Scenic road suggestions requested

[jjswee]

I have a friend coming out from the east coast that wants to spend one of the days on motorcycles. I have a ktm 690 duke and a 2006 GS500F she will borrow.

She really wanted to ride route 1 most of the way but I was kinda pushing her away from it because Route 1 from santa cruz to SF is pretty boring and not what east coasters really think of. They think of the twisty curvy roads right on the water, which I believe is only around big sur and up past Marin County.

I asked what she was looking for and she said "I was thinking of the coast highway would be fun but there will probably be traffic and always worrying about falling off a cliff. So maybe more inland with less humans. Sweeping hulls, somewhat sharp turns, straightaways where we can go quick. I'm looking more for a scenic route." She also mentioned a while ago that she really wants to go over the golden gate.


We will be leaving from Santa Clara. I would like to make it interesting and diverse, but hopefully not too long.

Here is one option. https://goo.gl/maps/SkHrs
9 to 35 to 84 to 1 up to marin hits about everything. It would be a LONG round trip, and I'm not sure what to do when I'm up in Marin. Some of those roads must be a blast on a bike, but I'm unfamiliar with all of them. Very scenic up there though.

The second idea is my typical long Saturday which is 9 to 35 to 84 to 1 down to Santa Cruz and up 9 through boulder creek (or Bonny Dune) up to 35 and back down 9. Fun rides, but lacks the Golden Gate and it most of it is in the woods and the boring part of Route 1. https://goo.gl/maps/Uc0Xv

Another thought is going south to Big Sur, hit up route 1 and get lots of scenic views. Busy traffic through. Could add some excitement on the way down going through 9.

Lots and lots of options, and lots of lots of miles. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Aeroslash]

Hwy 1 North from the GGB to Point Reyes is amazing road, and very scenic. But unless you're riding a weekday or really early in the a.m. ,traffic will be beyond frustrating.
It's not easy road either so you wanna be sure your visitor is able to get a bike around a corner that looks over a cliff.

 

[jjswee]

I'll be riding on Thursday. Thanks for the info.

 

[matt1216]

It's a longer ride but if she want to hit the Golden Gate, ya gotta do it! Once you get across, take rt 1 up to Stinson Beach, hit Panoramic Highway up to the top of Mt Tam, take Pan toll rd on your left and you'll have one of the best views in the area. Have fun

 

[jjswee]

I just looked through google maps a little and Pan Toll Rd and Ridgecrest looks perfect!

 

[matt1216]

I just looked through google maps a little and Pan Toll Rd and Ridgecrest looks perfect!

Yea you'll both love it, and if ya really want to get crazy take Bolinas Farfax road down from Ridgecrest into Fairfax. It's pretty rough with tight steep hairpins, but it's real pretty. Lots of nice redwoods and stuff.

 

[dittoalex]

Take PCH North past Fort Bragg. The 20 miles of forest twisties before it meets 101 are the best, but currently very dirty.

 

[jjswee]

Fort Bragg is 4 hours away if I took all highways to get there. Taking route 1 the whole way it is like 6 hours one way. Someday I'll go that far north and hit up the 100 miles of Route 36.

 

[NoGall]

Get up and out of the door early.
Like 7am early.
Head north on 101 directly to Lucas Valley Road.
Then work your way west toward 1.
Them south on 1 to Mill Valley and Golden Gate.
If there is more time, do your 9 and whatever.

This way, you will avoid most of the crowds in West Marin...
as well as any fog along the coast.

You should have stunning views and cliff hanger turns south of Stinson coming back.

 

[Ezekiel]

If she's still going to be around on Easter I suggest you take her on the Easter Morning Ride up Mt. Tam. Happens every year, the only day of the year the gates open before dawn so you can watch the sunrise. It's a unique Bay Area motorcycle experience and a great way to start your Easter Sunday.
Some pics from a past ride

 

[ScottRNelson]

If you're starting in Santa Cruz, I would strongly recommend Highway 1 south. If you start your ride just as the sun is coming up or slightly before, you'll be at the good part starting at Carmel before there is any real traffic. More than enough curves and scenic beauty to justify the trip.

After you've ridden south far enough, turn around and come back. I wouldn't go south past Cambria, because that's the end of the good stuff. That is, unless you want to take Highway 46 across and come back up north on Highway 101.

Or you could head up Highway 9 out of Santa Cruz and ride Highway 35 (Skyline) along the ridge and take various roads through the hills. That's all nice too.

 

[Spiffy]

Andy at SBR put together a nice little Google map with all the good roads marked with descriptions and photos of it .

http://www.southbayriders.com/maps/ridingareas/index.php?show=roads

 

[smm]

If she wants to see the Gate, take the first second exit north of the Gate and ride up Conzelman to the coast then back through the tunnel. Pro tip: Wait so you can be first in the tunnel.

Like this.

If she's OK driving down Conzelman (18% grade, one-way), she'll probably be fine with the rest of the route to Pt. Reyes Station which is a great place for lunch. If she doesn't like Conzelman, then Panoramic and Ridgecrest will probably not be happy-making.

For general sight-seeing, Paradise Drive around the Tiburon Peninsula is worthwhile.

 

[jjswee]

I meant we are leaving from Santa Clara not Santa Cruz. Cruz was on my brain so I wrote it. Whoops.

Get up and out of the door early.
Like 7am early.
Head north on 101 directly to Lucas Valley Road.
Then work your way west toward 1.
Them south on 1 to Mill Valley and Golden Gate.
If there is more time, do your 9 and whatever.

This way, you will avoid most of the crowds in West Marin...
as well as any fog along the coast.

You should have stunning views and cliff hanger turns south of Stinson coming back.

Not a bad idea to just bomb up route 1 to Marin and have fun on the way back. Gives her some time to acclimate to a different bike too.

If she's still going to be around on Easter I suggest you take her on the Easter Morning Ride up Mt. Tam. Happens every year, the only day of the year the gates open before dawn so you can watch the sunrise. It's a unique Bay Area motorcycle experience and a great way to start your Easter Sunday.
Some pics from a past ride

Won't be here for Easter. Thanks for the suggestion, its good to know anyways.

If you're starting in Santa Cruz, I would strongly recommend Highway 1 south. If you start your ride just as the sun is coming up or slightly before, you'll be at the good part starting at Carmel before there is any real traffic. More than enough curves and scenic beauty to justify the trip.

After you've ridden south far enough, turn around and come back. I wouldn't go south past Cambria, because that's the end of the good stuff. That is, unless you want to take Highway 46 across and come back up north on Highway 101.

Or you could head up Highway 9 out of Santa Cruz and ride Highway 35 (Skyline) along the ridge and take various roads through the hills. That's all nice too.

I meant to say Santa Clara, which makes the trip to big sur a lot further. I'd love to do a huge loop of route 1 and 25 (a road I've been wanting to ride for a while)

Andy at SBR put together a nice little Google map with all the good roads marked with descriptions and photos of it .

http://www.southbayriders.com/maps/ridingareas/index.php?show=roads

Thanks! I've seen this and I've used it plenty. I'll check it again for Marin county.

If she wants to see the Gate, take the first second exit north of the Gate and ride up Conzelman to the coast then back through the tunnel. Pro tip: Wait so you can be first in the tunnel.

Like this.

If she's OK driving down Conzelman (18% grade, one-way), she'll probably be fine with the rest of the route to Pt. Reyes Station which is a great place for lunch. If she doesn't like Conzelman, then Panoramic and Ridgecrest will probably not be happy-making.

For general sight-seeing, Paradise Drive around the Tiburon Peninsula is worthwhile.

Great suggestions! Thanks! I was looking for a nice path to make a loop out of Marin. I think the tight sections on fairfax-bolina near route 1 would be too tight. I'll probably stick with the higher elevation part of ridgecrest because the views are so good.

 

[BluesCruiser]

You haven't said how experienced she is, or maybe I missed it, but some of these routes can get pretty technical and rough. Don't get a new-ish rider in over her head.

 

[mrzuzzo]

If she's still going to be around on Easter I suggest you take her on the Easter Morning Ride up Mt. Tam. Happens every year, the only day of the year the gates open before dawn so you can watch the sunrise. It's a unique Bay Area motorcycle experience and a great way to start your Easter Sunday.
Some pics from a past ride

I am interested in this, do you have more details? What time/where?

Also, have you considered Mt. Hamilton? The roads are pretty technical but it's a 100 mile loop of twisties with barely any traffic at all, even on weekends:

 

[Ezekiel]

I am interested in this, do you have more details? What time/where?

It's an informal gathering of 100's of bikes. People meet up at the Arco station at about 5 or 5:30AM and eventually a bike leaves, then a few more, then the train of motos heads up the hill

You arrive to the top parking lot while it's still dark then you find yourself a nice spot to visit with friends, watch the sunrise, or maybe do a little of both. It's a rain or shine ride, some years it's foggy and rainy, other years it's beautiful...a good start to the day either way.

The Arco address is:
251 Shoreline Hwy
Mill Valley, CA

An Easter Bunny or two usually attends

 

[moto-rama]

Hwy 1 North from the GGB to Point Reyes is amazing road, and very scenic. But unless you're riding a weekday or really early in the a.m. ,traffic will be beyond frustrating.
It's not easy road either so you wanna be sure your visitor is able to get a bike around a corner that looks over a cliff.

Yup, plenny places to ride off the side....

 

[NoneMoreBlack]

Take PCH North past Fort Bragg. The 20 miles of forest twisties before it meets 101 are the best, but currently very dirty.

That road is nuts.

 

[jjswee]

Update: Took her to Mt Tam. From Saratoga to 9 to 35 to old honda (She loved Alices. Loved all the bikes and the small little town in the middle of the woods) then got stuck in cold fog at Route 1. I checked a few Fog Maps and decided to continue up 1 to the city in a hope that the fog clears. It DID! The fog was gone by the time we hit the city, through 19th ave to the golden gate south viewpoint. Then through the bridge (she loved it) then up Panorama, up Pan toll, up Ridgecrest (she didn't like the lack of guardrails here) to the top of Mt Tam. We stopped by the North Golden Gate viewpoint then 19th and 280 all the way home as it was getting dark. I wanted to take 35 and 9 home but I am not gonna have her ride in the dark on unfamiliar roads.

I had her lane split a little before the GG north viewpoint because of heavy traffic. She wasn't a fan so that ended quickly. She had to get the full California experience though. :lol:

Thanks for all the suggestions!