pacific coast hwy what section should I spend a week on?

[R Doug]

You need to plan extra days for all the people who want to buy you beers.

I can see I'll need to include beer money in my budget.  

[Chronic]

I can see I'll need to include beer money in my budget.  

We have a little bungalow up near Mendocino and we always try to take some vacation thime there in early Octonber.  The weather at that time is pretty much ALWAYS fabulous  

If you go in the Summer months, be sure to bring both cold weather gear AND hot weather gear......'cause if you hang a right off Hwy1 and go about 20 miles it can be a good 45 degrees hotter.  Real quick like.....

[Jeff N]

If you go in the Summer months, be sure to bring both cold weather gear AND hot weather gear......'cause if you hang a right off Hwy1 and go about 20 miles it can be a good 45 degrees hotter.  Real quick like.....

Yup. It could be 55 degrees and foggy and soggy on the coast and 95+ and bone dry just a few miles inland. But it's all good. Some of the most bestest riding roads in the world are up here in NorCal.

http://www.sportbikerental.com/

http://www.dubbelju.com/

Don't know about the first link, but I've heard good things about dubbleju.

[Grumbler]

OK so next year I will be married for 20 years.  The wife comes to me over the weekend and said "I think for our 20 year anniversary we should fly to CA and rent a bike and ride up the coast".

Here's a great resource you guys should check out: http://www.101things.com/

I also agree that the starting point should be Morro Bay, and ending point could
be through Collier Tunnel (north of Crescent City) into the Beaver State.

[sagerat]

Tunneling into the Beaver State.

*snicker*

[Grumbler]

Tunneling into the Beaver State.

*snicker*

[curvesurfer]

PCH is a stunning piece of road, but it's only one aspect of what California has to offer. Having sport-toured all over the state, I concur with those who recommend branching out to explore the contrasts to the coast.

One could do a "highlights of California" ride that hits the coast, Death Valley, the Sierras, and the northern Redwoods with the foothills in between. Easily done in 2 weeks with plenty of time to see the sights. I could recommend a rough outline of the route with not much notice.

Late September would by my recommendation, too.

[Dr Gil]

September and October are the best months to travel HWY 1. Especially north of SF. The Sonoma coast is exceptionally beautiful, just watch out for the cows as it's open range country. Cows are less mobile than deer and they don't bounce off a bike too well.

Visit Dr Gil and Beckzuki (that most wonderful nom de internerd) in Eureka. They're the best.

Yup, plenty of good riding up thar.

I was going to offer up the guest room at the "Semi-Unofficial, Mid-Westcoast, STN B&B&B" when I saw this thread but then realized this trip is still a year away.   Who knows what's going to be happening then?

If you do decide to do the northern route (or cover the whole thing...recommended) get in touch with me (PM is easiest) and the ever lovely Beck-zuki and I will see if we can squeeze you in here at our home in Eureka.   We are fortunate in that we live in motorcycling nirvana and can point out all sorts of world-class motorcycling roads in the area.    

And the fall (September-ish) is generally the best, most consistent weather here on the northcoast.

[sagerat]

Hmm, I sense a Sept. Cali trip for me and the Goose next year.  Or if it's gone, the KLR.  But arriving at Dr. Gill's on a Guzzi with the tankbag he graciously gave me does have a certain panache.

[Chips]

In my opinion, the stretch from the Golden Gate to Legget is the mostest and the bestest ride on the planet.  

To juxtapose this.. the stretch from Newport Beach to Manhattan Beach is the leastest part and worstest riding on the PCH but it could very well take you a week to get through (at least it seems like a week with all the stoplights).