The best route for a california road trip travel nation. Expert advice from roadwarrior jamie jensen, who has zoomed along nearly 400,000 miles of highway in search of the perfect stretches of pavement. A noholdsbarred look at doing the mighty coast highway on two wheels. Heres where to sleep, what to eat, and what to see en route from san francisco to. Pacific coast highway celebrates the great american road trip, and gives you the tools, resources, and. It is not a guidebook with detailed information, but a summary reference for the main towns and sights you will pass.
These fortytwo suggested daily itineraries averaging 53 miles each begin and end at campsites. Driving tour pacific coast highway from huntington. Its the longest state route in california and, undoubtedly, the states most popular road trip destination. Of the many towns listed, only san diego is a large metropolitan area. Driving big sur on the pacific coast highway posted may 6, 2018 in blog posts stretching 90 miles south of carmel from point lobos all the way to hearst castle, big sur is one of the most memorable sections of coastline on the planet, with 5,000foot tall mountains rising up from the pacific. The pacific coast highway, part of californias state route 1, may be the. Large sections of highway 1 run concurrent with highway 101 which is much quicker, but i would recommend sticking to highway 1 for the coastal views and beaches. However if you drive the scenic route, which involves winding your way down the western california coast using highway 1 and highway 101 the pacific coast highway, the total straight driving time is about 14 hours. Pacific coast highway pch, driving into malibu along southbound california. For some stretches of the journey this simplistic approach to navigation was effective, but there were also numerous occasions when rather. This was an epic historic trip from back in 2012, before we had become rvers.
The book is now with my parents who plan on using it while in n. Davids pacific coast bicycle tour faq helder land words. I am not a fearless rider and keep almost entirely to routes with dedicated bike lanes or marked shared routes, and still managed to. Mostly traversing the coast, ill cycle through lincoln city, finishing at the oregon coast aquarium in newport. Bicycling the pacific coast was first published in 1998, and has been updated for the most recent edition which came out in 2012. Do you need maps or guide books to cycle the pacific coast.
Lets face it, the pacific highway route takes you from wilderness to sfo. Cycling the pacific coast and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Cycling on californias pacific coast highway youtube. From canada to the mexican border, bicycling the pacific coast is the most popular guidebook to bicycle touring this gorgeous edge of the u. The miles cycling along 17mile drive melt away and then a short climb. The best stops for a road trip on the pacific coast highway afar.
An epic ride down the western us seaboard from the canadian to the mexican border. Bicycle touring the pacific coast is outlined in one trip or four separate adventures road directions. This winding, scenic road high above the ocean has been seen many times in television shows, commercials, and movies. How to plan a road trip on the pacific coast highway. Route and accommodations while cycling the pacific coast. Many a honeymoon has been spent, a book born and a. The pacific coast route is the most popular bike touring route in the u. Cycling the pacific coast highway cycling the pacific coast highway is one of the most amazing cycling experiences in the world. If you want to start your road trip off in style, book a night at the the. He lives on the west coast, dividing his time among british columbia, washington, and california. Pacific coast highway the american road trip company. Few states are as driveworthy as california, home to the pacific coast highway or.
Sometimes, things are considered classic for a reason and the highway 1 road trip is one of those things. For major sites like alcatraz and hearst castle, it can be wise to book tickets at least. Driving along the california pacific coast highway is perhaps one of the. Driving up the pacific coast highway and highway 1 on a west coast usa road trip is an experience to remember its one that i certainly do. Day starts with awesome golfcourse studded shorelines in pacific grove and carmel. The pacific coast highway is a section of highway 1 or california state route 1, it is also known as the california coast highway. San francisco to santa cruz assuming you have already spent a good deal of time in san francisco exploring all the wonderful sights and sounds of fishermans wharf and the city itself, it is time to move on. The best stops on a pacific coast highwaypchhighway 1. After leaving carmel, the ride south along the pacific coast highway is the most spectacular portion of the route for many cyclists. Discover the beauty to be found between canada and mexico. The pacific coast highway, state route 1 sr 1, is a major northsouth state highway that runs along most of the pacific coastline of the u.
Essential stops on the pacific coast highway 2 day itinerary. Road trip usa pacific coast highway by jamie jensen, paperback. Cycling and horseback riding are also popular outdoor activities in the area. My route, the american adventure cycling associations pacific coast bicycle route, which.
California road trip the pacific coast highway youtube. Driving big sur on the pacific coast highway road trip usa. With nearly 650 miles of coastal views, its no wonder that state route 1 more commonly known as the pacific coast highway is considered one of the most scenic drives in the united states. Martins press was the first guidebook to the old road written in more than forty years, as well as the first to map the route since its decertification in 1985.
Ill start the ride in vancouver and ride down the oregan coast line through northern california. Cycling on californias pacific coast highway marc pagani. If youre going to make the drive updown the coast, taking. Before going on your oregon coast bike route journey, we recommend that you download the oregon coast bike route map and purchase bicycling the pacific coast book. Bill thorness is author of the new book cycling the pacific coast, which. Heres some travel tips and blogs from biking the pacific coast highway. Whether youre behind the wheel of a classic roadster or an economy rental, a road trip is only as good as the pit stops you take along the way. The most epic pacific coast highway road trip itinerary. Your decision on when to drive the pacific coast highway may be out of your hands, if youre having to coincide with a family event, say, or a conference, or if your holiday period is fixed. The pacific coast highway has many sharp curves, steep ledges, and high cliffs that. When you imagine driving along the pacific coast highway, you might think of the thrilling stretch. But he doesnt pull any punches on the challenging parts of it, like the traffic. How to bike the pacific coast from canada to mexico the six fifty.
Books to help you make the most of the pacific coast highway dont just take our word for whats good, as there are plenty of books to help you with your research into any pacific coast highway trip, or any vacation anywhere along the way. There are the aca maps, a book called cycling the pacific coast, as well as just pulling it together with. Twelve days biking and camping alone along the pacific coast. The ultimate pacific coast highway road trip travel us. Its a comprehensive and fullyindexed 272page book that covers every mile of the 1987. When theres so much to see like on the pacific coast i preferred the shorter days. Instead, this nice little travel book covers smaller coastal communities where one can visit for a weekend and take a break from the hustle and bustle of life. Bicycling the pacific coast everything you need to know about each days ride is included. The adventure cycling associations pacific coast maps aca maps.
Vancouver, canada to astoria, oregon 286 miles7,683 elevation gain. If youre driving southbound along the pch, i recommend you drive inland from seaside along highway 26e. This follows state highway 35, otherwise known as the pacific coast highway. Road trip usa pacific coast highway highlights major cities, obscure towns, popular attractions, roadside curiosities, historic sites, and oddball trivia. A nice little pocket guide that was handy to refer to during our drive on the pacific coast highway from 200 miles north of san francisco to morro bay. Exit the interstates and create your own driving adventures on the west coast s unrivaled scenic highway.
One of the most beautiful driving tours in new zealand and perhaps in the world is around the east cape of the north island. Average guy biking the pacific coast, by rich trimble. Books about the pacific coast highway in california, oregon and washington including travel. Oregon coast bike route the oregon coast visitors guide. And for 33 years, our very own bicycling the pacific coast was the most popular guidebook to this venerable route, until now. Planning a pacific coast highway road trip from san francisco to. Several routes to cross america were available to me when cycling from alaska to argentina, but in the end, i decided on the pacific coast route. Why you must tackle americas greatest road trip on two wheels. Californias coastal route along the pounding pacific is perhaps americas bestloved driving destination. Theyd frequently hang out in town or at highway onramps to hitchhike. The scenic pacific coast route travels from vancouver, b. With its baywatch beaches and oldfashioned pier, it is a worthy finish to the day. So when you factor in all the places to visit and where to stay along highway 1, you can easily spend 57 days on a road trip.
Usa end to end cycling holiday pacific coast bike tour 2020. Although the book has the word driving in the title, it really is not a road guide to californias pacific coast. Highway 1 in california also known as pacific coast highway is perfect for a scenic road trip. There are several good guides that cover the entire route, for both drivers and cyclists, and you should pack at. The route takes in the easternmost point in new zealand and starts at the bay of plenty town of opotiki and finishes at gisborne city in poverty bay. Portland is the only city on this list that isnt on the coast, and its definitely a trip extender if you want to visit portland while driving the pacific coast highway.
Magnificent views, laidback towns, vineyards and the great outdoors. Tom kirkendall and vicky spring guide you turn by turn along the length of pacific coast bicycle route all 1816. September 12, 20 before i james started riding the pacific coast highway, a well meaning friend told me i wouldnt get lost as long as i kept the ocean on my right hand side. Road trip usa pacific coast highway by jamie jensen. The adventure cycling association offers online resources. Embark on your epic pch journey with moon pacific coast highway road trip.
Pacific coast highway travel is written and published by donna dailey and mike gerrard. From the canadian border to the border with mexico, the routes take you on the highways and the byways through over 1700 miles of magnificent west coast scenery. Californias pacific coast highway is a classic american road trip that should be on everyones bucket list. It can be more expensive to rent a car if a driver is under 25 years old. The good, the bad, and the ugly on the oregon coast bike.
This beautiful route along the historic and beautiful pch has had accidents and even fatalities to cyclists over the years, but the beauty of the pacific ocean and santa monica mountains keeps riders coming back in spite of the potential danger. Ive long been eager to explore the mountains, forests and coasts of the pacific northwest. Portions of highway 1 here have been closed since may 2017, when a. Breathtaking cliffs, redwood forests, lighthouses, beaches, and a rugged coastline make this a very popular route.
A simple route to follow, it involved cycling along the pacific highway 101 and highway 1. Driving tips for a pch road trip hachette book group. Average guy biking the pacific coast just an average middleaged guy biking the pacific coast and looking for enlightenment 1,784 miles 2,871 km over 51 days from june 7, 2008 to july 27, 2008. The oregon coast bike route could definitely use some improvements, but i would not want anyone to feel discouraged from riding it. From logging towns to surfer lore,road trip usa pacific coast highway highlights major cities, obscure towns, popular attractions, roadside curiosities, historic sites, and oddball trivia, covering every aspect of this mostly twolane route down the unabashedly breathtaking western coast.
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