Motorcycle Camping/Touring on Route 1, CA

[motojavaphil]

Considering a tour from NM to Route 1 and follow it through CA, OR and to WA. I am hoping to tent camp. Where would be the best places to pick up route 1, SoCal or San Francisco? Weatherwise, what is the best time to tour this area? Tent Camping an issue in the area. I know little of this area and am open to suggestions.

[stuhly]

Did that very thing a few years ago in August. There are lots of campgrounds on that route. We picked up coast highway at Morro Bay., Ca., above LA. Be sure to take all the warm clothes you own. I have ridden thousands of miles thru Col., Dakotas. Mont., Canada, Idaho ect and that coast highway was the coldest ride of all. Beautiful, but COLD.

[HeapBigEngin]

Like stuhly said, take ALL of the warm clothing you own....and then be prepared to buy some more along the way. Can't say much about SoCal weather along the coast. As a former 20-year Bay Area resident and motorcyclist in that part of the state, I will say that the best time to come to San Francisco is September into mid- October. The "fog factor" is much less of a problem then than the usual May though August tourist season when the fog and damp cold can be downright awful. During the summer period, the hot temperatures inland around the Bay Area pull the cold ocean fog sitting offshore into San Francisco and many of the coastal areas. That applies to Monterey and areas south and most areas north as well. During the typical summer months, many of the coast areas and cities can be fogged in for days or weeks at a time....no joke. Oh you can ride in it, and some areas are more prone to the fog than others. But even with the sun shining brightly, that cool ocean are at 60 mph will feel like you're riding in a moving meat cooler. And tent camping along that coast north of San Fran when the fog saturates everything at night....well, that could get a bit brisk. Also recognize that daylight hours that time of year are a bit shorter.

If you take this trip and you are traveling nort of San Fran on Rt 1, you will eventually end up at Hwy 101 (The Redwood Highway) at Leggett, CA. Going north from here, you will be well-inland and in more hospitable climate....and approaching some of the most magnificent scenery in California. You will eventually come to giant Redwood country. DO NOT FORGET to ride the Avenue of the Giants, a 40-mile stretch of 2-lane road that parallels 101 that will treat you to mile after mile of these magnificent Redwood groves and forests. One can spend a week in this area alone. You might want to stay a night in Miranda, CA, at the Miranda Gardens (VERY nice cottages) located right on the Avenue. It is really nice. Check our their website as well as that of Humboldt County. Been up there and done that quite a few times over the years. You will NOT be disappointed.

Have a great trip, and stay safe....and warm too!

[Chief]

Did the West Coast in Ca, Or and Wa this past fall and winter in a Motorhome. Went North to South from Wa to So Cal and liked it so much turned around and did Ca from South to North. Be prepared for some outlandish campsite fees in the Ca State Parks(if you are thinking of using them). Seems that the state thinks they can solve their budget problems by pricing their park fees so high that most people will probably quit using them. You can probably check them out online. As mentioned above Redwood forest and avenue of the giants is a must. enjoy!!!!! By the way, nothing wrong with starting in San Diego and go all the way.

[motojavaphil]

I am planning the trip in mid July. I am suspecting the traffic will be a hassle so doing the trip from SF North might be best. I need to head back for a rally in CO at months end. Someone I spoke with personally suggested going inland at days end for camping. They said the weather change ten miles inland would be best for tent camping and is not that far off the path. It sounds beautiful and memorable!