close at all. So no worries.

I will check out the sites you mentioned if possible.

Getting exited

Have a Great Trip Henry, looks like your going to have a good time breaking in the new tires. Good luck with the interview.

Agree, great roads. The "main" roads you've picked are all very fun, though you could spend all summer playing on the hidden gems that you'll pass by. The only addition I'll suggest, if you haven't heard anyway, is shortly south of Rio Dell, CA, you'll see signs for The Avenue of the Giants. Take it. It parallels 101 but takes you right through numerous groves of the biggest coastal redwoods. Two lanes, curvy, shady, completely gorgeous. Lower speed limit for maybe 30 miles, but you'll want to sightsee anyway. Totally worth the short extra bit of time. There are many opportunities to get back on 101 as you go, but only do that if you miss having the CHP for company. (Word of caution, they always run a couple of all-white, no-light-bar cruisers in that stretch of 101.)

If time becomes a factor as you get farther south, consider staying on 101 at Leggett instead of the Hwy 1 turnoff. You could cut over to the coast farther south at Willets (Hwy 20), also a cool ride, and shorten your day if needed. Have fun. GL on the interview, too.

Be careful on that Avenue of Giants road, it can be wet and slicker than snot in places! I put a wrinkle in my seat a couple summers ago and I was just cruising along well within the speed limit and almost lost the rear end.

Thanks Guys!

As soon as my son leaves for school I am on the road!

Marcus, thanks so much for putting the new tires on for me. I wish I had your skill and knowledge. The new tires are going to be a blast.

My day 4 ended up longer since the only accommodation I could find was in Eureka. And I want to make it to Santa Cruz so I can do a ride with my Watsonville friends on Monday. Still very doable and I will get an early start.

henwil, I'll be up on those roads this weekend as well. Going the opposite direction.

I'll be sure to give you the secret Forum wave.

By the time you get to Marin County you may have had enough of the coast. (Yes, that's possible.) The southernmost part of Highway 1 (south of Stinson Beach) is really scenic with high cliffs and lots of 2nd and 3rd gear curves. However, most likely you will get stuck behind some slow car and it will be agonizing. Even if you pass the slow car (or cars) and find some open road, three minutes later you'll catch up to the next slow car. On the other hand, there are some really sweet roads that connect the coast to 101. They are lightly traveled farm country. For example, Point Reyes Petaluma Road would be a great alternative. Or Marshall Petaluma Road is another. Nicasio Valley Rd, Lucas Valley Rd, all nice. Even Sir Francis Drake isn't too bad, though it's the busiest of the bunch.

What Jerry said!

Well I made it back from CA on Friday and had a great nine days and 3000 miles. The DH book came in real handy.

Day 1: Olympia WA to Newport OR.

Went straight to the coast and then down hwy 101. My closest call of the trip happened just north of Raymond when I deer ran in front of me. Fortunately I missed it by a few inches.

Just after South Bend I got my first speeding ticket in 30 years. I knew that was going to change when I got the FJR. Now I know this section is infested with speed tax collectors. 67 in 55 zone. $93. Not bad.

Day 2: Continued down 101 to Crescent city and then 199 and Grayback Rd to Happy Camp. Leaving the coast things got better. More curves and less traffic.

Day 3: Hwys 96, 299, 3 and 36 from Happy Camp to Eureka. Great roads and the best riding of the trip.

Day 4: I realized why there was no accommodation close to the Avenue of the Giants. There was a marathon or something going on as I passed through so I could only do about half of the Ave.

At Leggett I got on hwy 1 which had no shortage of curves but some slow RVs. Traffic remained bad, so when I missed the turn to stay on hwy 1 at Albion I decided to just stay on hwy 128 which took me to Cloverdale. I stayed on the back roads from there per the DH books directions which took me to Guerneville. It was getting later so I got on hwy 116 to hwy 101 and crossed the GGB. After that hwy 35 (had roast boar for dinner at Alice's) and hwy 9 to Santa Cruz.

Day 5: I met some friends for breakfast in Watsonville and then went for a ride with one of them. River Rd to King City for lunch, and returned on hwy 25. Later I did Hecker Pass and Old San Jose road, ending up in Oakland.

Day 6: My interview was only scheduled for 4:30 so I again consulted the book and spent the day in the hills east of Oakland. Some great riding with good views and twisties.The interview went well but I don't think I want to relocate my family to the Bay for a startup that could go bust in a year. I will see if and what they offer me.

Day 7: A friend in Roseville invited me to stay over so I took the long way through the wine country to his house. Napa, 121, 128, Lake Berryessa, 29, 20, 16. Then I attended my first school athletics meet since my school days with him and his family.

Day 8. I did not want to take I-5, so 99 to Chico, and then 32 and 89. Unfortunately 89 was closed at Lassen so I had to go around. I then missed the turnoff for 15 (not marked) and ended up at I-5. Only did 10 miles on it and then took 97 to Klamath Falls and then Bend. 12 hours and 545 miles. A nice hot bath warmed me up since the last section it was raining.

Day 9: I decided to take the shortest rout home so 97, 26 and 35 to Hood River. The worst day ever for me on the bike regarding weather. Wind, rain, snow and hail. At Hood River I spent an hour at McDonalds drinking coffee, warming up and chatting to a local. The last section was easy on Hwy 84 and I-5.

The roads in northern CA are great and I already want to go back

Here are a few pics.

Oregon Coast



Heceta Head lighthouse and coastline



More Oregon coast



Hwy 199



Cabin in Happy Camp



Heading south on hwy 96 from Happy Camp



Wild flowers close to Mad River



Coastline north of Fort Bragg



One of the many CA wineries.



San Francisco view from Grizzly Peak Blvd



In the hills east of Oakland



Small section of Lake Berryessa.

Great pics, thanks for posting!

Nice! What an excuse to go for a nice ride.. 'Really honey, I have an interview!'

Yes, it was a great excuse. She actually suggested it!

My next interview is in Austin but that would be a bit much at 2200 miles. I did think about it.