"California (CA) offers an incredible diversity of motorcycle road scenery. The state is blessed with over 1,100 miles of Pacific Coast shoreline, countless miles of arid canyon and twisted mountain road riding, vast stretches of alpine mountain roads, and some of the most appealing cities in the world. And, as one of the most popular tourist states in America, the Golden State is sure to offer motorcyclists looking for things to do off the bike an amazing menu of choices.
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Best Rated Motorcycle Roads & Rides
Color Key: top-5 ranked routes in the state
#1#2#3#4#5
Routes ranked below the top-5 are drawn in gray
This route starts out on some easy light rural roads, but then turns into dusty ranchland with tight turns and boulders throughout.
The ride includes beautiful, sweeping views of the South Bay and the Santa Cruz mountains, and also of the Calaveras Reservoir on the other side.
The views from the ridge of m Marin county and Tomales Bay are stellar. Along the way is a good amount of redwoods and ranch land. You'll pass Straus Dairy farm if you're into milk and yogurt. Just…
Far views into Sacramento Valley and beyond, farms and remote ranches. Beautiful valleys. No amenities except for closer to Hwy 5, unless you go farther north to Stonyford. Don't miss the art at…
Paloma Rd winds quietly through country ranches with plenty of livestock. One of the ranches about a third of the way through has horses pretty close to the road and requests care there. We always…
While this ride starts out as just a residential canyon road ride, it quickly becomes a intermediate ADV and trail bike path that only 4x4s or bikes should take. Crunchy dirt and gravel with ruts…
This route is not so much about the scenery, which is nice enough. The main thing here is the road itself. Very nice quick twisties, especially in the 3 miles or so it takes (northbound) to reach the…
There's some pretty road along the way, though most of the route is of undistinguished beauty. Definitely pull over for a couple minutes though at approximately 34°46'16.2"N 120°09'18.3"W (https://…
The road is engulfed by two ridges crossing. This creates unique geological formation of separate valley. As you come down the hill you will see hillsbss as you might se in the Sound of Music where…
First let me start by saying that Sonora pass doesn't get as much traffic as Tioga pass, and for good reason. The road over Sonora has some pretty nasty switchbacks and I don't think its possible to…
Some narrow unmarked twisty mountain roads. Views of wooded mountain sides, a lake and the Yuba River. Hardly any traffic on Mooney Flat Rd. and a great place to stop and view the Yuba River at…
This location is South of San Francisco and there is beautiful scenery.
Goes through vineyards and rolling hills with mountains in the distance. Like riding in a picture
This routes starts at the edge of the high desert and features a few miles though the sandy/rocky desert landscape. It fairly quickly begins to climb up the back side of the mountain. The views are…
The section between Shandon and Atascadero is mostly rolling grassy hills with little of great scenery (if rolling hills don't do it for you), but once you get to the west side of Highway 101 you…
You pass through vineyards, Mountain/Bluff terrains, small canyons, Redwoods, Rivers, bridges. A lot of everything!
Beautiful open hills/ Small mountains. With vast grazing lands for farm animals.
During the wet season it is green. At the end you will reach a coastal town.
Ocean, mountains, redwood trees, etc. this route has very enjoyable Northern California scenery.
